JOIN US FOR a cheery Thanksgiving celebration hosted by the Fulbright Chicago Mentoring Program! We are excited to invite you to an afternoon filled with gratitude, delectable food, and wonderful company. It’s a perfect opportunity to give thanks and enjoy the spirit of the season together.
WHAT Thanksgiving 2025 WHEN Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 TIME 1:00-3:00 PM WHEREChicago Math and Science Academy, 7212 N Clark Street, Chicago RSVP by Nov. 12, 2025 HERE
Parking Available on-site Transportation BUS: Clark Street (line 22)—TRAIN: Red line northbound Howard stop When you arrive, volunteers will guide you to the event.
Come hungry and ready to connect, celebrate and give thanks with our Fulbright family!
Dr. Norma Green, doctoral student Yoshua Harahap, and Dr. Joanne Marie Terrell
CHICAGO FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR MENTEE Yoshua Harahap was joined by his Chapter Mentor, Dr. Norma Fay Green, and his doctoral advisor, Dr. Joanne Marie Terrell, at the Victor Obenhaus Lecture at Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS). The lecture, titled “Benevolent Empire Unmasked: Christian Ethics, Transpacific Wounds, and the Moral Cost of U.S. Imperialism,” highlighted Harahap’s ongoing interdisciplinary research as a native Indonesian scholar.
Held on Monday, March 10, 2025 at the CTS campus in Hyde Park, the event was part of the Victor Obenhaus Lecture Series, which features the work of PhD students. Dr. Terrell marked the occasion by displaying a portrait of abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman, noting the significance of March 10—the day Tubman passed away in 1913 at age 91. This date, she emphasized, bridges Black History Month and Women’s History Month, honoring Tubman’s enduring legacy.
The lecture was a hybrid event, with both in-person and virtual attendees via Zoom, allowing for broader participation and engagement with Harahap’s research.
The Five-Minute Fulbright scholars pose with Fulbright Association board member Kate Vergara. Clockwise: Jeanie Bukowski, Daria Tsoupikova, Laura Reiter, Sarah Kammerer and Elanta Slowek.
Post and photos by Elio Leturia
ON THURSDAY MARCH 6, the Fulbright Association-Chicago Chapter and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (CCGA) welcomed over 150 guests for the much-anticipated 2025 Fulbright Chicago Extravaganza. Held at the CCGA headquarters, overlooking the iconic Millennium Park, the evening was a celebration of community service, empowerment, intercultural learning, and professional growth—values that both organizations share.
Sarah Breen Bartecki Photo by Kate Vergara
The event began with a warm welcome from Sarah Breen Bartecki, Senior Vice President of Business and Program Development and Chief Revenue Officer at CCGA. She introduced the Chicago Council on Global Affairs as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering community members to help create a more open and promising world for all.
Ms. Bartecki then welcomed Ariel Schwartz, Executive Director of Global Leadership Programs, who expanded on the organization’s mission. She highlighted CCGA’s commitment to fostering leadership in foreign policy and global affairs while encouraging responsible community engagement and collaboration. Schwartz emphasized the importance of mobilizing, energizing, and empowering global citizens through facilitation and community-building—helping a diverse pool of participants confront and solve challenges to achieve transformative outcomes.
Executive Director of Global Leadership Programs Ariel Schwartz presenting on the mission of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (CCGA.)
Following her remarks, Dr. Chris Graves, principal of Jordan Community Elementary School and a Fulbright award recipient, took the stage. His heartfelt talk bridged the work of Fulbright and CCGA, emphasizing his commitment to collaboration, equity, and student success. Graves shared how his school and his work serving newcomer students and their families, has been a source of inspiration for his work in education. Graves has been 2023 Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leaders Program, and a 2024 Fulbright Global Award recipient.
Principal of Jordan Community Elementary School Dr. Christopher Graves
One of the evening’s most engaging segments was the Five-Minute Fulbright, curated by Fulbright Chicago board member Dr. Kate Vergara. In this fast-paced and dynamic session, five selected Fulbright scholars shared their global experiences—each in just five minutes. Dr. Vergara also asked the current cohort international Fulbright students and scholars who were attending, to stand up.
