Meet The Team

Events Coordinator
Ria Ghalla
Ria is an Insights Analyst based in Amsterdam with an MSc in Economics from the University of Amsterdam. Originally from India, she has a diverse background in investment banking and startups, and she enjoys learning new skills and exploring cuisines in her free time. Ria joined WiE to support newcomers in the field and expand her professional network.

Events Organiser
Ana Carlota Martinho
Carlota is pursuing a master’s in economics and management science at Humboldt University in Berlin, after studying political science and international relations in Portugal. She focuses on the intersection of economics, politics, and social issues.

Events Organiser
Anushka Vasudev
Anushka, a high school junior in the U.S., is interested in pursuing economics and is passionate about creating platforms for fellow students to explore the field. She engages in local economic policy initiatives to deepen her community knowledge. In her free time, she enjoys writing for her local newspaper, playing badminton, and experimenting with baking recipes.

Events Organiser
Francesca Rinaldi
Francesca is a predoctoral fellow at The Broad Center, Yale University, and was previously a project manager at LEAP - Bocconi University. She holds an MSc in Economics and Philosophy from the London School of Economics and an M2 in Economics from the Paris School of Economics. Her research focuses on how education can address systemic socioeconomic, racial, and gender inequalities, stemming from her passion for gender dynamics in academia developed during her feminist economics classes at the University of Vienna.

Podcast Editor
Khabibakhon Ubaydullaeva
Khabiba graduated with a Bachelor's in Economics with Finance and currently works part-time as a research assistant on a dissertation about forced labor in Central Asia. In her free time, she enjoys biking and hiking, and she is part of the Podcasts Team at WiE, eager to learn about women's roles in economic research

Podcast Editor
Vanessa Betz
Vanessa, a master's graduate in German language and literature from the University of Cologne, now works as a journalist for a local newspaper. She previously contributed to Kölncampus radio and currently edits the Women in Economics podcast. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, sailing, diving, and outdoor activities with friends.

Events Organiser
Anna-Lena Herforth
Anna-Lena is a PhD student at the University of Mannheim, focusing on sustainable finance after completing her Master’s in economics. In her free time, she enjoys playing badminton, gardening, and reading, and she actively supports The Women in Economics Initiative to foster inclusivity in academic careers.

Volunteer
Junhan Liao
Junhan is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Economics&Mathematics at Boston University. She is interested in financial economics and banking. She is excited to have a platform to help her peers and other students with future developments in the field of economics. In her free time, she enjoys painting, bird watching, and traveling.

Events Organiser
Johanna Volk
Johanna is a PhD student at the Ruhr Graduate School in Economics, focusing on the intersection of behavioral and energy economics. She joined WiE as an event organiser to help create a networking space for women in the field of economics. Johanna is passionate about reducing gender biases and promoting an inclusive environment in academia. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her friends and family, baking, painting and reading.

Events Organiser
Chen Gong
Chen holds a PhD in economics from Maastricht University, Netherlands. Her main research interests include labor markets and income inequality. She joins WiE to connect with international female economists and first-generation PhD candidates, fostering mutual support in overcoming challenges. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family and caring for her plants.

Events Organiser
Leonie AH CHONG
Leonie is a high school junior at St. Paul’s Co-educational College in Hong Kong and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in economics shortly. Her academic interest lies mainly in game theory, financial economics, and microeconomics. In her free time, she plays international chess competitively. She joined WiE to advocate for better representation of women in economics and foster a supportive environment for young girls.

Events Organiser
Shasha Peddaboina
Shasha Peddaboina is a high school student with an interest in pursuing political science and economics. She is deeply involved in debate and advocacy, participating in Model Congress and NSDA Debate, and co-founding the podcast Why Teens Think, which aims to educate the youth about the complexities of various current issues. Shasha is passionate about uplifting female voices in historically male-dominated finance spaces and is keen to understand more about the world of finance and economics in order to do so. Outside of debate and advocacy, you can find her performing on stage as a member of her school’s a cappella choir groups or representing her school on the varsity volleyball team.