News
PMA Welcomes Two Graduate Student Interns
August 2023Continuing a tradition of outstanding graduate student interns at the firm, PMA welcomes two talented emerging leaders in philanthropy this Fall: Bella Da Silva and Samir Omary. "We speak with nonprofit leaders all the time about the importance of cultivating the next generation of leaders, and Bella and Samir are exactly what the sector needs," said PMA Founder Patton McDowell. The two graduate students from NC State University continue a PMA tradition of engaging talented nonprofit professional that began with Katelynn Bruno from UNC Charlotte and Zach Perry, also from NC State.
You've likely heard a little about our two graduate student interns from NC State, but I'd like to more formally welcome them to the team, and look forward to each one of you getting to know them better.
Bella Da Silva is pursuing a Master of Public Administration at NCSU after earning her BA in Political Science from Appalachian State University. Proficient in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, her linguistic skills offer a unique advantage working across cultures. She interned at the Watauga County Board of Elections, worked as a Student Worker in the Government and Justice Studies Department, and served as a Voter Reporter for Edison Research, focusing on early voting activities and reporting on political events.
Samir Omary holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), and is pursuing a Master of International Studies at NCSU. He brings great experience in marketing and content creation as a Communication Specialist at Roots of Peace USAID. He's dedicated himself to volunteering with national and international non-profits since 2015, contributing to education, leadership, cultural exchange, and fundraising initiatives.
They will begin contributing right away to all three areas of the firm's work: content development, individual coaching and training, and organizational consulting.