Current international Fulbright students and scholars were introduced to the audience.
This year’s speakers, Sarah Kammerer, Laura Reiter, Jeanie Bukowski, Elanta Slowek, and Daria Tsoupikova, captivated the audience with vivid storytelling and engaging visuals from their projects abroad. Their presentations not only showcased the impact of the Fulbright program but also the power of cultural exchange and academic collaboration.
Dr. Kate Vergara thanking the Fulbright scholars after their five-minute presentations.
The evening concluded with a lively reception, where attendees reconnected, exchanged ideas, and strengthened their professional networks. The 2025 Fulbright Chicago Extravaganza proved to be more than just an event—it was a demonstration to the power of global learning, meaningful connections, and the shared commitment to making a difference in our interconnected world.
Guests enjoying the 2025 Fulbright Extravaganza reception.Presenter Dr. Chris Graves, a recent Fulbright Global Scholar to England, and Dr. Ana Gil-García, a member of the Fulbright Chicago board, exchange stories with Fulbrighters.Guests enjoying the 2025 Fulbright Extravaganza reception.Clockwise: Presenter Elanta Slowek, Fulbright Chicago board member Meghan McAuliffe, a guest, and Fulbright Chicago President Adam Fuss.Guests enjoying the 2025 Fulbright Extravaganza reception.Fulbright Chicago board members Linda Spoleti and María Salazar. Guests enjoying the 2025 Fulbright Extravaganza reception.
Fulbright Chicago President Adam Fuss welcomes Fulbrighters and guests.
By Mary Mares-Awe
FULBRIGHT CHICAGO CELEBRATED this year’s winter event at the PianoForte performance hall in downtown Chicago.
More than 60 Fulbright alumni, visiting scholars, and Friends of Fulbright gathered to enjoy each other’s company and exchange Fulbright stories. The Chicago Chapter was honored by the presence of consular visitors, including Mr. Jonathan Gamboa, Vice Consul of the Consulate of Colombia in Chicago, and Ms. Lina Acolyte from the Lithuanian Consulate.
Jazz trio from Roosevelt University provided an enjoyable performance.
A student jazz trio from Roosevelt University—featuring Reid Gowan on bass, Abraham Martinez on saxophone, and Octavio Serrano on piano—provided a delightful musical backdrop. Their performance, primarily focused on traditional jazz, created a warm and inviting atmosphere for the evening. Guests also enjoyed delicious Greek cuisine from a nearby Greektown restaurant.
Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association board members María Salazar, Adam Fuss, Marilyn Susman, Kate Vergara, Carlos A. Rivas, Mary Mares-Awe, Ana Gil García and Eleftheria Lialios.
During the evening, Chapter President Adam Fuss announced that the Dee Sarelas Award ceremony will be held at the Spring event, scheduled for April 28.
Board members in attendance included María Salazar, Mary Mares-Awe, Kate Vergara, Ana Gil-García, Marilyn Susman, and Tamara Kozyckyj, along with officers Eleftheria Lialios, Carlos A. Rivas Jr., and Chapter President Adam Fuss.
GET READY FOR an inspiring evening of global connections and impactful stories! The Fulbright Association and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (CCGA) invite you to an engaging in-person event showcasing exciting work happening both in the U.S. and around the world.
Enjoy brief yet powerful presentations from CCGA Emerging Leaders and Fulbright alumni, followed by a lively networking reception where you can connect with internationally minded professionals, foreign service members, Fulbright alumni, current Fulbright Scholars, and students.
This free, business casual event is open to all—whether you’re a global affairs enthusiast, an international professional, or simply curious about the world. Don’t miss this chance to meet like-minded individuals and be part of a vibrant community committed to global exchange and service.
WHEN Thursday, March 6, 2025 TIME 6-9 pm WHERE Chicago Council on Global Affairs 130 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601 RSVP *FREE – Register in the link below to attend*
PROGRAM AGENDA 6:00-6:30 Doors open and networking reception 6:30-6:40 Welcoming remarks 6:40-8:00 Presentations from the CCGA Emerging Leaders Program 8:00-9:00 Networking reception
Ariel Schwartz is the Executive Director of Global Leadership Programs at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, where she oversees the strategy and development of a suite of foreign policy and global affairs leadership programs. She joined the Council in 2022 as Director of the Emerging Leaders Program, its original and signature global leadership development initiative.
