 We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of the NCDD family — our Spring 2026 Intern Cohort! This group of eighteen passionate individuals brings a remarkable range of backgrounds, expertise, and lived experience to our mission of advancing dialogue and deliberation across the country. From undergraduate students stepping into their first professional roles to seasoned practitioners deepening their craft, this cohort embodies the diverse voices that make NCDD's community so vibrant. Get to know them below! Communications Interns Cameron Ashford (he/him) Cameron Ashford is a current Communication Studies Major (BA) and Writing Minor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. Cameron specializes in written communication, communication analysis, corporate marketing, communication research, and social media management. Cameron works with Westmont College’s Center For Dialogue and Deliberation as an active facilitation expert and field data planner. In his downtime, Cameron enjoys participating in creative writing, photography, and his institution’s Hockey Club. Makia Lemar (she/her) Makia is a graduate student in the Conflict Resolution master's program at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she also earned her B.A. in Psychology in 2025. Her interests include research, community advocacy, and creating positive social impact. She brings strengths in critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork, and currently serves in an assistantship role supporting campus initiatives. Committed to collaborative problem-solving and equitable engagement, Makia looks forward to building partnerships and advancing inclusive, evidence-based solutions for communities worldwide. Nuray Khan (she/her) Nuray is a second-year Master of Public Administration student at James Madison University, where she strives to contribute to advocacy and public service spaces that consistently center empathy and diverse perspectives. Raised in North Carolina by an Azerbaijani mother and a Pakistani father, she is passionate about understanding across difference through open dialogue. Her academic and professional interests span nonprofit management, civic engagement, hazard mitigation, and peacebuilding initiatives. Z Bourazzan Bio coming soon. Democracy Engagement Benjamin Barter Benjamin — or Ben — is a Senior and Graduate Student at Worcester State University, majoring in Urban Studies with a minor in Geography. Passionate about democratic participation, transparency in government, and urban planning, Ben is excited to deepen his understanding of how democracy intersects with everyday life through his work with NCDD. When he's not in school or working, Ben enjoys music, reading, gaming, and hanging out with friends. Noah Schranz (he/him) Noah is a sophomore at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying political science with a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. On campus, he serves as a board member for Challah for Hunger and co-director of programming for his fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi. Noah hopes to apply his academic interests and leadership experience to create spaces where diverse perspectives are heard and constructive conversations can thrive. Digital Systems Infrastructure & Grant Writing Johandalys Montas (she/her) Johandalys is an equity-driven systems thinker and community strategist committed to strengthening dialogue across differences. A graduate of Providence College with a degree in Global Studies and minors in Economics and Studio Art, she examines how systems amplify and how digital infrastructure can expand access to knowledge and opportunity. Through nonprofit leadership and research, she approaches dialogue as an ecosystem requiring intentional design and care — known for spotting overlooked gaps and organizing information with clarity to build inclusive systems that support meaningful civic engagement. Alyma Karbownik (she/her) Alyma is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania studying international relations and environmental studies. A SNF Paideia Fellow, she is focused on how policy can address complex global challenges — particularly in international environmental law. Alyma is especially interested in facilitating dialogue between marginalized communities and policymakers working on sustainability, and she looks forward to applying those skills within NCDD's diverse network of deliberators. Chloe Rossow (she/her) Chloe is a senior Communication Studies and Art History student at Gustavus Adolphus College, where she is part of the Public Deliberation and Dialogue Program. She contributed to the research and development of the issues guide Free Speech and the Inclusive Campus: Protest Edition, and also serves as Risk Manager for Geology Club and Director of Finance for her sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau. In her free time, Chloe enjoys painting, hiking, and playing video games. Gabi Mathews (she/her) Gabi is a Boston-based community builder, dialogue facilitator, and researcher in the U.S. bridgebuilding field. She holds an MA in Conflict Resolution from UMass Boston, where she co-authored a manuscript mapping the U.S. bridgebuilding field, submitted to Conflict Resolution Quarterly. She has facilitated dialogue with Essential Partners and Soliya, and has worked at City Year, College Advising Corps, and Harvard Business School. In her downtime, Gabi enjoys journaling, yoga, reading, and binge-watching increasingly terrible reality TV. Heather Rosso (she/her) Heather is a third-year doctoral student at George Mason University's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Peace and Conflict Resolution, where her research focuses on the role of social alienation in weakening resilience to propaganda, radicalization, and disinformation. She aims to translate her dissertation