Our Managing Team.
The Ramos Research Institute is committed to excellence in all that we do and that begins with our team. On this page, you will be able to find the managing team and support members. Each photograph is clickable and will take you to that individuals LinkedIn page.
Executive Director & Founder
Alejandro J. Ramos
Alejandro J. Ramos, MPA, is a public policy strategist, writer, Systems Thinker and civic educator. A first-generation college graduate and proud Cuban-American, he earned his Master of Public Administration from Cornell University, where he served as a Brooks Public Policy Fellow and Editor-in-Chief of The Cornell Policy Review. Alejandro is the Founder and Executive Director of the Ramos Research Institute and is especially passionate about civic education, political identity, and free speech. He frequently writes op-eds and appears on podcasts and live television to discuss issues at the intersection of democracy, policy, and public life.
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Director of Public Relations
Nafisa Ruponty
Nafisa Ruponty leads communications and branding at the Ramos Research Institute. A graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Public Relations, she began at RRI as a public relations intern and was quickly promoted to Director of Public Relations in May 2024. In this role, she manages the institute’s content strategy, internal communications, and public-facing platforms.
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Nafisa brings a thoughtful, creative approach to strategic messaging, helping translate research into accessible, compelling narratives. With a passion for storytelling she works to amplify RRI’s voice and connect its mission with broader communities.
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Chief of Staff
Alex Rosado
Alex Rosado is Chief of Staff at the Ramos Research Institute and also serves as the Donor Relations Associate and Database Manager at the Hudson Institute. Alex also writes for Young Voices.
From Scarsdale, New York, Alex previously served as the Professional Programs Assistant at the Alexander Hamilton Society and undertook multiple political fellowships during his Gettysburg College career. Alex graduated summa cum laude in May 2024 with a B.A. in Political Science and enjoys media, museums, and swimming in his spare time.
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Operations and Development Coordinator
Josephine Hall
Josephine Hall leads alumni engagement and development efforts & assists with operational programming. She joined the institute in 2024 as a Research Assistant and was later promoted to Junior Research Associate.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University. Her research interests center on the dynamics of authoritarianism and democracy, as well as the study of power politics in international affairs. Outside of her research, she volunteers with Special Olympics Maryland, enjoys swimming, and is currently studying the Russian language.
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Deputy Director for Civic Initiatives - PAL
Anya Mateu-Asbury
Anya Mateu-Asbury is a senior at Northwestern University, studying social policy. She is dedicated to addressing issues within the criminal legal and public health systems.
Anya joined RRI in 2025 as a Research Assistant on the Citizenship Empowerment Framework project, where she helped develop the framework using policy data from all 50 states. In addition, she co-authored a published article on media literacy and civic engagement bolstering democracy, and later presented those findings. In her spare time, Anya enjoys spending time with her dog, Mel, traveling, and baking.
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