EMPA globe

Student Directory

Executive MPA Class of 2018-2020

LSE Group.0021

American


Kelly Anderson .060

Kelly Anderson

American

Director, International Policy U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Since 2012, I have worked at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce focusing on international intellectual property policy. Prior to joining the Chamber, I was responsible for the Congressional Affairs at the Embassy of Gabon in Washington, DC. During my time in DC, I also worked at a lobbying firm and interned for two Senators on Capitol Hill. I graduated from Drew University in Madison, NJ where I played collegiate field hockey.

jennifer hing.038

Jennifer Hing

American

Senior Advisor, U.S. House of Representatives

I am a 15 year veteran of U.S. politics, serving in the House of Representatives and the George W. Bush Administration. I am currently the Senior Advisor and Director of Internal and External Communications for the House Appropriations Committee, the political entity tasked with allocating the entire discretionary budget of the United States.

Elizabeth Lowell.473

Elizabeth Lowell

American/Italian

Associate Director, Strategy, freuds

I am currently an Associate Director on the strategy team at freuds. Originally from Boston, I began my career on the communications team of the U.S. documentary film series Frontline. After graduating from the London School of Economics with an MSc in Politics and Communication, I joined Blue State Digital to provide strategic communications consulting for a number of political and charitable clients including A World At School, the UK Labour Party, the Royal College of Nursing and WaterAid. Since joining freuds in 2014, I have focused on developing insights-driven communications strategies and campaigns for various clients including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Girl Effect, the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation and the London Is Open campaign.

nicole mazur.504

Nicole Mazur

American

Assistant Director, Operations and Evaluations American Jewish Committee

I am the Assistant Director for Operations and Evaluations at the American Jewish Committee in Washington DC where I focus on program effectiveness. Previously, I worked in Interreligious Affairs at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Prior to my time at the USCCB, I spent several years in the California State Legislature working on energy and human services policy. I have a B.A. from the University of Michigan with a focus in Political Science and Communications.

 

Australian

 

Scott Schubert.191

Scott Schubert

Australian

Managing Director, Mandiri Oil

I am a lawyer by training and admitted to practice in Australia. After 3 years practicing as a solicitor in Australia I moved to Indonesia as an in-house counsel. I have had 6 years experience as an elected member in local government in South Australia. First as a councillor and then one term as Mayor of the City of Victor Harbor, South Australia. I moved into management in 2011. Between 2013 and 2015 I returned to study, first taking a MBA at Oxford and then an LLM at Queen Mary, University of London. Following the completion of this full-time graduate study I returned to Indonesia as Managing Director of the Mandiri Oil Group. Mandiri Oil is a privately owned in upstream production, exclusively focused on Indonesia. My academic interests are very broad and after I returned to full-time employment I undertook a MA in Diplomacy at SOAS.

 

British

 

roxanne Bamford.147

Roxanne Bamford

British

Public Policy and Government Relations Analyst, Google

I am a Public Policy and Government Relations analyst at Google, based in London. I am a member of Google's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regional Public Policy and Government Relations team, focusing on creative and cultural sector issues. I have over five years experience working in the internet technology industry. I joined Google in 2013, first working as a Sales Consultant for UK agencies and SMBs. I have been on the Public Policy and Government Relations team for over 2 years. Prior to joining Google I worked in public relations, production and as a journalist/editor. I have worked and studied in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, India and the United States. I hold a Bachelor degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin.

Jamie Barber.548

Jamie Barber

British

Manager, Bank of England

I am currently a manager in the Bank of England's Prudential Policy Division. I have previously worked at HM Treasury on secondment and the former UK finance regulator the Financial Services Authority. In recent years I have been heavily involved in the development of various post-financial crisis policy reforms. I have also represented UK authorities internationally on Financial Stability Board and European Banking Authority policy groups. Earlier in my career I was a banking supervisor covering a portfolio of branches and subsidiaries of overseas banks operating in the UK. My undergraduate degree was in History with Economics from the University of York.

