International Leadership Foundation

Home
United States
Washington D.C., DC
International Leadership Foundation

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

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.

10/02/2026

📢 Applications are open for ILF’s Summer 2027 Civic Fellowship Program!

College students will gain hands-on experience in public service, build professional networks, and develop leadership skills.

🔗 Apply: https://www.ilfnational.org/fellowship

Info Session: Join ILF staff on Zoom to learn more and get help with the application. RSVP for the Zoom link: https://www.ilfnational.org/fellowship-program/

09/12/2026

🎉 Best wishes to our 2026 Civic Fellows as they head back to school!

Here’s to the 2026 Civic Fellows—your journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish next!

09/10/2026

Join us in recognizing Joshua Wei. This summer, Joshua is an intern at the Federal Communications Commission.

Hometown: Morgan Hill, CA
Senior, UC Davis
Major: Data Science
Minor: Neuroscience

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
Reaching Level Advanced in the Certificate of Merit for piano.

Who are your role models?
My parents.

What are your goals after college?
Either Graduate School or find a good job.

09/09/2026

Today, we recognize Grace Zhou. This summer, Grace is an intern at the US China Economic and Security Review Commission.

Hometown: Laramie, Wyoming
Junior at Harvard College
Major: Economics
Minors: Theater Dance & Media

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
It's definitely getting to spend the summer in DC with ILF and the US China Commission!!! I have learned so much and had such an amazing time with my fellow interns! 🫶🫶🫶

Who are your role models?
My parents and brother of course! ❤️❤️❤️

09/08/2026

Today, we recognize Janhavi Ramekar. This summer, Janhavi is an intern at the Atlantic Council Geotech Center and Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC).

Hometown: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Junior at Oakland University
Major: Psychology
Minors: Data Science and Chinese

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement this summer was finding my voice in Washington, D.C. and using it to bring greater visibility to Indian Americans and other minority communities in American politics. I have always cared deeply about political literacy, but this summer gave that passion a direction, helping me discover my focus in humanitarian law and AI policy and showing me the kind of change I hope to create.

Who is your role model?
My sister is one of my biggest role models. Watching her grow and become her own person has taught me that strength does not always have to be loud, and that you can be ambitious without losing your kindness. She inspires me to focus not only on what I want to accomplish, but on the kind of person I want to be along the way.

What are your goals after college?
As crazy as it may sound, I want to be President someday. Before that, I plan to attend law school and work in international law, focusing on AI, technology policy, and humanitarian law.

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.

Address

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

Telephone

+12022043019

Website

http://www.ilfnational.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when International Leadership Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to International Leadership Foundation:

Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund
400 I Street, SW

Want your organization to be the top-listed non profit organization in Washington D.C.?