Amy is a community volunteer, mother of four, and wife. Amy’s international experience started at 6 months old when the Air Force moved her father and their family to England. Amy has lived in England twice as a child and spent a summer on a mission trip in the Philippines as a teenager. As a wife and mother, Amy has lived in Norway, France, and England, moving children through international schools, churches, and friendships. She traveled with her husband and children across much of Europe during their time abroad. Amy is the daughter and wife of combat veterans; international issues have always played an influential role in her life. Amy has a degree in International Studies from the University of South Carolina. Amy interned with the Columbia WAC during her time in College. Amy is on the board for Franklin Tomorrow, serves with her husband as a deacon at their church, is an active member of Moms in Prayer, is a member of Impact100 Nashville, is a volunteer for the Veteran Peer Group at the Nashville Technology Council, and supports her four children in their athletic, musical, and extracurricular endeavors. 

Gabriela Ledesma is originally from Panama and earned her degree in International Business with a minor in Data Analytics from Illinois State University. During her time at ISU, she served as President of the International Business Association, where she led award-winning initiatives focused on global leadership and intercultural collaboration. She was part of the Honors Program and received multiple distinctions, including the prestigious Bone Scholar Award—the highest academic honor at the university—the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, and the International Business Service Award. Gabriela also represented her university at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York, where she served as a delegate in simulations of global diplomacy and policy-making.

Today, Gabriela is dedicated to empowering others through education and communication. She teaches public speaking and trains individuals across Latin America, helping them strengthen their voices, build confidence, and lead with impact. Her work focuses on making communication skills accessible to underrepresented communities, especially youth and emerging leaders in the region.

Ashley is a humanitarian with over 13 years of experience with international emergency and development assistance. While she started out implementing programs, the majority of her career has been with USAID doing everything from technical advisor to field officer in U.S. Embassies all over the world. She has served on emergency responses including Haiti, Gaza, Ethiopia, Mali, Central Africa Republic, and Niger. She is currently working toward becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and hopes to use those skills to improve breastfeeding in emergencies. 

Ashley currently resides in Clarksville with her kids and dogs and volunteers with the Tennessee World Affairs Council. She received her MS in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition from Tufts University and a BS in Management from Oral Roberts University. Prior to her humanitarian career, she taught English in South Korea and Japan.

Olivia Blackmon is a recent graduate and advocate for language and cultural exchange. A voracious language learner, she speaks Mandarin, Spanish and Korean. A Chinese Flagship graduate, Olivia has extensive experience with nationally competitive scholarships as a participant and active alumna, including the NSLI-y, CLS and Boren Scholarships. Her experience includes serving as business manager at the immersive Concordia Language Villages, providing private foreign language instruction, and working in Metro Nashville Public Schools. She is passionate about fostering global awareness and equipping the next generation to engage with the world.

Janet Reyes, originally from Havana, Cuba, and born in the United States. My passion for economics and international relations began two years ago, and I am currently completing my graduate degree in International Business at Belmont University, graduating this December. My ultimate career goal is to serve as a U.S. diplomat in foreign policy and international affairs. I have attended multiple Tennessee World Affairs Council events, learning from experienced diplomats and deepening my understanding of global issues. I believe this volunteer role will strengthen my skills and enhance my preparation for a future in diplomacy.

Hunter is a senior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in History and Economics, with minors in World Politics and Classics. He is writing his senior thesis for the Honors History program on New Deal work relief programs and the emergence of the American white-collar class. Hunter acts on his ardent appreciation for foreign affairs by leading Vanderbilt’s premier foreign affairs club, the Alexander Hamilton Society, as president. He hopes to pursue a career in public service or law. He loves cooking, Kurt Vonnegut and Steinbeck, running, and strength training.

My name is Jennifer Gheorghe and I am a senior at Florida State University pursuing a dual degree in International Affairs and Psychology. Growing up just outside Nashville with Romanian immigrant parents gave me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. My background has fueled my passion for understanding global issues and I aspire to a career in international diplomacy where I can contribute to peaceful cross-cultural collaboration. 

Mary Jess Holt is an Economics student at Belmont University. She primarily focuses on international economic relations, particularly involving the dynamics between Eastern and Western economies. Mary Jess is especially drawn to China’s role in today’s global economy and is passionate about sharing a more thoughtful, global perspective with others.