catherine lewis la torre.304

Catherine Lewis La Torre

British

CEO BBB Patient Capital Holdings Ltd., British Business Bank

I am CEO of BBB Patient Capital Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Business Bank, the UK's national development bank. I oversee all of the Bank's commercial investment activity, including venture and growth capital fund investments made by British Patient Capital Ltd., as well as a range of lending strategies executed through British Business Investments Ltd. The Bank's aim is to increase the supply and diversity of finance available for commercially-viable small and medium-sized businesses in the UK, in areas where markets are not working well, whilst generating market-based financial returns. All of our funding to date has been provided by the Government. I joined the Bank in 2016 following a career in private equity investment and fund management. I graduated from LSE with a B.Sc. (Econ.) with First Class Honours.  

Victoria MacLean.339

Victoria MacLean

British

Investment Manager, Aberdeen Standard Investments

I am an Investment Manager working in global equities at Aberdeen Standard Investments. I joined the company on the graduate programme in 2010 and spent time in various departments, including distribution and public affairs, before joining the investment division in 2012. Prior to that I completed a law degree and the legal diploma at Edinburgh University. My current role involves a combination of investment research and analysis, and portfolio management. I am also Chair of Scottish Financial Enterprise's Young Professionals, a group that organises events for young people in the financial services industry as well as playing a role in industry initiatives and innovation.

Rachel Norris.355

Rachel Norris

British

Vice President, Group Compliance, Electrocomponents Plc

I head up global ethics and compliance at Electrocomponents Plc, a FTSE 250 company that has experienced strong growth embracing digital solutions and bringing industry 4.0 and other innovative solutions to its customers. As part of that role, I led a team to implement a global compliance framework across more than 20 countries. I now have oversight of that framework, as well as a global remit to promote ethical leadership and a culture of ethics and compliance across the organisation.

My background is in commercial law and my areas of interest are anti-corruption, corporate compliance and modern slavery. I previously trained and qualified with Osborne Clarke International Law Firm and served as a board trustee for Indigo Volunteers, a charity that supports humanitarian projects.

Kate Richards.571

Kate Richards

British

Advocacy and Communications Lead, Dalberg

I am the Advocacy and Communications Lead for Dalberg, an international advisory and implementation firm focused on addressing strategic challenges related to sustainable development.

Currently, I am leading advocacy for a private-public partnership focused on health systems strengthening in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Cambodia, and Laos. Previously, I devised thought leadership campaigns for Dalberg and advised on communication and advocacy strategies for leading foundations, multilaterals, bilaterals, and NGOs.

Prior to joining Dalberg, I worked on media relations and engagement for Said Business School, University of Oxford.

purvi shah.642

Purvi Shah

British

Senior Manager - Ethical Initiatives, De Beers Group

I am the Group Senior Manager of Ethical Initiatives at De Beers where I am responsible for the strategy, design and implementation of ethical initiatives that maintain and build reputation, seek to raise industry standards and are integrated into core commercial objectives.

I started my career at Microsoft in Egypt, implementing community investment initiatives the Middle East and Africa region, in partnership with both non-governmental and government organisations. I have over 12 years of experience in designing, evolving and implementing multi-stakeholder programmes across complex value chains.

I speak Arabic and Gujarati. 

Sarah Wright.434

Sarah Wright

British

Senior Strategy and Policy Adviser, Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG)

I am a senior strategy and policy adviser within the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government working with other government departments on a programme to release publicly-owned land for housing.

Prior to this I worked for four years as a management consultant. This included work with Local Authorities, an NHS Trust, charities and social enterprises, as well as supporting the delivery of an innovation programme for a government department. Previous roles have included providing business intelligence to senior managers within a local authority, and managing a grant programme for small businesses within a regional development agency.

My academic background is in science, having studied for a Master’s degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of York.

 

Canadian

karina tanny.501

Karina Tanny

Canadian/Ivorian

P&A Strategic Solutions Lead, Vice President, State Street

I am a Strategic Solutions Lead for Performance and Analytics at State Street. I work with top-tiered institutional clients and prospects to understand their investment analytics needs, share best practices, promote thought leadership, and identify ways to best leverage State Street’s analytics solutions.

