EMPOWERING FUTURE
POLICY LEADERS TO
REDEFINE SECURITY
OUR REPRESENTATIVES
Afeeya Akhand
Afeeya Akhand is studying a Master of International Security with a Korean specialisation at the University of Sydney. She is a 2022 Global Voices OECD Scholar and a Youth Ambassador with the Multicultural Youth Affairs Network NSW. She previously worked in International Policy Division and Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group at the Department of Defence and interned in the Foreign Policy and Defence Program at the United States Studies Centre.
Lauren Alexander
Lauren Alexander graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours). She studied Chinese Language and International Relations, and completed an Honours thesis on US-China technology competition. She was awarded First Class Honours for her argument that the US-China technology war was driven primarily by an economic arms race - not a military one. Lauren now works as an associate at a geopolitical risk advisory firm.
Timothy Bell
I have recently moved from Perth to work as a Risk Analyst for McGrathNicol & Garnaut Global in Canberra and continue to serve within the Army Reserves. After completing my undergraduate in History and Political Science & International Relations, I continued my studies by writing an Honours Thesis comparing Russian and Chinese disinformation campaigns in Ukraine and Taiwan. My area of interest is of evolving grey-zone and asymmetric threats.
Sarah Claxton-Vicars
I am a passionate Civil Engineering and Architecture student who has always been driven by the need to create meaningful change. Pushing the boundaries of my discipline through innovative thinking and novel solutions, I question the status quo and the role of Australia’s built environment in both the traditional sense and in areas where engineering and architecture are not as prevalent, to improve the planet, its communities, and their people.
Jack dalrymple
Jack Dalrymple is a former CEO of Global Voices, a youth-led not-for-profit that provides leadership and development training to young leaders. With a passion for the not-for-profit, social impact and public policy sectors, Jack has been involved in a range of not-for-profit organisations, including as the Detention Centre Program Director for Crossing Borders and the Director of Fundraising Innovation at the Oaktree Foundation.
Ky Ellevsen
My name is Ky Ellevsen, I am in my third year at Macquarie University doing a Bachelor of Security Studies and Commerce. I have completed two internships at Macquarie group in the Risk Management Group and Financial Crime. Post-Graduation I hope to work in a policy role in the public sector as I want to make a contemporary impact in the national security landscape.
Tamkin Essa
Tamkin Essa is an International Relations and Journalism graduate from Curtin University. She currently works in the settlement services sector assisting newly arrived refugees and migrants during their settlement in Australia.
Lucy Fowler
Lucy is completing a dual masters degree in International Security and International Relations from Peking University and SciencesPo. Her research currently focuses on the contestation of pro-gender equality norms in foreign policy. Lucy has also completed a Bachelor of Global Studies from Monash University and experience working at not-for-profits in Australia and abroad.
Lucinda Gibson
Lucinda is chemical engineering and business undergraduate, passionate about sustainable engineering practice throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific. She is pursuing her interest in developing a strong engineering background and is eager to expand her knowledge of policy, national security and Australia’s regional relations. As an Army Reservist, she values the role Australia plays on the global stage that promotes peace, cooperation, and development. She believes in the capabilities of Australia to address new emerging issues.
Himaushu Hardikar
Himaushu is a graduate at Deloitte Access Economics, having graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2021 with a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Economics with Honours. With overlapping interests in law, economics and geopolitics, he was naturally drawn to national security issues. Himaushu contributed to the YNSS with the hope of helping shape and influence national security policy for Australians in a tumultuous international landscape.
mitchell Henson
With development experience in the Middle East and being a recent Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics Honours graduate from the University of Wollongong, Mitchell’s interests lie in economic statecraft and its implications for global security. With a specific knowledge of the Sino-Iranian relationship, Mitchell’s security interests are focused on the international stage. Becoming involved in the YNSS was a deliberate choice by Mitchell to translate his skills into a domestic and uniquely Australian context.
