UWC-USA’s Giulio Regeni Alumni Impact Award honors alumni who embody the school’s mission after they leave Montezuma, advancing justice, peace, and human dignity in communities around the world. Named for Giulio Regeni ’07, who was killed while researching independent trade unions in Egypt, the award recognizes alumni whose lives echo his courage and commitment to social change. This year’s ten finalists reflect a remarkable range of impact—from maternal health and public education to digital access, feminist leadership, and the arts—offering a powerful reminder of how diverse and accomplished the UWC‑USA alumni community has become.
Each of these finalists carries the UWC values into their daily work in distinctive ways:
- Amie Ferris‑Rotman ’98, USA – A British‑American journalist and global news editor, she has reported from Afghanistan, Russia, and Ukraine and founded Sahar Speaks to train and publish Afghan women journalists, amplifying voices too often silenced.
- Jonathan Zhang ’19, USA – A sustainability‑minded Harvard graduate and Schwarzman Scholar, he works at the intersection of AI ethics and policy, serves on the board of Hot Bread Kitchen to support migrant women, and helps lead the UWC‑NYC alumni community.
- Pilar Maria Weiss ’94, USA – Organizer and founder of Community Justice Exchange, she leads national efforts to end mass incarceration and money bail, building infrastructure that helps communities free people from detention and defend the right to protest.
- Dr. Sabrina Das ’99, Singapore – An obstetrician‑gynecologist and Harkness Fellow, she advances maternal health through clinical work, research, and humanitarian service with Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Red Cross.
- Malou Cithiec ’23, Kenya – Having grown up in Kakuma refugee camp, after graduation he envisioned and built a community library there, mobilizing donors and partners so refugee students can access books and reclaim their education.
- Amélie Vavrovsky ’14, Austria – As founder and CEO of Formally, she uses legal technology and accessible design to make immigration and legal processes more navigable for people seeking safety and opportunity.
- Gavin Chuck ’88, Jamaica – A musician, musicologist, and director of the Grammy‑winning contemporary ensemble Alarm Will Sound, he brings innovative music to global audiences while building collaborative, artist‑centered structures.
- Jessica Horn ’97, United Kingdom – A feminist activist, writer, and philanthropic leader, she has strengthened African women’s rights movements and recently led the Ford Foundation’s East Africa office, advancing gender justice and bodily autonomy.
- Nicole Paulet Piedra ’09, Brazil – As Director of Content at Laboratório de Educação, she designs early childhood and family engagement programs that support language development for tens of thousands of children in Brazilian public schools.
- Patricia Mengech ’88, Kenya – A seasoned public health professional with USAID, she has spent three decades designing and leading HIV, reproductive health, and health systems programs across Africa, improving care and policy at scale.
The finalists and winner of this year’s Giulio Regeni Alumni Impact Award will be announced in April.