In addition, I have held community leadership roles locally and internationally including a financial inclusion assignment spanning three West African countries. I am a CFA charter holder and a member of the Toronto CFA Society and hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.

Chilean


Carolina Cordova.232

Carolina Cordova

Chilean

Self Employed

I gained my law degree in Chile followed by a Master of Laws in Corporate Law granted by New York University (NYU). I have practiced law in leading corporate law firms and as in-house legal counsel in New York, Frankfurt, Munich and London. I have experience in corporate and finance law as well as in the renewable energy sector. While Spanish is my mother tongue I am also fluent in both English and German. I recently relocated from London to Munich.

 

Colombian

 

Lucas-Higuera

Luisa Fernanda Higuera Joseph

Colombian

Rating Analyst, S&P Global

I have qualifications of Professional in Finance and International Relations from San Martin University, and Specialist in Corporate Finance from the College of Superior Studies of Administration CESA in Colombia.

I am a Rating Analyst at the Colombian office of S&P Global Ratings, a company I have worked at since 2011. I have nine years experience in the financial sector, during which I also worked in the credit department of some of the biggest banks in the country.

 

Costarican

 

Marcelo Carvajal.650

Marcelo Carvajal-Monge

Costarican

General Manager, Omar Dengo Foundation

I hold a degree in Electronic Engineering from the Costa Rica Institute of Technology. Later on, I obtained a MBA in Finances and Economy from INCAE Business School (founded by Harvard Business School). I have experience in both the public and private sectors, and currently I am the General Manager of the Omar Dengo Foundation. This is a private non-profit organization, whose main objective is the development of people's capacities, through innovative educational proposals, supported by the use of new technologies. The Omar Dengo Foundation works with the Ministry of Public Education on the National Programme of Educational Informatics, which is one of the largest and most successful public-private partnerships in Costa Rica, benefiting more than 652,000 students of the public education system.

 

Cuban

 

Enrique Jose Garcia.586

Enrique Jose Garcia

Cuban/American

Small Business Owner

I was born in the USA, raised in Venezuela, and am a Cuba citizen by family. I graduated from Boston College and then moved to Miami and Panama to become a telecom engineer. From there I opened my own business distributing brewing equipment and raw materials to Latin America. I then opened my own brewery in Miami while completing a Masters in Brewing Operations in Copenhagen, Denmark. I am also involved with a few non-profit organizations in Cuba.

 

French

 

Ghalia Mokhtari.609

Ghalia Mokhtari

French

Attorney at Law, Self-Employed

I am a specialist in projects and banking law with expertise in the energy, infrastructure, and real estate sectors. I regularly advise borrowers, financial institutions, funds, energy companies, corporations and governments on a range of transactions, including projects, public-private partnerships (PPPs), acquisitions, construction issues, and general Moroccan regulation matters. Before founding Mokhtari Avocats, I worked with the real estate and project finance teams of Linklaters in Paris before heading the projects and financing team of an independent North African law firm in Casablanca. I have also worked for major energy developers, investors, and financial institutions in Europe and Africa. I regularly publish articles on the energy sector for legal journals and teach project finance and business law at a leading business school in Casablanca.

 

German

 

FiratUnlu.013

Firat Unlu

German

Analyst, Finalta, McKinsey & Company

I am an analyst at Finalta, McKinsey and Company, helping financial services companies improve their performance through detailed benchmarks by leveraging insights gained from big data analytics. Previously, I worked as Lead India Analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit in London and directed five-year macroeconomic and political forecasting for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. I navigate effortlessly between cultures and am fluent in English, German and Mandarin Chinese and speak some Turkish. I hold a B.A. in Modern China from the University of Wurzburg in Germany and my academic background also includes Peking University, University of Vienna, Vienna University of Economics and Business, National Taiwan University as well as Yonsei University.