into community-level engagement work addressing the root causes of division and extremism. Heather comes to NCDD to explore the intersection of grant writing and community-level research. In her downtime, she enjoys learning multiple languages, hiking, traveling, and cooking. Milo Greenberg (he/him) Milo is a recent graduate of Willamette University, where he studied Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics, and Data Science. Growing up, Milo was curious about the political perspectives of people outside the liberal bubble of his hometown in Seattle. This spurred his interest in dialogue across political differences, and through his involvement in organizations such as the Conversation Project at Willamette University, Braver Angels, and the Henry Clay Center, he has facilitated and participated in many transformative conversations. In his free time, Milo enjoys running, coaching track and field, and playing the upright bass. V Macias V is a former state government employee who now supports college students at a community college in advancing their educational journeys — a passion she discovered during six years in government. Based in Chicago, she is a certified peer educator, paralegal, and NACADA-certified advisor specializing in First-Generation Students. She holds an MA in English from Northeastern Illinois University and has applied to a PhD program in Education, Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in Diversity and Equity in Education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and watching horror movies. Membership Engagement & Program Development Ezra Kaye (he/him) Ezra is a Senior at Case Western Reserve University studying international studies with a concentration in conflict transformation and minors in Arabic and French. As president of the Sustained Dialogue Student Leadership Team, he organizes programming to equip students with skills for engaging in difficult conversations and transforming conflict into collaborative relationships. Ezra brings a strong foundation in dialogue and peacebuilding programming and is eager to engage NCDD members and member organizations in new and collaborative ways. Saniaa Halliburton (she/her) Saniaa is a junior Accounting major at the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. She serves on the Unify America Student Advisory Board and as an MLK Outreach Ambassador, where she has developed strong communication, event planning, and civic engagement skills. Through these roles, she has gained experience fostering dialogue, coordinating outreach initiatives, and building meaningful connections within diverse communities. In her free time, Saniaa enjoys digital design, dancing, and self-care. She is excited to apply her skills in communication, outreach, and organization to support the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation’s mission of bringing people together across differences. Annie Bamford (she/her) Annie recently graduated from Wheaton College with her Bachelor's and is joining NCDD to expand her dialogue skills and further her professional journey. Throughout her time at Wheaton, Annie participated in and facilitated the Intergroup Dialogue program — a semester-long program helping students across identities and experiences build the skills and community needed for tough conversations. She has also worked in youth program development and operations each summer at her "second home," Camp Wilmot. Annie hopes to draw on these experiences to keep creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for all. When she's not working or learning, you can find her traveling the country, binge-watching the latest sci-fi series, or cheering at a baseball game. Jessica (Jess) Kavinsky (she/they) Jess is a conflict transformation analyst and community care practitioner originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She has lived and worked internationally in the areas of refugee support, community-based research, and conflict transformation — including with peace organizations in Northern Ireland and Estonia, and conducting research in Rwanda, Germany, and Australia. A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in International Relations and German, Jess is returning to the U.S. excited to connect with NCDD's national network of mediators and facilitators. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing poetry, drawing, and going to live music shows. Nima Jazi (he/him) Nima is a sophomore at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, pursuing a double major in Biology and Chemistry with double minors in Mathematics and Music. Originally from Iran, Nima is guided by the belief that meaningful learning happens through listening and conversation with people of diverse lived experiences. He is particularly interested in how thoughtful dialogue creates spaces for mutual respect and shared growth, and is excited to learn how NCDD's programs are shaped to support inclusive and constructive engagement. We are so proud to welcome this cohort and can't wait to see the contributions they'll make to NCDD's mission in the months ahead. Whether strengthening member relationships, supporting democracy engagement, crafting grant proposals, or developing our programs, each of these interns brings something unique and invaluable to the table.
Stay tuned for updates as the semester unfolds — and if you'd like to get involved with NCDD's work, visit ncdd.org to learn more. Welcome to the NCDD family, Spring 2026 Cohort!
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ABOUT NCDD
NCDD is a community and coalition of individuals and organizations who bring people together to discuss, decide and collaborate on today's toughest issues.
© The National Coalition For Dialogue And Deliberation, Inc. All rights reserved.
© The National Coalition For Dialogue And Deliberation, Inc. All rights reserved.