Founder & CEO

Benjamin Wasserstrom

Benjamin, originally from Torrance, CA, has a background in International Affairs, Business Consulting, and Policy Analysis.

Benjamin graduated from Washington State University with a BA in Political Science and Minors in Economics and Psychology. He received an MA in International Affairs with specializations in International Security and East Asia from The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University.

Prior to founding MonarchGSA, his professional experience included work as a geopolitical intelligence analyst for a Fortune 500 company, an intelligence consultant for a Tokyo based boutique investment firm, and a research consultant for a D.C. based think tank.

Ben speaks Spanish and Hebrew, and is currently working on Mandarin Chinese. Outside of work, Ben enjoys playing guitar and piano, exploring new countries, and watching great films.

Co-Founder

Carlos Baena

Originally from Brasília, Brazil, Carlos Eduardo Baena has lived in Quito, Ecuador and New York, NY before settling in Washington, D.C., where he has resided for over three years.

Carlos holds a degree in International Relations from PUC-Rio, a Master's in International Policy Management from PUC-Rio, and a Master's in International Affairs from the Elliott School of International Affairs in Washington, D.C. In addition to co-founding MonarchGSA, Carlos continues to serve as a Program Officer at the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) at the Organization of the American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C. He has specialized in geopolitical analysis and research at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in the Americas Program as well as at the Adrienne Arsht Latin American Center at the Atlantic Council.​

Carlos speaks native Brazilian Portuguese and is fluent in English and Spanish. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and exploring urban cultural life around the world.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Thomas Artaiz

Thomas is a researcher, educator, and writer specializing in geopolitics, East Asian affairs, and the international arms trade.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Thomas holds a BA in History from Carroll College, an MSc in East Asian Studies from Lund University, an MA in Global Security from Arizona State University, and is completing a third Master’s in Political Science from Dalarna University in Sweden. Thomas has held a variety of academic and research posts in South Korea, Japan, China, and Sweden, including as a research analyst, editor, and teacher.

He currently lectures at Woosong University in South Korea, where he teaches courses in History, Security Studies, Political Science, and International Relations. 

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Robert Black

Originally from South Texas, Robert spent much of his upbringing in countries ranging from Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland to Kenya and Zimbabwe; his father and grandfather having served in various capacities within the U.S. military and intelligence community.

Robert earned a BA in Political Science from The College of William and Mary before joining the Central Intelligence Agency. At the CIA, Robert worked as a counter-terrorism analyst and subsequently as a case officer serving under two presidential administrations. His expertise spans the Middle East as well as Western Europe. Robert is fluent in Spanish and French and proficient in Arabic and Italian.

Robert later moved to Los Angeles and has spent several decades working in entertainment as a writer and producer and has consulted on intelligence-themed projects. In his free time, Robert enjoys traveling, writing music, playing bass, cooking, and drinking bourbon.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Dr. Brian W. Cole

Originally from New York, Dr. Cole is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in national security and academia.

Dr. Cole is a proud alumnus of the University of Colorado, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physics. He holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. in International Studies from Old Dominion University. He served for three decades in the U.S. Marine Corps and is currently the Associate Dean for Faculty and Curriculum Planning at the Eisenhower School of National Defense University in Washington, D.C. His academic focus includes national security strategy, innovative technology in defense, and the intersection of national security and industrial capabilities.

Dr. Cole is passionate about fostering an inclusive educational environment and mentoring future leaders. In his spare time, he is a member of the National Ski Patrol and enjoys cycling in the Rocky Mountains.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Dr. Eddine Bouyahi

Originally born and raised in Paris, France,

Dr. Bouyahi is a scholar of African politics and a geopolitical analyst.

Dr. Bouyahi holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and a Master's degree in Political Sociology and Comparative Politics from Sciences Po Paris, complemented by an MA in International Relations and Comparative Politics from Northwestern University and a dual PhD in Comparative Politics and African Studies from Northwestern University and Sciences Po Paris. He is also an associated researcher at Sciences Po’s Centre de Recherches Internationales (CERI). His research focuses on political dynamics across Southern Africa, especially with regards to labor politics and populism in government. He has conducted multiple years of research in countries like Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa, and Kenya.

