Alumni Directory Display

Arielle Ford 2017-2018 Fellow with Equal Education, South Africa The George Washington University Class of 2014

Arielle Ford graduated from The George Washington University with high honors in 2014 where she received a BA in Sociology. After graduating, she joined CityBridge Education, an organization vested in the creation and redesign of DC public schools that lead with intentional equity. At CityBridge, Arielle worked with teachers and school leaders to bring innovative educational practices to local classrooms and schools. She also facilitated conversations around race and identity with educators, emphasizing the intersection of human centered design and equity. Her commitment to equity work began long before college as she witnessed how disparities in public education adversely impacted the life trajectories of her childhood friends. During her undergraduate years, she was heavily involved with the Multicultural Student Services Center, working to illuminate the stories and needs of students of color on campus, in addition to serving as the Student Association Director of Diversity and Multi-Religious Affairs. She also served as a campus campaign coordinator for Teach for America, where she worked arduously to increase the number of black, Latino, and LGBTQ applicants. Arielle is excited to continue her commitment to educational equity with Equal Education in Johannesburg, South Africa where she will work with students, teachers, and parents striving for equality in South African education.

Krista Ford 2009-2010 Fellow with Africare, Tanzania Princeton University Class of 2009

Krista is a psychology major who was born and raised in Washington, DC. Her academic focus was social and cultural psychology. In her free time, she enjoys learning new languages (Swahili) and performing Middle Eastern dance with Raks Odalisque. Krista first traveled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with her Swahili class in the summer after her junior year and she can’t wait to return. During her fellowship, she hopes to visit the friends she made last summer in addition to making new ones!

Gabriel Fossati-Bellani 2003-2004 Fellow with Right to Play, Mozambique Princeton University Class of 2003
Hahna R. Fridirici 2008-2009 Fellow with Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative, Burkina Faso Princeton University Class of 2006

Fellow Bio:

Hahna Fridirici is a 2006 graduate from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Hahna has conducted research and labored hand in hand with the most underserved people groups living with HIV/AIDS both in her own backyard and across the globe. Most recently, she was a health sector analyst with strategic philanthropy group Geneva Global, but she has thoroughly enjoyed moonlighting as a chef since finishing a year as a Fellow with the Trinity Forum Academy in which she explored philosophical and theological anchors for international development. After years of researching and funding HIV/AIDS initiatives, Hahna looks forward to time on the ground with a Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative Clinical Center of Excellence in partnership with Bristol-Myer Squibb: Secure the Future. She is interested to find out how a year in Burkina Faso will expand her culinary repertoire and hopes there will be opportunity to “parler beaucoup de francaise” while cutting the rug and navigating bike traffic with her new neighbors.

David Friedman 2013-2014 Fellow with Save the Children, Ethiopia Duke University Class of 2013

David is a History and French major from Delray Beach, FL. At Duke, he served as a coordinator for Camp Kesem North Carolina, a non-profit summer camp for kids with a parent affected by cancer, and volunteered as a counselor. David also participated in Mock Trial and the Duke Microfinance Leadership Initiative, though which he worked for a rural lending co-operative in Nkokonjeru, Uganda. After studying abroad in Paris, David interned in Cape Town, South Africa where he researched peer-education HIV/AIDS and health programs in prisons. In Ethiopia, David is looking forward to learning a bit of Amharic, trekking on the highlands, and drinking far too much coffee.

Katie Camille Friedman 2010-2011 Fellow with 2iE/International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering, Burkina Faso Princeton University Class of 2010

Alumni Update:

Katie finished her PhD in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from University of North Carolina’s School of Global Public Health and started work as a Product Development Scientist for Brita water filters at The Clorox Company. She is happy to report that her experience in entrepreneurship and water filter development in Burkina Faso continue to shape her work.

Fellow Bio:

Katie Camille ’10 is a chemical engineering major from Memphis, TN. At Princeton, she stayed busy with the Global Development Network, the Engineers without Boarders, and Lux choir. Katie Camille is excited about all things water—she worked with the International Water Association in the Netherlands and also helped start a ceramic water filter factory in Nigeria.  In Burkina Faso, she looks forward to continuing work with water filters, learning some French and Moore, and hopefully getting involved with the local music scene.

Nava Friedman website photoNava Friedman 2014-2015 Fellow with Plan International, Uganda Princeton University Class of 2013

Nava graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Religion and African Studies. Following graduation, she served as Program Assistant at the World Faiths Development Dialogue, an NGO working at the intersection of religion and international development. At WFDD, she co-wrote a report on religion and international family planning, spearheaded and organized a conference with Ashoka: Innovators for the Public on religion and social entrepreneurship, and designed and executed a study on faith-inspired alternative care for Kenyan orphans and vulnerable children.  As a student, Nava worked and conducted research in Uganda and Kenya and started an initiative to sell social enterprise products on Princeton’s campus. She is excited to go back to Uganda to promote and protect children’s rights and development, learn Luganda, and have a chance to do some of the “touristy” stuff!

