Martine Theodora Kessy Mekong-Soignet

Martine Theodora Kessy Mekong-Soignet has over three years of experience in the political and development sectors. She serves as the Project Officer for the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) in France where she focuses on the Health Africa Club, an endowment fund that aims to raise private sector funds in Europe and Africa in order to help African communities living in isolated area improves their health. She is also vice president of an association of young professionals from Africa living in France and president of an association of young African women living in France. Martine holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Social and Political studies and a master’s degree in Geopolitics, International Security and International Relations. After completing the Washington Fellowship, she plans to work on the empowerment of youth (as recovery actors) in Bangui through the establishment of a center for youth with a focus on civic leadership, advocacy workshops, and vocational training. Martine was one of 100 Fellows competitively selected to participate in an 8-week internship in the United States following the Mandela Washington Fellowship academic institute. She interned at the National Endowment for Democracy in August-September 2014.