New Bridge to Germany: Class of 2026
We are happy to introduce our next New Bridge cohort! Following the kick-off in D.C., our 10 fellows will travel to Brussels, Berlin and Frankfurt (Oder), where they will meet with decision-makers from politics, business, academia and civil society.
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Yazmin Aguilar Carretero is a Government Relations and Policy Analyst at the Washington State Board of Education with more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, civic engagement, and public policy. In her current role, she leads legislative strategy and contributes to the development of education policy, working at the intersection of government, community, and institutional leadership to advance equitable access to opportunity. Prior to her work in state government, Yazmin held leadership roles in the nonprofit sector focused on expanding civic participation and strengthening community-centered initiatives. Her approach to public service is grounded in intellectual curiosity, reflection, and a commitment to democratic engagement. Outside of her professional work, she is an avid reader and cyclist who values disciplines that encourage both personal reflection and endurance. As a mother, she remains deeply committed to strengthening public institutions for future generations.
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Lucas Brooks focuses on improving the interaction between local communities and national and international structures. He has over a decade of experience in the US Army, United Nations, NGOs, and the private sector. He holds a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Government from Georgetown University. The topics of his research include inequities faced by refugees, improving political engagement for disenfranchised communities, and the weaknesses of humanitarian and military interventions in volatile regions. He has studied or worked on programs in Jordan, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt, Turkiye, and Colombia. He was raised in California’s Bay Area by Guyanese and Jamaican parents and started his career in public service co-founding a grassroots non-profit dedicated to closing the minority achievement and opportunity gap in his school district
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Anas El Yousfi is a technologist working at the intersection of data, technology, and society. At Consolidated Edison, one of the largest energy utilities, he engineered automation and analytics systems that improved operational efficiency and shaped infrastructure planning across multiple departments. Previously, he built data-driven reporting tools at Cushman & Wakefield, a global real estate firm, and conducted research at the National Science Foundation analyzing housing data to surface pricing disparities in underserved communities. Selected by Google for its flagship engineering program for emerging talent and awarded a grant to attend AWS re:Invent, the world’s largest cloud computing conference, Anas holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from SUNY New Paltz. Raised Moroccan-American in New York with family across Western Europe and beyond, he grew up immersed in the questions that define the transatlantic relationship, with a deep interest in geopolitics and how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping governance and public life on both sides of the Atlantic. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, philosophy, skiing, and strength sports. |
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Omar Gonzales serves as Executive Director of External Affairs and University Relations at California State University, Los Angeles, leading the university’s engagement with government, community, and institutional partners. He advances strategic initiatives from the President’s Office that position Cal State LA as a national leader in social mobility, workforce development, and regional impact. Previously, Omar held public policy and government affairs roles at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Nikola Corporation, Bird, and in the LA Mayor’s Office. Omar is an Aspen Ideas Festival Fellow, Coro Fellow alumnus, St. Gallen Symposium Leader of Tomorrow, former White House Intern, alumnus of Spain’s U.S. Hispanic Leaders Program, and a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy. A native of Bakersfield, California, and a first-generation college graduate, he holds a B.S. from USC and is pursuing an MBA at Cal Poly Pomona.
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Mehar Kaur is an experienced engineer and scientist, having spent over 8 years working within biotech startups and pharma companies on early-stage drug discovery, in vivo protease diagnostics and engineered liver cell therapies in the Greater Boston area. Through her experience working operationally within these early-stage companies, she developed a passion for supporting ideas and founders who may struggle to break into the Boston ecosystem. As a Program Manager for German Accelerator, Mehar now leverages her strong operational and technical background at the intersection of life sciences and startups to enable early-stage companies to de-risk, grow, and thrive in the US market through participation in the accelerator program. Mehar holds a B.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Stony Brook University and an M.S. in Bioengineering from University of Illinois – Chicago
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Amanda Kelley is a finance professional with experience across commercial real estate lending and affordable housing investment. She currently works at JPMorganChase in Tax Oriented Investment Affordable Housing, where she supports the execution of complex fundings and strategic initiatives that help expand access to affordable housing and strengthen communities. Previously, Amanda worked in CMBS Originations, underwriting billions in commercial real estate debt across a range of asset types and markets. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics, with a minor in Management & Organization, from Spelman College. Amanda is passionate about leadership, mentorship, and creating pathways for impact through finance, with a long-term interest in community development and real estate.
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Yusra Mohamud is the Founder and CEO of Yuspire, a brand strategy and business development firm dedicated to building generational wealth for small businesses. With over a decade of experience in economic development, she combines strategic advising with sharp policy advocacy and lobbying expertise, including her role as Business Advisor at the Lake Street Council in Minneapolis. She serves as Campaign Manager for Betting On US, a purpose-driven nonprofit organizing leaders and communities to drive lasting economic and civic transformation across America. She also hosts the Eat and Talk MN Podcast. As a longtime connector within South Minneapolis’s East African community, Yusra brings deep cultural roots and a gift for storytelling that transforms corridors into living narratives of resilience, identity, and belonging. Her work is rooted in the belief that economic power belongs in the hands of the communities who have been building it all along
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Mica Standing Soldier is an Oglala Lakota woman based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She brings a strong foundation in legal training and grassroots organizing to her work, with experience grounded in anti-racism advocacy and community-centered approaches. Her background reflects a commitment to advancing equity through strategic organizing and policy engagement that responds to the priorities of the communities she serves. Mica earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School, where she developed her focus on justice and advocacy. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Through her professional and academic experience, she contributes thoughtful, community-informed perspectives to leadership, advocacy, and program development. |
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Victoria ‘Vic’ Tonikian serves as the Deputy Legislative Director with the Mayor’s Office in Denver, Colorado. In this role, they assist in managing all aspects of the legislative process and advancing the mayor’s priorities. They develop legislative strategies for complex policies and initiatives and have contributed to efforts such as the 2025 Vibrant Denver Bond and the first National Women’s Soccer League Stadium in Denver. Vic started their career with the City of San Luis Obispo, where they held several roles within the City Manager’s Office and contributed to high-impact projects such as Measure G-20, the City’s Local Revenue Measure, and the City’s COVID-19 emergency response. Beyond municipal government, they have worked with multiple non-profits, including The Trevor Project and The Paradigma Educational Foundation in Yerevan, Armenia. Vic earned a BA in political science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. They are driven by a commitment to building equitable public systems and are particularly passionate about the intersection of policy, education, and community-centered governance. |
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Neal VanMarter is a tenured U.S. Senate staffer serving as Military and Veteran Liaison and Regional Outreach Coordinator for U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. In this role, he leads engagement with civic communities across Georgia with focuses on military, veteran, Latino and LGBTQ communities. Raised by a single mother in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Neal brings a personal commitment to service, resilience, and community-building to his work. He served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve and has spent more than five years in the Senate building relationships at the intersection of public service, outreach, and international security. Neal is active with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the City of Atlanta’s effort to establish the cities first LGBTQ community center. He serves on the board of the Georgia Veterans Network and is pursuing a Master’s degree in International Security at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He lives in the Atlanta area with his husband, Heath. |
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New Bridge to Germany is supported by the Joachim Herz Foundation and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. |
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