I’ve always said I struck the lottery of life.
At 18, I became an American Soldier. I didn’t know much back then, but it was the best decision I have ever made. Through military service, I learned the value of teamwork and found opportunities in mentors who gave me the trust of autonomy and grace in failure. Those lessons carried me through service, into a career supporting America’s national security, and into a life I could never have imagined as a young immigrant child who didn’t speak a word of English.
Today, I am a cleared contractor in the National Capital Region, using the skills I’ve gained to help keep America secure and prosperous. But service doesn’t stop at the office door. I spend time volunteering with the Black Feather Foundation, helping Afghan refugee children through sports, health, and education, and at the Washington English Center, where I help new immigrants learn English and pursue their own American Dream.
Lately, my focus has turned to something new: artificial intelligence, particularly the role of AI tools in government. We’re at the dawn of the AI era – a seismic shift that only comes around once in a generation. Just as the internet reshaped how we connect and work, AI is now reshaping how we think, plan, and act. My goal is to assist people and government organizations, especially in the federal government, in understanding and harnessing these AI tools in ways that strengthen our mission and future. This includes promoting human-led strategic communications that foster collaboration and efficiency.
When I’m not working or volunteering, you’ll probably find me on an Amtrak sleeper train. That hobby started after reading Murder on the Orient Express — and now it’s one of my favorite ways to see the country – much to the chagrin of my cat, Clementine, who gets left at home (no worries – she has plenty of toys, food, water and an army of well-wishers who look after her!).