Advisory Council

“If You Want to Go Fast, Go Alone. If You Want to Go Far, Go Together”

— African Proverb

These are the people who help guide us, push us, and keep us accountable along the way.

We are infinitely thankful for them.

Mike DerhamMichael Derham is a Partner with Novam Portam. He has previously covered Emerging Markets at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as well as on Wall Street, and began his career as a journalist with LatinFinance magazine. Additionally, M… — Mike Derham
Michael Derham is a Partner with Novam Portam. He has previously covered Emerging Markets at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as well as on Wall Street, and began his career as a journalist with LatinFinance magazine. Additionally, Michael has advised political campaigns in the US and the Emerging Markets on economic policy and strategy. Michael is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a Fellow of the Truman National Security Project.

Sidney OlinykSindey Olinyk is the Founder and CEO of Duco. Sindey's career spans national security, technology, and organizational management. Sidney is a former Obama Administration political appointee and mostly recently served as the Chief of Sta… — Sidney Olinyk
Sindey Olinyk is the Founder and CEO of Duco. Sindey's career spans national security, technology, and organizational management. Sidney is a former Obama Administration political appointee and mostly recently served as the Chief of Staff for Middle East Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. She holds an M.Sc. in Global Politics from the London School of Economics and dual B.A. from American University in Washington, DC.

Stacy ClossonDr. Stacy Closson is a non-resident Global Fellow with the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute and a Senior Adjunct Professional Lecturer at American University. She has been a Senior Fulbright Scholar in, Taiwan, worked as a political mil… — Stacy Closson
Dr. Stacy Closson is a non-resident Global Fellow with the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute and a Senior Adjunct Professional Lecturer at American University. She has been a Senior Fulbright Scholar in, Taiwan, worked as a political military analyst in the Department of Defense, and as a professor in academic institutions in the UK, US, and Taiwan. Dr. Closson received her PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and has published articles and papers on geopolitics, energy security, and state building. Her newest co-authored book with MIT press is 'Energy, Economic Growth, and Geopolitical Futures: Eight Long-Range Scenarios.'

Kristina WilforeAs Principal of Karakoyun Strategies, Kristina has worked with a diverse set of political leaders and change agents in over 25 countries throughout Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa -- in hotspots such as Ukraine, Syria, Ke… — Kristina Wilfore
As Principal of Karakoyun Strategies, Kristina has worked with a diverse set of political leaders and change agents in over 25 countries throughout Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa -- in hotspots such as Ukraine, Syria, Kenya and Afghanistan. She teaches grassroots organizing, political party development, and how to win campaigns from East to West. With a special emphasis on women’s political participation, she works all across the globe to help women find success in politics.