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Alumni Event | Socio Economic and Political Views from the Other Side of the Pond
On October 22 IES Abroad Alumni Engagement had a lively discussion of the current socio-economic, political and professional climate in London and the UK. This dynamic event will was hosted by IES London Center Director, John Ockey, together with these extraordinary panelists: Dianna Pierce Burgess, David Neita and Michael Samila.
Dianna Pierce Burgess
Owner/Founder, Burgess Media Group
Dianna Pierce Burgess has spent the last 25 years in television news, journalism, politics and public relations. She has a broad range of skills and expertise ranging from the White House to the front lines of national television news, the digital world of journalism websites and advising non-profits on communications and media. Dianna is a 5-time national Emmy Award winner, a recipient of a Peabody Award and a recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Award for Justice. She started her career in 1993, where she joined the Clinton White House, helping with press, strategy and communications plans. She then spent 11 years at ABC News/ Nightline as a producer and senior producer. She’s covered wars, natural disasters, politics, sports, foreign policy, social issues and more. Dianna has worked with Global Change Network for the past 4 years, helping clients such as the International Center for Research on Women and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, on communications strategy.
David Neita
Adjunct professor at IES London, Jamaican-born poet, commentator and celebrated human rights and social justice lawyer
Dave Neita is a lawyer, a published poet, lecturer and international speaker specialising in cultural leadership. Based in the UK, he is a commentator on race, politics, mental health and the arts. An advocate for human rights and an expert in organisational development and mental health, Dave has worked with the Zurich Corporation, Hartford Financial Services and NASA and has delivered a sermon at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Redemption and Transformation. Dave continues to speak widely in Churches in the UK and abroad, promoting a redemptive and inclusive message of bringing about harmony in community, and in March 2018 he delivered a Sermon at Oxford University, England, UK.
Michael Samila
London Summer ’19 intern with Finance Unlocked
Michael Samila is a senior at Indiana University and will be graduating this Spring with a degree in Finance. He studied with IES in London in the summer of 2019 and interned with Finance Unlocked, a finance focused education technology startup. Michael will be working for Perella Weinberg Partners in Healthcare M&A Advisory in New York City upon graduation.
