CEM recognizes nine students as new Student Associates

Sonia Chomiczewski is an honors Environmental Studies and International Affairs student. Her passion for emerging markets centers on sustainable development and environmental resilience, particularly the role of local knowledge and cross-cultural collaboration in shaping effective environmental solutions.

In the summer of 2024, she participated in a Dialogue of Civilizations program in Cape Town, South Africa, where she consulted with social impact entrepreneurs strategizing business improvement given the local context. She also worked with a North Carolina-based company contributing to business plan development for a fleet of electric taxis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed at improving clean mobility solutions in an emerging market. Currently, Sonia serves as a co-op on the Corporate Sustainability team at Kohler Co., supporting global sustainability operations initiatives with a focus on researching best practices tailored to regional contexts.

As a CEM Student Associate, Sonia looks forward to contributing to research and programming exploring the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and development in emerging economies.

Bryan Gonzalez is a dual International Affairs and International Business major with a concentration in Accounting and Advisory Services. He currently serves as an International Trade Co-op with the U.S. Commercial Service. Of Mexican descent, Bryan's strong cultural connection has fueled his interest in researching Mexico and other emerging markets.

Bryan's passion for emerging markets was ignited during a course with Dr. Ruth Aguilera, where case studies about successful multinational firms in emerging markets captured his attention. His academic interests include corporate governance, reverse innovation, and understanding the strategies that enable businesses to thrive in developing economies. Through conducting research and planning events, he aims to make meaningful contributions to the Center for Emerging Markets.

As a CEM Student Associate, Bryan looks forward to expanding his knowledge of emerging markets while developing valuable professional skills alongside peers who share his passion for global economic development.

Ashwarya Kanda is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Business at Northeastern University, with a minor in Emerging Markets. Originally from Jaipur, India, her background has influenced her interest in sustainability, social impact, and promoting equitable economic growth in emerging markets. She is particularly interested in researching ways to strengthen Indian passports as well as enhancing India's global mobility and international standing. Ashwarya has developed a keen understanding of how innovation and global business practices can help achieve sustainable development goals in developing economies, especially through the Emerging Markets minor.

As a CEM Student Associate, Ashwarya hopes to work on initiatives that bring together theoretical concepts with practical implementations, while fostering relationships both inside and outside the Northeastern community to facilitate meaningful conversations about developing economies.

Lia Leszcz is a dual International Affairs and International Business major with minors in Emerging Markets and Philosophy.

Originally from Ecuador, Lia's upbringing fuels her passion for sustainable development and the political and economic dynamics shaping emerging markets, particularly in South America. She is especially interested in how political shifts influence business environments and investment strategies across the region. On campus, Lia is actively involved with the Latin American Business Club at Northeastern. Through previous consulting work and research projects, Lia has developed a pragmatic, globally minded approach to business innovation in complex markets.

As a CEM Student Associate, Lia looks forward to contributing critical insights and advancing conversations around responsible development and long-term value creation in emerging markets.

Simran Sharma is a Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major, with a concentration in Public and Economic Policy, and a minor in Data Science. Her proclivity towards exploring emerging markets is born out of a strong fascination with the intersections of clean energy, sustainable development, capital markets, and global political economies.

Following an upbringing steeped in exposure to emerging markets, supplemented by courses surrounding international business and geopolitics, Simran found that the ‘sustainability imperative' that corporations (and governments) in emerging markets face presents the most dynamic, multifaceted, and solution-requiring area of sustainable finance.

Simran is looking forward to pursuing research as a CEM Student Associate, as well as gaining insights from industry professionals through panels and programming events. She hopes to pursue a particular focus on India.

Meera Thamaran is a combined Business Administration and Psychology major with a concentration in Corporate Innovation. She is inspired and driven by idea generation, strategy, and connecting with people. Meera has long been passionate about supporting others through business and personal entrepreneurial endeavors. Through her self-made business, Lotus Designs, she performs high-impact marketing services to women-owned small businesses and channels profits into microloans for women-owned micro-enterprises in subsistence marketplaces in developing countries worldwide. 

Meera is the VP of Consulting at Global Research Consulting's Northeastern University branch, a student-run pro-bono consulting organization dedicated to uplifting nonprofits worldwide and providing students with opportunities to gain consulting skills. She is especially passionate about consulting engagements with founders in emerging markets, and has worked with nonprofits creating impact worldwide, from India to Kenya to Latin America. She is thrilled to be a CEM Associate as she hopes to involve herself in the emerging markets academic space, become more well-connected in the community, and participate in thought leadership and discourse.

Gabriel Toledo is pursuing a combined major in Business Administration and Data Science, with a concentration in Finance. Originally from Cali, Colombia, his academic journey reflects a deep interest in the intersection of finance, analytics, and emerging market development, shaped by international experiences across Latin America and the United States.

At Northeastern, Gabriel actively contributes to emerging market initiatives through his role as a Team Mentor and Consultant at the LatAm Strategy Group, where he provides pro bono strategic consulting to businesses in Latin America. He has also engaged in competitive programming at the university, participating in the Emerging Markets Case Competition and winning the program's Market Entry Debate with a comparative analysis of Brazil, India, and South Africa.

As a CEM Student Associate, Gabriel looks forward to collaborating with faculty on research initiatives that explore economic development, innovation, and financial strategy in emerging economies, while supporting student-led programming and enhancing campus engagement with emerging market issues.

Henry Tolleson is an International Business major with concentrations in Finance and Entrepreneurship and minors in Emerging Markets and Psychology. His global perspective began forming during his first semester in London, where he developed a passion for international commerce. Upon relocating to Boston, he immersed himself in emerging markets coursework, eventually formalizing this interest as an Emerging Markets minor.

Henry's academic focus on emerging markets and finance is driven by his recognition of their growing significance in the global economy and the critical importance of ethical investing practices. His multidisciplinary approach combines business strategy with psychological insights to understand market behavior in developing economies. In Spring 2025, Henry began his involvement with the Center for Emerging Markets by assisting with their research expo.

As a CEM Student Associate, Henry is eager to conduct substantive research and build a professional network that will support an impactful career in international finance and emerging markets development.

Chris Catalan Valdez is a Business Administration and Economics major, concentrating in Business Analytics. He is a dedicated student leader and researcher interested in emerging markets, particularly in Latin America and Africa. Chris first engaged with CEM in its first annual Case Competition in October 2024, developing data-driven solutions to a complex market entry challenge.

As an Insights Consultant with Northeastern's Global Research and Consulting (GRC) Branch, Chris has collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to explore the intersection of business strategy, sustainability, and emerging technologies. His passion for Latin American affairs also led him to serve as the Social Media Manager for the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), where he successfully increased student engagement and promoted culturally enriching events.

As a CEM Student Associate, Chris is eager to contribute to faculty-led research, support campus programming on global economic issues, and develop strategic and analytical skills alongside driven and passionate peers.