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In Remembrance Sept 11, 2018

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In Remembrance Sept 11, 2018

On the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, the Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation, which endeavors to bring good from tragedy, looks optimistically to the future with these profiles of selected scholarship recipients.

Rébecca Assouline-Béra

“Enhancing Euro-American unity and trans-cultural understanding will undoubtedly be a guiding principle throughout my professional career.”

Rébecca Assouline-Béra, received her Lohez scholarship in 2015 and pursued a Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Sciences Po/Columbia University. A native of French Martinique, she was eager to tackle global issues and deeply influenced by Al Gore’s documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. While studying at Sciences Po’s Euro-American campus in Reims, she became aware of America’s shared values and history with Europe, and the continuing importance of close transatlantic relations.

Joining A.T. Kearney in New York in August 2017 as a Business Analyst, in less than a year, Rébecca was promoted to Senior Business Analyst in June 2018. This consultancy, with offices in more than 40 countries, helps companies transform from within, continually accelerating momentum to stay ahead of marketplace disruption, constantly pushing the envelope, stretching the imagination, resulting in market-leading performance.

While other elite management consultancies strive to be detached, analytical, and formulaic, A.T. Kearney consultants are collaborative, personable, and entrepreneurial, immersing themselves in a company to gain deep insight into operational and strategic potential. This is well suited to Rébecca, where weekly travel to clients in many different states, from Ohio to Louisiana… brings her surprises and new challenges to tackle!

A.T. Kearney is one of only 100 leading global companies selected as a Strategic Partner of the World Economic Forum.

Paloma Moritz

“Spice up your mind and open a new window on the world!”

Paloma considers herself a citizen of the world. During her life and academic path, she has always sought new challenges, the discovery of new cultures and different ways of learning, in order to reach a global understanding of our contemporary world.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Sciences Po and spending a year at UCSB (University of California Santa Barbara), she enrolled in the dual degree program in Communication and Journalism with Sciences Po’s School of Communication and Fudan’s Journalism School in Shanghai; she was a 2015 Lohez scholar.

Since September 2015, she works for Spicee, a new online media firm that features original, international documentaries on demanding subjects. Its mission? “Spice up your mind” and open a new window on the world. As a journalist and documentary maker, Paloma’s fervent desire is to explain the world to the widest audience in order to raise awareness of contemporary issues such as new political organizations and movements, women’s rights and environmental challenges, and in the process, strive to spark change!

Over the past three years, she has made a dozen documentaries for Spicee, helping define the editorial line while developing partnerships and organizing conferences…

She made several documentaries on participatory democracy, new political movements and civic tech platforms in France. Among them are Tous Président, a film on an online tech platform to designate candidates from civil society to run for President in the 2017 elections, and Moi, Charlotte Présidente. She is also co-founder of Mieux Voter, that aims to promote “Majority Judgment”, a new voting system.

At the same time, with two other journalists, she created a TV show called Ecoutes les filles, which invited women to discuss gender issues, violence against women, eco feminism, and fight against women’s misrepresentation in the media.

In 2018, she made several documentaries about citizen actions to help eradicate violence against women and raise funds for La Maison des Femmes de Saint Denis, a home that welcomes and heals women who have been victims of violence. 

NEW YORK, NY JEROME LOHEZ FOUNDATION AWARDS GALA:
Photos by Danielle Weidner

Yi Da Jeremy Ng

“College, for me, served as a time to explore new interests.”

2018 scholar Yi Da Jeremy Ng, originally from Singapore, studied in the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po Paris (Campus du Havre).

A desire to chart new waters led Jeremy to undertake internships in France, China, Singapore, Tajikistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, working in sectors such as finance and international development. As a result of this experience, he developed a strong desire to leverage private capital to finance projects in the developing world, particularly in under-served areas such as Central Asia.

Of his summer at the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia in Tajikistan, helping design and implement social protection and civil society projects, Jeremy says: “This was really meaningful work, as I could see from site visits how our projects had improved the lives of vulnerable communities such as people living with HIV, or victims of gender-based violence.”

Jeremy just finished up an internship at the United Nations, a very good opportunity to put the skills he learned through his degree program in information science towards real life humanitarian data. He worked primarily on a report entitled “World Humanitarian Data and Trends” which will be published in December 2018.

He will start a full-time job at Bridgewater Associates on September 10th, 2018, a firm which strives for an idea meritocracy in which meaningful work and meaningful relationships are pursued through radical truth and radical transparency. It requires people to be extremely open, air disagreements, test each other’s logic, and view discovering mistakes and weaknesses as a good thing that leads to improvement and innovation.

Contrasting his expertise in information technology and data, Jeremy is also a gifted musician. In addition to his virtuoso improvisation at the 2018 Awards Gala, his most recent performance was a joint concert with Peking University at Lincoln Center in mid-May, celebrating Peking University’s 120th anniversary.

