Michael C. Huang, Senior Research Fellow, Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI), The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, Ph.D. in Public Economics (’15)

Dr. Michael C. Huang has been with the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) since 2018, specializing in general equilibrium analysis using GTAP modeling for policy simulations. His work focuses on economic analysis in Blue Economy, Blue Finance, innovation policy assessment, and disaster risk management, contributing to global initiatives like the UN Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative and ADB Ocean Financing. Dr. Huang's research bridges ocean and societal systems, addressing topics like renewable energy, eco-friendly shipping, resilient supply chains, and cultural satellite accounting for heritage. Previously, he was a researcher at GRIPS and ADBI in Tokyo. Michael also organizes special economic seminars at Toyo University, and serves as an (guest) editor for Marine Policy and other prominent publications. He is also an active member of multiple academic societies in Japan. Michael received his Ph.D. in Public Economics from GRIPS in 2015. …Read an interview with Michael C. Huang

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Girum Abebe Tefera, Principal Economist. International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group, Ph.D. in Development Economics (’11)

Girum Abebe is a Principal Economist at the Development Impact Measurement Department in the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Prior to joining IFC, Girum held a position of Senior Economist at the World Bank’s Africa Region Gender Innovation Lab (GIL). ?He also served as a thematic lead for the unit’s Private Sector Development and Entrepreneurship thematic area. Girum has over a decade of experience studying how to make markets work for the poor, especially youth and women. He has co-authored research papers published in the American Economic Review, Review of Economic Studies, and Journal of Development Economics, among others. ?Girum has non-residential research affiliation with the Johns Hopkins China-Africa Research Initiative (CARI), Institute of Labor (IZA), and the African Growth and Development Policy Modeling Consortium. He is one of the managing editors of the Journal of African Economies.?

Girum earned a Ph.D. in Development Economics from GRIPS in 2011.

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Uruya Krisanachinda Miyazawa, Programme Officer, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) , Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand, Young Leaders Program (’16)

With a degree in Political Science from Chulalongkorn University, Uruya developed a passion for social justice, particularly focusing on marginalized communities and criminal justice reform. She began her career in 2007 as a junior penologist at Thailand's Department of Corrections, specializing in prison reform and humane prisoner treatment. After a decade, she joined the Director General's office, where she contributed to the development of national prison policies at the executive policy level. She has also represented Thailand at international forums, including the UN Crime Congress. Currently, Uruya serves as a National Programme Officer at the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, focusing on prison reform strategies in Thailand and neighboring countries. Uruya graduated with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Young Leaders Program in 2016.

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Ayla Alim-Baldueza, Founding Partner, Belgica Aranas Baldueza Dela Cruz & Associates, The Philippines, Young Leaders Program (YLP) - School of Local Governance (2014)

Attorney Ayla Alim-Baldueza made history as the youngest councilor in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, winning a remarkable third place in the 2010 elections at just 23 years old. Despite limited campaign resources, she garnered overwhelming support and served her first term while passing the bar exams in 2012, earning a Special Award in Public Service. During her council tenure, she authored numerous ordinances and resolutions aimed at uplifting the marginalized, initiated scholarship programs, and provided legal assistance to those in need. She also briefly served as chief of staff in the Commission on Elections. After working in the government, she continued to practice law as one of the founding partners of a law firm, where she handles administrative matters. Balancing her professional life, she is also a dedicated wife and a mother to three young children.

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Konstantin Zviagin, Chief Specialist, Financial Risk Control Division, National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic. Two-year Master's Program of Public Policy ('14)

Konstantin’s career began with an internship at the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic in 2008, where he discovered the emerging field of risk management. Rising to the position of Chief Specialist in the Financial Risk Control Division, Konstantin earned his Financial Risk Manager (FRM?) certification in 2023, becoming one of only three experts in Kyrgyzstan with this qualification. At the Bank, Konstantin is responsible for managing credit and market risks. He also teaches as a senior lecturer at Kyrgyz Russian Slavic University, sharing his expertise with future economists. In his free time, Konstantin practices martial arts and he is a member, instructor and referee of the Kyokushin Budo Karate Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Konstantin graduated from the GRIPS Two-year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP2) in 2014.

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Hiroshi Dambara, Consul (Japan Coast Guard Attaché), Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, Global Leadership Development Program (’21)

Hiroshi Dambara has served as a Japan Coast Guard officer since 2003, with roles both at sea and on land. ?With two years as a patrol vessel captain, he gained extensive operational experience while on land, he oversaw policy planning, public relations, and human resources at Tokyo headquarters. Dambara-san is currently serving as Consul at the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco where his main duty is to develop partnerships and cooperative relationships with the U.S. Coast Guard in the region.

