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Outside of Leadership Initiatives, Shane serves as the Florida HOSA- Future Health Professionals State Parliamentarian, where he serves over 16,000 members of Florida HOSA. He also loves to play soccer, spend time with his family, and hang out with his friends. Shane also works with Orthopaedic Surgeons in Tampa to help guide him on his own journey of becoming an Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon. Shane loves to practice and study the field of Sports Medicine and has placed top 10 internationally at the Sports Medicine competition in HOSA, competing against thousands of students from around the world.

Shane is ecstatic to be serving Leadership Initiatives. He is focused on changing the lives of others and is ready to create the new leaders of tomorrow!

Shane Alexander, from Tampa, Florida, is a sophomore at The University of Florida. Shane has the privilege to work as an intern for Leadership Initiatives. Shane started with Leadership Initiatives attending the Medical and Public Health Summit. Excelling in the program; Shane knew he wanted to continue his journey with Leadership Initiatives.

Medical Program Development Intern || University of Florida, Class of 2023

Shane Alexander

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Jaida is excited to be participating in the Advanced Medical and Public Health summit this summer. As an aspiring physician, she would love to use this opportunity to better understand how their practice is performed. Jaida wants to use the experience and information she gains from this program to equip her for a future in the medical field.

She is a curriculum content developer at the American Youth Literacy Foundation and before moving to Maryland in the Summer of 2019, she was a violist in the Southern Californian Ambassadors of Music and founded her school’s first AfroDance Club. In her free time, Jaida expands on her skills and knowledge in the area of coding and computer science.

Jaida Anekwe is a rising senior at Marriotts Ridge High School. Jaida Anekwe is an honor roll student enrolled in Advanced Placement and Honors courses. Jaida finds enjoyment in playing the teaching kids how to read, playing the viola, and dancing.

Medical Program Development Intern || Marriotts Ridge High School, Class of 2021

Jaida Anekwe

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Shane’s leadership and drive manifests outside of LI as well. In highschool, he started a non-profit, student-run coffeehouse to improve opportunities for those in his immediate community. He was also heavily involved in the Global Programs where he helped international students assimilate to the American educational system and culture. He even served as a leader on his club and varsity ice hockey teams which consistently qualified for the playoffs and won championships.

Shane has already developed and helped create three businesses with LI: an Orphan Care and Independence Program, an Auto-Electric Repair Shop, and a Barbershop. In his work, he has done everything from securing grants, writing business plans, and drafting curricula.

Shane is a new intern at Leadership Initiatives who is excited to use his knowledge and experience to improve the organization. Shane believes that the work he is doing is a crucial step in equalizing opportunity across the world.

Business Program Development Intern || The University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2024

Shane Better

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Cindy, as a current sophomore at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, has focused on exploring her interests through her involvement in school extracurriculars, making time management essential. She has been involved with athletics, the arts, and the STEM fields. In her academics, she finds herself interested in science, literature, and math.

Cindy during the summer of 2019, has participated in both Leadership Initiatives Business Summit’s Tier I and Tier II. Motivated by the gratitude she still currently has after the opportunity she received to participate in both summits, she decided to participate in the Leadership Initiatives Business Program Internship.

Cindy Borjas, a new intern at Leadership initiatives, passionately looks to encourage a work environment that allows for learning, growth, encouragement, and commitment. Cindy believes that everyone benefits from working with other passion-driven students. Learning from and with others, builds self-growth which benefits the group overall. Cindy believes that accountability is essential for successful and productive work while working with others.

Business Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation, Class of 2022

Cindy Borjas

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As well as her interning at Leadership Initiatives, Haley works at Chick-fil-A as well as her local barn where she owns her horse. She has been working at Chick-fil-A for over a year and now trains new employees. She loves working with guests and has learned a tremendous amount about customer service and how to address problems that come up. Haley also works at Lenux Stables and Riding Academy, the barn where she has been invested in since she was five! She loves spending time with all of the horses, especially her own, U.C.

Haley is an active HOSA member at her school, representing it as their chapter president. Over the years she has competed in both Health Career Photography and Health Career Poster, advancing to Internationals in her freshman year and placing 7th overall in Health Career Photography.

Haley Bowland is an intern who works with Leadership Initiatives to help create and run their medical summits for high school students. Haley truly believes that when teenagers have emerged in opportunities pertaining to their interests in the real world, they hold great potential to make a difference in the world around them.