During Dr. Bouyahi's time at Northwestern University, he acquired extensive knowledge of varied regions of the world, creating and/or teaching specialized courses on the politics of Post-Soviet Russia, the MENA region, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and France. Additionally, he has presented his findings at multiple conferences and has successfully advised clients ranging from fintech startups to industrial plastic recycling firms.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Bouyahi is passionate about olympic wrestling which he practiced at the national level in his earlier years. He is also an avid reader of science fiction – with a particular appreciation for Frank Herbert's works – and a lover of North African cuisine. 

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Wais Saleh Dizayee

Originally from Iraqi Kurdistan, Wais grew up living between Erbil, Kurdistan, Amman, Jordan, Athens, Greece, and Dubai, UAE.

Wais holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Kurdistan - Hawler, and a Master’s Degree in Political Management from the George Washington University. Wais has prior experience working in the Iraqi construction and telecommunications industries, where he developed early experience in managing risk and navigating complex stakeholder relations in a turbulent political environment. He has also worked with the Prime Minister’s Office at the Kurdistan Regional Government, contributing to foreign policy analysis and supporting strategic reform initiatives.

Aside from his academic and professional journey, Wais is also very passionate about traveling, exercising, and spending time outdoors. He has travelled to more than 15 countries in the past five years and completed three residences with GWU in Brazil, Spain, and Washington, D.C.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Dr. Nicole Drumhiller

Dr. Drumhiller is originally from Port Orchard, WA, and has extensive experience in Political Psychology, Global Security, and Targeted Violence.

Dr. Drumhilller graduated from Washington State University with BA's in Political Science and Criminal Justice and certificates in Global Politics, and Pre-Law. Additionally, she holds an MA and PhD from Washington State University, specializing in Political Psychology, International Relations, and Security Studies.

Dr. Drumhiller is a researcher and board member with The Lauren McCluskey Foundation, and she also teaches within the Doctoral Research program at the American College of Education. She is a former Dean of the School of Security and Global Studies at the American Public University System and is a co-founder of the IntelHub, an online consortium for intelligence education and research. As a published author and international speaker, her research focuses on social and political psychology, intelligence, and international relations. 

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Dr. Drumhiller is also a Certified Threat Manager with the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals.

Some of her recent publications include "Warning Intelligence and High Consequence Environments: A Comparative Assessment of Integrate Human Factors to Support Warning Analysis" (2024) with Jim Burch and Casey Skvorc; "The Academic-Practitioner Divide in Intelligence Studies" with Mark Phythian and Rubén Arcos (2022, Rowman & Littlefield); and "Intimate Partner Violence on Campus: A Victim-Based Case Study" (2022).

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Dr. Margaret Hanson

Dr. Hanson is originally from rural Michigan and holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Grinnell College, a Master’s degree in Russian Studies from the European University at St. Petersburg, and a PhD in Political Science from the Ohio State University; she also completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Prior to joining the faculty at Middlebury College, she served as Assistant Professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on the intersection between political economy, law, and governance in autocracies, especially regarding migration and economic rights. In addition to five years of on-the-ground experience in Central Asia and Russia, her research regularly takes her to countries throughout Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Dr. Hanson speaks Russian and Spanish and has studied Kazakh and Persian/Tajik. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, reading bad science fiction, and exercise. 

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Dr. Yazan Kamalulddin

Originally from Bahrain, Dr. Kamalulddin is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.

Dr. Kamalulddin holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science (focused on the MENA region), a Master's degree in International Affairs/International Security from Sciences Po Paris, and a PhD in French from Emory University, where his research examined identity politics in the Arab world and France.

Dr. Kamalulddin combines experience with international organizations, government agencies, and academia. He has worked on national reporting on international treaties and managed projects at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) including initiatives on women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Kamalulddin has designed and taught courses in film studies, French and Arabic language and literature, and Middle Eastern culture and civilization at Emory University and Marquette University. He currently serves as a consultant to the Executive Director’s Office at UN Women.

Dr. Kamalulddin enjoys reading, art cinema, and traveling, which inspire his personal and academic pursuits.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Patrick Lucey

Originally from Woodbridge, VA, Patrick has over a decade of expertise as an all-source intelligence analyst.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from College of William and Mary as well as Master's degrees in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University, Biodefense from George Mason University, and Homeland Security from American Military University. He has provided critical intelligence support to some of the nation's highest offices, including the Office of the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, by delivering incisive assessments on complex geopolitical issues, terrorism, insider threats, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear challenges.