Thenu Herath
Thenu Herath is the CEO of Oaktree, a non-profit that supports young people champion sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific. Alongside her role at Oaktree, Thenu is also a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum and was named a YAIA Young Woman to Watch in International Affairs in 2022. She has a degree in politics and international studies and is currently completing her Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne.
Nathan Hey
Human Resource Officer - NSW Health. Currently studying a Master of Business Administration/Human Resource Management. My interests in National Security developed overtime while I studied my Bachelor of Business. Climate security and defensive capabilities are my main areas of focus. Protecting Australia’s way of life and the land we live on is most important to me.
Cosmo Jones
Master of National Security Policy (ANU)
Saanjana Kapoor
Saanjana Kapoor is a Bachelor of Arts student at the University of Melbourne. She is interested in societal security, especially concerning multicultural communities, and utilising the women, peace and security framework for security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. She is the 2022 Writer in Residence at Albert Park College and a recent recipient of a New Colombo Plan Scholarship by the Australian Government.
Stephanie Lee
I am a final year medical student at Bond University with an avid background in grassroots advocacy. I hold a particular interest in climate-induced health insecurity and humanitarian disaster management. Having worked in regional and remote hospitals, I am passionate about the symbiosis and sustainability of health, the economy, and the environment. I continue this passion by leading advocacy projects and publishing policies pertaining to global health via the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA).
Emily Leggett
I am currently in my final year studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies and a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Queensland. I also work as a law clerk. I am interested in national security legislation and how Australia’s international relations policy affects domestic security as well as how Australia can best contribute to human security globally.
Senuri Liyanage
I am a 4th year Law/Arts student at UNSW, Sydney. I have always had a keen interest in geopolitics focusing on democracy, human rights frameworks and diplomacy. Maintaining a robust democracy in the face of national security threats is crucially important. The digital information ecosystem is particularly interesting as we face threats such as the rise of foreign interference and disinformation operations by both state and non-state actors.
Sky Lo
Sky Lo is a recent graduate of the Australian National University’s Master of Strategic Studies program. He received his B.Sc. in Molecular Biotechnology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has great interest in nuclear issues, especially Chinese nuclear forces.
Jeremy Luk
Jeremy is an aspiring development practitioner passionate about community resilience and disaster risk reduction. He is completing the final year of a Master of International Development Practice, with a focus on crisis, change management and leadership. His interests in national security lie in emergency management and issues surrounding social cohesion more broadly. Jeremy is also currently involved with Humanitarian Advisory Group and Oaktree in research capacities.
Prudence Luttrell
Prudence is a Forensic Risk Analyst and researcher, focusing on Chinese foreign and security policy and Australian national security issues. She graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Chinese Studies, and is fluent in Mandarin.
Jeff Ma
I'm a start-up manager currently studying a Doctor of Medicine with a specialised focus in epidemiology, public/global health and biosecurity. Having grown up in Northern China, I'm also particularly interested in investigating foreign affairs and relations between the East and the West in the context of the Indo-Pacific, with a keen emphasis on human security through a biomedical lens.
Julian Neuweiler
Julian Neuweiler is an Analyst at BowerGroup Asia, where he focuses on geopolitical, policy, regulatory and economic issues in Australia and the wider Indo-Pacific. Julian holds a Master’s degree in international relations and national security from Curtin University in Perth, where he graduated with distinction.
Daniel Nielsen
Currently studying a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Queensland. I have a deep interest in all matters geo-politics, diplomacy and government. Naturally my path after my studies would be in the foreign diplomatic service or strategic studies. Nevertheless, I hope to have made my late father, Dennis Nielsen proud in my pursuits.
Thomas Paparo
Thomas is currently an economist working in government. He is passionate about economic development, social movements, and security in Maritime Southeast Asia. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours), with a thesis focusing on French foreign policy and monetary interactions in West Africa, and a Diploma in Modern Languages from The University of Western Australia. He speaks French and studies Indonesian at the University of Queensland.
