GISA
IHEID
Specialized Committees
The Environmental Committee
The Professional Development Committee
The Welfare Committee
Class Representatives
#SoundsOfIHEID
To ensure that all students have a rich and fulfilling experience throughout their years as a student at the Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
Aishwarya Abhay Tendolkar
Aishwarya (Aish, for your ease) is a former journalist and an MIRPS student. While this is her second master's degree, this is her first time studying abroad. Aish loves to talk, listen, and make people laugh. If you ever want to grab a cuppa chai, I'm in! Born and raised in India, she's a food and chai connoisseur, and loves everything food! In her free time, you can find her strolling by the lake, watching food shows, and just overthinking about everything.
Lorena Villavicencio
Vice President for Master's Programmes
(She/her/elle) was born in New York City (NYC) and holds two Bachelor's degrees in Forensic Psychology and International Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is currently enrolled in the Master's in International Relations and Political Science at the Graduate Institute. She has an extensive background working in local nonprofit organizations in NYC. At the moment, Lorena is working at the City University of New York on several projects that she is passionate about (e.g., immigration, job opportunities, youth development, etc). On her free time, she likes to just be at the beach, lakes, rivers, or any natural bodies of water - it is the Pisces in her. Lorena also enjoys creating aesthetic and elaborate bullet journals.
Camilla Della Giovampaola
Vice President for PhD programmes
(She/her/elle) holds a Master's degree in Development Studies from the Geneva Graduate Institute and is currently enrolled as a first-year PhD candidate in International History and Politics. Since arriving in Geneva, she has worked for both the public and private sector, developing particular expertise on private-public partnerships and philanthropic giving. Curious about many things, she enjoys vibrant conversations with her friends and colleagues. She spends her free time travelling, having endless aperòs and taking photography lessons.
Aayushi Rawat
(She/her/elle) is a second-year master candidate in Development Studies at the institute specializing in Mobilities, Spaces and Cities with a minor in Trade and International Finance. She holds a Master's degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Mumbai and has a cumulative of four years of work experience in the Finance and Development sector. Being an army brat, Aayushi grew up all over India in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune etc. She is an animal lover and in her free time, she enjoys travelling, photography, binge-watching Netflix and listening to music.
Madison (Madi) Coakley
(She/her/elle) is a first-year at IHEID pursuing a Masters in Development Studies. She grew up in the United States and later moved to Paris, France where she completed her Bachelor's degree in International Relations, Linguistics, and Sociocultural Anthropology. She has also lived in Nepal, Germany, and now, Switzerland. Madi is an artist (click the strawberry above to check-out some of her work!), an avid language learner, a fitness influencer (ok, kinda), and solo-traveler. Passioned by connecting people with one another, Madi looks forward to serving as the GISA Communications Director this year!
Kevin F Jura
(He/him/il) is a first year MIA student, specializing in Global Security and Global Health. He plans on participating in the Institute's dual MIA & MSc in Global Health program with UNIG. He holds a Bachelor's in Government cum laude and two professional graduate certificates (International Security; Nuclear Deterrence) from Harvard University.
Prior to returning to school, Kevin worked for 20+ year in the national security public health/public safety/emergency management field. His previous positions include running the Strategic National Stockpile[1] (SNS) for the State of Maryland; serving as a subject matter expert, on medical countermeasures[2] (MCM) and their deployment, on several Centers for Disease Control[3] (CDC) workgroups, committees, as well as being an CDC instructor on the SNS and MCM. He has also served as a field, supervisory, tactical paramedic[4] and Chief Officer,[5] for 20+ years.
In his free time, Kevin likes to play and take walks with his service dog, Bob. Prior to sustaining career ending injuries at work, Kevin was an avid swimmer, SCUBA diver, hiker, and former football (soccer) referee. Now, he enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends and family, and mentoring the next generation of national security public health/public safety/emergency management professionals.
[1] https://www.phe.gov/about/sns/Pages/default.aspx
2 https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/about-mcmi/what-are-medical-countermeasures
3 https://www.cdc.gov/
4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramedics_in_the_United_States
5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_chief
Bushra Asghar
(She/her/elle) was born to an ex-pat family in Saudi Arabia and identifies as part of the South Asian diaspora living on Turtle Island (Canada). Bushra is a community organizer, proud feminist + abolitionist and is very excited to spend her life working on dismantling border imperialism. As an organizer with Climate Justice TO, she feels that social movements and civil society are key to having a strong community.
When she's not reading political theory or science fiction you can find her learning to cook delicious Bengali or Saudi food. As an Events Coordinator, she wants to ensure we have a vibrant community that is connected to the larger issues we are tackling in class theoretically. I am most available for students on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays!
Hugo Brandam
President of the Environmental Committee
(He/him/il) was raised near Avignon and in the department of Hautes Pyrenees (France); two rural territories which made him aware of the delicate balance between environmental protection and human activity. Global warming became his main academic interest during his Master's degree in International Affairs from Sciences Po Lyon. He is currently a Master student in Environment, Resources and Sustainability (Development Studies) and committed to making sustainability the new norm in public policy by supporting the SDGs and promoting local solutions. Lover of hiking, wine and cheese, Hugo is always in for a walk around the lake or a drink after class. Do not hesitate to reach out to him if you are curious about the Environmental Committee work, willing to hike with the EC Team on Sundays or just interested to know more about sustainability within Geneva
Mariana De Jesus Mendez Melendez
President of the Welfare Committee
Aravind Ganapathi
President of the Professional Development Committee
(He/him/il) is a 1st-year student in Master of Development Studies with a specialization in Environment, Resources, and Sustainability. As the President of the Professional Development Committee, he looks after all student-led activities and events corresponding to the Institute students' career development and professional engagement. He also has a growing interest in gender studies, communications, and strategy.
In his free time, he likes to go on long walks and cook food for his friends. He also loves making dance videos!
Who else comprises GISA?
All students registered in a two-year master's programme or in a doctoral programme at the Graduate Institute are Members of the Association.
As a member, you are welcome to:
Attend all events and participate in discussions surrounding GISA activities at our weekly board meetings and in General Assemblies
Propose a new student initiative and apply for funding
Represent the interests and concerns of your peers by running to become a Class Representative
Represent the interests of your peers as a GISA Board Member
In accordance with our statutes, the main activities of our association are to:
represent students in front of the various bodies in and out of the IHEID
promote friendly relations between the students and IHEID
promote intellectual debate
promote cultural and athletic activities
support the activities organized by various autonomous student associations
manage the facilities of the association and those collectively entrusted by IHEID to the students
communicate with our members frequently and in a transparent manner
This means we work together to make sure that:
academic concerns of students at the Institute are adequately addressed
a diverse array of social and cultural activities are available for all students
we communicate effectively and constantly with all Institute officials, faculty, and staff
we promote students exchange as much as possible to foster a collegial and fun environment in and outside of the classroom
Learn more about transparency at GISA
© 2021 GISA