International Leadership Foundation

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International Leadership Foundation

ILF is dedicated to identifying and cultivating the next generation of leaders.

ILF is a non-profit organization that works with all Americans to foster civic awareness, encourage public service, and promote the economic & social integration of Asian American & Pacific Islander communities into the broader fabric of American society. Through government internships, leadership education, and entrepreneurship programs, ILF empowers students with the skills and experience needed

to drive meaningful change. Since its founding in 2000, ILF has provided scholarships, leadership training, and educational opportunities to over 10,000 students.

08/28/2026

Today, we recognize Lynn El Dabbagh. This summer, Lynn is an intern at the United States Attorney's Office - District of Columbia.

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Junior, University of Southern California
Major: International Relations & Global Business
Minors: Law and Technology

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
I am most proud of how I have embraced every opportunity, even when they felt intimidating. Leaving home to study across the world and pursuing experiences in unfamiliar places taught me resilience, independence, and the value of taking chances on myself.

Who are your role models?
My friends and family!

What are your goals after college?
Travel, law school

08/26/2026

Join us in recognizing Brandon Cheng. This summer, Brandon is an intern at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.

Hometown: San Marino, California
Sophomore, Harvard College
Majors: Economics and History

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
Winning the National Speech and Debate Tournament, among other accolades, after growing up with a debilitating stutter.

Who are your role models?
My grandmother and President Reagan.

What are your goals after college?
Devote myself to serving our country.

08/24/2026

Today, we recognize Zaina Waheed. This summer, Zaina is an intern at Legis1 and Muslim Americans in Public Service (MAPS).

Hometown: DFW, Texas
Junior at Rice University
Majors: Political Science; Social Policy Analysis
Minor: Creative Writing

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
I consider my proudest achievement to be the advocacy work I have done to create meaningful change in the lives of others. Whether advocating for human rights on the Hill with CPRE, strengthening Muslim student representation on my college campus, or supporting refugees and underserved communities through my nonprofit work, I am proud to have turned my passion into action. Seeing that advocacy translate into policy, greater access to resources, and stronger communities reminds me that even small efforts can make a lasting difference.

Who are your role models?
My role models are Muslim leaders in government and the legal field who use their positions to advocate for their communities while serving the broader public. Seeing Muslims break barriers and bring their values, experiences, and perspectives into spaces where we have historically been underrepresented inspires me to pursue a similar path.

What are your goals after college?
I hope to pursue a career in policymaking, using my passion for advocacy and public service to help shape policies that create meaningful change.

08/21/2026

Today, we recognize Tate Lee. This summer, Tate is an intern at the Office of Economics + Office of Internal Control and Risk Management, US International Trade Commission.

Hometown: Los Altos Hills, CA
Junior at Duke University
Major: Public Policy
Minors: Psychology + Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
Earning the opportunity to intern at the U.S. International Trade Commission and contribute to work involving Title VII trade remedy cases. This experience has already pushed me to quickly learn complex material, think critically about international trade issues, and apply my interests in economics and public policy in a real government setting. I am proud of this because it shows my ability to take on challenging work, adapt quickly, and grow professionally.

Who are your role models?
My dad and my grandpa are my two biggest role models because they have taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and perseverance. My grandpa immigrated and built a life for himself through determination and innovation, which inspires me to be resourceful and take advantage of the opportunities I have. My dad continues to model those values for me every day through his work ethic, support, and commitment to our family.

08/19/2026

Join us in recognizing Natalie Kim. This summer, Natalie is an intern at the Civil Actions Branch within the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division of the District of Columbia Superior Court and the National Korean Student Alliance.

Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Senior, Scripps College
Major: Politics

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
Winning top witness at AMTA regionals for mock trial and Outstanding Witness at Invitationals. These were the culmination of semesters of work and demonstrated how much my public speaking skills have grown even over the course of my college career.

Who is your role model?
My mom is my role model because she demonstrates grace and resilience in the face of hardships and I hope to develop those same skills.

What are your goals after college?
I hope to go to law school after college and pursue a career in the legal field.

08/17/2026

Today, we recognize Leo Zhang. This summer, Leo is an intern at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

Hometown: Connecticut
Sophomore, Georgetown University
Major: Government and Economics
Minor: Statistics

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement is being able to balance academics, extracurriculars, and part-time work. It has taught me how to manage my time and map out my priorities.

08/14/2026

Today, we recognize Riya Ashok. This summer, Riya is an intern at FedTech.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Junior, University of Virginia
Majors: Economics and Applied Statistics
Minor: Religious Studies

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
I consider my proudest achievement to be developing my drive to challenge myself and enter spaces that I am unfamiliar with. It definitely took me a while to establish the mental fortitude to push myself to learn and continuously adapt to uncomfortable situations, but I am proud of my effort and dedication to growth.

08/13/2026

Thank you, Dr. Rick H. Lee and Aurianna Nacua of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, for hosting our Civic Fellows!

Our tour featured the current exhibition, How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories, which explores the overlooked history of a trailblazing Filipino American community in California from the 1910s through the 1970s. The exhibition brings this history to life through 26 steamer trunks discovered in 2005, three of which are now on display in the gallery.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with this important history.

Learn more here: https://www.si.edu/exhibitions/how-can-you-forget-me-filipino-american-stories%3Aevent-exhib-6799

08/12/2026

Today, we shine a light on Ella Yu. This summer, Ella is an intern at the Small Business Corps (SBC).

Hometown: Houston, TX
Junior, Georgetown University
Majors: International Business, Operations & Analytics

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
Serving as President of my university’s Asian American Student Association. It was such a meaningful experience serving the Asian student population and meeting some of my closest friends.

Who are your role models?
My parents!

08/10/2026

Today, we recognize Alex Chen. This summer, Alex is an intern at the Federal Aviation Administration

Hometown: Frisco, TX
Senior, Southern Methodist University SMU
Major: Accounting
Minors: Psychology, Chinese

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement so far has been being accepted into ILF. Knowing how competitive the applicant pool was, I feel very honored to be chosen for this amazing program.

Who are your role models?
My parents have served as a role model for me my whole life, and also learn a lot from my ILF and college friends.

What are your goals after college?
Immediately after college, my goal is go into either accounting or consulting to get my career kickstarted and put my degree to good use. Long term, however, I would love to do something that gives back to my country and leaves a legacy (not entirely sure exactly what yet…)

Address

1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 400
Washington D.C., DC
20004

Telephone

+12022043019

Website

http://www.ilfnational.org/

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