Meet the 2017-2018 Lohez Foundation Scholarship Recipients

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Meet the 2017-2018 Lohez Foundation Scholarship Recipients

Haicheng WangHaicheng Wang
(Sciences Po / Fudan University)

“My curiosity for new arenas always leads to discovering various experiences, identities and responsibilities, during which I enjoy collisions in thoughts and exploration of diverse cultural values,” reflected Lohez 2017-18 Scholar Haicheng Wang, a student of the dual-degree master’s program between Sciences Po and Fudan University.

Between 2012 and 2016, Haicheng studied international politics in Fudan University. Inspired by a comparative perspective of European studies and Chinese diplomacy, he then chose to pursue the master’s program between Sciences Po and Fudan with one year each in France and China.

Not only has Haicheng held various student leadership positions, but he has completed prestigious internships as well. He went to Yale University for exchange during his undergraduate studies. He led the department serving international students in the student union of Fudan University. In addition, Haicheng completed an internship at the American Chamber of Commerce, where he worked in asset management.   He also worked in risk consultancy as he interned at the European Council on Foreign Relations, a pan-European think tank. Haicheng’s desire to help others led him to visit Cambodia in order to volunteer in a local community. While his past explorations aided him in learning and adapting to new cultures, Haicheng’s current endeavors continue to shape his values and his journey to self-discovery. Reflecting on his studies in Paris, he noted that the experience surpassed his expectations. Haicheng observes, “The program offered me an excellent opportunity to explore Europe as a foreigner and rediscover my homeland of China. Learning about the people of other cultures encourages dialogue and mutual understanding.”

Riccardo Cersosimo
(Sciences Po / Fudan University)

Between 2011 and 2014, Riccardo Cersosimo of Italy studied International Business Administration at Tilburg University (School of Economics and Management) in the Netherlands, as well as at Peking University (Guanghua School of Management), Beijing. After graduating with distinction, he devoted a year to learning Mandarin Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing, on a scholarship granted by the Chinese Government. Recalling his experience in Beijing, Riccardo notes that he “nurtured his passion for languages and discovered how the world of communication is changing through the digitalization of the society, particularly in the Chinese context.”

Aspiring to discover a new culture and language while maintaining his bond with China, Riccardo entered the Dual Degree program at the School of Management and Innovation at Sciences Po in France and the School of Journalism at Fudan University in China, from which he will graduate in June 2018. Between the first and second years of his master’s program, Riccardo took another gap year to gain some valuable work experience through two internships. After winning the Sciences Po edition of the Brandstorm competition organized by the L’Oréal Group, Riccardo interned for the Marketing Development department of Lancôme (L’Oréal). He also completed an internship at the Digital Communications department of Guerlain (LVMH).

Riccardo notes, “Through both my first and second internships, I have had the chance to apply the theoretical knowledge stemming from both my undergraduate and graduate studies to a fascinating, dynamic and creative industry.”

He currently serves as one of the 15 Italian citizens holding the Chinese Government Scholarship for the Academic Year 2017-2018. Aside from attending classes at Fudan University, he interns at the Chinese branch of Guerlain.

Ricardo reflects, “Pursuing my academic achievements and eye-opening work experiences abroad in both China and Europe have equipped me with the adaptability and global vision necessary to tackle the globalized world and immerse myself in new opportunities where my creative strengths can align with my ambition to make an impact on the marketing and communication industry.”

 

Yi Da Jeremy Ng
(Sciences Po / Columbia University)

Lohez scholar Yi Da Jeremy Ng from Singapore currently studies in the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po Paris (Campus du Havre).

“College, for me, served as a time to explore new interests,” reflects Jeremy. “Having studied politics and social sciences at Sciences Po, I decided to take a more quantitative approach to my studies at Columbia, and am now majoring in information science.”

His desire to chart new waters also led Jeremy to undertake internships in France, China, Singapore, Tajikistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, working in sectors such as finance and international development. As a result of his work experience, he developed a strong desire to leverage private capital to finance projects in the developing world, particularly in under-served areas such as Central Asia.

“My career goals are definitely a function of my previous internship experiences,” observes Jeremy. “I spent a summer working for the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia in Tajikistan, where I helped to design and implement social protection and civil society projects. This was really meaningful work, as I could see from site visits how our projects had improved the lives of vulnerable communities such as people living with HIV, or victims of gender-based violence.”

Jeremy, however, remains keenly aware of the challenges faced by development agencies today. “One problem we kept encountering in Tajikistan was the lack of funding from governments and international donors. This is where my experience in the private sector proved enlightening. My internship at Bridgewater Associates showed me the immense potential of private capital, which I hope to ultimately deploy to more socially beneficial ends.”

Côme Lefébure
(Sciences Po / Columbia University)

Côme Lefébure believes that solving conflicts requires an understanding of others.   His experiences in China, France, and the United States fostered his belief concerning the necessity of tolerance. His desire to become a peace-maker of tomorrow brought him first to Sciences Po’s Europe-Asia campus in Le Havre and now to Columbia University.

At Sciences Po, he served as the treasurer of the Sports club. In addition, he became the captain of both the soccer team and the swimming team. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Côme aspires to serve at France’s Foreign Affairs and work with China, a country where he spent his childhood and accomplished his first professional internships.

