Martine Aurelien, Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University
Martine Aurelien graduated from Cornell University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Developmental Studies and minors in Policy Analysis Management and Law & Society. After graduating, Martine joined the 2013 Teach for America Corps and moved to Eastern North Carolina where she taught High School Social Studies in Weldon, NC for 3 years. Her experience in the classroom and serving Weldon broader Halifax County community has fostered and refocused her purpose and commitment toward servant leadership. Through her studies and experiences, Martine seeks to uncover the “stories” behind numbers and policies in order to gain a deeper understanding of the history and nuances of the socio-political and economic factors that are cyclical in their prevention of the advancement of underserved members of society. In her spare time Martine enjoys music, traveling, reading, eating, fitness, and spending time with family and friends.
Nicholas Hedgpeth, North Carolina Central University
Nicholas Hedgpeth is an undergraduate student at North Carolina Central University. He’s pursuing his Bachelors in Business Administration with a Concentration in Management. Nicholas aspires to pursue his Masters of Business Admin. and grow as a Business Owner, Public Figure, and Motivational Speaker. Throughout his undergraduate tenure he has served his institution as an active member of the professional minority developers: The Centennial Scholars Program, an active member of The Collegiate 100 Black Men and many more organizations. He is a charter member (Spring 2016) of Alpha Nu Omega Fraternity Inc. on NCCU’s campus and serves as a member of the Spring 2017 line of the Gamma Gamma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
Karla Jimenez-Magdaleno, Department of City and Regional Planning and School of Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill
Karla Jimenez-Magdaleno is a dual MA/MPH candidate in the School of Public Health and Department of City and Regional Planning at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is interested in creating and applying strategic techniques to improve the effectiveness of community planning. After obtaining her B.A. in psychology at UNC, Karla worked as a public health analyst at RTI International’s Social Innovation and Communication Strategy program. She has also served as senior producer for The Measure of Everyday Life, a public radio show about stories from social science, since 2014. When she’s not working or studying, Karla is playing with cameras and discovering new music.
Varun C Nair, Industrial and Systems Engineering at North Carolina State University
Varun C Nair is an Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate student at North Carolina State
University. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering and Management in 2013 from Bangalore, India. Before coming to United States he worked as an Industrial Engineer in Mauritius and Madagascar as an Industrial Engineer. Having implemented multiple process improvement projects in Africa and India, he has a solid understanding of operations management, Lean Six Sigma implementation and supply chain management. His future vision is to go back to India and start an Industrial Engineering Consultancy catering to small and medium scale businesses. Varun is always down for an adventure, be it exploring new places or trying exotic foods.
Sadie Nott, Department of City and Regional Planning at UNC Chapel Hill
Sadie Nott is a student in the Master of City and Regional Planning program at UNC – Chapel Hill. Sadie’s planning interests lie in community economic development and affordable housing finance, and she is especially passionate about working with low-income and minority communities. Formerly a student of the visual arts at her alma mater, Bowdoin College, Sadie looks to communities’ identity and culture as an important tool for equitable economic development. Prior to enrolling at UNC, Sadie worked in higher education and lived in both Washington State and the San Francisco Bay Area. She enjoys keeping up with her own art practice and playing Ultimate Frisbee when she can.
Ja’Von Williams, North Carolina Central University
Ja’Von Williams is currently a rising junior at North Carolina Central University. He is a part of the Centennial Scholars Program, and also a student ran organization called Students Initiated to Mentor Build and Achieve (SIMBA). Ja’Von was awarded the opportunity to intern in California with the Summer Institute of Emerging Managers and Leaders (SIEML) over the summer of his freshman year. He is really excited and eager to be able to put his knowledge and talents to use as he prepares for his future endeavors.