Kesso Lake

A rising young professional with experience in human rights, communications, and international development, Kesso Lake is a second-year Master of International Affairs candidate at Columbia SIPA, concentrating in Economic and Political Development. 

Kesso obtained a bachelor’s degree in international politics from the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service. After graduating Kesso joined the Rockefeller Foundation, where she worked in the president’s office as part of the strategic partnerships team. She currently works at the World Bank as a social development consultant. 

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Kesso has a multicultural background and has lived, studied, and worked in Southern Africa, West Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. She is bilingual in English and French and also speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin. Kesso’s scholarly interests include decolonial IR theory, and models of community-led development, among others. She enjoys reading, the arts, water sports, travel, dancing, and great conversations.

Concentration: Economic and Political Development 

Specialization: Leadership, Innovation, and Design