Nikki Garza is a development operations assistant at GMF. She is concurrently a graduate student at American University's School of International Service, studying ethics, peace, and human rights. Her professional experience includes supporting federal and state policy objectives and leading projects for her own startup, which promotes paid internships at international organizations, and for mid- to senior-level leaders in the public and private sectors. Garza began her career conducting research on perceptions of climate change at Lund University in Sweden before joining the American Red Cross. Her expertise includes nonprofit management, cross-cultural awareness, strategic planning, operations management, and social science research. Garza holds a bachelor's degree (cum laude) in sociology and psychology from the University of Houston.

Irina Neagu is a senior program coordinator for the Black Sea Trust (BST), administering its Empowering Youth through Capacity Building, Collaboration, and Peace Initiatives project. She also plays a key role in BST’s Enhancing the Resilience of Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership project. 

Neagu has expertise in youth engagement and cross-border issues in the Black Sea region, with a focus on the South Caucasus. She heads a Romanian NGO that supports civic activities and youth education.

Neagu holds a master’s degree in comparative politics and a bachelor’s degree in international relations and European studies from the University of Bucharest.