A Future Career in Emerging Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa

Gloria Kebirungi
International Political Economy
MA ’20
Home Country: Uganda

Gloria applied to Johns Hopkins SAIS because of its reputation as one of the leading graduate programs in international affairs and its rigor in quantitative skills. She was confident that the curriculum would equip her with analytical skills and expertise needed to analyze development issues and devise practical solutions. She was also impressed by the qualifications of the school’s professors.

Prior to graduate school, Gloria worked in a boutique advisory firm in Kenya that advises public and private organizations on capital structure, restructuring, and resource optimization. In this position, she identified merger and acquisition targets and created capital allocation and corporate turnaround programs.

During this past academic year, Gloria was a member of the school’s Africa Association and Consulting Club. She also participated in the Israel trek over winter break, where she learned about Israeli culture, toured different historical sites, and engaged policymakers and entrepreneurs.

Gloria has enjoyed many events at the Washington, DC campus such as the discussions with Madeleine Albright, Gloria Estefan, Bill Gates, and Wolf Blitzer. She has also expanded her knowledge on the African region from events organized by the African Studies department and the Energy, Resources, and Environment department.

As an IPE concentrator with a minor in African studies, Gloria’s interests lie in understanding and bridging the gap between the needs of the state and its citizens, as well as understanding the role the private sector plays. After graduating, she hopes to apply these interdisciplinary tools and concepts within emerging markets with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa.