PUBLIC DIPLOMACY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2024 EDITORIAL BOARD

USC students across disciplines and with a variety of interests work to produce a compelling collection of articles highlighting innovative and effective Public Diplomacy for other practitioners to learn from.

Ariana Zandi

Co-Editor-in-Chief & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Ariana Zandi, a first-generation student, is passionate about using communication for social change. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of the Holy Cross, where she graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Ariana blends her studies in Public Diplomacy with real-world experiences in marketing and PR. Her work has spanned projects on climate change and corporate social responsibility, where she has demonstrated a talent for turning complex data into actionable insights and creating narratives that drive engagement on vital global issues. Her professional experience includes a role at The A List, where she identified talent for high-profile events and created digital recaps to measure social media campaign success. As President of the Alexander Hamilton Society, she organized speaker events and humanitarian initiatives.

In her free time, Ariana enjoys spending time in nature, learning about astrology and spirituality modalities, and trying new coffee shops.

Nora AlZahid

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Nora Alzahid hails from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and currently serves as a Programme Associate at the United Nations (UNDP), focusing on SDG 11, which pertains to sustainable cities and communities. Nora's expertise lies in program design, governance, coordinating diplomatic delegations, organizing international conferences, and brief experience in war evacuation. During her academic tenure, she had the opportunity to intern at the office of the President of the Los Angeles City Council. There, she dedicated her efforts to policy, strategic planning, and fostering civic participation. Her involvement included contributions to policy motions, the organization of culturally enriching events aimed at engaging diaspora communities in Council District 2, and creating digital content.

Upon completing her degree and returning to her UN position, she will focus on applying Public Diplomacy strategies in conflict-affected nations where she can directly contribute to peacekeeping.

Katerin Ortega Villanueva

Staff Editor

Katerin is a second-year Master of Public Diplomacy candidate and Co-Director of Events for the USC Society of Public Diplomats. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Katerin completed her bachelor’s degree in East Asian studies and a double minor in French and 3D design at Wesleyan University. Katerin grew up as a bilingual speaker (English, Spanish) and learned two languages (French, Korean) in her undergrad. During her time at Wesleyan, Katerin and her colleagues established the Foster Care Support Project (FCSP): a program to expand preventative measures of human trafficking for foster youth and was awarded a grant of $5000 by the University. Currently, Katerin also serves as the Lead Regional Program Coordinator in the Office of the CEO at Children Youth and Family Collaborative (CYFC). She works closely with the CEO to secure foster youth success within her own community.

Upon degree completion, Katerin plans to continue her public service through the U.S. Foreign Service as a Public Diplomacy Officer. Her top interests involve cultural diplomacy, evaluation and conflict resolution.

Naathapit “Otto” Lamsam

staff editor

Naathapit "Otto" Lamsam is a second-year student in the Master of Public Diplomacy program at USC Annenberg. He is interested in soft power and cultural diplomacy. He is especially looking forward to Expo 2025 Osaka and how it will be utilized by various nations to brand themselves in the current geopolitical climate. Otto is from Bangkok, Thailand.

Janika received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from The College of New Jersey. Before graduate school, she worked in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, served as an English Teaching Assistant in Indonesia, and worked as an admissions counselor for her alma mater and a non-profit organization in Washington, DC. Her professional and personal interests overlap in educational and cultural exchange programs, with which she volunteers. A Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellow.

Janika will join the State Department after graduation as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer. 

Hongyi “Ivy” Qian

Contributing Graphic Designer

Hongyi is a Master of Public Diplomacy student. Her passion lies in leveraging film and visual storytelling to enhance public diplomacy by creating engaging narratives that foster cross-cultural understanding and empathy. Her experience includes internships at the Youth League Committee and Nationality Film Studio, where she managed short video accounts and produced TikTok publicity videos. Working on film productions with diverse cast and crew members has enriched her ability to communicate across cultures and collaborate effectively.

Hannah Yonas

Staff Editor

Hannah is student in the MPD Class of ‘25. She graduated with my BA in International Studies with a minor in anthropology from the University of Denver in 2022. Having grown up in a military family, she always known that she wanted to study the world and travel as much as she could. Since beginning higher education, she gained valuable experience in the nonprofit sector, and hope to continue her work in ethical global development following her graduate studies. 

Brianna Foster

Staff Editor

Brianna Foster is a graduate student in the USC Annenberg Master of Public Diplomacy program. Her deep sense of purpose, and commitment to impacting positive change in the world, are through lines in her collegiate and professional work. She has held leadership roles in broadcasting and nonprofit sectors, while accelerating communications and advancement. She is excited to continue to pursue her zeal for public diplomacy, media, and international affairs.

Her website is: IAmBriOnTV.com.

Abigail Nguyen

staff editor

Faculty Advisors

Robert Banks, Co-director of USC Master of Public Diplomacy Program, Professor of Public Diplomacy, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California

Nicholas Cull, Professor of Public Diplomacy, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California

Jay Wang, Director, USC Center on Public Diplomacy, Co-director of USC Master of Public Diplomacy Program

Cesar Corona, Assistant Director for Engagement, USC Center on Public Diplomacy

International Advisory Board

Sean Aday, Director, Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication; Associate Professor of Media, Public Affairs, & International Affairs, George Washington University

Simon Anholt, Editor Emeritus, Journal of Place Branding & Public Diplomacy

Willow Bay, Dean, USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, USC

Geoffrey Cowan, Professor, Annenberg Family Chair in Communication Leadership, USC

Harris Diamond, CEO, McCann Erickson

Pamela Falk, Foreign Affairs Analyst & Resident UN Correspondent, CBS News

Kathy R. Fitzpatrick, Professor, School of Communication, American University

Eytan Gilboa, Professor of International Communication, Bar-Ilan University

Howard Gillman, Provost and xecutive Vice Chancellor, University of California, Irvine

Guy Golan, Associate Professor of Public Relations/Public Diplomacy, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University

Cari Guittard, Principal, Global Engagement Partners; Adjunct Faculty, Hult IBS & USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism

Markos Kounalakis, President & Publisher Emeritus, Washington Monthly

William A. Rugh, U.S. Foreign Service (Ret.)

Crocker Snow, Edward R. Murrow Center for Public Diplomacy, Tufts University

Nancy Snow, Professor Emeritus, California State University, Fullerton; Pax Mundi Professor of Public Diplomacy, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies; Media and Public Affairs Advisor, Langley Esquire, Tokyo

Abiodun Williams, President, Hague Institute for Global Justice