Eisenhower Fellowships | First Week.

Wrapping up our first week has been surreal. I still remember the planning sessions with our lovely program officer, Seya Fadullon, and all the preparations that went into this. And now, just like that, the first week is done. 🥹 The days feel long, but the week went by in a blink! 😳

We spent it between Philly and D.C., and there is already so much to take in.

One big highlight was finally meeting the other Eisenhower Fellows from our cohort. They are brilliant, passionate, and genuinely fun to be around. I am learning so much from them, and I feel lucky to have found new friends who share the same drive and curiosity, and who make this journey even more meaningful.

Another highlight for me was our intimate session with Susan Eisenhower. What I thought would be a formal hi-hello turned into a quiet masterclass on leadership, strategy, negotiation, and history. Listening to her stories about Ike Eisenhower was humbling, especially the way she spoke about empathy and restraint as strategic virtues. It was the kind of conversation that stays with you.

There were many more meaningful encounters this week, each one shaping how I think about my fellowship focus on AI governance frameworks and policies, and algorithmic audit and accountability.

My heartfelt thanks to EF President George de Lama, Gabrielle Hibbert, Elham Tabassi, Jeff Frazier, David Bray, Balaji Padmanabhan, and William Burns for their time and insights. The exchanges reminded me how valuable it is to have spaces where leaders and experts can learn from each other across disciplines.

And of course, it was an absolute privilege to meet Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu—a true legend in international policy and one of the most respected voices in global economic governance. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to converse with someone whose leadership and wisdom continue to shape the world far beyond our region.

It has only been a week, but already a memorable one!