FALL 2024 LEAD AND PARKE FELLOWS
Arianna Afsar (she/hers) believes deeply in the intersection of arts and policy. Art changes culture and culture changes policy. As a theater/film performer and composer, Afsar is excited to be finishing up her last year at Wagner to understand the intersection from the policy perspective. As a fellow for Headcount, Afsar is in the process of creating political education to combat voter apathy from a nonpartisan perspective.
As a LEAD Fellow, Arianna will be working with HeadCount to create informational resources on how to engage volunteers in issue-based conversations for around state-wide ballot initiatives across the country.
JJ Briscoe is currently an MPA student at the Wagner School of Public service, specializing in political action and advocacy. Working for campaigns and state political parties in New York, Vermont, and Kansas has compelled him to focus on democratic reform policies. JJ is passionate about advocating for structural reform to increase representation for marginalized communities within our democratic system.
As a LEAD Fellow, JJ will be working for Public Citizen's Protecting Democracy Campaign urging regulators and political parties to implement guardrails on the use of deceptive AI-generated content.
Madison Buchholz (she/her) is a first-year Master’s student studying Applied Urban Science and Information with NYU’s Center for Urban Science and Progress. Previously, she studied political science and actuarial science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before attending NYU, Madison has held internships with the United Nations and the UN Staff One Percent for Development Fund. She is passionate about applying data analytics to help advance pro-democratic policies and reforms.
As a Parke Fellow, Madison will work with the Brennan Center for Justice on mapping and redistricting projects.
Zarina Dhillon (she/her) is passionate about using quantitative techniques in unique ways to contribute to the fight for justice. She holds accessibility and intersectionality at the core of her work. Zarina is currently earning her Masters in Applied Statistics, concentrating on data science for social impact. She earned her Bachelors in Mathematics from Claremont McKenna College as a proud transfer student from Santa Barbara City College. Her previous work includes measuring racial segregation in Los Angeles County using random walks, evaluating methods used to quantify racial segregation, psychological research on the effects of social justice, and various other projects in the realm of advocacy.
As a Parke Fellow, Zarina will work with the Brennan Center for Justice.
Kylie Fuller is a PhD student in the sociology department at New York University (NYU), where she focuses on social movements, political sociology, and social change. Her research examines the dynamics of political polarization, protest tactics, and the intersection of media and public opinion. She received her BA in psychology and anthropology from Johns Hopkins University in 2022.
As a Parke Fellow, Kylie will work with the Brennan Center for Justice.
Dimiana Habtemariam (she/her) is an adept public policy professional with a Master of Public Administration from NYU's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, specializing in Advocacy and Political Action. Dimiana's expertise includes stakeholder engagement, comprehensive policy analysis, and the creation of compelling narratives that spotlight community impacts.
As a LEAD Fellow, Dimiana will work with Public Citizen, focusing on organizing and advocacy efforts to safeguard our democracy and voting rights, particularly concerning AI legislation affecting elections.
Alfi Joseph (she/her) is a rising second year Masters' of Public Administration student specializing in Management & Leadership. Prior to NYU she worked various nonprofit management roles in international affairs, education, and public health in Texas.
As a LEAD Fellow, Alfi will be working with Mi Familia Vota supporting its mission through the national and Texas offices by creating standardized policies related to voter registration, canvassing, and overall campaign preparedness.
Sinéad López (she/her) has nearly a decade of experience in the social justice philanthropic sector, with a focus on supporting progressive, BIPOC-led cultural/narrative power and nonprofit infrastructure in the U.S. She has served at organizations such as the Nathan Cummings Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and Ballet Hispánico, and on the boards of the Mosaic Network & Fund, EPIP NY, S.O.U.R.C.E. Studio, and Critical Minded. Sinéad is currently an MPA student and Lisa Ellen Goldberg Fellow at NYU Wagner specializing in Advocacy & Political Action. She holds a B.A. with honors in Art History from Northwestern University.
As a LEAD Fellow, Sinead will be working with Make the Road New York and both its civic engagement team building leadership and infrastructure, as well as, the immigration team on immigration issues.
Jessica Meza (she/her) is a student at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development studying for her MA in Media, Culture and Communication with a focus in media industries and political communications. She is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma and has a BA in Strategic Communications and Spanish from Oklahoma State University. Jessica is passionate about digital communications and media as a way to promote topics in social advocacy and campaign for change.
As a LEAD Fellow, Jessica will be working with VoteRiders assisting with digital communications efforts to promote civic engagement and voter inclusion across the country.
Chantal Serrano graduated in 2024 from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School for Public Service. She earned her Master’s in Public and Non-Profit Policy and Management, specializing in Advocacy and Political Action. Chantal’s research is primarily centered on criminal justice reform, electoral politics, immigrant rights, cannabis policy, and the intersectionality of care labor. She hopes to use her education and research to create meaningful change towards a more equitable and sustainable society.
As a LEAD Fellow, Chantal will work with VoteRiders supporting its voter ID-focused volunteer training sessions.
Kyle Van Rensselaer (he/him) is a 3rd-year Ph.D. student in the Politics department at NYU. His work focuses on American political geography and political methodology. In particular, he is interested in public goods provision at the local level and how municipal boundaries help shape individuals' access to (and demand for) services such as parks and polling places. Kyle grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California; he holds an MA in International Policy and a BA in International Relations from Stanford University.
As a Parke Fellow, Kyle will work with the Brennan Center for Justice on voting rights and elections research.
Diego Diaz De La Vega recently completed his Master's degree in Politics at NYU in May 2024. Specializing in Comparative Politics with a focus on Latin America and Political Economy, he has effectively utilized his data analysis skills in various non-profit organizations, including ROC-United. Last year, Diego worked as a LEAD Democracy Fellow at People For The American Way (PFAW), where he played a crucial role in addressing misinformation through the Grandparents for Truth initiative.
As a LEAD Fellow, Diego will collaborate with Mi Familia Vota and its sister organization MFV in Action, focusing on mobilizing Latino voters in upcoming elections.