 

Greek

 

Costas

Costas Kargakos

Greek

Loan Officer, European Investment Bank

Since October 2016, I have been working as a Loan Officer for public sector lending operations in Greece, within the European Investment Bank (EIB). I joined the EIB in September 2011, as a Financial Monitoring Officer, and for 5 years I was responsible for the assessment of the credit standing of EIB's corporate counterparts and their compliance with their financial contracts with EIB. Before joining the EIB, I worked for 2 years at Eurobank Ergasias SA as a Loan Workout Officer and before that as an Associate within the Leveraged Finance team of GE Commercial Finance in London. In 2008, I attended the Emerging Leaders Programme at London Business School and earlier, in 2006, received my MBA from INSEAD. During the MBA year I worked at Yahoo UK as a summer intern in the Finance Department. Before the MBA year, I lived and worked in Athens, Greece, where I worked for 5 years in Alpha Bank SA as a credit analyst. I am also a CFA charterholder and hold a M.Sc. in Financial Mathematics from the Athens University of Economics and Business and a B.Sc. in Banking and Financial Management from the University of Piraeus.

 

Hungarian

 

Orsolya Kovacs-Ondrejkovic.320

Orsolya Kovacs-Ondrejkovic

Hungarian

Project Leader, The Boston Consulting Group

I am a Project Leader at The Boston Consulting Group, advising clients on talent, leadership, HR and organisational design topics and leading research projects related to labour trends and the future of work. During my five years at BCG, I've also worked in the public sector, advising a Middle Eastern government on increasing female participation in the labour force, and setting up a social enterprise in Hungary to support the employment of minorities. Prior to consulting, I studied economics – I hold a Master's Degree in International Economics from Budapest Corvinus University - and worked at international NGOs, such as the World Economic Forum and AIESEC International. During the EMPA I'm hoping to focus on the public policy aspect of maximising human capital, to complement my experience with people topics in the business and non-profit sectors.

 

Indian

 

Padmaja Kamath.445

Padmaja Kamath

Indian Belgium Programme Manager – Manufacturing CEN-CENELEC

As a Programme Manager at CEN-CENELEC, I currently manage standardization activities in response to market and legislative needs for chemicals, bio-based products, construction products and mining and metals sectors. My role is a vital link between the technical bodies, sector organizations, the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association and other external stakeholders to facilitate standards development.

After pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering, I have worked for both industry and government in the areas of regulatory compliance and product stewardship for chemicals, manufacturing and food contact materials. I have lived and worked in India, Spain, Italy and now Belgium. I am a language enthusiast and can speak eight languages.

 

Israeli

 

Chagy Tevet.349

Chagy Tevet

Israeli

Chief of Staff to Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, MK Meir Cohen

I have been the chief of staff to the former minister of welfare, and the present deputy speaker of the Israeli Knesset MK Meir Cohen since January 2016. I coordinate and manage legalization for MK Meir Cohen during Knesset meetings as well as advising on a day to day political issues.  I have seven years’ experience in Israeli politics in various parliamentary and political roles including conference manager for Yesh Atid’s party during the 2015 Israeli Knesset election campaign, and former chief of staff to the Knesset’s chairman of Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora affairs (IAD) committee MK Yoel Razvozov. I hold a bachelors degree in Government, Strategy, and Diplomacy with Specialization in the Middle East and Communications from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya.

Merav Turel.387

Merav Turel

Israeli

Head of Business Development, Magna Consulting

I recently moved back from New York after serving as an advisor at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN. During my tenure I represented the Israeli delegation at the UN Committee for Budgetary and Administration which is entrusted with allocating resources to every UN organ worldwide. During my time at the mission, I also functioned as a mediator between Israeli companies and the UN Procurement office, building long-lasting relationships with high-level decision makers and bridging between Israeli industries and the multi-billion dollars market of UN procurement.

I have a Bachelors in Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy from IDC Herzliya and am also a founder and Community Director of Ximus Forum.

 

Italian

 

Enrico Coletta.279

Enrico Coletta

Italian

Senior Manager, EY

I am a Public Sector Innovator, supporting innovation processes to be centred in people's collaboration and with a great focus on creating public value. I am interested in everything that comes close to the umbrella term social innovation. Currently I am struggling with migration issues, and the shape of things to come.

