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Meet the Fellows
Alissar Azzam is a Fulbright student pursuing a Master's in Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in Emergency Management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She previously worked with UNDP and other organizations in program management, coordination, and capacity building across the Arab States and internationally. She has also been deeply engaged in volunteer service, including youth empowerment initiatives and community development projects. Over the summer, Alissar interned with NYC Emergency Management's Emergency Operations Center and with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team, gaining hands-on experience in crisis response and interagency coordination. As a Fellow at the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA), she hopes to contribute by supporting resident-centered preparedness, enhancing resiliency and communication strategies, and helping strengthen partnerships and policy initiatives to build safer, more resilient housing communities.
Edwin Chen is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Emergency Management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Edwin's passion for public service in emergency management comes from the desire to bridge the gap between natural disaster awareness and community engagement, especially for immigrant groups. Through the John D. Solomon Fellowship and his placement in the New York City Police Department's Auxiliary Unit, Edwin wishes to develop his professional skills in understanding community needs and conducting community outreach for training and educational awareness on risks and hazards present in the city. Edwin hopes to work with NYCEM or FEMA Region 2 to address and engage with the community's continual needs in New York City.
Maggie Davies is a graduate student studying urban planning at the New York University Wagner School of Public Service. Originally from Evanston, IL, she is passionate about climate research, environmental and ecological justice, and economic transformation. Within urban planning, Maggie studies affordable housing development, how to operationalize climate resiliency in city and neighborhood systems, reparative planning, and how to build thriving and healthy communities. As a John D. Solomon fellow at New York City Health + Hospitals, Maggie is excited to combine her passions for environmental research, communication, and outreach to improve community health outcomes and disaster preparedness in New York City's public hospital system while gaining public sector experience to build her future career in planning.
Edward Domanico is a student at the New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, pursuing a Master of Public Administration in Health Policy and Management. With interests in the intersection of public health and emergency preparedness, Edward is excited to join the John D. Solomon Fellowship and contribute to the work of the Exercises and Training Unit at Metropolitan Transit Authority Headquarters. He looks forward to gaining hands-on experience in emergency planning, exercise coordination, and organizational readiness within the world's busiest transportation system. Edward hopes to deepen his understanding of supporting transportation networks that address accessibility gaps and apply these lessons to a career dedicated to improving public health infrastructure and resilience across New York State
Kevin Gonzalez is a Master of Public Administration student at The Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, specializing in Nonprofit Management. At Baruch, Kevin participated in Marxe's Washington Semester Fellowship Program in the Fall of 2023, where he gained unique insight into the public policy process through rigorous academic coursework, conversations with public policy leaders, and an intensive internship at The Partnership for Public Service in Washington, D.C. Now as a John D. Solomon Fellow, Kevin is excited to join The American Red Cross in Greater New York to contribute to the organization's efforts in emergency management and provide disaster relief to the 12 million people that it serves
Emily Grip is a Master of International Affairs student at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, specializing in International Security Policy and Diplomacy. As a fellow with the NYC Emergency Management - EOC Unit, Emily hopes to support partner agency EOC readiness and notification processes, as well as assist with training and exercises. With four years of experience working for Sidley Austin LLP in the private sector, as well as a fundraising consultant for a variety of NGO's at NGK Global, Emily has vast experience in facilitating partnerships between the private and public sector. This past summer, Emily interned in Washington, D.C. at Obsidian, a strategic advisory firm specializing in international affairs and geopolitical risk. During her time there, she supported clients on cross-border business transactions within an evolving global landscape and helped manage the firm's International Embassy Relations portfolio, as well as its Public Affairs and Policy Strategy initiatives. Emily is passionate about human rights, with a particular focus on advancing women's rights. She is currently working on research surrounding child marriage, exploring policy solutions to combat and ultimately eradicating the practice both domestically and globally. Outside of academic and advocacy work, Emily enjoys traveling, surfing, visiting art galleries, and volunteering.
Dayana Guerrero Uribe is currently pursuing a Master of International Affairs at Baruch College specializing in Global Security. Dayana Guerrero Uribe received her undergraduate degree in International Relations from Adelphi University. Her interest in public service and governance began during her first internship at CARECEN, a local Central American Refugee Center where she supported immigrant communities through translation, education, and legal services. Dayana is a fellow with NYC Emergency Management in the Government Relations Unit. She hopes to gain firsthand experience in navigating intergovernmental processes, concentrating on legislation and initiatives that center on resilience within vulnerable communities while enhancing her research and public-speaking skills.
Shamiha Islam is currently a Master of Public Administration at Baruch College, specializing in policy analysis. She graduated cum laude from Fordham University in 2023 with a degree in International Political Economy and Middle East Studies and a minor in Sociology. Shamiha has worked across government, nonprofits, advocacy, and communications, including roles at the U.S. House of Representatives and in public relations, where she learned to craft messaging for diverse communities. Most recently, she interned at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, where she supported public outreach around housing policy and emergency housing issues. This experience deepened her passion for emergency management and her commitment to ensuring critical information reaches immigrant and underserved populations. As a John D. Solomon Fellow with the New York City Fire Department, she looks forward to advancing public safety and resiliency across the city.
Khadija Jabbi is pursuing a master's in public administration at Baruch College. In her previous work experience, Kahdija has obtained valuable research, writing, and proofreading skills. Through the Marxe Chair Faculty Fellowship Award she received at Baruch, she was able to collaborate with a Faculty Chair Professor to complete various academic tasks. Kahdija has committed herself to public service and community empowerment by providing fresh produce to community members in the Bronx, advocating for solutions to gun violence with Stand Up to Violence in Jacobi Medical Center, and working with children in afterschool/summer programs. As a John D. Solomon fellow with the NYC Emergency Management - Strategic Partnerships Unit, she is excited to build private sector connections while providing essential services to New Yorkers."
Ellie Maclennan is entering her second year towards completion of a Master of Science in Urban Planning at Columbia University. Prior to this, Ellie completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Queen's University, and a Master of Spatial Analysis from Toronto Metropolitan University. Her graduate thesis explored using spatial methods to help locate high risk areas for extreme heat and older adults. Ellie has worked as a researcher for over six years and is keen with using data to help inform high-impact community interventions. Ellie is excited to be joining the NYC Emergency Management Resiliency and Recovery Planning Unit as a JDS Fellow and hopes to learn from the team about how to put research into action.
Sarah Maloney is a Master's student in Urban Planning at CUNY Hunter College. She cares deeply about community engagement, environmental justice, and using maps and spatial data to better understand how people move through and experience their neighborhoods. As a 2025–2026 John D. Solomon Fellow placed with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Sarah is excited to support community-centered emergency preparedness and learn more about how public health and planning can work together. In the future, she hopes to lead creative, community-driven projects that make cities feel more like home and less like systems.
Stamatis (Stam) Stavrianopoulos is a graduate student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, pursuing a Master's in Emergency Management. He graduated from John Jay College in 2022 with a BS in Fire Science and a minor in Security. Since graduation, Stamati has been working in the fire protection industry as a Fire and Life Safety Service Technician, where he has practiced applying the NFPA fire codes, helping customers obtain compliance, and aiding in creating resilient communities. Stamati is a fellow with the NYC Department of Correction Preparedness and Resilience Division. He aims to contribute to this department while gaining experience in emergency management. He wants to learn how the DOC balances security concerns and emergency response/preparedness.
John D. Solomon Fellows: Where Are They Now?
Find out what endeavors program alumni pursued after their fellowship