Previously, Schwartz directed interdisciplinary research initiatives at Northwestern University’s Buffett Institute for Global Affairs and served as faculty at Northwestern University and Lake Forest College. She holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Religious Studies with a certification in Global Politics and Religion from Northwestern University, a B.A. in Religion from Barnard College of Columbia University, and a B.A. in Hebrew Bible from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Chris Graves is a dedicated school principal in Chicago, Illinois, leading Jordan Community Elementary with a commitment to collaboration, equity, and student success. He draws inspiration from the school’s diverse community, which primarily serves refugee and newcomer families from around the world. With over 30 languages spoken by students and their families, Jordan Elementary embodies resilience, strength, and aspiration.
Passionate about collaboration and driven by a data-informed approach, Dr. Graves integrates research and strategic practices into his leadership. His work focuses on holistically supporting newcomer students and their families, helping them achieve academic success while addressing social and emotional needs.
In fall 2024, Dr. Graves joined 18 other school administrators from across the country on a Fulbright exchange to the United Kingdom, including London, to study their educational model and explore strategies to improve student outcomes in the U.S.
Kate Vergara is a global health consultant who has dedicated over 20 years to tackling public health challenges affecting vulnerable populations worldwide. She has led major contracts focused on polio eradication through World Vision US and USAID, collaborating with organizations such as CORE Group Polio Project, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO, Rotary International, Save the Children, CDC, and multiple national ministries of health. Her efforts in global immunization programs have impacted over 1.6 billion people across high-risk countries.
Currently, Dr. Vergara serves as Vice President of Health Impact at NJOY LLC, where she oversees human subjects research for FDA submission, advancing the mission of “Making Smoking History.” She discovered her passion for public health through the Fulbright Program, conducting research on tuberculosis and intestinal parasites in the Peruvian Amazon (2003-04). She remains deeply engaged with the Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter as a Board Member.
A Chicago native, Dr. Vergara holds degrees from NYU and UIC and teaches Epidemiology at Baylor University. A dedicated athlete, she is an Ironman 70.3 finisher, marathon runner, and Medical Reserve Corps volunteer.
JOIN US FOR a heartwarming Thanksgiving celebration hosted by the Fulbright Chicago Mentoring Program! We are excited to invite you to an afternoon filled with gratitude, delectable food, and wonderful company. It’s a perfect opportunity to give thanks and enjoy the spirit of the season together.
We’re also thrilled to celebrate a special recognition — our Chicago Fulbright Chapter’s Mentorship Program has been voted the 2024 Fulbright Program of the Year!
WHAT Thanksgiving 2024
WHEN Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024
TIME 2:00-5:00 PM
WHERE Chicago Math and Science Academy, 7212 N Clark Street, Chicago
Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow members and share in the success and camaraderie of our Fulbright family. We look forward to seeing you there and creating memorable moments together.
Chicago Chapter Mentoring Committee members Marina Oberemok, Meghan McAuliffe and Marilyn Susman with Fulbright Association Associate Director for Chapters Christine Oswald, after being presented with the 2024 Fulbright Program of the Year Award.
MENTORSHIP PLAYS A CENTRAL role in the Fulbright mission, and this year the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association was presented with the Program of the Year Award at the National Conference of the Fulbright Association in Washington, DC that took place Oct. 25-27, 2024.
Meghan McAuliffe, Marina Oberemok and Marilyn Susman accepted the award for the Chicago Chapter Mentoring Committee, that has invested over three years in developing a mentoring program that serves as a model for Fulbright chapters nationwide.
The program aims to provide comprehensive support by fostering authentic relationships among Fulbright alumni, visiting scholars, and students. It facilitates their integration into academic life and the cultural and social landscape of Chicago as well as American culture. This is done by matching the incoming Fulbrighters with a Fulbright Alum.
During the conference, Board Member Meghan McAuliffe outlined how other chapters could replicate Chicago’s success, introducing a guidebook to streamline program development. Marina Oberemok highlighted how technological advancements have bolstered the program’s effectiveness, especially in matching mentors with mentees and enhancing communication.