Lisa Frist 2006-2007 Fellow with Jacana, Mozambique Princeton University Class of 2006
Fugar_Faith_WebsiteFaith Fugar 2016-2017 Fellow with HelpAge International, Kenya The George Washington University Class of 2016

Alumni Update:

Faith’s time as a PiAF fellow gave her the international experience and skills she needed to be an attractive candidate for Graduate school and her career as a Foreign Service Officer. She hopes to spend most of her career working on the Continent.

Fellow Bio:

Faith received her B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University, concentrating in African Development. At GW, she was deeply involved with the Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, both as a leader and coordinator of service projects. Faith served as founder and president of the Crown of Glory Hair and Beauty Organization and as vice president for the African Students Association. Previously, Faith interned with Karen Bass (CA-37), where she created briefing papers for the congresswoman’s African subcommittee hearings and assisted with monthly Africa Policy Breakfasts. Faith also interned at the D.C. Mayor’s Office on African Affairs, where she engaged with the city’s African immigrant community and helped coordinate the D.C. African Festival. Faith’s interest in sub-Saharan Africa is reflected in her many trips to the region. She often goes to Ghana to visit family and recently conducted field research on the country’s energy crisis. She spent a semester studying abroad in Dakar, Senegal, where she lived with a host family, took classes in Senegalese language and culture, and tutored Senegalese students in English. Faith is excited to explore the East African culture, learn Swahili, and work with HelpAge International!

Matthew Fuller 2022-2023 Fellow with , Uganda Princeton University Class of 2020

Matthew Fuller is a 2020 graduate of Princeton University, having concentrated in History with certificates in African Studies and History and the Practice of Diplomacy (HPD). For his senior thesis, he researched Namibia’s independence movement during the 1980s and focused on the movement’s place in the Cold War, the developments of the South African Border War, and a variety of grassroots liberation efforts. Most recently, Matthew was a project assistant for the National Democratic Institute’s Southern and East Africa team, where he supported programs in Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Uganda as well as the Political Party Leadership Institute and the Illiberal Influences regional programs. Before that, he worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office for Southern African Affairs, researching long-term water solutions for drought in southern Madagascar. In 2019, Matthew interned with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, working with EducationUSA programming. In 2017, he worked in Cape Town, South Africa, researching financial literacy and inclusion projects and consulting on carbon-reducing efforts. He also spent the summer of 2018 studying Indian democracy in Haryana, India as part of a Princeton Global Seminar. Matthew is originally from southeastern Michigan. In his free time, he explores his interests in music, cooking, and sports.

Our History

In 1999, a group of Princeton alumni, faculty, and staff launched Princeton in Africa as an independent affiliate of Princeton University inspired by the University’s informal motto, “Princeton in the Nation’s Service and in the Service of All Nations.” In 2010, the program opened up to include graduates of any US accredited university in order to meet the growing demand from host organizations and allow more young professionals access to the unique opportunities afforded by PiAf. During the past 20 years, we have placed over 600 Fellows with more than 100 organizations in 36 countries, while developing more strategic partnerships across Africa and creating more opportunities for our alumni community to engage with the continent and with one another.

Testimonials

The International Rescue Committee has been so fortunate to have had a longstanding relationship with Princeton in Africa since our very first Fellows landed in Rwanda in 1999.  Whether it was Emily or Renee in 1999 or the 110 Fellows across 14 IRC countries over the years, we have been blessed by the relationship, the quality of the Fellows and the impact on what IRC does on the ground every single day.

Brian Johnson
Chief Human Resources Officer
International Rescue Committee

My fellowship has been the most impactful personal and professional development opportunity of my life. I wanted a post-college experience that would push my limits, expand my comfort zone, and help me discern the next steps in my career journey. And this has been the case.

Ryan Elliott
2014-15 Fellow
Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative in Lesotho

I can honestly say that this year has changed my life and my view of what’s possible for the future. Princeton in Africa isn’t just a one-year fellowship, it’s an introduction to a particular way of life and a new way of thinking about the world. I feel like so many doors are open now that I never would have considered before.

Katie Fackler
2010-11 Fellow
UN World Food Programme

My Princeton in Africa fellowship was everything I could have hoped for and much more. The myriad of experiences makes my head swim, and it has strengthened my desire to help underserved populations worldwide.

David Bartels
2006-2007 Fellow
Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative

Princeton in Africa was an invaluable experience for me. I learned an infinite amount through my work and through living in Uganda. I also realized that I want to continue working on African issues as long as I can.

Alexis Okeowo
2006-2007 Fellow
The New Vision

The International Rescue Committee’s experience with Princeton in Africa has been exceptional. Each Fellow brings excellent writing and analytical skills as well as unique interests and passions that enrich the program and the field office environment. We were so pleased we expanded the program to more field offices.

Susan Riehl
Human Resources, IRC

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation has been working in Africa for over 11 years through its Secure the Future program.  One common theme in all aspects of program implementation is having passionate, energetic individuals on the ground who can think outside the box and then transfer the skills for sustainability.  The Princeton In Africa Fellows have been a huge asset in this regard and our programs and patients have been better for it.

John Damonti
President, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation