Kathryn Carroll 
Kathryn Carroll is a graduate of St. John's University School of Law. While a law student, she interned at international consulting firm BlueLaw International LLP, as well as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She received her B.A. in International Studies from American University in 2010. She has also studied at the University of Oslo, Norway, the Norwegian School of Management, and Sciences Po in Paris, France. She has also participated in an abroad program with Mobility International-USA.
Kathryn spends much of her free time with advocacy organizations for people with disabilities. Most recently, she served on the executive board of the National Association of Law Students with Disabilities and as board member for a local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. She currently works as a consultant for organizations trying to improve their inclusiveness regarding disability.
Kathryn Carroll is completing her YIDA internship at Burton Blatt Institute, which works to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities.
Connect with Kathryn Carroll via her LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryncarroll/
Vivian Fridas
Vivian Fridas received her BA in Political Science and S
ociology from Adelphi University in 2010. She has completed her graduate degree in Government and Politics in December 2013 from St. John's University. With her concentration in international relations, Vivian plans to pursue a field in advocacy of human rights for the disabled in developing countries. Vivian is part of the Graduate Council at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, in which she acts as a representative between graduates and staff members. She has been asked in the past to speak at various functions concerning blindness and guide dogs. Additionally, Vivian has participated in lobbying for important issues to the blind community regarding fair wages, accessible technology, and accessible air travel. Vivian plans to utilize her skills and education in order to continue making improvements for the lives of individuals with disabilities around the world.
Vivan Fridas is completing her YIDA internship at the National Democratic Institute, which works to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.
Connect with Vivian Fridas via her Linkedin profile at:
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/vivian-fridas/42/65/337.
Theophilus Worjlog Jlateh
Theophilus Worjlog Jlateh is a 2013 graduate of the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) with a dual undergraduate degree in International Studies and Political Science. He
worked at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis from 2010 to 2013. He has also worked at the IUPUI Math Assistance Center where he advocated for a special needs study room for students with disabilities. Theo was elected president for the African Student Association (ASA), one of the largest student organizations on campus.
Theo was hired in 2013 at Rescare INC _Adept- Community Alternative as Direct Support Professional and became a Residential Manager few months later in 2014. This fall, Theo will start his dual master's degree program in Health care management and international affairs at George Washington University.
Theo Jlateh is completing his YIDA internship at International Medical Corps, which works to save lives and relieve suffering through health care training and relief and development programs worldwide.
Lindsay Lee
Lindsay Lee recently received her BS in mathematics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She also majored in Spanish and minored in Portuguese. In Fall 2014, she will attend the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, studying for a MSc in applied statistics. She plans on utilizing mathematics and language in the public health field as a member of a governmental or non-governmental agency. She will use empirical data analysis and mathematical modeling to advocate for health care policies that benefit marginalized groups.
As an undergraduate, Lindsay founded Campus Disability Advocates, a student organization seeking to educate the university about disability issues. She also was an opinion columnist for the school newspaper The Daily Beacon and a member of various administrative advisory councils.
Lindsay is completing her YIDA internship at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, which has worked in more than 135 countries to support citizens' rights to participate in free and fair elections.
Connect to Lindsay Lee via her LinkedIn profile at http://lnkd.in/dGA_B5B.
Diego Mariscal
Diego Mariscal is 22 years old. He is originally from Mexico and is
currently studying International Relations at American University in Washington, DC. Diego was born with cerebral palsy and has always shown interest and passion for disability advocacy. He first got involved in the disability community in 2002 by representing Nuevo Leon in the Mexican National Paralympics. After several victories in swimming Diego became a spokesperson for disability.
In 2007, he developed a student group that addresses social issues of disability. This group evolved into what is now 2Gether-international. Diego is currently the CEO and has received several awards, including Architect of the Future in Vienna, Austria and Global Change Maker in London, England. Diego is also a researcher for the Institute on Disability and Public Policy in Washington, DC and a mentor in the Compass Fellowship program. During his spare time Diego keeps swimming, enjoys reading, dancing and acting. Diego is completing his YIDA internship at the Inter-American Development Bank, which supports efforts by Latin America and the Caribbean countries to reduce poverty and inequality in a sustainable, climate-friendly way.
Connect with Diego via his LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/diego-mariscal/7a/378/636.
Maegan Shanks
Maegan Shanks received her BA in English and philosophy from Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport. Born and raised in New Orleans, the diverse city inspired her into the field of International Develo
pment. Her first experience with was an exchange program in Costa Rica with Mobility International USA (MIUSA).
After graduation, she worked under Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD). FSD is a non-profit organization, sending interns to developing countries with personalized sustainable development projects. She served a six-month internship with Empowerment of Disabled Development Organization in Kenya. Maegan is passionate about the empowerment and inclusion of youth with disabilities through educational opportunities. She is currently an MA candidate in International Development at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.
Maegan is completing her YIDA internship at World Learning, which works to empower people and institutions through education, development, and exchange programs.
Connect with Maegan Shanks via her LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/maegan-shanks/37/771/286.
Erum Siddiqui
Erum Siddiqui is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, College of Biological Sciences where she majored in Genetics, Cell Biology and Development. When Erum began her c
ollege career she did so with the intention of preparing herself for medical school. As a sophomore, she traveled to Cairo, Egypt, where she was a student at the Kamal Adham Center for Journalism at the American University in Cairo as well as a participant in a Human Rights Law in Practicum program. She also taught English to members of Cairo's refugee community.
Upon returning to Minneapolis, Erum's passion for public policy became reinforced. In the course of her studies, Erum realized that she is compelled by large scale change, that her drive to attend medical school was inspired by her experiences with systems of ineffective medical delivery and a drive to make them more efficient. Today she is hoping to utilize the skills she has honed during her academic career to contribute to organizations aimed at establishing systems of sustainable medical delivery. Erum is completing her YIDA internship at Management Sciences for Health, which works to improve the health of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.
Connect with Erum via her LinkedIn profile at:https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=183044834&trk
Daniel Van Sant
Daniel Van Sant comes from Malvern, Iowa, and is a student at Syracuse University, working towa
rd his law degree and a Master's of Science in Cultural Foundations of Education. Prior to beginning law school, Daniel received a research grant that allowed him to live in Yamanashi, Japan, for one year where he studied disability policy, social work, and special education at a local university. Prior to this, he worked at Disability Rights Iowa, a non-profit law center that advocates for the rights of Iowans with disabilities.
Daniel holds a BA in international relations, rhetoric, and politics from Drake University. He plans to pursue a career in disability law and policy with a focus on the international sphere.
Daniel is completing his YIDA internship at the DC office of Human Rights Watch, which works to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all.
Connect with Daniel Van Sant via his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/pub/daniel-van-sant/96/955/643