Medical Program Development Intern || North Mecklenburg High School, Class of 2021

Haley Bowland


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Nicole hopes to one day get a degree in Biophysics or Bimolecular and Chemical engineering.

Nicole has worked hard to manage different organizations and events, such as musicals, and plays for younger children. She enjoys tutoring young students whose first language isn’t English, or whose parents don’t speak English at home. Nicole wants everyone to know that they have the power to make a huge impact in the world, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.

Nicole Campos-Vasquez is an intern at Leadership Initiatives, ecstatic for the amazing opportunity given to her. Nicole has participated in two Leadership Initiatives Youth Development Programs, the Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit in 2018 and the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Summit in 2019.

Medical Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation, Class of 2021

Nicole Campos-Vazquez

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Sofia is currently a senior at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School. She loves math and science and hopes to pursue a degree in astrophysics or aerospace engineering.

Sofia loves to travel and is passionate about hiking and the environment. She spends a month in the summer visiting her family in Panama where she also volunteers helping out children in need.

Sofia Daubert is a new intern at Leadership Initiatives. She is grateful for the new opportunity given to her, and she is excited to begin working. Through Leadership Initiatives, she believes she can further improve her leadership skills and work with the program participants to help ensure everything is organized and prepared for. Sofia participated in the Law and Trial Summit Tier 1 last summer and loved it.

Law Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation, Class of 2021

Sofia Daubert

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At present, Ula is a sophomore at Roosevelt High School, in Seattle, Washington. She grew up living in China, and subsequently, Bangkok, Thailand, and is often inspired by the differences in people and culture that she has been lucky enough to have been a part of. She is excited to see where life takes her, and hopes to make change along the way!

Ula believes that the key to creating change is through empowering youth. She feels that by refining IBIP from a student-perspective and participant, she can help expand the program to better accommodate a wider variety of thinkers, learners, and creative minds.

Ula is an International Development Intern, new to Leadership Initiatives this year. She works to improve the experience of students within the International Business Internship Program, working closely with her facilitator and fellow intern to rethink and approach new ways of fostering successful student-led grassroots development in Nigeria.

Business Program Development Intern || Roosevelt High School, Class of 2022

Ula Ekmecic

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Rona believes that everyone has a responsibility to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others and that these differences can start with small actions that grow into an impactful reality. This is why she considers the work of Leadership Initiatives to be so meaningful.

In addition to interning, Rona participated in LI’s Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit during the summer of 2019. This program inspired her to start her own IBIP team the following school year. As an intern, she is excited to take her work to the next level by interacting with different cultures and people through the medium of education.

Rona Eslamy is an International Development intern for Leadership Initiatives. She loves getting involved with the curriculum components of LI and curating lessons for IBIP students across the country.

Business Program Development Intern || Roosevelt High School, Class of 2022

Rona Eslamy

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Jacqueline wants to major in Neuroscience and then go on to get an MD-PhD to do research in Neuroscience and to be a licensed doctor.

Jacqueline enjoys reading, cooking, and painting. At her school, she is one of the Presidents of her local HOSA (Future Health Professionals of America) Chapter, she is the Team Leader of team 948 of the International Business Program for Leadership Initiatives, and has been awarded for her research on Alzheimer's disease.

Jacqueline Marie Farrington is a rising senior at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Massachusetts. She is a determined student who has enrolled in multiple honors courses and Advanced Placement classes during previous years and who is enrolled in these courses for the following year.

Medical Program Development Intern || Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Class of 2021

Jacqueline Farrington


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Olivia has a strong passion for the medical field and law field. She looks forward to comparing and contrasting these two possible careers to better determine which field she will ultimately pursue.

In addition, Olivia surfs on the competition team for Los Alamitos High School’s championship surfing team. This summer, Olivia will be sharing her passion for surfing by teaching and coaching children that are brand new to surfing. In her spare time, Olivia loves to read and paint.

Olivia Gertz is a rising Senior from Seal Beach, California. She attends Los Alamitos High School where she excels at the sciences, history, and literature courses. Aside from her academic pursuits, Olivia is an enthusiastic participant in the Model United Nations program at her high school. She has just been elected to be the Under Secretary for Communications for LAHS Model UN team.

Law Program Development Intern || Los Alamitos High School, Class of 2021

Olivia Gertz

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She is very passionate about math and science. Nyla participates in many extra-curricular activities inside and outside of school. An example of one of those activities is the Rhoer CLub. It’s mission is to teach and help young women develop public speaking and leadership skills, while also doing a lot of community service.

She hopes to one day pursue a career in emergency medicine. Because of these interests she was drawn to Leadership Initiatives and fell in love with the program.

Nyla Holley is a Medical Program Development Intern. She works with experts and educators to give back to the community. She wants everyone to be able to make great memories and have the great learning experience that she did. At Leadership Initiatives she is given the opportunity to do so. She attended two Leadership Initiative Summits. She attended The Advanced Neuroscience Summit, and also the Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit.

Medical Program Development Intern || Garrison Forest High School, Class of 2021

Nyla Holley

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At Garrison Forest, Rashiya is an athlete, participating in both varsity volleyball and varsity basketball. Outside of school, she plays AAU basketball. Rashiya is also an active volunteer at My Sisters Place, a shelter for homeless women and their children in the Baltimore area. She is also a member of the Delta Gems which is a youth community service program.

Rashiya believes that providing young kids with real-life experiences allows them to recognize their passions and awaken their minds. When working with students to expand their minds, she feels as though she is helping to change the world for the better.

Rashiya Howell is a Medical Program Development Intern. She works with our experts, educators, and leadership initiatives team to teach and mentor students and further develop the medical program. She has participated in both the Advanced Public Health Summit and the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Summit. She has also been a team lead and the Special Projects Chair.

Medical Program Development Intern || Garrison Forest School, Class of 2021

Rashiya Howell

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Rhea hopes to one day earn a degree in International Relations in order to be able to change lives on a global level, just as LI is doing today.

Additionally, Rhea is avidly involved in her high schools DECA club, focusing on teaching students leadership and business skills, and MUN, stimulating procedures in the UN while introducing students to current global issues. She is also passionate about her Indian classical dance community and practicing the art form.

Rhea Khurana is an intern at Leadership Initiatives, working with participants to ensure all their needs are met and that activities are set up and prepared for. Her experience from being a participant herself and doing the IBIP program has enabled her to see the kind of opportunities that LI provides and the lives that they positively impact.

Law Program Development Intern || American University, Class of 2024

Rhea Kurana

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Amelia has learned time management and social skills. Amelia hopes to one day become a neurosurgeon. Her goal in life is to help as many people in need as possible.

Amelia has attended both the Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit and the Advanced Neuroscience Summit. She also has helped transform small Nigerian businesses through the International Business Internship Program. Through these programs, Amelia has acquired business skills, leadership opportunities, as well as experiences within the medical world.

Amelia is an intern at Leadership Initiatives who is eager to change lives. Amelia focuses on helping the planning of the 2020 Medical Summer Programs and wishes to impact students just as Leadership Initiatives impacted her when she attended the programs. Leadership Initiatives has inspired Amelia’s passion for medicine.

Medical Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation, Class of 2021

Amelia Kitlinski


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Catherine is currently a sophomore at T.C Williams High School and a Conservatory Division dancer with Arlington's Balletnova Center for Dance. Catherine plans to use opportunities available in the future to one day earn a degree in Diplomatic Relations and International Affairs.

Catherine is currently the Team Lead for her IBIP team. Being currently enrolled in the program, Catherine knows her experiences as Team Lead will be beneficial to new teams who are working on their first grant proposals and business solutions.

Catherine is a new intern who works with Leadership Initiatives to help participants of the International Business Internship Program complete all tasks and meet all required objectives for success. She is excited to bring her qualities to Leadership Initiatives that she knows will help create an even bigger impact in communities around the world.

Business Program Development Intern || T.C. Williams High School, Class of 2022

Catherine Leonard

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Danielle is excited to have the opportunity through Leadership Initiatives to empower students to pursue their ambitions and to help motivated students from all walks of life to further their high school careers.

Danielle Liu was raised in Yorba Linda, California. She studies at Chapman University, where she pursues a double major in health sciences and violin performance. As a violinist, Danielle actively performs as a soloist and chamber musician across Orange County.

Danielle Liu is a collegiate intern with Leadership Initiatives. She is responsible for assisting Leadership Initiatives with board development and international programming. She also helps with student outreach, informing students in other schools about Leadership Initiatives and helping to expand the program.