Visionary leadership
Marilyn Susman, the longest-serving board member of the Chicago Chapter, initiated this mentoring idea in 2021 and with the support of a local committee, successfully launched it the following year. “I envision this program implemented across the country so the visiting students and scholars have support to ease their way into the university, the community, and the culture,” Susman said during her acceptance speech.
Marilyn Susman delivering her acceptance speech at the 42nd National Fulbright Association Conference.
During the first cohort of the Mentoring Program in 2022 there were 28 mentors and 42 mentees. In 2023 there were 26 mentors and 36 mentees. In 2024, there are 45 mentors and 48 mentees.
John Bader, the executive director of the National Fulbright Association, emphasized the critical role of volunteer work in the program’s success. “This program is the result of the extraordinary efforts of all of you,” Bader said. He announced that the association plans to develop new methods to enhance the program further. Additionally, Chicago board member Linda Spoleti is forging partnerships with Directors of International Affairs at local universities to support the mentoring program’s mission.
Susman said that other chapters are implementing similar initiatives. “Fulbright Germany started a Mentoring Program after hearing about ours two years ago at the Conference. They have a matching method that they plan to share with us—a collaborative effort,” Susman added.
A team venture
“It was a pleasure to accept the award and to have so many people express interest in implementing a similar program in their chapters.” Susman said. She acknowledged the collaborative effort * required to achieve such success. “We have done an extraordinary job, each of us in our own way. Some of you worked on the matching process over the years, others on the Handbook we refine each year. We have held events that were successful thanks to everyone’s participation, and some of you have presented webinars, implementing innovative ideas.”
Back in March 2021 a subcommittee formed by Ana Gil-García, Mary Mares-Awe and Hannah Callas started working on the first edition of the mentoring handbook. “It is a tool to guide Fulbright visiting scholars to navigate Chicago and its surrounding areas. It presents information provided by the mentors, with tips on transportation, housing, libraries, museums, entertainment venues, obtaining a driver license, healthcare providers, as well as cultural information,” Gil-García said. According to Susman, this is a useful resource to help Fulbrighters transition into their experience in the U.S.
Susman, a Fulbright Scholar with extensive international experience and a deep commitment to the community, is a professor emerita at Loyola University Chicago and continues her practice as a therapist. “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this program over the years, and to our current mentors and mentees, who are committed to making this the best year yet,” she concluded.
*Current members of the Mentoring Commitee: Marilyn Susman, Linda Higgins Spoleti, Meghan McAuliffe, Lexie Asrow, Michael Schlesinger, Alan Teller, Mete Ozgurses, Sylvia Atsalis, Marina Oberemok, Carlos Rivas
Former members: Ana Gil García, Suzanne McBride, Rachel Birkley, Tatiana Orlova, Mary Mares-Awe, Gabrielle Kallgren
THE CHICAGO CHAPTER of the Fulbright Association invites you, your family, colleagues, and friends to our 2024 Fall Welcome celebration. Join us for an engaging afternoon where you can connect with fellow Fulbrighters, members of our chapter board, newly arrived Fulbright students and visiting scholars, and Friends of Fulbright.
Our event kicks off with a captivating 45-minute Architectural Tour on the Chicago River. Board one of Wendella’s renowned tour boats and immerse yourself in the scenic splendor of Chicago’s famed architectural landmarks.
After the tour, we will continue the celebration with an informal gathering at Lizzie McNeill’s, located along the beautiful north Riverwalk. Whether you’re an architecture buff or just looking for a pleasant way to spend the afternoon, this is the perfect opportunity to make new connections and enjoy the hospitality of our Fulbright community.
DATE Sunday October 6, 2024 TIME Meet up at Wendella ticketing: NO LATER than 1:50 p.m. Wendella Boat Ride: Departs promptly at 2:15 p.m. and returns at 3:00 p.m. Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub: 3:10p.m.
BOAT TOUR LOCATION 400 N Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60611 (near the Wrigley Building at the river level). From there you can check in with a dock employee who can direct you to your boarding area. For further directions click here.
