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International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)

Mission

Students on the ISAB serve as advisors to Global & Experiential Education (G&EE) regarding orientation, programming and issues of significance to the graduate international student experience. Board members also provide feedback to other School of Business and GW offices upon request. The board is comprised of one student representing each of GWSB’s graduate programs that have significant international student communities.

Goals

  • To improve the international graduate student experience and encourage a sense of community at the GW School of Business from orientation through graduation
  • To serve as a forum for GWSB international graduate students to voice issues, concerns, and praise
  • To encourage collaboration with faculty, staff, and students to ensure a positive experience for all GWSB international graduate students

Current Members

Each member of the International Student Advisory Board is listed below, along with their country of origin and program of study. Expand the tabs below to learn more about each student!

Ahmed Alrayes - MAccy
Ahmed Alrayes

Home Country: Saudi Arabia

Undergraduate Institution and Major: B.S. in Accounting

Graduate Major: Master of Accountancy

Hobbies/Interests: Soccer, horse riding, and traveling.

Fun Fact: I have been to 29 countries.

Work Experience: I have 6 years of professional auditing experience. I've worked with KPMG as an external auditor, and currently working with Saudi Aramco as an internal auditor focusing mainly on auditing the company’s global affiliates.

Contact Ahmed! [email protected]

Mayte Chang - MBA
Mayte Chang

Home Country: Peru

Undergraduate Major: BS in Economics and International Business

Graduate Major: Global STEM MBA

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, watching sports, dancing and reading

Fun Fact: I am a quarter Chinese and was captain of my school basketball team.

Work Experience: My professional journey started at Pacifico Insurance Company while pursuing my BS in Economics and International Business in Lima, Peru. Upon graduation, I embarked on a role as a junior analyst at a Peruvian airline. After two years, I transitioned to the banking industry, assuming the position of credit assistant. Over the next two years I ventured into consulting, collaborating with media communication and technology agencies. Subsequently, I dedicated four years to the economic development department, where I ultimately fulfilled the positions of strategic planning coordinator and leader of Lima's incubator.

Contact Mayte! [email protected]

Jay Thapa - MBA
Jay Thapa

Home Country: Nepal

Undergraduate Institution and Major: BA in Quantitative Economics from Dickinson College (Pennsylvania, USA)

Graduate Major: Global STEM MBA

Hobbies/Interests: I’m a passionate sports fan who tries to follow and watch as many sports as possible, although I tend to follow soccer and basketball the most.

Fun Fact: I have trekked to an altitude of about 5,200 meters (17,000 feet).

Work Experience: After completing my undergraduate degree, I joined ICF, a management consulting firm in Virginia that specialized in the Energy sector. I worked as an analyst in the energy department, working with the US Environmental Protection Agency and its regulatory decision-making process through the analysis and market modeling of the US power sector. Additionally, I contributed to the economic benefits analysis as part of socio-economic reports to determine the potential impacts of energy projects on the local communities in the northeast US.

Contact Jay! [email protected]  

Monika Kubai - MiM
Monika Kubai

Home Country: Austria

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Flagler College - Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance with Minor in Business Administration

Graduate Major: Master of Science in Management

Hobbies/Interests: Sports, traveling, reading

Fun Fact: I’m on the university’s track and field team and I already ran two marathons in the past.

Work Experience: I did an internship during my undergraduate studies at the headquarters of Fidelity National Financial in Jacksonville Florida where I worked as an internal auditor. I also worked in the Financial Aid Office of Flagler College.

Contact Monika! [email protected]

Sarah Fan - MSBA
Sarah Fan

Home Country: China

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Insurance from University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), Beijing, China

Graduate Major: Business Analytics

Hobbies/Interests: Yoga, climbing, traveling, and photography, capturing moments that reflect my curiosity and passion for discovering new perspectives and cultures

Fun Fact: I know a lot about skincare and cosmetics, especially brands from China, Japan and South Korea!

Work Experience: With a background in consulting and the cosmetics industry, I bring several years of professional experience in Shanghai, specializing in market research and strategic development.