Business Program Development Intern || The Chapman University, Class of 2022

Danielle Liu

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Grace plans to take the skills she learns this summer into nursing school to become a NICU nurse. Grace intends to provide hope, love, and support to families in the NICU, as she spent weeks there as a newborn.

During the school year, Grace works with Leadership Initiatives by leading her own International Business Internship Program Team and working as a medical intern. This year she led her International Business Internship Program Team to raise over $1,000 in two weeks to benefit an orphanage in Nigeria.

Grace Markey is a rising senior at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School located in Washington, DC. She is a driven student who is enrolled in both honors and AP classes. She is an aspiring nurse who dedicates the majority of her time to working with children or volunteering at a local medical clinic.

Medical Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation, Class of 2021

Grace Markey

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She first joined Leadership Initiatives in 2017 at the International Leadership and Business Summit and has been hooked ever since. As a person interested in pursuing a career in international relations, this is a phenomenal program that will allow her to get a better idea of her career path and better understand the world we are living in.

Academics aside, Lady is heavily involved in her school and community. She has a passion for performing arts—music, theatre, dance, etc—and she has been acting for 9 years and dancing since she was able to crawl.

Lady is a Senior at Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion, Michigan. Lady is a Law Program Development Intern, who works tirelessly with our experts, educators, and leadership initiatives team to create real-world educational experiences with our students. In her free time, she enjoys classic cinema and spending time with the people she loves.

Law Program Development Intern || Lake Orion High School, Class of 2021

Lady Mason

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Neso is currently a sophomore at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington DC. She plays for her school’s volleyball team and plays active club volleyball. She has a keen interest in physical and sports medicine, plans to major in Neuroscience, and continue on to Pediatric Neurology.

Neso serves as an example to her peers by showing little acts of kindness around her community. She knows that a small impact in her community makes a great impact on the world, and that these small acts shape the society we are continuing to better everyday.

Neso Mere is an intern at Leadership Initiatives, she has attended two Leadership Initiatives Youth Development Programs, the Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit, and the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Summit. She is the Media Chair for her IBIP team, working with her team to create strategies to help expand a business in the developing world.

Medical Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation, Class of 2021

Nesochi Mere


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Sobi enjoyed and gained so much knowledge and experience from the Medical and Public Health Summit last year and looking forward to the Advanced Neuroscience Summit this year. She is excited to discover what the world of Neuroscience is about and how she can become a productive part of that world.

Sobi is an ardent volleyball player with a strong passion for dance and theatre. Sobi loves art, designing and sewing, she is very creative and wildly imaginative. Her art creations are one of a kind.

Sobi Mere is a rising Junior at Georgetown Visitation Prep school in Washington DC. Sobi continues to strive for and achieve excellence in her studies and all her endeavors.

Medical Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation, Class of 2022

Sobichi Mere

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She hopes to one day be able to apply her passions in the real world and make it a better place through the pairing of business and medicine.

Simone has participated in one Leadership Initiatives Youth Development Programs: the Advanced Law & Trial Summit in the summer of 2019. In addition, she also acts as both the Special Projects Chair and Fundraising Chair for her IBIP team, starting this past fall. She is currently in the process of completing her team’s solution plan with her team members for their business partner.

Simone Minor is a new intern at Leadership Initiatives who work with others to better understand each other and themselves and eventually strive for better as a unit. Simone believes that good leadership along with willing and able team members makes up a huge part of success. She plans to bring her enthusiastic, hardworking, and open-minded personality to Leadership Initiatives.

Law Program Development Intern || The Tatnall School, Class of 2022

Simone Minor

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During her time with Leadership Initiatives, Sophia has developed good work habits, time management skills and learned how to better work with a team. She would also like to thank Leadership Initiatives for all their help in the college application process.

Sophia first got involved in Leadership Initiatives when she attended their Medical Neuroscience and Public Health summits, and gladly took the company up on their offer to intern with them. Sophia has been working on the 2020 Neuroscience summit’s infrastructure as well as helping the company with outreach.

Sophia Ogot is a rising Freshman at The University of Florida. Sophia is a hard-working student with an affinity for science and the language arts. Sophia has been a part of Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering (BE WiSE) since seventh grade, through which she has attended STEM workshops at places such as Salk Institute and UCSD.

