Board of Advisors
Admiral Ken Carodine
Foreign Policy Military AdvisorKen Carodine, a 1982 graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, is the first officer and sailor from a family of military veterans. He earned a Master of Science in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1994.
Ambassador Omar Arouna
Foreign Policy AdvisorAmbassador Arouna is the former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Benin to the U.S. and Mexico and Benin former, representative to the Organization of American States, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the International Financial Corporation in Washington, D.C.. He engaged with U.S. development agencies on behalf of the country.
Erin Harbaugh
Strategic Communications AdvisorErin Harbaugh is a strategy, and communications expert, and seasoned international policy practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the high-tech sector, nonprofit management, federal government, and private consulting. The arc of her career has been working at the nexus of science, security, and policy and developing new strategies and engagements.
Our Staff
Justin Thomas Russell
Principal DirectorJustin T. Russell has over 30 years of experience in government service, government relations, and international affairs, covering a wide range of issues.
Julianna Iwasinski
Associate Director for PolicyJulianna Iwasinski is a rising senior at the College of Charleston pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health. She will graduate this Fall. Ms. Iwasinski volunteers her time at the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital.
Sammy Flitton
Senior Policy Fellow, Legislative AffairsSam Flitton is a J.D. candidate focusing on international law at the University of Utah. He has extensive experience in foreign relations, including political experience in the U.K., time with the Trasnatlantic Policy Network based in Brussels, and working for the Utah Governor’s Office of Trade and Diplomacy. Most recently, he worked as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Stewart (UT). His portfolio during his time on the Hill included foreign affairs, trade, and appropriations. Mr. Flitton received his Master’s Degree in Politics from the University of Oxford, with an emphasis on European affairs. Before moving to the U.K., he received his B.S. from the University of Utah in International Studies, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Mr. Flitton is also fluent in Italian after living in Italy for a little more than three years.
Lauren Maltese
Associate Director for External AffairsLauren received her undergraduate degree from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University with a dual major of International Relations and Economics and a minor in Political Science. She went on to study Diplomacy at the University of Haifa where she also spent time working at Amnesty International in Tel Aviv.
Shelby Doren
Summer AssociateShelby is a rising senior at Siena College pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a focus in International Relations. She has an intermediate Russian language background, skills strongest in reading and writing. She also has extensive experience in nonprofit building and research.
Omar Mandeel
Policy Fellow, Global energy and Environmental PolicyA graduate of the University of Kentucky, Omar's background is in foreign policy, human rights, and sustainable development. His previous experience has ranged from working in social impact entrepreneurship in Switzerland to serving with the US Peace Corps in Zambia.
