Chu Fang

Chu Fang is pursuing his Master’s in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) at the Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to attending HKS, Chu served as an Attaché at the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia and later as an Academic Officer at the China Diplomatic Academy, where he focused on economic research and international cooperation. He is particularly interested in promoting public-private integration to support developing countries in advancing energy diversification and ensuring reliable, affordable access to power.

Chu received his B.A. in Arabic Language and Culture, and Economics (double major) from Peking University in 2017.

Rain Ji

Rain Ji is a first-year Master in Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School, originally from Beijing, China. Prior to HKS, she worked as a James C. Gaither Junior Fellow in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where she focused on great power competition in the Middle East and North Africa.

She holds a B.A. in International and Global Studies from Middlebury College.

Koichi Tsukioka

Koichi Tsukioka is a first-year MPP student at Harvard Kennedy School from Japan. Prior to his time at HKS, he worked for the Japanese government as an assistant director at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. He was involved in an AI implementation project for the government and in software industry policy. His academic interests include tech policy, with a particular focus on emerging technology from the perspective of geopolitical analysis and economic development.

He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Tokyo, where he majored in systems engineering, with a particular emphasis on research into patent analysis of Chinese IT companies.

Liz Valdez

Liz Valdez is a Master in Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School, concentrating in Political and Economic Development. A Fulbright Scholar and John F. Kennedy Fellow, she has over four years of experience at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She served at the North American Unit as Officer for Political and Economic Affairs and at the Minister’s Office as Deputy Director for Migration Policy and Data Analysis. In these roles, she contributed to economic cooperation initiatives with the United States and Canada, trade research including USMCA consultations, commercial diplomacy efforts, trade delegations as well as promoting academic mobility and community integration for refugees and migrants.

More recently, she has focused on economic development, exploring strategies for inclusive growth and labor mobility. Originally from Mazatlan, Mexico, Liz holds a BA in International Relations from ITAM and certifications from CIDE, UC San Diego, University of Arizona and UNHCR.

Andrea Vega

Andrea Vega is a first-year MPP student at the Harvard Kennedy School from Mexico.

She holds degrees in Economics and in Applied Mathematics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). At Mexico’s Ministry of Finance, she worked on procurement processes, regulatory analysis, and high-level strategic projects. Andrea has also contributed to financial inclusion projects as an intern at AXA and has volunteered in education for the elderly and youth development.

Mark van de Fliert

Mark van de Fliert is a first-year MPA/ID student at the Harvard Kennedy School from the Netherlands. Prior to attending HKS, he worked with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Lebanon and East Jerusalem, supporting emergency operations in response to Lebanon’s financial collapse and the COVID-19 pandemic, and later leading donor engagement for humanitarian efforts in Gaza and Syria. At HKS, his studies focus on economic growth, humanitarian coordination, and risk management in fragile settings. Mark is interested in the intersection of crisis response, governance reform, and long-term economic development.

Narayani Shreedevi Ananthakrishnan

Narayani Shreedevi Ananthakrishnan (NaSA) is a Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) candidate at Harvard Kennedy School, where she is deepening her expertise in economic policy and social impact. With a diverse background spanning pharmaceutical consulting at ZS Associates, operational strategy at Halliburton, and grassroots education reform with Teach For India, Narayani has honed her analytical and leadership skills across sectors. She is passionate about bridging the gap between policy and practice, particularly in areas of education access, workforce development, and sustainable enterprise growth. A firm believer in the power of community-driven change, she aspires to design impactful business accelerators that foster self-reliance and economic resilience. Outside the classroom, Narayani enjoys painting, mentoring young learners, and exploring the intersections of art and social change.

Isha Savant

Isha Savant is pursuing her Master’s in International Education Policy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is interested in working in the intersection of education and labor market policy to support low- and middle-income countries better align their efforts with their political economic systems and macro-economic goals. Prior to attending Harvard, Isha worked as a Special Education Teacher through Teach for America and interned for Amazon and Walgreens’ Supply Chain teams. Isha received her Bachelor’s in Economics from Barnard College of Columbia University in 2023.

Melvin Oshomegie

Melvin Oshomegie is a first-year MPA/ID student at the Harvard Kennedy School from Nigeria. He previously served as Manager (Corporate Reporting – Finance and Tax) at American Tower Corporation, where he led initiatives that delivered significant tax savings, streamlined reporting processes, and supported strategic financial planning. Prior to that, he was a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), advising governments and industry groups on tax reform, policy advocacy, and institutional strengthening.

Melvin is passionate about the intersection of finance, public policy, and development, with a strong interest in using financial strategy to drive inclusive growth, especially for low-income communities. He holds a B.Sc. in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an M.Sc. in Economics from the University of Ibadan. He is also a Chartered Accountant (ACCA – UK and Nigeria).

Yiwei Wang

Yiwei Wang is a first-year Master in Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School from Shanghai, China. Prior to attending HKS, Yiwei engaged in research assistance at Peking University’s China Institute for Education Finance Research and Vanderbilt University’s Socio-Technical Interaction Research Lab for Teen Online Safety Research.

Yiwei also has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, leading education initiatives aimed at addressing rural inequality in China and supporting project-based learning programs for underprivileged students. Yiwei is passionate about promoting inclusive economic development and educational equity, with a particular interest in designing community-centered strategies to support regional development. Yiwei received a B.S. in Child Studies and Public Policy Studies, with a minor in Data Science and History, from Vanderbilt University in 2024.