Current Interns

Brooke Curtiss
Ali Everett - PR Report
Joan Hanna - Middle East Peace Initiatives
Camille Herby - Middle East Peace Initiatives
Stephanie Huang
Gordon LaForge - Internship Program, PR Report
	Gordon LaForge graduated with a B.A. in Literature summa cum laude from the University of Colorado at Boulder.  There he was the Athenaeum Fellow for the 61st Conference on World Affairs and the co-writer/producer of an independent television series.  Currently pursuing a career in journalism, Gordon hopes he can use his writing to inspire support for humanitarian causes and make a positive and substantial difference in the lives of the world's dispossessed. He is currently working with MBB on Internship coordination and writing the quarterly newsletter.
Bijan D. Manavizadeh - The Liberian Initiative, Kenya Initiative
	Bijan Manavizadeh is a second-year graduate student working towards a Master of International Development in Planning and Sustainability at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public & International Affairs (GSPIA). At MBB, Bijan is currently involved with the Liberian Initiative, assisting in grant writing and project coordination. He also is helping with the preliminary program proposal and project development for the potential Kenya Project and assist the Pittsburgh Somali Refugee Project. Upon graduation, Bijan would like to go into poverty reduction and social development, particularly in West Africa.
Karl Mercier - The Zimbabwe Initiative
Andy Nicewicz - Copehagen Initiative
	Andy Nicewicz is from Colorado and achieved his undergrad from at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, and majored in Political Science. While at Colorado State he was elected by his peers to resent the senate as the official Parliamentarian of the student legislator. He is currently a first-year law student at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He is has been working with MBB since August of 2009 and is currently working with Anna Spain on The Copenhagen 15 Global Climate Conference.
Kelly Panayi - Copenhagen Initiative
	Kelly Panayi was born and raised in multi-cultural London. Kelly holds a BA in Classics and Literature. A scholarship to The Actors Studio, New School University and AADA, took her to the States. Upon returning she continued her studies at UCL, completing a masters in Legal and Political Theory whilst working as an intern and then researcher to MP Sadiq Khan at UK Parliament. Upon completion Kelly took the role of host and writer to a show, ‘ Employment Insight,’ broadcast on Legal TV -Sky.  She is currently working  with Mark Baril on the COP 15 conference.
Jenny Pelaez - Copenhagen Initiative
Kristin Podgurski - Communications Intern
	Kristin is currently pursuing her Bachelors degree in Non-Profit Organization and Administration at the Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado. She is a Youth representative for the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council of Colorado and has been a team member of three mission trips to build housing, restore buildings, distribute food and visit orphanages in Juarez, Mexico. She will be helping MBB with communications and social networking.
Michelle Robo - The Zimbabwe Initiative
Rochanne Vincent - The Liberian Initiative
Rochanne is a Second year Master’s student at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work with a concentration in Community Organizing. In addition to interning for MBB, Rochanne is currently working in a clinical environment with behavioral health focusing on child and adolescent populations.
Taylor Smoot - Internship Program, Copehangen Initiative
	Taylor Smoot graduated from Colorado State University in 2009 with a BA in Political Science and History where he was elected to be student body president of the university his senior year. He also was a sitting member of the Board of Governors of the Colorado University System.  He now lives in Prague Czech Republic where he attends Charles University and is getting a Masters in International Economics and Politics. He has been working for MBB since June 2009 and is the currently working with John Cooper on the Mediators Beyond Borders internship program and the Copenhagen Global Climate Conference.
Toby Taylor - The Liberian Initiative
Toby Taylor, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, is interning with The Liberian Initiative. Toby's and his principal interests are in economic issues. He is exploring the economic causes of conflict in Liberia.
Natalie Wagner
Shira Zamir
	Shira Zamir recently graduated from American University with an M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution.  She is interested in the interplay between reconciliation and justice, especially in Latin America and South Africa.  She has completed internships at the U.S. Department of State and Amnesty International.  After completing her undergraduate degree, she spent a year living and volunteering in Israel.

Past Interns

Summer 09
Elisa Yoshiara - The Liberian Initiative
Joan Hanna - The Pittsburgh Somali Refuggee Project
Heather Imboden - Latin American Initiative

Spring 09
Ben Barlow - Education, Training & Events Committee
Heather Imboden - Latin American Initiative
Reynaldo Marierose - Education, Training & Events Committee

Fall 08
Kpakpo "Serge" Akwei - Training Committee
Ben Barlow - Education, Training & Events Committee
Katana Bosetti – the Liberian Initiative
Fabio Fina- University Chapters
Heather Imboden - Latin American Initiative
Korena Johnson - Training Committee
Aniuska Luna - The Liberian Initiative
Reynaldo Marierose - Education, Training & Events Committee
Rebecca Nicholson - The Liberian Initiative
Ann Sanders - The Liberian Initiative
Will Sietz - Training Committee
Kari Smith - The Liberian Initiative
Tina Stanczewski - Training Committee
Richard Walker - The Liberian Initiative

Spring 08
Aruna Raman – Liberian Initiative

Summer 07
Sarah Drinkwater - University Chapters
Justin Latore - Professional Communication & NGO Partnerships

Fall 07
Anjali Soi - Liberian Initiative

Spring 07
Brian Americus - Research & University Chapter Implementation

Fall 06
Shannon Lack - Research

Board of Directors Internship Program

Interns in this program are assigned to a specific Board Member as a formal supervisor assisting with tasks and functions to further expand the mission of Mediators Beyond Borders. These Interns can also obtain credits from local universities by working at least 5 hours a week assisting and working within the program.

Spring 09
Toby Taylor - The Liberian Initiative

Spring 08
Barbora Batokova - Professional Communication

Fall 07
Barbora Batokova - Professional Communication

Fall 08
Ann Sanders - The Liberian Initiative
Kari Smith - The Liberian Initiative

Summer 07
Emily Hench - Funding & Grant Writing
Heidi Karlsson- Communications, Development & Spirituality