Hello, World!

I recently heard someone say that DC is the place to be - warm summers (albeit humid), delicious venues to either dine or grab a bite, be it the buffet brunch for my voracious cravings at Farmers Fishers Bakers, or unwinding with an Aviation at The Red Hen. There are fitness spots around each corner, not to mention the beauty of a casual run along the Reflection Pool, and endless opportunities accompanied by an intense level of competition among some of the most intellectual individuals in the nation. Although born and raised in Florida and excited about my parents’ recent relocation to Colorado, as a new graduate of Wellesley College, I was content calling Boston my home. However, I am redefining my sense of belonging in our nation’s capital, and I can’t think of a better place to begin than with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

I never imagined that my bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and psychology would lead me here, to an organization focused on building open, transparent democracies. This past winter, during my final semester of college and as a 2016 fellow of the Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs, I had an epiphany sitting alongside other women like myself, soaking in the experiences of top leaders in fields that require policy making processes and critical analyses.

I realized that, despite our different interests and focuses, we Fellows share the common goal of improving our world and, as cliché as it sounds, I instinctively and intellectually sensed that we could accomplish this together.

I hope to one day sit across the table from my fellow Albright scholars, strategizing the most effective approaches to attain peace. I’ve had a similar feeling here at NDI, collaborating with other kindred spirits on a parallel mission.

As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NDI has worked to support democracy across five continents since 1983. Here at NDI, I’m working with the NDItech team - a group that strives to use the right technology to bridge internal and external gaps between citizens and their governments.

DemTools is one of the most visionary initiatives that I’ve seen so far with NDItech. This suite of webapps is designed to connect individuals, civic groups and governments across the globe. In stark contrast to the personal horror stories and warnings of working in DC rendered during my UberPOOL ride on my first day of work, my teammates at NDI are rare gems. Our creative potential flows freely across the dry-eraser painted walls and during daily Agile standups, and I have launched into real projects (stay tuned for updates!) that extend outside of the United States.

Here is to further exploring the Georgetown Waterfront and Chinatown with my teammates and improving security and livelihoods one tech innovation at a time!