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Meet the Fellows
Meet this year's class of John D. Solomon Fellows:
Alanis Allen was born and raised in Brooklyn. She moved to Connecticut for college, where she pursued studies related to climate change, environmental justice, and public health. Currently she is a Master of Urban Planning Student at NYU Wagner where she is studying data analytics, housing, and climate resilience. Before going to graduate school, she was a Research Analyst at Connecticut's Office of Climate Planning, working on various climate change-related projects and programs including the Governor's Council on Climate Change. As a John D. Solomon Fellow with the Risk Analysis and Recovery team at NYC Emergency Management, she is looking forward to learning more about how data is used to inform us about climate hazards in New York City.
Doug Berger is a Master of Urban Planning student at NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Before starting his master's degree, he worked for three years at refugee services and workforce development nonprofits, most recently at Upwardly Global in NYC. Over the summer, Doug dipped his toe into the field of climate resilience planning as an intern at WRI India, assisting with the implementation of the Bengaluru Climate Action Plan. Doug looks forward to participating in the John D. Solomon Fellowship program, where he will serve as a Fellow in NYC Emergency Management's Strategic Partnerships unit. He is excited about this opportunity to build meaningful community connections and contribute to NYC's disaster readiness.
Aleksander (Alek) Gregov is a graduate student at CUNY Hunter College, currently pursuing a Master of Science in Urban Policy and Leadership. Alek received his undergraduate degree in Sociology from SUNY Oneonta, where he began his exploration of urban issues in earnest. With a passion for public service, Alek is eager to start his work with the New York City Department of Correction and their Preparedness and Resilience team. As a John D. Solomon Fellow, he looks forward to both enhancing the emergency preparedness and response capabilities of the NYC Department of Correction and toward engaging in collaborative efforts with other city agencies and stakeholders. Alek is excited about the skills and experiences he will gain from creating a safer New York City.
Stephanie Lemus is pursuing a Master of Public Health with a focus in Health Policy and Management at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health. Her journey in emergency medical services began at 17 with South Orangetown Ambulance Corps and continued at Harpur's Ferry Student Volunteer Ambulance Service, where she held roles as Lieutenant and Field Training Officer. Stephanie's passion for emergency management grew through her work at Binghamton University's Office of Emergency Management, where she served as a COVID-19 Surveillance Tester and Life Safety Equipment Inspector, maintaining AEDs and Stop the Bleed kits across campus. Stephanie looks forward to starting her fellowship at the New York City Police Department and supporting projects in emergency preparedness and training.
Adaora Lee earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Salisbury University. Her journey into public service began at age 16 with her first job at Chick-fil-A, igniting her passion for community and health advocacy. As a Nigerian-American, Adaora is driven by a profound desire to advance global health equity, focusing particularly on vulnerable populations. This fall, she will attend Meharry Medical College, emphasizing health equity and systemic policies affecting outcomes. Accepted into the John D. Solomon Fellowship at the American Red Cross of Greater New York, Adaora eagerly anticipates contributing to the organization's diverse responses in NYC, prioritizing safety and aid for vulnerable groups in emergency situations.
Jamielee Polanco is pursuing a Master of Urban Planning at NYU Wagner, with a concentration in City and Community Planning. Inspired by the role of community at the nexus of health and housing as a Bronx native, Jamielee's previous work in housing and homeless services, biomedical research and community outreach informs her approach towards building the capacity of vulnerable communities to cope with public health hazards and climate disasters. Jamielee received a Master's in Public Health from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai which has served towards the development of her prowess in urban planning with a health policy scope. She aspires to focus on the development and implementation of policies promoting climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable growth, affordable housing and health equity in New York City. Jamielee is thrilled for the opportunity to work with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as a John D. Solomon Fellow to facilitate strategies that develop human capital in disenfranchised communities and deepen resiliency against public health hazards and climate disasters.
Jaxon (Jax) Richards is a Master of Public Administration student at Columbia University's School of International & Public Affairs, specializing in humanitarian policy. In 2023, he graduated from Oregon State University with five undergraduate degrees in Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Speech Communication, and Sustainability Sciences. Despite the vigorous endeavor, he accomplished this in four years with the intent of holistically understanding emergency management systems. As a certified Emergency Medical Technician, Jax has held positions in the U.S. House of Representatives, Health & Human Services, the United Nations, and Save the Children. Through his fellowship at the NYC Fire Department, Jax is eager to learn from seasoned professionals, engage with New Yorkers from all walks of life, and support the city's most vulnerable populations.
Khiabet Salazar is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), specializing in Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy. With six years of experience in project management and public policies aimed at protecting populations from violence, abuse, and exploitation, she has primarily worked in emergency and humanitarian contexts. Her career has included collaborations with various agencies, funds, and programs within the United Nations.
Upon completing her graduate studies in May 2025, Khiabet plans to return to the public sector to support child protection systems. She is committed to strengthening community and family settings to break multigenerational cycles of violence and neglect. Khiabet is eager to contribute to the NYC Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center and support with interagency planning. She aims to enhance their prevention and resilience strategies towards emergencies as well as to learn more about their public and collective response.
K'gnausa Yodkerepauprai is a dedicated public servant currently pursuing a Master's in Public Administration at Baruch College specializing in policy analysis and evaluation. K'gnausa's passion for public service was sparked during his time working in the Washington State Legislature, where he gained firsthand experience in policy analysis and legislative processes. Most recently, he was a project manager for the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.
K'gnausa is a fellow with NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) in the Government Relations unit. He hopes to focus on strategic outreach to historically marginalized communities and develop a deeper understanding of community engagement practices while enhancing his public speaking and communication skills.
Beckett Zinn-Rowthorn is currently pursuing a master's degree in urban studies at Fordham University. His research focuses primarily on how governments collaborate with communities to develop equitable urban transportation, housing, and climate policies. His interest in emergency management and resiliency grew in part due to his time as an intern at the NY State Energy Research and Development Authority, where he helped coordinate community-based planning initiatives for a statewide action plan to address extreme heat. Through this fellowship with the NYC Housing Authority, Beckett aims to work with NYCHA residents to strengthen preparedness and resiliency efforts in the face of increased extreme weather risks. He will also gain hands-on experience on how city agencies respond to emergent crisis. During his free time, Beckett enjoys cooking and photography. He also loves to channel his inner urban history nerd through exploring NYC both firsthand as well as on the page and screen.
John D. Solomon Fellows: Where Are They Now?
Find out what endeavors program alumni pursued after their fellowship