Siaka Togola

President

Siaka Togola is a Malian living in the diaspora. He is proud to be your 2019 ESIA Graduate Student Forum President. He is an M.A.I.A. student on Economic Development in Africa. Currently he serves as Special Assistant to the African Union Permanent Representative to the U.S. on all diaspora related matters, under the African Union Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO); Additionally, he chairs the Pan-African Diaspora Youth Association's Communications and Public Relations sector. PADYA is the Youth mobilization and sensitization branch of the African Union Mission to the United States of America, Canada, South and Latin America, and the Caribbean. ​

Rebecca Giovannozzi

Vice President 

Rebecca Giovannozzi goes by Becca. She is the Vice President for GSF, and also a first year MAIA student concentrating in U.S. Foreign Policy and Development! She is from Seattle, Washington and has spent the past few years working in the nonprofit NGO sector, specifically in humanitarian mine action, women’s economic empowerment, and grassroot-level agricultural programs. When not at work or at school, you can usually find her with friends or knitting.

Olamide Ogunlowo

Communications Chair

Olamide Ogunlowo goes by Lami. She is the communications chair for GSF. She is a first year graduate student in the International Trade & Investment Policy Program. She is from Lagos, Nigeria and has received a B.S in Economics and Policy Studies from Syracuse University. In her free time, she likes to explore the city, hang out with friends, read and go to concerts.

Young Hyun Lily Joo

Chief of Staff​

Young Hyun Lily Joo goes by Lily! She is the 2019 Chief of Staff of the Elliott School of International Affairs’ Graduate Student Forum. She is a first year graduate student in the International Affairs program, concentrating in International Security Studies. She currently works part-time at the Milken Institute School of Public Health Office of Research Excellence. Her hobbies are singing, organizing, watching cute animal videos, and baking! She is from South Korea and has been studying abroad for 8 years. ​

Matthew Schaffer

Community Service and Student Affairs Chair 

Matthew Schaffer is the Student Affairs & Community Service Chair for GSF! He is a first year student in the Security Policy Studies Program concentrating in Transnational Security Threats. He is from Spokane, Washington and received a B.A. in International Relations and Foreign Policy at Gonzaga University. In his free time he likes to spend time with friends, play lacrosse and volleyball, and browse the countless book stores throughout DC!

Yuxin Lei

Treasurer

Yuxin Lei is the treasurer for GSF. She is a first-year graduate student in the International Affairs program concentrating on international development policy and global gender policy. She is from Xi’an, China and received a B.A. in International Studies at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. In her free time, she likes to spend time with friends, enjoy outdoor activities, and pet other people's dogs.  ​