Suela Bala
Executive Director
Suela Bala is an international development professional with 17 years of experience leading initiatives in economic growth, youth development, entrepreneurship, financial education, child rights, and governance across the Western Balkans, East Africa and South Asia. Prior to joining the San Diego Diplomacy Council, Suela served as an Economic Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, where she oversaw high-visibility federal grant portfolios, coordinated interagency initiatives, and advanced U.S. economic and public diplomacy priorities through engagement with government, private sector, and civil society. Previously, she was the CEO of Junior Achievement of Albania, where she transformed a small nonprofit startup into the country’s largest platform for youth entrepreneurship and financial education. She also held leadership roles with Save the Children International in Albania, guiding strategic positioning, multi-sector program development, monitoring and evaluation, and resource mobilization.
Suela holds a degree in physics education from Middle East Technical University in Turkey and a graduate certificate in Humanitarian Leadership from Deakin University in Australia. A native of Albania, she contributes to San Diego’s civic life through her board and volunteer service at the Vision Museum of Textile Art of San Diego and the La Jolla Center for Pacific Strategy. She believes in the quiet, enduring power of diplomacy built through genuine people-to-people ties that outlast policies and help communities and countries thrive.
Isaac Finestone
Program Officer
Isaac brings a rich cross-cultural background in international relations and politics to the programs team at SDDC. Originally from San Francisco, he majored in political science and East Asian studies at Oberlin College before pursuing a master’s degree in Asia-Pacific studies and international relations at Taiwan’s National Chengchi University. Isaac previously worked in the diplomatic and think tank circles of New York, bringing practitioner experience to his academic background in the intersection of foreign policy and domestic politics. Now back in California, Isaac is excited to work with San Diego’s community to foster local engagement in international affairs and help global leaders better understand what this area has to offer the world.
Jess Mull
Program Officer
Jess brings a background in international development and international exchange programs, with experience working on government-funded programs at nonprofit organizations. During her internship at the International Rescue Committee, she provided educational support to refugee youth, an experience that sparked a lasting commitment to global engagement and international affairs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Dominican University and a master’s in International Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Jess has worked on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) at World Learning in Washington, D.C., and most recently on USAID-funded workforce, youth, and entrepreneurship programs at Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC). She also brings teaching experience from California, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Originally from San Diego, she is passionate about peacebuilding to strengthen communities both locally and globally. She is dedicated to advancing diplomacy through international exchange and looks forward to contributing to this work in her hometown!
Jeniffer Espinosa
Program Assistant
Jeniffer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies, with a focus on Political Science, from the University of California, San Diego, where she served as vice president of the International Studies Student Association. In addition to a Master’s Degree in international relations at the University of San Diego. Currently, seeks to positively impact her community by means of research, citizen diplomacy, and contributing time and effort where needed. Jeniffer is inspired by engaging with different international aspects and cultures, such as languages, dances, customs, and cuisine. She is bilingual in Spanish and English, and working to become trilingual in Korean.
Savy Mares-Olmeda
Professional Exchange Program Intern
Savy is first generation Mexican Lebanese student that holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in International Relations at the University of San Diego. Having lived in Mexico, Italy, and the United States, Savy has developed a deep appreciation for the role of culture, community, and language in fostering multicultural understanding. These experiences have strengthened her ability to adapt across diverse environments and bridge different worlds. Multilingual in Spanish, Italian, Arabic (MSA), and English, Savy is passionate about advancing international cooperation and addressing complex global challenges through a focus on international security, human rights, migration, and development.
Lotis Shoun
Communications Intern
Lotis is a senior at the University of California, San Diego, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a focus on International Relations. Having spent half of her life in Japan and the other half in the United States, she has developed a deep appreciation for different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. She further expanded her international experience through studying abroad in Taiwan, where she gained a greater understanding of the importance of cross-cultural exchange. Fluent in English and Japanese, with conversational proficiency in Korean and Mandarin, Lotis is passionate about learning from different cultures and contributing to stronger international relations. She is particularly interested in the role of education in promoting a deeper understanding of history and fostering greater awareness between communities and nations.