His expertise extends into open-source intelligence, as he currently assists law enforcement efforts with Trace Labs, where he uses unique analytic methodologies and public data analysis to aid in key missing-person cases.

In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, reading, and going on solo motorcycle trips.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Jules Mallard

Originally from France, Jules Mallard is an intelligence analyst specializing in international security, crisis anticipation, and strategic risk assessment.

Jules holds a Master’s degree in International Security from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Public Law and Political Science from Lyon 3. His expertise spans private security, intelligence analysis, and humanitarian operations, where he has contributed to high-level threat assessments and crisis management strategies.

Jules has worked with major organizations, including Airbus, Meta, and as an NGO representative at the United Nations in Geneva. At Airbus, he leads OSINT monitoring and crisis response initiatives, identifying and mitigating geopolitical risks to the company’s people and assets. At Meta, he developed intelligence training programs and risk assessment frameworks, enhancing the company’s security posture against physical and digital threats. His experience also includes providing intelligence briefings to military leadership at the Center for Strategic Aerospace Studies and coordinating humanitarian operations with the United Nations and Soldiers of Peace International Association.

Jules speaks English, French, and Spanish fluently and is currently learning Ukrainian. In his spare time, Jules enjoys catching up on his reading list, traveling, and hiking.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Dr. Richard Marcus

Richard R. Marcus holds a BA in Great Books from New York University, and MA in African Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in Comparative Politics and International Relations from The University of Florida, completing his postdoctoral work in Global and Environmental Studies at Yale University.  

Dr. Marcus is author of The Politics of Institutional Failure in Madagascar’s Third Republic and over seven dozen articles, white papers, book chapters, and other publications.  He has additional extended field experience in Kenya, Israel, Uganda, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Guatemala. His current multi-country book project is entitled "Ungoverned Microspaces and the Art of Violence." He is a Full Professor at California State University, Long Beach, where he was Founding Director of The Global Studies Institute and the M.A. in International Affairs and has been a PI or Co-PI on over $3 million USD in grants.

Dr. Marcus has provided political risk analysis across diverse private sectors and has been a consultant or advisor for the World Bank, SSRC Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum/UN Department of Political Affairs, United Nations Development Program, Swedish International Development Agency, and other international organizations providing political analysis, value chain studies, and policy inputs (particularly in the water, mining, timber, health, and education sectors).  

In his free time, Dr. Marcus is an avid reader, enjoys cycling, kayaking, and tennis, and serves in diverse community leadership roles.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Naira H. Phillips

Naira H. Phillips, originally from Armenia, has lived in the United States for two decades and currently resides in Huntsville, AL.

Naira holds a Master’s in Security Studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a Master’s in International Relations and European Studies from Central European University - both earned on full merit scholarships.

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Naira is a global security and policy analyst with extensive experience working with U.S. government-funded organizations, including World Learning, the United States Institute of Peace, InterMedia, and many others. Her expertise spans media assessments, organizational effectiveness evaluations, anti-corruption legislative analysis, country risk assessments, illicit trade evaluations, policy analysis, and security risk assessments, offering a multidimensional approach to complex international issues.

Beyond her analytical work, Naira has taught International Relations at several universities, including The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Employing the immersive simulation method pioneered by her professor, Madeleine Albright, she has challenged students to navigate complex policy dilemmas, develop strategic solutions, and engage in high-stakes diplomatic negotiations.

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Proficient in Armenian and Russian, Naira has also studied Italian and is currently learning French. Outside of her professional endeavors, she values spending quality time with her family, attending church, and deepening her faith.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Yorgo Raskovic

Originally from Athens, Greece, Yorgo is currently based in Washington, D.C. Yorgos speaks fluent Greek and English and has conversational proficiency in Serbian.

Yorgo holds a Master's degree in International Affairs and Economic Development from the George Washington University and has built a career at the intersection of economic development, policy analysis, and strategic communications. Yorgo has worked extensively on projects related to energy markets, sustainability policy, and regulatory reform, focusing on bridging technical analysis with stakeholder engagement.

