ISABELLE BELLEZA BROWN UNIVERSITY
My name is Isabelle Belleza. I am currently a senior studying Public Policy at Brown University, but I am originally from Columbia, Maryland, just 45 minutes from Washington, D.C. I have grown up visiting the city, hearing about politics, and learning about the D.C culture, but it wasn’t until I began studying Public Policy in college that I really noticed the absence of Asian- Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and Filipino-Americans from politics and policymaking in D.C.
When I heard about the IMPACT! Program for Filipino-Americans, I immediately knew that this would be an incredible opportunity to not only witness firsthand the policymaking process, but also to help establish a community of Filipino-Americans interested in policy. IMPACT! has truly been an unforgettable experience of professional and personal growth, and I am so grateful to the Embassy of the Philippines and the US-Asia Institute for creating and supporting such an enlightening program. Although the entire program was virtual, Mary Sue, Zev, and Temi ensured that we had an invaluable and unforgettable experience, starting with the orientation week of the program. During this first week, we had the opportunity to meet Congressional staffers, officials from federal agencies, think tank experts, and leaders from non- profits. I learned something new from each meeting, whether it was insights into a particular career, advice on career paths and networking, or new perspectives on the US-Philippines relationship.
These meetings helped me to gain insights into careers I am hoping to pursue, and even piqued my interests in careers I hadn’t previously considered. Following orientation week, I had an invaluable experience interning at the US-ASEAN Business Council. I would like to thank Liz Dugan and Kim Yaeger for the opportunity to intern at the Council, and I am incredibly grateful to my portfolio managers, Lilibeth Almonte-Arbez, Marc Mealy, and Michaela Wong. During my time at the Council, I covered four portfolios: Philippines, Singapore, Customs, and Manufacturing. I had the opportunity to track political and economic developments, write intelligence and analytical updates for my portfolios, prepare materials for events with officials from the U.S and Philippine governments, and attend business mission meetings.
Through these experiences, I have gained an understanding of how American companies and interests interact with the governments of ASEAN to promote economic resilience and growth in Southeast Asia, and the role of the U.S private sector in strengthening the relationship between the U.S and the countries of Southeast Asia. Under the guidance of my managers and the Council staff, I have grown professionally and built wonderful connections, and they have inspired me to continue exploring my interests in international and Southeast-Asia focused policy.
Finally, I would like to thank my amazing cohort members: Clarissa, Kathleen, Sam, Shekinah, and Tiffany– I could not have been luckier to know such inspiring Filipino-American women. From collaborating on our civic engagement projects with Piyachat Terrell and the EPA, to discussing our internship experiences and sharing our love for our favorite Filipino dishes, this cohort gave me confidence that Filipino-Americans will soon be involved in the policymaking process and that the voices and needs of Filipino-American communities will be heard. I am honored to have been a member of the inaugural IMPACT! cohort and to have had the opportunity to represent the Filipino-American community.
As conversations of diversity and representation are increasingly brought to the forefront in policymaking, it is clear that Filipino- Americans have much to contribute. In so many ways, the IMPACT! program has helped me to understand the role that Filipino-Americans can play in civic engagement and advocating for the representation of our voices. I am excited to see the IMPACT! program grow in the future, and I am so grateful to the Embassy of the Philippines, the US-Asia Institute, and the US-ASEAN Business Council for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