 

Jordanian

 

Samer Wahbeh.598

Samer Wahbeh

Jordanian

Chief Executive Officer, Investment Holding Company

I am currently the Chief Executive Officer of Investment Holding Group, a company listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange. Before joining IHG, I worked in different leadership roles in the Middle East including: Group CFO at Abdali Investment & Development in Jordan, Partner in charge of the capital markets at PKF International in Qatar, a Chief Investment Officer of EZDAN Holding and a Corporate Finance Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dubai.

My experience also includes business valuations, IPOs, feasibility studies and financial and operational restructuring.

I hold a MBA from Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, a BSc in Accounting from the University of Jordan, I am CFA charterholder and I also hold  CPA and CMA credentials.

 

Spanish

 

Marta_Guillamet

Marta Guillaumet i Olivé

Spanish

Public Sector Consultant, Deloitte Consulting SLU

I am a public sector consultant passionate about enhancing governments' capacity to manage and deliver tangible impact to its citizens. My interest to understand world affairs brought me to study a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Management at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). While studying I also worked for the Catalan Government as a trainee, on issues regarding public participation.

I joined Deloitte's public sector practice in 2015. As a strategy and operations consultant for the public sector I assisted a range of Spanish and Catalan public institutions in a variety of projects. I participated in projects that consisted of providing strategic advice and designing strategic plans, evaluating the efficiency of public policies, process re-engineering, advising on digital transformation, and designing change management initiatives.

 

Swedish

 

Anna Lund.488

Anna Lund

Swedish

Media and Communications Officer, Permanent Represnetation of Sweden to EU

I moved with my family from Stockholm to Brussels three years ago to work at the Swedish EU Representation in media and communications.

I have a background in the Swedish Government Offices, business organisation, international political cooperation, media, political party, EU civilian monitoring mission and university research. I have had coordinative, editorial, advisory, analytical and administrative roles in national as well as international settings.

I’m looking for an academic “refill” and wish to explore my potential together with other engaged and curious people with various backgrounds and fields of expertise.

I have a degree in political science from Uppsala University, Sweden.

 

Swiss

 

Yves Schepperle.085

Yves Schepperle

Swiss

Head Client Management, UBS Asset Management

I graduated from University of Fribourg, Switzerland with a specialism in European Law in 2005. After completing my internships as a law clerk in Switzerland and the US I joined UBS as a Legal Counsel in 2007. I obtained my MBA from Heriot-Watt University, UK in 2012. Prior to this in 2011, I changed from UBS's legal department to a client facing role at UBS Asset Management, Fund Services. As Client Relationship Manager I helped institutional clients to structure, launch and manage traditional and alternative investment funds.

In 2016 I was appointed to Head Client Management for UBS Fund Management Services which is UBS's center of excellence for fund corporate governance and structuring investment funds with clients in Switzerland, Europe and APAC.

simoes carine.258

Carine Simoes

Swiss

Head Specialised Body for International Transfer of Cultural Property Swiss Federal Office of Culture

After obtaining my Master in Law, I worked first as a trainee lawyer in the public and private sector and then as a co-director of a contemporary art gallery. In 2012 a unique professional opportunity to apply my expertise in art law opened up; since then I have worked as a legal advisor in art and cultural heritage law for the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC). Since January 2017 I have been the head of the specialised body for international transfer of cultural property at the FOC. In this position, I lead a team with very varied profiles (lawyers, art historians, archaeologists, assistants) and I'm in charge of the implementation of the legislation for the protection of cultural heritage and the fight against its illicit trafficking.

 

Zimbabwean

 

Stephen Nyakudarika.658

Stephen Nyakudarika

Zimbabwean

Vice President - Investment Banking, Barclays Africa

I am an experienced investment banking professional with a focus on high-growth emerging and frontier markets. My specialties are in providing Strategic M&A Advisory and Capital Markets services to leading corporations, investors and governments. I have worked on some of the most complex and relevant transactions in Sub-Saharan Africa and have advised African companies, multinationals with an African presence and international investors entering the region. I hold a Master of Law in Finance and a Bachelor of Business Administration. I am also a CFA Charterholder.