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Ayan Goran

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Ayan Goran (she/her/hers), a West Philadelphia native, graduated from Villanova University in 2019 with a double major in Political Science and Communication, a minor in Arabic & Islamic Studies, and a concentration in Peace & Justice studies. After graduating from Villanova, she worked as a Research Fellow on the American Voices Project for Stanford University’s Center on Poverty and Inequality. Subsequently, Ayan attended  the London School of Economics and Political Science where she received a MSc in International Social & Public Policy, graduating with distinction. 

Now, she is working as a Research Analyst with Alexandria-based social policy firm MEF Associates, where she provides technical assistance to agencies and programs on improving public supports and resources. She conducts research and publishes briefs, reports, and handbooks on human-centered social policy design, reducing administrative burden, TANF, healthy marriage and fatherhood programs, and other topics.

Outside of work, Ayan loves word games, going to the movies, baking, reading (or thinking about reading), and being involved in her local D.C. Muslim community.

Updated February 2025