The 2024-2025 Fellow Cohort

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Edward Buck-Shannon (he/him) was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Edward graduated from the The University of Arizona in 2024 with a BA in global studies with an emphasis in political economy and a BA in Latin American studies. Edward previously worked as a researcher and translator at Keep Tucson Together, an organization that provides pro-bono legal services to asylum seekers, DACA recipients and other people in immigration court. As a native of Southern Arizona, Edward is passionate about the culture and politics of the US-Mexico borderlands. Edward is thrilled to work at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Public Policy Advocacy and develop the skills necessary to affect change in his own community.

Luai Hendi (he/him) grew up in Ramallah, Palestine where he attended the Ramallah Friends School. He later studied at Tufts University and graduated with a double degree in Chemistry and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Throughout his College years, Luai became very active in community organizing at Tufts and beyond in the Greater Boston area. During his time there, he undertook leadership positions in student organizations like Taqadum, the Tufts Labor Coalition, and the indigenous students’ organization at tufts. He is passionate about Indigenous land rematriation, decolonization, and transnational third-world feminisms. Luai hopes that his time at QVS will help establish a career in the international NGO/ non-profit sector where he will focus his efforts on humanitarian action. Luai is excited to join the Material Aid and Advocacy Program for his QVS placement!

Solange Marcotte (she/her) is an actor and backyard-bird enthusiast. When she isn’t preparing for a performance, she can be found knitting, or enjoying the local plants and wildlife. She was raised as a Quaker in Sandpoint Idaho, and has always felt strongly called to help create a more just, equitable, and connected world. Solange studied performance at the National Theater Institute, and became a part of the Miranda Family Fellowship’s inaugural class in 2017. She attended California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), where she served on the Theater Arts Union for Equity and Diversity.She is excited to serve with ACHIEVEability this year in Philadelphia!

Salem Heideman (he/it) is doing a second QVS Fellowship in Portland, OR with Hillsboro Friends Church. It says “I’m doing a second year because QVS has provided me with the space to explore and grow towards the person I want to be. I’ve felt both challenged and supported, and I want to keep that growth going!”