Alisha Bose
BS in Human Centered Design & Engineering, Minor in Disability Studies, University of Washington
Alisha is a designer and researcher committed to co-creating accessible, inclusive technologies through community-driven innovation. Her work explores how universal design can challenge dominant tech narratives, especially by centering disabled voices and marginalized communities in every stage of the design process. As Technical Lead for the GoBabyGo rehabilitation team and as Vice President of Public Relations for the Society of Women Engineers, she brings creativity, coalition-building, and a sharp design sensibility to every project. With deep interests in ethics, equity, and public impact, Alisha sees human-centered design as a form of activism. She joins NSLI to expand her leadership capacities and strengthen her advocacy for inclusive systems of innovation.
Maëline Guillerm
BA in Political Science and International Studies, University of Washington
Maëline is a French-American scholar whose leadership spans environmental politics, international security, and creative sustainability. She was a contributing author to the Task Force on U.S. Grand Strategy, developing foreign policy recommendations on U.S.–China climate cooperation. At Apple’s Global Security division, she led cross-functional projects focused on resilience and safety in high-stakes environments. Her creative practice in digital art and upcycled fashion reinforces her belief that sustainability is both systemic and personal. She joins NSLI to deepen her understanding of trust-based leadership and collaborative governance in advancing global climate solutions action in the global energy transition.
Aditya Gunawan
BA in Psychology, University of Washington. Incoming MSc in Psychology, Learning Sciences, and Human Development, LMU Munich, Germany
Aditya is a cross-cultural leader whose work bridges psychology, education, and community impact. At the University of Washington’s Center for Leadership and Strategic Thinking, he supports leadership development academies for Washington State firefighters —from earlycareer to late-career—by enhancing collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills through a combination of in-person and hybrid learning strategies. Raised in Indonesia and educated in the United States, Aditya brings a global perspective to human development and inclusive learning. He is excited to begin his master’s in psychology in Germany and joins NSLI to further explore Nordic leadership models that foster lifelong learning and inclusive system design for the collective good.
Afifah Kashif
BS in Computer Science, Minor in Law, Societies, and Justice, University of Washington. Incoming MPhil Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence, University of Cambridge, U.K
Afifah is a boundary-pushing technologist and equity-driven leader whose work spans computer science, social justice, and community empowerment. At the University of Washington, she led the Pakistani Student Association and organized a women’s hackathon focused on accessibility and inclusion. Her academic and professional work explores the intersection of AI ethics, tech policy, and educational equity—fields she bridges through hands-on research and real-world innovation. Inspired by intergenerational resilience and cultural heritage, Afifa leads with empathy, courage, and a commitment to systems change. She joins NSLI to expand her leadership in ethical AI and explore how Nordic values can inform more inclusive technology ecosystems.
Liam Giese
BA in Environmental Studies, Minor in Ecological Restoration, University of Washington
Liam is a participatory environmental leader whose work blends ecological science, community-based research, and international field experience. He co-led a capstone team at Saint Edward State Park to design climate-sensing tools and field lesson plans now used in university and high school ecology education. In the Peruvian Amazon, Liam conducted original research on mosquito-borne disease and alternative public health strategies, drawing from local cultural insights to reimagine ecological resilience. His leadership is grounded in humility, deep listening, and equity-driven inquiry. With aspirations for graduate study in environmental planning, he joins NSLI to expand his global leadership perspective and deepen his skills in collaborative sustainability work.
Rhiannon Hayes-McQueen
BS in Human Centered Design and Engineering, Minor in American Sign Language, University of Washington
Rhiannon is a human-centered design leader whose work bridges engineering, inclusive education, and social impact. As the Lead Engineering Ambassador at UW, she directs a team of peers, is restructuring internal operations, and has expanded K–12 programming in underrepresented communities across Seattle. Her passion for accessibility is reflected in her American Sign Language studies and advocacy for universal design principles. Rhiannon also launched a campus-wide campaign for student government, building confidence in public communication and participatory leadership. She joins NSLI to expand her global perspective and cultivate leadership practices grounded in empathy, collaboration, and cultural fluency
Carmen Sidler-Dever
BA International Studies, Political Science, and Communication, Minor in European Studies, University of Washington
Carmen is a distinguished scholar and emerging foreign policy strategist with deep experience in global governance, intercultural dialogue, and public diplomacy. She served as a lead author on a 275-page policy report through the Task Force on U.S. Grand Strategy, advocating for inclusive alliances and adaptive global leadership. With concentrations in technology, security, and diplomacy, Carmen is a seasoned public speaker and brings analytical precision and cross-cultural fluency to every initiative. Her Swiss-American background and professional experiences in both the U.S. and Switzerland inform her commitment to culturally attuned leadership. She joins NSLI eager to expand her understanding of Nordic diplomacy and its alignment with equity, humility, and global responsibility.
Caroline Hedlund
BA in Community, Environment, and Planning, Minor in Business Administration, University of Washington
Caroline is an emerging urban planner with a passion for building cities that are sustainable, walkable, and historically grounded. As president of a student organization, she created an award-winning engagement incentive program that remains in practice today. Her academic journey includes capstone research on late-night businesses, fieldwork in Rome, and advanced coursework in historic preservation. She was recently awarded the 2025 John L. Hancock Endowed Paper Prize for outstanding urban planning scholarship. Caroline approaches leadership with empathy, curiosity, and a drive to create inclusive, lasting systems. She joins NSLI to expand her global leadership lens and deepen her skills in collaborative urban development.
