New Bridge to the US: Class of 2025

Johannes Aclassato served 13 years in the German Armed Forces, including eight with the special operations unit Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), where he took part in multiple deployments and liaison roles at the Joint Operations Command. Following his military career, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the Open University in the United Kingdom and is now pursuing a Master of Arts in War and Conflict Studies at the University of Potsdam. He has contributed to interdisciplinary research in foreign and security policy at the Center for Military History and Social Sciences of the German Armed Forces. Currently, Johannes volunteers with the NGO Gospel-Mission e.V., applying his planning and operational expertise to support sustainable development projects in rural Africa. His unique background offers a distinctive perspective on foreign and security policy, with particular expertise in defense and development.

Mateo Blazevic is a medical doctor from Munich, Germany. He is currently pursuing his doctoral thesis in hematology and cardio-oncology at the University of Würzburg and completing his residency in internal medicine. His passion for international healthcare systems has led to academic and professional experience in France, England, Austria, and Switzerland. As a spokesperson, he represented the interests of medical students within Germany’s doctors’ union, the Marburger Bund. Mateo is an alumnus of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Yunus Güllü is an Associate at 365 Sherpas, a strategic advisory firm specializing in political communication, corporate affairs and public policy consulting. Previously, he worked at the Centre for International Peace Operations, aiding the recruitment of personnel for EU and OSCE missions. Yunus also gained practical experience in NGOs, the local editorial office of the Tagesspiegel, the German Federal Foreign Office as well as the German Bundestag. He studied Communication and Political Science at the Free University of Berlin and completed a Dual Master of Social Sciences at the Humboldt University of Berlin and the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. Yunus is an international election observer for the OSCE and holds a scholarship from the German Foundation for Integration.

Fatima Hussain is a lawyer and activist. She currently serves as Head of Legal at LIQID and previously held positions at Trade Republic Bank, Tesla SE and AUDI AG. Earlier in her career, she worked at leading international law firms – Linklaters, Clifford Chance, and Freshfields – specializing in capital markets, litigation and arbitration. Fatima advises legal departments and law firms on innovation, with a strong focus on female empowerment and diversity. She also leads workshops aimed particularly at women and individuals with migrant backgrounds and regularly contributes articles and podcasts, including for Handelsblatt. Her work has earned national recognition. In 2022, Capital magazine named Fatima one of Germany’s „Top 40 under 40“ and Business Insider included her among the „25 Women Shaping the Future“.

Dara Kossok-Spieß heads the Department for Digitalization and Network Policy at the German Retail Federation, driving forward the transformation of the retail sector from the shopping cart to the strategic use of AI. In 2020, she also founded the industry’s Diversity Initiative, which addresses diversity management and aims to create a non-discriminatory retail environment. Dara is socially engaged through the intersectional network SWANS Initiative, where she is a co-founder and shareholder. She is also active in local politics, serving as parliamentary group leader in the municipal parliament of Berlin-Spandau and treasurer of the Green Party in Berlin. Before joining the German Retail Federation, Dara worked as a political communications consultant, both nationally and internationally, for media and academic institutions. She studied Political Science, Public Administration and Business Law in Germany, Latvia and Russia. Dara was born in Kazakhstan and is mother to two children.

Oleksii Kysliak is Political Advisor to the Mayor of Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, where he focuses on economic development, public order and cross-border cooperation. He previously served for seven years as a parliamentary advisor in the German Bundestag, gaining insight into national and regional politics. Active in civic and political life, Oleksii chaired the Junge Union Frankfurt (Oder), promoting youth political engagement and strengthening German-Polish relations. His Ukrainian background informs his volunteer work in supporting Ukrainian refugees and raising awareness about Russia’s war against Ukraine. Oleksii holds a Master of Arts in Cultural and Political Studies from European University Viadrina and completed the Academy of Young Diplomats in Warsaw. He also holds degrees in Business Administration and Philology from Kyiv. Drawing on his diverse experiences, Oleksii works to connect local realities with international dialogue and democratic engagement.

Pelumi Olusanya-Winter is a German-Nigerian professional working at the German Corporation for International Cooperation, the German Federal Government’s implementing agency for sustainable development and international cooperation. She has technical expertise in reproductive health services, family planning as well as population dynamics and is passionate about improving access to health services for women, girls and youth. As a committed advocate for gender equality and a people-centered approach to global health and development, Pelumi previously worked with UNDP, WHO and civil society organizations, gaining field experience in Togo, Sierra Leone and Nepal. Beyond her international engagements, Pelumi is actively involved in local initiatives such as the Afro-Diasporic Academics Network (ADAN e.V.). Pelumi holds a Master of Science in Global Health from Maastricht University and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from the University of Bremen.

Şirin Tiryaki is Knowledge Management Lead at T-Systems International, with a background in teaching and a passion for learning, culture and communication. Previously, she gained experience at the Bertelsmann Foundation, Volkswagen AG and the District Office Berlin-Mitte. Şirin founded Chaya Times, a newsletter and community that empowers young people around confidence, career and opportunities. As a former G7 Youth Delegate, she advocates internationally for education and equity. Şirin’s work sits at the intersection of tech, education, empowerment and impact.

Ulrike Tuchardt is a political strategist who is shaping Germany’s transition to sustainable energy and mobility at the intersection of law, climate policy and technological change. In her role as an advisor on regulatory affairs, she ensures that the shift toward sustainable transportation is effective, socially fair and open to a variety of technological solutions. Born in post-reunification East Germany, Ulrike witnessed firsthand how structural change can influence identities and opportunities across generations. She is passionate about building bridges across borders, backgrounds, and beliefs. Ulrike holds an LL.M. in Business Law and has been awarded a scholarship by the Hans Böckler Foundation in recognition of her long-standing commitment to democratic and labor-related causes, including youth education work for trade unions. 

Ertan Türk is a Technology Strategist at Microsoft with a strong focus on ethical innovation and transatlantic cooperation. He advises leading pharmaceutical companies on the strategic use of AI, cloud technologies and digital transformation. Previously, he worked at Merck KGaA, where he was recognized as a top-performing talent and led cross-functional projects in life sciences. As a first-generation university graduate with a Turkish migration background, Ertan brings a unique perspective shaped by resilience, curiosity and a commitment to inclusive progress. He leads educational initiatives at Integreater Frankfurt, a nonprofit promoting social mobility, and engages in foreign policy discussions at the Young German Council on Foreign Relations. Ertan’s work bridges technology, policy and civic engagement, driven by the belief that innovation must serve both democratic values and global partnerships.