Hiroshi Dambara graduated from the Japan Coast Guard Academy and he pursued studies in diplomacy and security through the GRIPS Global Leadership Development Program from which he earned his MA in 2021.

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Namutebi Edith Nsubuga, Minister Counselor, Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ph.D. in International Development (’17)

Dr. Namutebi Edith Nsubuga is a distinguished Ugandan diplomat currently serving as the Minister Counselor and Head of Commercial and Economic Diplomacy at the Uganda Embassy in Kinshasa, DRC. Edith has extensive experience in international relations, having served in diplomatic missions in Japan, South Africa, and the DRC. She has played key roles in peace processes, regional integration, and economic development and has received numerous awards, including the Ambassador for Peace Prize from the Universal Peace Federation. Passionate about public service, she aspires to contribute to environmental sustainability, peace, and a dynamic public sector. Edith holds a Masters in Management Science from Uganda Management Institute (2002) and a Ph.D. in International Development from GRIPS (2017).

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Dheni Wiguna, Team Leader of Stakeholders Management Team, Directorate General of Taxation, Government of Indonesia, Economics, Planning and Public Policy Program (’09)

Dheni Wiguna, a State College of Accountancy graduate, joined the Directorate General of Customs and Excise in 1996 as a Customs Auditor, pioneering joint audits with the Directorate General of Taxes. Transitioning to the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Finance in 2018, he became a Change Management Officer. Currently, as Team Leader of Stakeholders Management at the Indonesian Tax Authority, he ensures stakeholder readiness for system changes.Dheni holds a Masters in Public Policy from GRIPS (2009) and a Masters in Economic Development from Gadjah Mada University (2008), with Bachelor's degrees in Accounting. Additionally, he's a Certified Accountant (2016) and Prosci Certified Change Practitioner (2020)

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Tibor Schaffhauser, Co-Founder / Senior Climate Policy Advisor, Green Policy Center, Young Leaders Program (’18)

With over a decade of experience in international climate and development issues, Tibor Schaffhauser is a founding member of the Green Policy Center, a Hungarian sustainability think tank established in 2020.Prior to this, Tibor held numerous leadership roles in national and international climate policy-making and implementation in Hungary's public administration. His contributions extended to the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna, where he served as a Climate Policy Advisor, supporting contracting parties in national policy planning. Additionally, Tibor co-established the Clean Air Regions Initiative, aiding air quality planning in 11 Western Balkans municipalities.Tibor earned his MA in public policy from GRIPS in 2018.

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Mutsuko Fujii, Vice President and Professor, Osaka University of Education, Domestic Course GSPS (’90)

After graduating from Kyoto University Faculty of Education, Mutsuko Fujii joined the Osaka Prefectural Government in 1986. In 1988, she enrolled in GRIPS’ predecessor, the Graduate School of Policy Science at Saitama University. Upon returning to Osaka two years later, she worked in personnel, finance, and educational administration. In 2017, Fujii assumed the role of Director of the Health and Medical Department, spearheading various initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After retiring from the Osaka Prefectural Government, Fujii was appointed as Vice President and Professor at Osaka University of Education in April 2023.

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Caroline Waqabaca, Chief Manager Financial System Development & Acting Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of Fiji, Transition Economy Program (’07)

Caroline Waqabaca is the Chief Manager Financial System Development at the Reserve Bank of Fiji since January 2023, and currently Acting Deputy Governor for the Bank. She has been with the Bank for over 30 years serving in various capacities including Manager Corporate Communications (2003-2006), Chief Economist (2010-2017), and Head of Financial Markets (2018-2022). From 2013-2015, she was seconded to the IMF as Advisor to the Executive Director in the South East Asia Voting Group (SEAVG) office. She is currently responsible for payment systems development, consumer protection and driving financial inclusion. Caroline holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Economics from the University of the South Pacific and a Master in Public Policy from GRIPS (2007).

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Ibrahim Zuhuree, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations in New York (PMNY), Ph.D. in Advanced Policy Studies (’17)

Dr. Ibrahim Zuhuree is the current Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations since August 2020. His distinguished career includes roles such as Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary-General at the Maldives Civil Service Commission, and Director at various departments within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Nepal. Holding a Ph.D. in Advanced Policy Studies from GRIPS, and a Master's degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Zuhuree has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Global Governance Scholarship and Australian Development Scholarships.

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