Kaia is a candidate in the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program pursuing the Global Politics & Security concentration. She is interested in emerging national security challenges, particularly new technologies and their intersection with democracy and human rights. Her regional area of focus is Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prior to joining MSFS, Kaia served as Public Relations Manager at a leading cybersecurity startup in San Francisco. In this role she was responsible for communications strategies across the Western Hemisphere and developed a deep familiarity with the technology sector.

Kaia earned her B.A. from Duke University, where she studied political science and public policy. During her time at Duke University she studied abroad in Glasgow, UK and also spent a summer as a DukeEngage fellow conducting policy research in Cape Town, South Africa. She has also interned at the African Affairs Bureau at the State Department, where she completed data analysis and data visualizations of Southern African visas.

"In addition to its location in DC and incredible reputation, I chose MSFS because of the tight-knit community of both current students and alumni and the emphasis the program places on service and ethical leadership."