Medical Program Development Intern || The University of Florida, Class of 2024

Sophia Ogot

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Striving to create global change, Oladimeji currently volunteers with children of Syrian refugees in her community, teaching them to read. Driven by her love for people, Oladimeji will be attending King’s College London to pursue a degree in law this fall.

She is grateful to come back as an intern and is looking forward to ensuring all participants have the same incredible experience that she did. Oladimeji is current the Head Prefect of Brentwood College School, where she has the opportunity to give students, teachers, and parents a voice.

Oladimeji is a new Law Program Development Intern. After participating in the Tier II Advanced Law and Trial Summit in 2019, she knew she had to stay connected with Leadership Initiatives in any way possible.

Law Program Development Intern || King's College London, Class of 2024

Oladimeji Olatunbosun

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His non-academic interests include chess, tennis, and piano. Devan also works as a volunteer for the U.S. Geological Survey as a map editor for The National Map Corps. Devan is excited to explore opportunities that combine his interests in geography, economics, and business.

Devan has a strong interest in geography and history. He enjoys participating in academic clubs and has represented his school in math, geography, and quiz bowl competitions. Devan was the school champion for the National Geographic Geography Bee on three occasions and competed in the Virginia Geography Bee each of those years.

Devan Opper is a rising 10th grader at Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington, Virginia. He is enrolled in the International-Baccalaureate program and takes Advanced Placement courses.

National Security Program Development Intern || Washington-Liberty High School, Class of 2023

Devan Opper


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Sophia is looking forward to learning more about business, growing her leadership skills, and expanding her knowledge. Finally, she is delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this program and explore business opportunities and the realm of business as a future career path.

Sophia strives to be a confident, determined, and thoughtful leader to all of her classmates as well as on her school's lacrosse team and on her dive team.

Sophia Papademetriou is a rising junior attending St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland. Sophia is a driven and diligent high honor student who has specific interests in Biology and History. As well as her interests in Biology and History, she aspires to contribute to her community through community service and fundraising.

Business Program Development Intern || St. Andrews Episcopal, Class of 2022

Sophia Papademetriou

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Having experienced the fantastic opportunities LI has to offer, Linnaea has found purpose through discovering the importance of civil engagement in her community.

She has also dived into the world of politics and law beyond Leadership Initiatives through her internships for her district attorney and Senator Bob Rankin as well as being a member of her school’s top Mock Trial team. Through her many experiences, she has found a passion for helping and advocating for others.

Linnaea is an intern at Leadership Initiatives, working to advance the Advance Law and Trial Internship Summit as a law program development intern. Linnaea was once a participant himself for both tiers of the law program and has experienced firsthand the amazing opportunities that the Advanced Law and Trial Internship holds.

International Law & Advocacy Internship Program Assistant Director || American University, Class of 2024

Linnaea Petterson

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Hannah is dedicated to helping others and has volunteered to serve in a number of community events. She has always had a zeal for the medical sciences and her goal is to become a neuro-radiologist.

Hannah is a talented musician who has a passion for playing the harp. Hannah is an active member of the Georgetown Visitation Orchestra and MCYO harp ensemble.

Hannah is an astute student who has excelled academically, especially in the arts and sciences. She is a new intern at Leadership Initiatives and works within their medical programs. She has attended the Leadership Initiatives Advanced Medical & Public Health Summit and the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Summit as a student. Hannah is also the Team Lead and Fundraising Chair for her IBIP team which was created fall of 2019.

Medical Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation, Class of 2022

Hannah Pierce

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Jenna is thrilled to be working with the Leadership Initiatives team at the Advanced Law and Trial Internship Summit Tier 2 this summer. She is ecstatic to continue learning about the legal field and to work alongside individuals that will help her achieve her goals.

Jenna is an active member of her school and local communities. She is the Founder and President of her school’s Business Administration Club as well as Journalism Club, where she acts as Managing Editor for her school's newspaper.

Jenna Poma is a rising senior attending the Scholars’ Academy in Rockaway Park, New York. She is a dedicated student- a member of the National Honor Society and recipient of Principal’s List Honors. Throughout her high school career, Jenna has also challenged herself by taking many Advanced Placement and Dual-Enrollment courses in a variety of difficult subjects.

Law Program Development Intern || Scholars' Academy, Class of 2021

Jenna Poma

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Clayton attended the 2019 Public Health Summit at Georgetown and thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of the ideas within the program, and wishes to continue this journey through the Neuroscience summit.

