Chairman Risch Thanks Foreign Relations Committee Summer 2025 Interns

“This summer I was pleased to welcome eight exceptional interns to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,” said Chairman Risch. “The international community is navigating a multitude of complex foreign policy issues, and these interns had the unique opportunity to witness how the U.S. Senate strategizes and responds. I’m grateful for all the work they’ve done this summer and wish them luck in their next step.”

The SFRC interns this summer were:

Martha Smith

Kooskia, Idaho

Martha recently graduated from the University of Idaho and looks forward to attending law school in the near future. Martha’s interests include international trade and economic policy. She hopes to use her education to work as a government attorney.

Elsa Billingslea

Great Falls, Virginia

Elsa is a student at Rhodes College and hopes to eventually earn a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy. Elsa is particularly interested in nonproliferation, the China-Taiwan conflict, the Middle East, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Elsa has goals of advising foreign policy decisions specific to her areas of interest, specifically while working in the public sector.

Rachel Friedman

Burke, Virginia

Rachel is studying at Emory University. She is interested in the Middle East, counterterrorism, Europe, international economics, and technology. Rachel hopes to have a career advising Middle East foreign policy.

Abigail German

Nicholasville, Kentucky

Abigail attends Cedarville University and is particularly interested in the great power competition between U.S. and China. Abigail hopes to eventually advise policy decisions as a staffer on Capitol Hill or at a Think Tank.

Wesley Johnson

Alexandria, Virginia

Wesley is a student at the University of South Carolina. He is interested in diplomacy, and U.S. foreign policy. Therefore, he hopes to translate these interests into a career advising lawmakers on Capitol Hill or guiding U.S. policy at the State Department.

Nicola Rademaker

McLean, Virginia

Nicky is a student at Vanderbilt University pursuing interests in Europe, the Middle East, and the history of modern diplomacy. She hopes to hold a career in public service advising foreign policy and law.

Aidan Stretch

Washington, D.C.

Aidan studied at Yale University. His interests include Russia and Eastern Europe. Aidan hopes to one day be a key decision maker guiding the U.S. in Russian diplomacy.

Alexandra Wert

Fenton, Michigan

Alexandra studies at Bowdoin College and is interested in human rights, Africa and the Middle East. Her goal is to contribute to shaping foreign policy and advancing diplomatic efforts around the world.

Click here to learn more about the SFRC internship program.

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