Analyzing development strategies towards a more sustainable, equitable world

Mid-career professionals, scholars and aspiring development professionals from across multiple different countries unite as the Global Development MPS class of 2026. Each bringing unique specialties — from food security and inclusive economic growth to renewable energy and environmental sustainability, and more — the class will take a transdisciplinary approach to enhance their technical and practical skills in development in order to tackle the world's greatest challenges around the globe.

Global Development MPS Class of 2027

Sarah Baldwin
Sarah Baldwin

Grand challenge: Improving project design and management through greater communication with, inclusion of, and consideration for local communities.

Sofia Brahimi
Sofia Brahimi

Grand challenge: To ensure women in the Global South shape the policies that govern them.

Junwei (Bennett) Chen
Junwei (Bennett) Chen

Grand challenge: Bridging the gap between technological innovation and consumer trust to build transparent, resilient, and intelligent global supply networks.

Kayla Kawalec
Kayla Kawalec

Grand challenge: Working alongside community members to identify environmental threats and design sustainable and holistic mitigation and adaptation practices for greater climate resilience.

Qi Lan
Qi Lan

Grand challenge: A new environment, a non-native language.

Natjanon Limboonsuebsai
Natjanon Limboonsuebsai

Grand challenge: Connecting the dots between development cooperation and sustainable development by turning conversations into collaboration, collaboration into innovation, and innovation into impact.

Angelica Melero
Angelica Melero

Grand challenge: I aim to address the challenge of building sustainable, equitable aquaculture systems that strengthen food security and rural livelihoods while reducing environmental strain on wild fish populations and aquatic ecosystems.

Ruth Rebeca
Ruth Rebeca

Grand challenge: Advancing inclusive economic development by empowering marginalized rural communities through social enterprise, sustainable production, circular economies, and access to international markets, with a focus on Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia.

Tara Ross
Tara Ross

Grand challenge: Advancing sustainable agricultural policies that strengthen global food security, support rural livelihoods, and promote economic growth.

Asa Skinner
Asa Skinner

Grand challenge: Improve environmental resilience and human well-being through agriculture; focus on central Africa

Jaymi Smith
Jaymi Smith

Grand challenge: Identifying and strengthening the role of local business models in fostering social change, particularly through regenerative agricultural practices that promote community resilience and sustainable development.

Luke Smith
Luke Smith

Grand challenge: The early detection and education about Lepidopteran agricultural pests in the developing world.

Yvonne Tackie
Yvonne Tackie

Grand challenge: Accelerating the Recovery of Degraded Laxndscapes through Indigenous Agricultural Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions

Meng Wang
Meng Wang

Grand challenge: Promoting equitable and sustainable development through the integration of law, governance, and technological innovation.