*Note –one soft drink ticket will be provided per attendee; additional refreshments may be purchased individually.
RECEPTION LOCATIONLizzie McNeill’s, 400 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611
We will be arriving at Lizzie McNeill’s immediately after the boat tour ends. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Wendella’s docks.
If you’re unable to join the boat tour, don’t worry! You can still participate in the fun by meeting us directly at the pub. Separate tickets for the reception are available.
TWO-TIME FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR and current executive director of the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission in Sofia, Bulgaria, Angela Rodel is visiting Chicago. “As a literary translator who was able to learn Bulgarian thanks to a Fulbright student grant way back in 1996, I will presenting my latest translation ‘The Case of Cem’ by Vera Mutafchieva,” Rodel says. She is inviting the Fulbright community to this literary event where Rodel will be discussing the book with the editorial director of Words Without Borders, Susan Harris.
WHATThe Case of Cem book discussion
WHO Angela Rodel and Susan Harris
WHEN Feb. 7, 2024. 6:00-7:00 PM
WHERE Seminary Co-op, 5751 S Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL60615
About the book: It’s 1481, and as seen from the centers of power in Rome and Venice, the cultures of Europe are under threat from the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. When the exalted Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror dies, his eldest son, Bayezid, takes the throne. However, discontented factions within the Ottoman army urge Mehmed’s second son, Cem, a well-educated and experienced warrior, to oppose his brother’s ascension, igniting a ruthless power struggle and forcing Cem into long years of exile, a pawn for European rulers who are desperate to preserve the order they have imposed on the continent over the course of centuries.
The Case of Cem, Vera Mutafchieva’s celebrated novel of court intrigue, maintains lasting resonance for being a personal exploration of emigration and loss set in the historical era during which the politics of the East and West were sketched out with utter clarity. These early lines of demarcation, as voiced through Christian and Muslim emissaries, greedy leaders, unflinching soldiers, and lyrical poets, have indelibly influenced the world as we know it today.
About the author: Rodel, originally from Minnesota, is a literary translator who holds degrees from Yale and UCLA in linguistics and ethnomusicology. Eight Bulgarian novels in her translation have been published in the US and UK. She has received NEA and PEN translation grants, including an NEA grant for her translation of The Case of Cem. Her translation of Georgi Gospodinov’s Physics of Sorrow won the 2016 AATSEEL Prize for Literary Translation, and her translation of his novel Time Shelter won the 2023 International Booker Prize.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE IN-PERSON Fulbright, U.S. Department of State & Chicago Council on Global Affairs Extravaganza! The U.S. Department of State and Fulbright Association invite you to an invigorating program highlighting some of the exciting work done both domestically and internationally. You will hear short presentations from a member of the Senior Foreign Service, Department of State Special Agents, and Fulbright alumni, followed by a high-energy networking reception.
WHEN Thursday, January 25, 2024 TIME 6-9 pm WHERE Chicago Council on Global Affairs 130 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601 RSVP *FREE – Register in the link below to attend* https://forms.gle/cgnC2EwJS2mkq4fQ9
PROGRAM AGENDA 6:00pm Event opens/Check-in 6:00-6:15 Networking reception 6:15-6:25 Welcome remarks Tatyana Noble, Chicago Council on Global Affairs Matthew Kelley, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DS-Chicago Mark Woods-Hawkins, Special Agent in Charge, DS-Chicago 6:25-6:40 Chicago Council on Global Affairs Topics and Speakers TBC 6:40-7:10 State Department panel discussion Jeannette Juricic, Senior Foreign Service Officer, Office of Foreign Missions Bryan Weiler, Supervisory Special Agent, DS-Chicago Donshay Peoples, Special Agent, DS-Chicago 7:10-7:25 Q&A 7:25-7:40 Nontraditional Partnerships in an Age of Insecurity Dr. Donovan Chau, University of West Florida Professor, and I/R Analyst 7:40-7:55 Community and Academic Involvement in Policing Kirsten Mahoney – UChicago Crime Lab 7:55-8:35 The Five-Minute Fulbright Kate Vergara PhD MPH, Fulbright Alum and Board Member (opening remarks) Five Fulbright Alums will each present a rapid (5min) overview of the highlights of their Fulbright year abroad. Each Fulbright experience was done in a different country and each one focused on a different field of study which will emphasize and celebrate the diversity of the program. 8:35-8:40 Fulbright closing remarks Kate Vergara PhD MPH, Fulbright Alumna and Board Member 8:45-9:00 Closing networking reception
