AFLSE Washington, DC: Development and International Affairs Career Discussion
.
This year has seen considerable unheaval in development and international relations professions, for both careers in the federal government and at private organizations that rely, in part or in whole, on funding from the United States. As many LSE alumni in the DMV work in these fields, AFLSE's Washington, DC chapter is convening a panel and networking evening to help alumni learn about opportunities and to share experiences in these fields.
.
Our program will include a panel discussion featuring alumni with experience in development and international relations, and ample time for Q&A and networking. The event is free to attend, but attendance is limited for space -- we will open a waitlist if the RSVPs fill up.
.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Doors open at 6:00 pm
Program: 6:30-7:30 pm
Light refreshments will be provided
International Arts & Artists at Hillyer
Washington, DC 20008
Panelists:
Gregory Aftandilian (MSc International Relations) is a professor in the Foreign Policy and Global Security Department of the School of International Service at American University where he teaches courses on U.S. foreign policy and Middle East politics. Prior to being an academic, he worked in the U.S. Government for more than twenty years in such capacities as Middle East analyst in the U.S. Department of State, foreign policy advisor to several members of Congress, and professional staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Jonathan Orr (MSc Public Policy and Administration) is a former Foreign Service Officer who served in Nepal, Paraguay, India, and most recently with the State Department’s Bureau of Legislative Affairs in Washington, D.C. Prior to the State Department, he worked in media relations and government affairs in both the public and private sector. Jonathan was an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 2001-2017 and served a tour as director of public affairs for NATO Training Mission Afghanistan in Kabul in 2011.
Lauren Pires (MSc Gender Policy) has built a career focused on gender equity, social inclusion and addressing gender-based violence. She is currently a Social Development Specialist at the World Bank, focusing on West Africa. Her previous experience includes roles at UNICEF, GSMA's Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Fund, and at a local non-profit doing service provision to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Elizabeth Rickert (MSc Development Studies) has more than five years of experience in international development, serving as a project manager and business development specialist with firms such as the International Development Group and DAI Global. Her work has spanned anti–money laundering initiatives in Moldova, green economy programming in Kyrgyzstan, and conflict resolution projects in Kosovo. Following USAID’s funding shifts, she transitioned to SteerBridge Strategies, a data and IT firm that primarily supports the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Marine Corps, where she currently works as a Proposal Manager.
Thank you to LSE alum Gregory Houston, President & CEO of International Arts & Artists (IA&A), for hosting us and for us support for AFLSE and fellow LSE alumni.
.
E-mail chapter leaders at washington@aflse.org with any questions.
Attending this event at this location is your choice. Please do not attend an event if you have a fever or feel unwell, or if you have tested positive for Covid-19 or have been exposed to someone with Covid-19.