Gulnara Ismailova was a 2024-25 Fulbright Humphrey Fellow from Azerbaijan. Dedicated to advancing social impact through entrepreneurship, Ismailova studied economic development during her year at Michigan State. Upon returning to Azerbaijan, Ismailova resumed her role as director of Resource HUB, a company committed to addressing sustainable development challenges. Resource HUB specifically creates inclusive learning spaces for young people and empowers them to become active changemakers in their communities.

As a Humphrey Fellow at Michigan State University, I had one of the most transformative years of my professional life. I came to MSU with a strong desire to grow as a leader, expand my global perspective and find new ways to support youth and community development back home in Azerbaijan. What I found was a vibrant community that empowered me to do exactly that and more.

Since Azerbaijan hosted the UN Climate Change Conference in 2024, commonly known as COP29, I saw a great opportunity to connect my home country with Michigan and create meaningful dialogue around climate and sustainability. One of my proudest accomplishments was launching the Voices for Sustainability podcast series in collaboration with MSU’s Center for European and Eurasian Studies (CEES). This platform brought together global voices from the U.S., Europe and Azerbaijan to discuss impact investment, sustainability and the path to COP29. The episodes are now live on the CEES YouTube channel, and I continue to work with the team to promote them to a wider audience.

I also completed two professional affiliations that enriched my experience in different ways. At the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), I contributed to the redesign of their Fund Your Acceleration program by conducting evaluations and offering strategic recommendations for improvement. Later, at George Washington University, I developed a concept note focused on economic growth and peacebuilding in the South Caucasus — a topic I deeply care about and continue to pursue through stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

Beyond these projects, I participated in various campus events, presented on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and worked closely with students and faculty to promote global understanding.

I was honored to receive a certificate of recognition from the President of Azerbaijan for my contributions to COP29, particularly in developing and delivering impactful content for events hosted in the Blue and Green Zones.

This one year was not just about gaining knowledge: It was about applying it. It was about stepping outside my comfort zone, amplifying underrepresented voices, and preparing myself to lead with greater empathy, strategy, and vision. As the new Fulbright Humphrey cohort prepares to begin their journey at MSU soon, I hope my experience inspires the next generation of Fellows to embrace every opportunity, build meaningful connections, and extend their impact far beyond campus borders.