Graduating this spring with a Master in Global Human Development (GHD) and an honors certificate in international business diplomacy, Kyla Denwood has used her time at SFS to gain unparalleled expertise in international economic policy, strategic advisory and global development. She has confronted massive changes in the development sector and has used her experiences and preparation at SFS to help her adjust to new realities.
Starting in space and tech, moving toward helping people prosper where they live
Denwood entered SFS with an interest in space policy and emerging technologies, but her academic interests evolved towards international business and global development after discovering Georgetown’s International Business Diplomacy certificate.
“I found myself drawn to the intersection of business and global development,” she says. “Through core courses in finance, accounting and corporate strategy, I gained a solid foundation in how public, private and nonprofit sectors can collaborate to address development challenges.”
Denwood credits Professor Ekin Birol as an important mentor, describing her as someone who “encouraged [her] to think boldly, helped [her] identify next steps, and remained a source of guidance throughout my time at Georgetown.” She admires Birol for embodying “what it means to be a development practitioner: committed, generous with her time and deeply invested in growing students’ potential.”
Development Finance with Professor Steven Radelet stood out as her favorite course. This course directly informed her understanding of how financial strategies can be leveraged effectively for sustainable global development.
Denwood shares, “Professor Radelet made complex financial tools and institutions accessible and relevant to our work as future development practitioners, and his teaching sparked my interest in impact investing and infrastructure finance.”
Global experiences and language mastery
Denwood spent her summer interning with the Regional Economic Growth Office at USAID/West Africa, based in Accra, Ghana. In this role, she supported the Trade and Investment team’s closeout of the West Africa Trade and Investment Hub, a $116 million initiative aimed at catalyzing regional private-sector growth. Denwood also traveled to Togo to engage directly with local farmers and factory workers and assisted a congressional delegation in Côte d’Ivoire. These experiences enhanced her practical understanding of regional trade dynamics and grassroots economic initiatives.
Further enriching her international expertise, Denwood dedicated her language studies at Georgetown to expanding her Swahili proficiency. Supported by Georgetown’s language scholarship and instruction from Professor James Ngundi, she earned a Critical Language Scholarship from the U.S. State Department, which will enable her to continue studying Swahili in Tanzania after graduation. This linguistic foundation positions her effectively for future roles in East Africa and beyond.
A network of classmates and collaborators
Among Denwood’s favorite Georgetown memories were the cohort debriefs at the beginning of each academic year. The shared insights from summer internships provided unique perspectives that enriched Denwood’s own understanding of global development practices, further fostering a sense of community and mutual support among her cohort.
She recalls, “It was so interesting to hear each student’s diverse backgrounds, perspectives and reasoning, and it made me feel very close and comfortable with my classmates from the start.”
Denwood gained additional, valuable experience serving as the marketing director for the Africa Forum, a graduate student club at SFS. She organized events that connected students with distinguished speakers, including the U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, providing critical platforms for discussion and networking while enhancing student engagement and awareness of African development issues.
Denwood deeply values the vibrant, globally-minded Georgetown community, noting that spontaneous interactions and unique opportunities—like attending Washington Nationals games with classmates—have created lasting memories. The diverse and dynamic environment has significantly enriched her graduate experience.
“I will miss the energy and unpredictability of life on Georgetown’s campus,” she says,
Ambitious professional development
Thanks to the support of her program, Denwood undertook internships every semester. Her first internship placed her at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, supporting the Biden Administration’s clean energy initiatives and the Inflation Reduction Act. This experience allowed her to contribute to high-level policy initiatives directly affecting national economic and environmental strategies.
She then joined McLarty Associates’ Africa Practice as an intern, advising Fortune 500 companies navigating African markets. Subsequently, Denwood interned with the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama, coordinating their scheduling and operations during the Harris-Walz campaign rallies.
Reflecting on this experience with the Obamas, she notes, “And yes, they are just as cool and amazing in person as you would expect.”
Currently, Denwood interns full-time on the minority staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, focusing on critical legislative efforts related to Africa and the Middle East, gaining firsthand experience in impactful international policymaking. Her role has been particularly demanding given the dynamic and complex geopolitical climate, offering invaluable real-world legislative experience.
Looking ahead to navigating new paths and challenges
The road ahead for graduates forging careers in the development sector became more uncertain in 2025, with executive actions dismantling USAID and further limiting the use of government funds for international development and aid. Initially set to join USAID after graduation as a private enterprise foreign service officer through the Payne Fellowship, Denwood found her plans abruptly changed when the agency faced potential closure. Denwood has had to pivot quickly, and she credits SFS with help in this difficult endeavor.
“The community has provided me with great support during tough times,” Denwood says. “When I received the news about USAID’s potential dissolution, an agency where I planned to serve as a foreign service officer after graduation, I was surrounded by peers and faculty who offered both empathy and practical support. That kind of environment is rare, and I am very grateful for it.”
Adapting quickly, she shifted her focus toward private-sector opportunities, exploring strategic advisory and impact investing. Drawing upon the interdisciplinary training and professional network developed at Georgetown, Denwood felt well-equipped to successfully pivot her career.
“What many people don’t realize is that the GHD program offers a one-of-a-kind environment to develop as a global practitioner,” she says. “We leave this program with the tools necessary to create positive and sustainable change in the world.”
This summer, she will deepen her Swahili proficiency in Tanzania through the U.S. State Department’s Critical Language Scholarship program. Upon her return, Denwood ultimately hopes to utilize her extensive international experience and academic insights in roles focused on impact investing and strategic advisory, driving meaningful economic and social change worldwide.
“I now feel confident about leveraging my development background in new sectors and global contexts,” she says. “With the federal hiring freeze currently limiting public sector options, I feel equipped to pivot to the private sector–particularly in strategic advising, impact investing, or consulting–thanks to the interdisciplinary training [at SFS].”
Denwood leaves Georgetown poised to create positive, sustainable change, fully equipped with the academic, professional and interpersonal skills necessary to navigate and impact the global landscape. To incoming graduate students, she offers this advice:
“Soak up every second. This time flies by. Take the courses that excite you, apply for the internship that intimidates you and don’t be afraid to reach out to peers and professors whose work you admire. Say yes to opportunities, even if they’re outside your comfort zone.”