Meet the Team
Executive Team
Siena Frost
Executive Director/Director of Policy Research
Siena Frost is ACE’s founder and the Executive Director/Director of Policy Research Siena developed the strategy for ACE’s policy research, manages the research team, and is responsible for strategic planning and fundraising.
Siena is currently pursing a Master of International Affairs at Columbia University with a focus on leadership, innovation, and design. She graduated Cum Laude from Colgate University in 2019 with a BA in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and a Minor in Geography. Siena has extensive experience with quantitative and qualitative social science research, and her areas of interest include: intercultural dialogue, Muslim/Christian relations, and immigration and refugee policy. She is excited to utilize her research expertise to improve voter awareness and engagement at ACE.
Siena has worked for the US Department of State, New Zealand’s National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, and the European Commission’s Social Cohesion Initiative in Brussels. She is Fulbright Semi-Finalist, Projects for Peace Awardee, and Fellow at the Center for Freedom and Western Civilization. Prior to founding ACE, Siena studied Arabic in Egypt and volunteered with Caritas Bulgaria’s refugee integration program. Siena is an award-wining public speaker and competitive debater, and in her free time she enjoys cooking, reading historical fiction, studying Turkish, and whitewater kayaking.
Contact: siena@ace-usa.org
Ellen Rizika
Director of Marketing
Ellen Rizika is ACE’s head of Marketing and a leader with over 30 years of experience in global marketing for professional, academic and non-profit organizations. Ellen developed an expertise in data-driven marketing campaigns when she was hired by the Walt Disney Company to manage a pan-European marketing program for the launch and post-launch phase of Euro Disney in Paris, France.
In 1995, Ellen returned to Boston to study at the MIT Sloan School where she earned her MBA and actively pursued a career in Management Consulting. Ellen worked for Mercer Management Consulting in Boston and in Paris. In 2001 Ellen joined the Marketing department at the Boston University Questrom School of Business, where she designed an International Marketing course that she taught for 12 years.
In 2015 Ellen joined the Board of Directors of the Innovation Fund where she served as Chair of the Board of Directors, working to improve curriculum innovation in education. Now, as head of Marketing for ACE, she is excited to bring her years of Marketing experience to help drive ACE’s mission. Ellen is an avid skier, a mountain biking enthusiast and is passionate about languages and global travel.
Contact: ellen@ace-usa.org
Alyssa Hoffecker
Digital Marketing Manager
Alyssa Hoffecker is the Digital Marketing Manager for ACE’s marketing team. Alyssa developed the strategy for ACE’s Election team and manages the marketing team alongside the Director of Marketing.
Alyssa is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at The University of Pittsburgh. She has experience with data focused research applied in a business-focused model. Her areas of interest include: data privacy and cybersecurity, UX design, and computational theory.
Alyssa has worked on multiple campaigns both at the local and federal level on their marketing and canvassing teams. She has also worked as a volunteer firefighter and runs an online Etsy shop. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, fostering dogs, and traveling.
Contact: Alyssa@ace-usa.org
Francesca Reynolds
Director of Student Development
Francesca graduated from University College London with a 1st honours in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Both during and after college, Francesca worked for Members of the British Parliament as a speechwriter and policy researcher. Her research focuses on British politics and democratic governance/innovations and in the past she has written papers on referendums, the UK/US relationship, electoral systems and international relations. Francesca is also an international award-winning competitive debater and continues to coach in her spare time. She now works as a Management Consultant and specialises in public services consulting.
Contact: admin@ace-usa.org
Peter Zubiago
Copy Editor
Peter Zubiago (he/him/his) is entering his fourth year at Brown University, studying English and Computer Science. Throughout his time in college, he has continually been involved with the Brown Political Review, a student-run magazine that publishes articles on various political topics from around the world, as a copy editor. In his free time, Peter enjoys creative writing, swimming, and acting.
Chloe Malley
Copy Editor
CE Malley (they/them) was raised in Central Texas and is currently entering their third year as an undergraduate at Tufts University where they are majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Media and Communication Studies. This combined focus on both information sharing and the humanity behind social issues led them to an internship with the Organization for World Peace this past summer, where they provided policy analysis and reported on current issues affecting marginalized populations across the world. They are working with ACE as a Copy Editor, where they will be aiding the organization’s team of writers in the goal of making policy analysis and political information accessible to as wide an audience as possible. Outside of work and classes, they love reading sci-fi novels, making digital art, and playing music.
Marketing Team
Hawni Meyer, Texas A&M
Hawni Meyer is a student at Texas A&M- Central Texas. She is studying Political Science and minoring in Forensic Investigations and Criminal Justice. After graduation
Lily Schultz, Curry College
Lily Schultz is a senior graphic design major at Curry College in Milton, MA, and looking to go into digital illustration & strategic branding. Linkedin
Pedro Levi, Colgate University
I am a junior at Colgate University majoring in International Relations. I am interested in global affairs, marketing, and wish to seek opportunities with organizations
Ginny Lu, Fordham University
I am Ginny Lu and I am currently a Junior majoring in Marketing at Fordham University. Some of my interests include reading and drawing! It
Lily Salmon, Bay Path University
Lily has nearly completed her bachelors degree in Communications at Bay Path University. Her interest in this area came from taking courses at Manchester Community
Vicky Yang, Columbia University
Vicky Yang is a graduate student at Columbia University. She is majoring in Instructional Technology and Media. As a Web Design Intern for ACE, she
Alyssa Hoffecker, University of Pittsburgh
I am a senior at the University of Pittsburgh with a major in Digital Narrative and Interactive Design. As a young adult, I have worked
Research Team Leaders
Larissa Cursaro, Scripps College
Larissa Cursaro is an upcoming senior at Scripps College studying Politics and Foriegn Languages. Larissa has taken a variety of classes ranging from courses on
Alexander Sherer, University of California-Berkeley
Alex is a junior at Berkeley studying Political Science and Public Policy. He credits his interest in sustainable development to growing up in South Florida
Andrew White, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign
Andrew White is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with bachelor’s degrees in Global Studies and Political Science. He is interested in
Yerin Jun, George Washington University
Hi, my name is Yerin Jun, and I’m currently a MA student at George Washington University, focusing on International Security and East Asian Politics. I
Abbey Dinsdale
Abbey Dinsdale is a recent graduate from Michigan State University with a BA in Global and International Studies and minors in both Japanese and Youth
Mikael Pir-Budagyan, University of New York in Prague
Linkedin I am a senior undergraduate student at the University of New York in Prague studying International Relations. Being born in Moscow, Russia, I still
João Pedro Alkamin de Almeida
Linkedin João (he/him) is a junior at Seattle University. He is working towards a double major in Political Science and International Studies, as well as
Siena Frost
Director of Policy Research and Community Engagement; Co-Leader of Foreign Policy, Leader of Immigration, and Technology