Côme’s attributes his status as a global citizen to his French and Italian heritage. As a global citizen, Côme feels empowered by cooperation amongst diverse people groups. He believes in the power of cultural and educational exchanges for shaping a peaceful world. Moreover, he feels honored to join the Jérôme Lohez 9/11 Foundation and its cohort of inspiring ambassadors from all over the world. Côme strives to promote dialogue and joint actions across France, China, and the United States.

 

Raphael Presberg
(EPITA / Stevens Institute of Technology)

After two years of intensive training in physics and mathematics, Raphael completed two years of multidisciplinary engineering formation in computer science, energy and systems, signal and networks, and electronics. He then completed one year of specialization in computer science engineering & Big Data. Raphael has applied to the Masters of Science in Information System at Stevens Institute of Technology to fulfill his interest in both the technological and strategic aspects of data analysis and data science.

After his first international experience in Tel Aviv University, where he studied 6 months for a spring semester in electrical engineering, he sought a new opportunity abroad in New York. Concerning his move to New York, Raphael explained that he desired “to discover the American way of life, visit the wonderful city and live new experiences.” Moreover, he strives to improve his English and attain his C2 level goal.

Last summer, he worked as a data analyst at Schneider Electric. Upon completion of his Masters of Science at Stevens, he will seek new opportunities in data analysis and data science in American technology companies to develop his technical skills in an optimal environment.

 

Remarks from Lohez 9/11 Foundation Scholars, May 12, 2016

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Remarks from Lohez 9/11 Foundation Scholars, May 12, 2016

 

During the second half of the Lohez 9/11 Foundation Annual Awards Event, held May 12, 2016, at the French Consulate in NYC, Columbia University Alliance Director Alessia Lefubure Lo Porto introduced Ms. Juliette Faure, a 2015 Lohez Scholar. Juliette presented 2016 Lohez Foundation Scholar Rébecca Assouline-Béra, who has pursued a dual degree between Sciences Po and Columbia University’s School of General Studies.

Ms. Faure pursued a dual degree between Sciences Po and Columbia University SIPA. She is currently Assistant Director for Sovereign and Government Fund Relations at the Sovereign Investor Institute at Institutional Investor in New York.

Emcee Carla Virola next introduced Lohez Foundation Board Member Ms. Emily Wexler, who spoke briefly about 2016 Lohez Scholar Etienne Marié, who has pursued a dual degree between EPITA and Stevens Institute of Technology. Etienne was not able to attend the evening in NYC as he was attending a family wedding in France.

A professional engineer, Ms. Wexler is currently a Development Consultant in association with Tranquility49 LLC, with past associations at Baruch College, AllianceBernstein and – most important – Stevens Institute of Technology, where she earned a master’s degree in Technology Management and Project Management.

Ms. Virola then introduced Dr. James Parenti, Senior Associate Dean at the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs.

Next Ms. Virola introduced Lohez Foundation Board Member Ms. Ellie de Abdi, who introduce the Foundation’s Guest of Honor, photographer, videographer and educator, Mr. Thomas E. Franklin, who received the Lohez 9/11 Foundation Distinguished American Spirit Award.

Ms. de Abdi is a doctoral researcher and a former gymnast and coach, currently a physical, health and dance education teacher and Professional Development Coordinator for the Department of Health and Physical Education, in addition to being a research and teacher leader, for an urban district in New Jersey. She is also a Clinical Faculty member in the College of Education and Human Services at Montclair State University.

Ms. Virola then announced “with that our Annual Celebration and Awards Ceremony draws to a close. Ms. Lohez has provided me a list of guests and supporters that she would like to thank, including…

“Ms. Léa Futschik, Higher Education Attaché, Executive Director, Partner University Fund of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy
Mr. Allan Chapin, Chairman of the French-American Foundation
Mr. John Bennett, President of the Paris America Club
Dr. Joel Courtois, Director of EPITA, Paris
Dean Gregory Prastacos, School of Business, Stevens Institute of Technology
Dean Merit Janow, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
Senior Associate Dean James Parenti, SIPA
Associate Dean Cory Way, SIPA
Assistant Vice President Dawn da Silva, and the Stevens Office of Development
Dr. Alessia Lefebure Lo Porto, Director of the Alliance, Columbia University
Ms. Helene Sostarich Barsamian, Director of Development, College of the Arts, School of Communication and Media, Montclair State University
Ms. Sharen Glennon, Senior Associate, Tranquility49 PR
Mr. Patrick A. Berzinski, CEO, Tranquility49 PR
The Tranquility49 PR Video Crew
Mr. Kevin Berry, a Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic Party Organization
Ms. Maria Martini Cordonnier, President of the Little Falls, N.J., Democratic Club
Ms. Amandine Tristani, Pace University Graduate and Digital Communications Volunteer at Control Arms, for her volunteer service at the registration table during tonight’s event.

“Ms. Lohez wishes to extend special thanks to Select Auto Services of New Jersey for their generous donation of fine wines for the enjoyment of our guests,” said Ms. Virola, in conclusion. “Also – many thanks to Ms. Yu-chen Juang and Mr. Brian T. Kelly, CPA for donating the selection of delicious desserts.”