SPEAKER BIOS
MARK WOODS-HAWKINS – Special Agent in Charge
Mark Woods-Hawkins began his career with the Diplomatic Security Service (DS) at the Washington Field Office in 2002. Mark recently transferred to the Chicago Field Office (CFO) to serve as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge. Before CFO, Mark served as the Deputy Regional Security Officer (DRSO) for the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. As DRSO, Mark managed RSO Seoul’s daily operations and was the RSO’s primary liaison to the U.S. Forces Korea’s Non-combatant Evacuation Operations unit (NEO), Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR). Before DRSO Seoul, Mark was the Deputy Olympic Security Coordinator (DOSC) for the 2018 Pyeong Chang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. As DOSC, Mark collaborated with South Korea’s national organizing committee, the U.S. and International Olympic Committees, and a myriad of U.S. private sector sponsors to design and implement a comprehensive security plan for both games. Mark’s efforts resulted in an unprecedented level of venue access and accreditation for over 100 DS agent Field Liaison Officers (FLO), enhancing the safety of over 400 U.S. athletes, coaches, and staff. Mark’s other DS assignments include a Shift Leader tour on the Secretary of State’s Protective Detail, an Assistant Regional Security Officer tour in Jerusalem and an additional posting at CFO as an Acting Unit Supervisor and Team Leader. Mark has an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University.
MATTHEW KELLEY – Assistant Special Agent in Charge
Matthew began his Department of State career serving at the Boston Field Office in 2003. His career includes assignments on the Secretary of State’s Protective Security Detail, three tours of duty in Iraq, as the Regional Security Officer in Croatia, a senior agent at the Phoenix Resident Office, a year at the Naval War College-assigned to an MIT research team, as the Overseas Criminal Investigations Chief in Bangladesh, assistant regional security officer in Peshawar, Pakistan, liaison to FBI Chicago, and is currently the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Department’s Midwest operations. Matthew was part of the first wave of agents to serve in Iraq in 2004, earning him bravery and meritorious honor awards, and he also established first-ever counter human trafficking programs in Bangladesh and Pakistan, earning him additional awards for service. Matthew hails from Kansas. He has two Master’s degrees (Strategic Affairs Studies and National Security Policy), worked for the U.S. Marshals Service, was a grant recipient for ballistic missile proliferation research, has an 11-year old son, and is dedicated to fitness and community involvement.
JEANNETTE JURICIC – Regional Director, Office of Foreign Missions/Chicago is an FS-01 Management Officer currently serving as the Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) Regional Director in Chicago. Ms. Juricic joined the Foreign Service in January 2000. Ms. Juricic has also served as OFM Regional Director in New York; International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Director in Bridgetown, Barbados; Management Officer in Erbil, Iraq; Supervisory General Services Officer in Vienna, Austria; Program Analyst in the Director General’s Office of Policy Coordination; Assessor in the Board of Examiners; General Services/Human Resources Officer in Santiago, Chile; Management Officer in Chengdu, China; Management /Consular Officer in Merida, Mexico; and as General Services Officer in Beijing, China. She speaks and reads Mandarin, Spanish, and German.
Ms. Juricic has a BA in Political Science, Asian Studies, and Gender Studies from Central College and a MA in International Policy Studies with a certificate in Women and Development from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Ms. Juricic grew up in Wilmington, IL but now calls Barre, WI home. She has no spouse or children but does have three cats.
BRYAN WEILER – Supervisory Special Agent Weiler began working for DSS in 2009. He was assigned to the Boston Field Office from 2010 to 2011 and was the ARSO-I at three different overseas posts (2011 – Lima, Peru; 2012-2014 – Belmopan, Belize; 2016-2019 – Panama City, Panama). He also served as an ARSO in Tegucigalpa, Honduras from 2014 to 2016. Bryan has 27 years of service in federal law enforcement, previously serving as an Immigration Officer in Chicago, IL for 13 years from 1996 to 2009. He speaks, reads, and writes Spanish and Portuguese, and has a doctorate (PhD) in Spanish language and literature from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Bryan came to the Chicago Field Office in December 2019 and is currently assigned to the PL Unit.
