RPCV Madagascar, 2016-19

Soumya served as a Community Economic Development and Food Security Advisor in Madagascar from 2016 to 2019. Her third-year extension was focused on baseline creation efforts for Madagascar’s clean energy requirement highlighted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7. She currently works at New York City’s Economic Development Corporation in their Initiatives department promoting Smart and Sustainable Cities. Her previous work involved Operations and Supply Chain management for food companies and restaurants. She has an Applied Economics degree from the University of Minnesota focusing on Agriculture & Food Business Management and Sustainability Studies. Soumya is originally from Wisconsin, and the ultimate fan of long walks, great food, traveling, and the arts.

RPCV Morocco (2003), Peru (2003-05)

Greg Emerson joined the Peace Corps in 2003, serving as a trainee in Morocco until the program was suspended due to the Iraq war. He was reassigned to Peru, where he served as a community health volunteer in the high Andes. After leaving the Peace Corps, he began working as a journalist, in Iceland and then in New York, where he got a graduate degree in journalism from Columbia University. He has since worked on editorial and product teams at Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, HuffPost and The Atlantic and is currently a digital and product strategy consultant.

RPCV Uganda, 2010-12

Alyssa Conn spent 2010–2012 in eastern Uganda as a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching computer science and English to future primary school teachers—and learning far more than she ever taught along the way. She’s now an attorney at Reed Smith LLP, practicing complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts and before international arbitration tribunals. She also is an active member of the law firm’s pro bono program, which helps ensure that all have access to legal services, regardless of their means.

Alyssa currently resides in Morningside Heights with her Ugandan cat, Gishu, and her dog, Tallawah, both of whom may secretly run the household. When she’s not refereeing pet politics, she’s battling her 100+ houseplants, which are steadily conspiring to turn her apartment into the very jungle she left behind in Uganda. She can also be found reading, catching concerts, staying active, or simply savoring all that this wonderfully chaotic concrete jungle has to offer.

RPCV Mongolia, 2023-25

Claire Bodger is currently pursuing an MA through a Coverdell Fellowship at Fordham University, studying International Political Economy and Development. In her free time she enjoys collecting UN stamps, dancing, and baking for her friends.

RPCV Ecuador, 2020

Adrian was born and raised in the Bronx and has centered his career around community organizing and public service. After graduating from the College of the Holy Cross with a B.A. in International Studies, he served in the Peace Corps in Ecuador in 2020, where he trained as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) volunteer before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his service. During his brief time there, he engaged in intensive field-based training and established lasting relationships both with colleagues and with local community members, with whom he remains in contact to this day.

After returning, Adrian immediately jumped back into public service through political organizing, then into government, where he oversaw constituent services for Bronx elected officials at the city and state levels. Having served many constituents, Adrian has witnessed firsthand how government and city services have effectively supported communities and how they have also fallen short. In light of this, Adrian transitioned back into organizing, where he is currently serving as the Senior Organizer for Open Plans, an advocacy group whose mission is to work with communities in reimagining their public spaces and streets. Adrian is also currently at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, working towards obtaining his MPA with a Public Policy focus.

RPCV Fiji, 2023-25

Sydney Clapham is a current master’s candidate at Fordham University studying International Political Economy and Development. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration, with a minor in Psychology, from Portland State University in 2022 and began her Peace Corps service upon graduating. In Fiji, she served as a Community and Economic Empowerment Program Volunteer. Sydney is originally from Bellevue, WA, and now resides in Manhattan.

RPCV Philippines, 1966-68

Corinne’s experience in three Volunteer committees inspired her to join the NYCPCA as a Board member after her service. As part of the Board, she specializes in communications and newsletter production. She is also a Representative of the National Peace Corps Association to the United Nations. Outside of the NYCPCA, Corinne spends her time studying for the Foreign Service Officer Exam while balancing being a part-time teacher and event staffer. She loves spending time finding recipes to replicate the delicious food she enjoyed in South Africa like sepatlho and magwinya.