Jaya Pastor-Elsegood
Jaya Pastor-Elsegood is a young professional, currently working in a defence and national security role with the Northern Territory Government. Jaya holds a Bachelor of International Relations and a minor in Indonesian Language from the Australian National University, with a particular interest in Southeast Asia. Jaya is involved in the Australia Indonesia Youth Association, and has participated in a number of national security focused emerging leaders programs, including with LaTrobe Asia and the University of Western Australia's Defence and National Security Institute.
Gemma Purnell
I am a Graduate Environmental Scientist/Engineer at AECOM based in Melbourne. I recently graduated from a BSc (Environmental Science) and thoroughly enjoyed study in the areas of sustainability, food and water security and climate change resilience. This naturally led me to my interest in climate security, where I then became involved in the YNSS, with my primary contributions being to the climate, food and water security sections. My main focus is to bring a non-traditional lens to national security issues and to embed climate security and its social impacts within national security policy.
Elizabeth Reynolds
Elizabeth is an experienced environmental scientist driven to overcome national security concerns by applying long term sustainable and environmental outcomes. She studied biology and environmental science at UTS in Sydney and currently works in the water industry. In addition to her primary job functions, Elizabeth has been recognised as a young leader in the water industry and environmental space and continues to grow her personal and professional abilities at every opportunity.
Jasmine Robertson
I am a fifth year Law student at the University of Notre Dame (Sydney Campus) Studying a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations) (Hons). I have been involved with domestic policy advocacy work, most recently co-authoring 'Barriers to Disability Support Pension Access for People with Psychiatric Impairments and Their Experiences on Jobseeker Payment' with Dr Louise St Guillaume in collaboration with Economic Justice Australia and the Welfare Rights Centre NSW. My thesis, which is due for completion in October 2022, contemplates the regulatory implications of the utilisation of blockchain technology, with a specific focus on whether Australia should confer legal personality on Decentralised Autonomous Organisations. I currently work in litigation.
Meg Ruyters
Meg is a postgraduate Medical Student at Deakin University on Wadawurrung Country in Victoria. She has experience in Women's & Global Health research, which has helped to foster her passion for safety and security through an intersectional lens. She believes that security policy should be tackled in an integrated way, focusing on how health, education, social security and social cohesion build resilient and inclusive communities.
Aris Schuler-Shah
Having grown up across the world, including in my native Pakistan, as well as my home Australia, I am driven by a desire to shape a world in which diverse voices drive cooperation and understanding. In an increasingly adversarial international landscape, I believe it is precisely these diverse, and young, voices that the world needs to be guided by. With a Bachelor of International Security Studies from the Australian National University as a foundation, I joined the YNSS as an opportunity to expose myself to, and learn from, the experience and perspective of others. I currently work at the Department of Health, seeking to gain a better understanding of the international health frameworks that we have all, until recently, taken for granted. In the future I wish to continue to pursue the worlds of foreign policy, diplomacy or journalism, and continue to have my worldview shaped by the stories and experiences of all those I meet along the way.
Cassidy Sneikus
Cassidy Sneikus completed her Master of National Security Policy at the National Security College, Australian National University. As part of her degree, Cassidy was a research intern studying maritime coercion under the supervision of the Sea Power Centre as part of the Australian National Internships Program. Cassidy is currently working for the leading cyber security organisation in Australia and New Zealand.
Emmanouil Vourvahakis
Emmanouil Vourvahakis is completing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, majoring in politics, international studies, and anthropology. He is acutely interested in the intersection between the economy and national security, specifically regarding supply chain security. Emmanouil currently works as an analyst at the Global Security Initiative, a forecasting and analysis group specialising in geopolitical and security risks.
Bayan Yazdani
Bayan Yazdani is a Management Consultant with Nous Group, working with federal government clients to solve diverse strategic and organisational challenges. With a background in international relations/trade, psychology, geography and business, Bayan is interested in the role the civil and private sectors can play in decarbonisation, sustainable development, and social cohesion. He also has strong interests in anti-terrorism and propaganda/disinformation mitigation, particularly cognisant of the work remaining to be done in these areas with Australia’s vibrant CALD communities.
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