DONSHAY ANTONIO PEOPLES – Special Agent began his career with the Department of State in 2021. Initially, he served as a Program Analyst for the Bureau of Budget in Planning in the System Resources and Operation division. In 2022, he accepted a position with the Diplomatic Security Service as a Special Agent and was assigned to the Chicago Field Office. Prior to working for the Department of State, Donshay served four years in the United States Airforce as a Security Forces member and eight years doing security contracting throughout various locations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Donshay holds a BA from Xavier University, an AA from Cincinnati State, an English as a Second Language teaching certification from University of Cambridge and is one class from having a Masters in Intelligence Operations. Donshay speaks German.
KRISTEN MAHONEY – Director of Policing Leadership Academy – University of Chicago. Kristen Mahoney serves as the Director of the Policing Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago. In this role, Kristen is responsible for the day-to-day management, operations, and strategic leadership of the Policing Leadership Academy. Kristen served as the Principal Deputy Director at the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice, and created the National Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab which is a trusted resource for law enforcement and the communities they serve. Kristen also served as the Executive Director of the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention. In that role, she led the planning, promotion, legislative, and investment strategies for the State of Maryland with government entities, private organizations, and the community to advance public policy, enhance public safety, reduce crime and juvenile delinquency, and serve victims. She came to the state government after serving as the Chief of Technical Services for the Baltimore Police Department and the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice for the City of Baltimore.
Kristen received her B.A. from Sweet Briar College and her J.D. from the University of Baltimore. She is a member of the Maryland Bar and has practiced law with the Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland, specializing in the representation of abused and neglected children.
Dr. DONOVAN CHAU is a faculty fellow in the Kugelman Honors Program at the University of West Florida. He teaches and supervises undergraduate and graduate students in the Government and Information Technology departments. He also works in law enforcement as a liason supporting cross-functional information sharing and serves in the US military as a member of an Intelligence Community element. Previously, Dr. Chau was an associate professor of political science at California State University, San Bernardino. And before academia, he worked as a professional staff member in the US House of Representatives and a US government contractor in homeland security and counterterrorism. He received his PhD from the University of Reading (UK).
Dr. KATE VERGARA –Global Health Consultant, PhD, MPH
Kate Vergara has focused her career on addressing public health disease burdens in vulnerable populations internationally and domestically for over 20 years. She was awarded and executed major contracts concentrated on polio eradication programs through World Vision US and USAID, partnering with the CORE Group Polio Project, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO, Rotary International, CARE International, Catholic Relief Services, AMREF, Save the Children, American Refugee Committee, Red Cross, International Rescue Committee, CDC, and the National Ministries of Health of Angola, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Sudan. Working across the private and public sector, Dr. Vergara supported global immunization programs providing healthcare for a population over 1.6 billion people across multiple high-risk countries. Currently, Dr. Vergara serves as Vice President Health Impact at NJOY LLC furthering the mission of ‘Making Smoking History’. She directs an extensive suite of human subjects research studies through development, execution, and submission to the US Food & Drug Administration. Dr. Vergara credits discovering her passion for public health to the opportunity granted by the US State Department Fulbright Program. She was awarded a Fulbright to Peru in 2003-04 to study tuberculosis and intestinal parasites deep in the Amazon jungle. Two decades later, her fondness for the Fulbright mission and community continues. Dr. Vergara currently serves as a Board Member for the Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter. Originally from Chicago, Dr. Vergara holds a Bachelor of Science from New York University, a Master of Public Health, as well as a PhD in Public Health from University of Illinois-Chicago. She also is an Adjunct Faculty and Course Lead for Epidemiology at Baylor University’s Master of Public Health program. To keep up with her teenage sons, she is also an Ironman 70.3 athlete, avid marathon runner, and volunteers with US Medical Reserve Corps.
FULBRIGHT CHICAGO 