Contact Sarah! [email protected] 

Abdul Salar - MSIB
Salar

Home Country: Afghanistan

Graduate Major: MS in International Business

Hobbies/Interests: Outside of my school, business, and deep-think work, I enjoy spending quality time with my loved ones, camping in the mountains, watching documentaries, playing golf, and billiards.

Fun Fact: I am a big fan of weekend road trips, BBQ, and playing cards with friends.

Work Experience: I have effective work experience as a Peer Mentor, Student Senator, and Student Assistant at Montgomery College and UMD College Park, where I supported both national and international students with their academic success, housing, scholarships, internships, and more.

Contact Salar! [email protected]

Jaehoon Rhie - MSIST
Jaehoon Rhie

Home Country: South Korea

Undergraduate Institution and Major: George Mason University, Business Management

Graduate Major: Information Systems Technology

Hobbies/Interests: Running, board games, journaling, bass guitar

Fun Fact: I love listening to podcasts about psychology and counseling!

Work Experience: I have nine months of experience in the HR field; this was the first professional job I held after college graduation. I spent most of my time as an undergrad doing assistantships, internships, and student leadership roles to increase overall engagement with, and support for, students at George Mason University.

Contact Jaehoon! [email protected] 

Ellena Nasiri - MSM
Ellena Nasiri

Home Country: Iran

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Shiraz University, Tourism Management

Graduate Major: MS in Marketing

Hobbies/Interests: I have a strong background in digital marketing, with over seven years of experience in campaign management, growth, and customer acquisition. I’ve worked in various roles, including as a Senior Digital Marketing Specialist at Snapp Shop and a Digital Marketing Manager at Offer. Additionally, I have experience in event planning and marketing, currently serving as the President of the GWU Marketing Club and working as a Marketing Event Assistant at GWU.

Fun Fact: I enjoy listening to audiobooks and podcasts, watching TV series, and exploring new business ideas.

Work Experience: I’m passionate about creating meaningful connections — whether through marketing, product management, or community-building initiatives.

Contact Ellena! [email protected]

Chazha Seboni - MSPM
Chazha Seboni

Home Country: Botswana

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Xavier University,  International Studies Management Minor

Graduate Major: Project Management

Hobbies/Interests: Pilates, reading, watching crime/detective series, any high-adrenaline activities

Fun Fact: I have bungee jumped at Victoria Falls

Work Experience: International Account representative and International Logistics Coordinator at a
Logistics Brokerage

Contact Chazha! [email protected]

Pablo Dragnic Toha - MSSM
Pablo Dragnic Toha

Home Country: Chile

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Universidad Diego Portales, Sociology

Graduate Major: Sport Management

Hobbies/Interests: Running, triathlon, and soccer

Fun Fact: I was almost eaten by a crocodile

Work Experience: I have diverse experience as a Community Relations Manager, a six-month Consumer Communication intern at Nestlé, and a Teaching Assistant for four years during my undergraduate studies, where I developed strong communication, mentoring, and organizational skills.

Contact Pablo! [email protected]

Chikondi Thangata - MSTHEM
Chikondi Thangata

Home Country: United Kingdom and Malawi

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Global Environmental Studies at Clark University

Graduate Major: Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management

Hobbies/Interests: I love to try out different activities (currently I'm into Solidcore and volunteering around the city) and explore new restaurants in the DMV area. I also I love to travel to new countries (as my major suggests!).

Fun Fact: I consider myself a Third Culture Kid as I lived in five countries before turning 18.

Work Experience: Before joining GW I worked in Washington DC as a climate researcher at an NGO, specifically working in international climate negotiations for 3 years.

Contact Chikondi! [email protected] 

Contact ISAB

Do you have questions or concerns? Do you want to pass along feedback about your experience as an international student at GWSB? Connect with any of our ISAB members to discuss!

If you are interested in serving on ISAB, please contact your current ISAB member or Global & Experiential Education (G&EE) for more information.