Current Country: United States

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Year of Initial FFI Program: 2022

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Current Occupation: Student at Xavier University

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Hobbies: Reading, running, and spending time with her friends

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Long-term Career Interests/Passions: Working in the medical field

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Recent Accomplishments: Got her EMT license and now volunteers at a station in Ohio

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Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "I think the biggest lesson I learned during my first FFI program was taking on leadership roles. Before that point I had always been willing to let someone else have that leadership position but through leader of the day and working as a team I became comfortable using my voice and taking on responsibility associated with a leadership position."

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Plans for the NOLA Program: "I think this program will really help me become a better leader for FFI programs because up until last summer I had only been a participant. When I lead my first group, I wasn't confident about being in that leadership role and I learned a lot during that week. I think this program would help me become more confident and able to lead FFI programs more effectively."​​​​​

Current Country: United States

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Year of Initial FFI Program: 2023

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Current Occupation: Cashier at SES

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Hobbies: Gaming, crafting, doing puzzles, writing essays, and journaling

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Long-term Career Interests/Passions: Acting and writing

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Recent Accomplishments: She volunteered with Freshman Forum at her university and wrote Christmas letters for the nursing home

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Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "Presence is everything. I noticed that when I'm present in a moment I end up with a more vivid memory in the end. Also, when I'm present my thoughts about what I'm experiencing are clearer, which also helps with my memory." ​

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Plans for the NOLA Program: "Being in an area with so much culture like New Orleans will broaden my perspective on different situations like food insecurity or low-income areas that may or may not be exclusive to the area. As well as I could use those new experiences to help with future projects and/or decisions."

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Current Country: United States

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Year of Initial FFI Program: 2024

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Current Occupation: Student and Lab Monitor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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Hobbies: Cooking, playing guitar, playing certain sports, doing robotics, going to the gym, and making art

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Long-term Career Interests/Passions:  Founding a startup focused on the practical applications of swarm robotics in dangerous construction environments

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Recent Accomplishments: He is actively involved in mentoring his robotics team, 1729. He is also a member of a fraternity at WPI, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, where he is a part of the Rush committee and the community service committee. He is an active member of the WPI combat robotics club, bionics club, and underwater hockey. Last year, his senior project, which was an interface for swarm robotics and machine learning, received a lot of recognition including a large scholarship award. 

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Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "My last FFI program was with Harvesting Change and they taught me a lot as a group, mainly playfulness and patience. They taught me so much and made me realise how powerful a 'Thank you' can be when it comes unexpectedly from a group that did not share feelings often. Since the summer, I feel as if I have grown a lot, even in a short space of time."

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Plans for the NOLA Program: "I want to improve my ability to identify complex interpersonal problems and improve upon them, such as with OKRAS. That way I could help students in the future do the same. Additionally, I want to get better at becoming more immediately friendly so that it takes less time for people to see my true personality. Additionally, I think NOLA will give me a lot of experience and exposure with FFI that I can share to people in the future. Overall I believe the program will be great for my leadership development and FFI experience."

Current Country: Peru

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Year of Initial FFI Program: 2025

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Occupation: Student at New York University

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Hobbies: Dancing, reading, writing, crafts

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Long-term Career Interests/Passions: Becoming a social entrepreneur, particularly in fields such as technology, mental health, or education, where innovation can be used to expand access and create meaningful social impact

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Recent Accomplishments: She was accepted into NYU Gallatin class of 2030 and will be attending with an integral scholarship. She also got into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program of NYU, which is for students who "who are academically accomplished and have a demonstrated commitment to civic engagement, community building, research, and scholarship centered on social impact." She also is a founder, general director, and ESL teacher at CREA which is the first free online tutoring program in STEM, History, ESL, etc. for Peruvian Students. She also received awards for "Commitment that sets the pace" and for "Volunteer of the year."

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Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "That it is totally okay to be vulnerable, and since vulnerabilty is a key part of leadership, it is also immensely important to listen without jumping to conclusions."

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Plans for the NOLA Program: "It will provide hands-on experience in solving conflict and embracing diversity within a high-energy environment. I want to be trained in the 'FFI way' to transition into an Alumni Team Leader role, ensuring I can represent the organization and mentor future cohorts with confidence and maturity."

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Current Country: Austria

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Year of Initial FFI Program: 2023

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Current Occupation: Student at University of Linz in Austria and Gymnastic Coach

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Hobbies: Sewing, woodworking, knitting, photography, cooking, hiking, gymnastics, running, drawing, painting, climbing, listening to political podcasts, watching documentaries, organising stuff, getting to know new cultures, enjoying art galleries, museums, random side quests

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Long-term Career Interests/Passions: Working in sustainable fashion, product design, and ethical corporate communication. She is also interested in politics, global development, sustainability, and mental health. And she has considered becoming a therapist, focusing on art therapy or sexual wellbeing.

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Recent Accomplishments: She was accepted in an Urban Developement Project by the Bauhaus University in Weimar with additional Erasmus funding where she will work on projects regarding the sustainability, social aspect and heat conditions of informal settlements in urban areas in developing countries.

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Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "I learned that good things take time and that some things are truly worth investing a lot of time, energy, and even sweat into. Being fully present and dedicating yourself to something turn into something you can be truly proud of afterward."

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Plans for the NOLA Program: "I’m excited to learn from and alongside other inspiring leaders who are making a real impact in their communities. I believe we all bring different perspectives to the table, and by exchanging our ideas and visions, we can learn a great deal from one another.
At the same time, I’m looking forward to gaining both practical and theoretical skills through the program. I especially enjoy 'learning by doing,' so the opportunity to support organizations in New Orleans and work through real-life challenges really appeals to me."​​​​​​​​​

Current Country: Ireland

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Year of Initial FFI Program: 2024

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Current Occupation: Student at Moate Business College

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Hobbies: Gaelic football, going to the gym, playing the guitar, jive and line dancing

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Long-term Career Interests/Passions: Working in the global tourism industry

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Recent Accomplishments: She completed her leaving cert exams, got full marks on all assignments for her tourism and business course, and reached the semi-finals in GAA last summer.

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Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "I learned during my initial FFI programme that you are never on your own. I realised that there is always someone you can talk to or turn to for support whether that's with programme work, alumni responsibilities, events or event just personal challenges.
Before FFI I often felt like I had to handle everything myself. The programme showed me the value of community and open communication. It taught me that asking for help isn't a weakness, it's actually a strength. Having people around you who genuinely want to see you succeed makes a huge difference."

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Plans for the NOLA Program: "This programme would support my progression with FFI by helping me shift from being a high-performing participant to someone who intentionally develops others.
It will help me think more strategically about community impact cultivating belonging, encouraging ownership, and building systems that sustain engagement. I see NOLA as an opportunity to move from leading by example to leading with intention, equipping me to serve FFI’s mission and strengthen the alumni community long term."

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Current Country: India

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Year of Initial FFI Program: 2023

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Current Occupation: Studying for university placement

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Hobbies: Journaling, reflecting

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Long-term Career Interests/Passions: Interested in medicine and psychology

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Recent Accomplishments: As part of her FFI Community Action Project, she created a menstrual hygiene awareness project, where she helped raise funds and spread awareness about sustainable menstrual products to thousands of young girls

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Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "My biggest lesson was the importance of communication and listening to different perspectives. It helped me understand how teamwork comes from openness mutual respect and understanding."

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Plans for the NOLA Program: "I think this program will help me strengthen my leadership skills by giving me opportunities to guide teams, communicate effectively, and support others. It will also help me gain more confidence as an Alumni Team Leader and also on how to create positive impact in my community."