Clayton is a nationally and internationally ranked fencer who is continuing his athletics in college as a member of varsity fencing. He has also interned with multiple orthopedic offices and physical therapists as a means of furthering his medical experiences.

Clayton Reid is a rising College freshman at Boston College, who recently graduated from the Urban School of San Francisco following Junior and Senior years rife with AP and Honors classes.

Medical Program Development Intern || Boston College, Class of 2024

Clayton Reid


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I am excited to attend the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Summit because I feel like it’s going to be a great opportunity. I find it amazing that I get to work with others and learn more about the Neuroscience side of the medical field. I am excited to be working with this program and being able to broaden my mind on information I'm happy to learn about.

I’m involved in many clubs at school like the Italian Club, Future Health Care Professionals, Aquinas Kindness, Newspaper, and Dance Company. I also play softball in the fall. I take two extra classes before school, Pre-Med, and Leadership. I like to be involved in school and focus on my grades, I currently have a 4.3 GPA. In my free time, I like to paint and read books.

My name is Julia Ruggieri, I am a Senior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. I was born in Florida and still currently live there. I enjoy dancing, playing softball, and going to school. When I’m older I plan on attending medical school and becoming a doctor.

Medical Program Development Intern || St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Class of 2021

Julia Ruggieri

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Anna is excited to be participating in the Law and Trial Summit this summer. She aspires to be a lawyer and politician who advocates for the underserved and believes this will be a fantastic opportunity to learn from experts.

Anna is a nationally competitive fencer. In addition, Anna is the founder and chapter lead of Rhode Island Team ENOUGH, a youth-led gun violence prevention group. She is also a member of High School Democrats of Rhode Island's Legislative Advocacy Team. She is an intern for Congressional candidate Tom Wells. Anna is also the Content Manager for Space to Speak, a non-profit that advocates for awareness and prevention of sexual assaults.

Anna Saal is a rising sophomore at Barrington High School. She is an honor roll student currently completing a Political Science and Spanish Language Graduation Pathway.

Law Program Development Intern || Barrington High School, Class of 2023

Anna Saal

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Zoe is thrilled to be a part of the Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit this summer. She has always had a passion for medicine and dreams of one day becoming a surgeon. Zoe hopes to one day utilize the skills she has learned and make wonderful advancements in the medical field.

Zoe enjoys playing volleyball and rugby. At school, she is the co-captain of the jv volleyball team and a cheerleader on her school’s spirit team. Outside of school, Zoe enjoys baking and dancing.

Zoe Somerville is a rising junior at Georgetown Visitation. She is a hard-working and enthusiastic honors student enrolled in Advanced Placement classes.

Medical Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation, Class of 2022

Zoe Sommerville

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Bryson is vary excited to join the program because he had a lot of fun last summer in business tier one and wants to meet new people, use the skills he used last year, and learn new business strategies.

Bryson loves playing golf for his high schools team and also plays the trumpet in his schools jazz band. He enjoys school and especially math and science and is part of an IBIP team and went to a program last summer.

Bryson Soviero is a rising sophomore at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Bryson is very determined and is in a mixture of honors and Ap courses.

Business Program Development Intern || St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Class of 2023

Bryson Soviero

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Justine is beyond proud to be a part of Leadership Initiatives and has wholeheartedly enjoyed using her talents to reach beyond her local community

After attending the Advanced Medical and Neuroscience Summit the summer of 2019, Justine presented a neurological proposal on free will and archetypes in front of the nation’s leading neuroscientists.

Justine Torres is a Medical Program Development Intern. As an incoming senior at Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando, Florida, she firmly believes that immersive learning and character development can only be achieved through personal experience. This conviction has led her to become a member of the Leadership Initiatives program, where she has worked with experts, educators, and staff since the fall of 2018, utilizing her time and effort to help others in need.

Medical Program Development Intern || Bishop Moore Catholic High School, Class of 2021

Justine Torres


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Aarifah enjoys community service. She tutors elementary and high school students inside and outside of school. She goes to Interfaith, the local women’s shelter, and makes hot meals for the homeless in D.C. through Hunger Van.

Aarifah became involved with Leadership Initiatives this summer after she attended the Neuroscience Summit. She loved the mission that LI is accomplishing: to create change on a global scale. She wants other students to learn about LI and become a part of the mission too.

