Katia Cavigelli is a senior program specialist in the Africa Center at USIP. Her work at the Institute focuses on women’s roles in preventing violent extremism programming and peace and conflict in the Sahel region.

She joined USIP from the National Democratic Institute’s Central and West Africa team. Cavigelli previously held internships focusing on U.S.-Africa policy oversight at the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressional Research Service and the Africa program at the Wilson Center.

Cavigelli has a bachelor’s degree in government and politics, with a concentration in conflict management, and French from the University of Maryland.