His previous experience includes roles in the Greek Embassy to the U.S., the World Bank and the European Union, where he specialized in advancing European Union interests in the US and regulatory reforms in EU member states. His expertise spans operational strategy, process mapping, data analytics, and risk assessment, with a strong track record of delivering results in highly matrixed environments. Yorgo has also contributed to major industry reports in the topics of renewable energy, new technologies, and power systems reform.

In his free time, he enjoys historical research, creative writing, and exploring global culinary scenes.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Dr. Keith Sonia

Dr. Sonia is from Boston's North Shore in Massachusetts and has considerable experience in international affairs, politics, and strategic communication.

Dr. Sonia graduated from UMass-Boston with a BA in Political Science, King's College London with an MA in International Relations, and holds a PhD in International Relations from Goldsmiths, University of London. Dr. Sonia has worked either in government or on campaigns on behalf of three Members of Congress, two Governors, and an array of state and local officials, including as a Foreign Affairs Fellow for a senior Member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. Dr. Sonia has also worked on behalf of consulting firms based in London, U.K., Washington, D.C. and Tokyo, Japan, offering a diverse roster of private sector clients an overview of geopolitical trends.

When Dr. Sonia isn't working, he remains highly involved in his local community north of Boston, enjoys traveling, Arsenal, Boston sports teams, Formula 1, and is a noted film snob.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Matt Spengler

Matt is originally from Bethlehem, PA and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and International Affairs from Quinnipiac University and a Master’s degree in Government and Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Matt has extensive experience in researching influence operations, journalism, emerging technology, and artificial intelligence. He previously worked as an Eastern European research specialist for a geopolitical analysis firm where he tracked political, economic, and social developments using Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT). He has also served as a contractor for a Fortune100 tech company where he focused on AI policy, safety, governance, and alignment across artificial intelligence applications.

Matt has a foundational understanding of German and is currently learning French. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, reading, and golfing. 

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Kseniya Tarasenko

Kseniya was born in Ukraine and raised in the United States.

Kseniya holds a BA in International Studies with a focus on Asia and a minor in Marketing from Pepperdine University. She later completed studies in Political Economy at the University of Oxford. Fluent in English, Russian, and Ukrainian, she is also proficient in Italian with a foundational understanding of Polish and Belarusian. Her research experience spans diverse topics, including the Japanese economic miracle, post-Soviet Eastern European energy economics, and the European welfare model, showcasing her analytical and cross-cultural expertise. Kseniya began her career as a legal analyst at several European banks.

Kseniya currently serves as a strategic advisor at a public affairs analytical company in Washington, D.C., where she supports a diverse clientele ranging from Fortune 500 companies to political offices, specializing in U.S. and European legislation and grassroots movements. Kseniya also serves as the Head of Advocacy and Research at Svitanok NYC, a pro-Ukrainian NGO. In this capacity, she has conducted numerous Congressional meetings, focusing on U.S. sanctions against Russian propaganda.

Kseniya also represents the American Coalition for Ukraine as a Congressional leader for Maryland's delegation. Kseniya actively participates in high-level discussions on Eastern Europe in Washington, D.C., engaging with notable figures such as economist Anders Åslund, diplomat William Taylor, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. Outside of work, Kseniya is passionate about traveling, reading, and practicing yoga.

Senior Global Risk Analyst

Philip Wasielewski

Philip is originally from Detroit, Michigan and holds a B.A. in International Relations and European History from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.A. in Regional Studies: Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia from Harvard, and another M.A. in National Security Studies from the Army War College.

Philip is currently a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and the founder and Director of its' Center for the Study of Intelligence and Nontraditional Warfare. He is retired from four decades of government service. Philip spent seven years on active duty as an infantry and reconnaissance officer in the United States Marine Corps followed by twenty-three years of reserve service including tours as an assistant naval attaché and assistant operations officer of a Marine reserve regiment. He mobilized for combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Philip also had a thirty-year one career in the Directorate of Operations in the Central Intelligence Agency as a paramilitary case officer conducting covert action and human intelligence operations around the globe. He served in multiple war zones. He also served as a Chief of Station and as the Director of Covert Action and Intelligence Programs on the National Security Council staff for almost three years.

Philip is married with three children and speaks Russian and Polish. He also enjoys rowing, reading, and camping in Michigan.