Aarifah Ullah is a Medical Program Development Intern. She works with Leadership Initiatives and doctors and scientists to enhance the students’ experience in the summer programs.

Medical Program Development Intern || Bullis School, Class of 2021

Aarifah Ullah

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Sydney is thrilled to be given an opportunity to participate in the Leadership Initiatives Internship. She was able to participate in the summer International Leadership and Business Internship Tier II program and loved it! She is also currently the Team Lead of an International Internship Team.

Sydney is a competitive horseback rider and loves to spend time at the barn. She enjoys reading, working at the barn, playing drums and guitar, and spending time with her family. At her middle school, Sydney co-founded her school newspaper and was the co-editor from sixth to eighth grade. During her freshman year at Georgetown Visitation, she joined the tech crew, becoming a quick understudy, and is the Head of Sound for the 2020-2021 school year.

Sydney is committed to academic excellence, and her challenging course load for the 2020-2021 school year includes honors classes in Math, Chemistry, and English.

Business Program Development Intern || Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Class of 2023

Sydney Vargo

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She is currently helping us to plan for the next wave of student leaders who will be with us this summer to positively change the lives of others!

As a sophomore at American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, Lucy maintains a schedule of rigorous coursework with a focus on pre-med. She also has a passion for visual arts and enjoys studying photography and drawing.

Lucy Whitney is a Medical Program Development Intern who enjoys working with the other interns and medical professionals supporting our Leadership Initiatives programs. She strives to provide all program participants with the resources they need to obtain the most out of their summer experience. Lucy has participated in two Leadership Initiatives Youth Development Programs; the Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit and the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Summit.

Medical Program Development Intern || American Heritage School, Class of 2022

Lucy Whitney

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Tyshea hopes to take the skills and lessons she has learned and create changes in her community that help others and results in a safe environment for everyone.

Tyshea plays basketball and dances with her school. She also enjoys painting, drawing, and styling hair in her free time. Tyshea leads her International Business Internship Program team and is a part of her school’s orientation team. She is also a part of her school's Student Diversity Leadership Council and Black Student Alliance. She is now working to create a program for her school that allows for conversation around current events and controversial topics in america.

Tyshea is a driven and hard-working person in and outside of the classroom as she balances Advanced Placement courses, honors courses, varsity basketball, dance, and the work she does to build an inclusive community at her school.

National Security Program Development Intern || Garrison Forest High School, Class of 2022

Tyshea Woods

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Therefore, he attended two summer programs in the summer of 2019, which are the Advanced Law & Trial Internship Summit and the International Leadership & Business Internship Summit. Through these experiences, he helped other people around the world and broadened his horizons.

Charlie also enjoys community service. Service, in his opinion, is a process of giving to others voluntarily; as giving somethings out, you are gaining something back. Therefore, he is really glad to help others who were in trouble.

Zechang “Charlie” Yang a student of class 2023 in The Bullis School, Potomac, MD. He came to the United States from Beijing, China (RDFZ, the High School Affiliated to Remin University) last year as an 8th grader. Charlie is a dedicated honor student who is a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Law Program Development Intern || Bullis School, Class of 2023

Zechang (Charlie) Yang


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Meihe Yang is very excited to be interning at the International Leadership & Business Summit, she likes to help others when they need help and she is interested in this topic and she wants to learn more about it. She hopes to help the world be better.

Meihe Yang can speak two languages, English and Chinese. During her free time, she always plays the piano, drums, and guitar. She also likes tennis.

Meihe Yang is an 8th grader from Bullis School now, She is one of the National Junior Honor Society members. She will be in 9th grade in September 2019.

Law Program Development Intern || Bullis School, Class of 2023

Meihe (Jessica) Yang

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After viewing the great benefits that Leadership Initiatives has to offer, Marc is confident that he can help LI share the benefits to every student attending the program, all while aiming for the goal of helping to change the world.

Marc is a Sophomore in high school and has participated in the IBIP program for two years, serving as the Team Lead both years. Along with this, Marc has gained experiences in leadership through his leadership role in the charity Children Helping Other Children.

Marc Zavarro is an intern at Leadership Initiatives, working to improve the experience of all summer program students, as well as aid in the development of the programs. Marc has participated in two summer programs with LI and knows first-hand the benefits that they can bring to a student. After witnessing these incredible benefits,

Business Program Development Intern || Western High School, Class of 2022

Marc Zavarro