Alfa Fellowship Program Alumni Association (AFPAA)

The Alfa Fellowship Program Alumni Association (AFPAA) was established in 2008.  AFPAA is represented by a Board of Directors, directly elected by Alfa Fellowship Program alumni.

The names and offices of the Board of Directors are as follows:
President: Jason Jarrell, AFP #4
Vice-President (Development): Scott Burns, AFP #5
Vice-President (Ombudsman): Marina Grayson, AFP #6
Secretary: Nadia Mouzykina, AFP #6
Treasurer: Neal Kumar, AFP #5

AFPAA provides support for current and past Fellows as a continuing resource for networking and professional development. 

Alfa-Bank

Founded in 1990, Alfa-Bank is a full-service bank operating in all segments of the financial market, including retail and corporate lending, investment banking, trade finance and asset management.

Alfa-Bank is Russia’s largest private bank in terms of assets, equity capital and customer accounts. Under International Accounting Standards (IAS), in 2010 the assets of Alfa-Banking Group – which comprises Alfa-Bank as well as subsidiary banks and financial companies – totaled $28.5bn. It had aggregate capital of $3.1bn, an overall loan portfolio of $18.2bn, and net profit of $553m.

As of April 1, 2011, Alfa-Bank served over 40,000 corporate customers and 5.3m individuals. Alfa-Bank has 364 offices and branches in Russia and abroad, including a subsidiary bank in the Netherlands, as well as financial entities in the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus.

Alfa-Banking Group has a long history of supporting charities, Russian culture, and creating programs for young talent.

Cultural Vistas

Cultural Vistas, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, provides international exchange opportunities that strengthen global networks, enhance professional skills, and advance mutual understanding in an interconnected world. It holds an active partner network in over 100 countries and offers international internships and training, professional fellowships, work and study abroad programs, study tours and short-term experiential programs. Cultural Vistas is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 visa sponsor in five categories: Intern, Trainee, Teach, WEST, and Summer Work and Travel.

Cultural Vistas has over 100 years of exchange experience and has opened doors for over 100,000 people around the world seeking to expand their involvement in the global arena. Cultural Vistas acts as the U.S. representative of the Alfa Fellowship Program and has administered the program since its inception in 2004.

Oxford University

Selection of Alfa Fellows from the United Kingdom is coordinated with the help of the Russian Centre of St. Antony’s College, Oxford University, under the direction of Dr. Dana L. Brown. The extension of the Fellowship to U.K. citizens was undertaken in 2009. 

Fund for International Fellowships and Cultural Dialogue

The Alfa Fellowship Program is administered in Russia by the Fund for International Fellowships and Cultural Dialogue. The Fund was established by the Corporate Charity Projects Department of Alfa-Bank with the goal of ensuring successful day-to-day operations of the Alfa Fellowship Program. The Fund, also known as the “Moscow Office,” is a welcoming place that provides a supportive environment for Fellows to help them adjust to life in the Russian capital. Staff in the Moscow Office also works together with Fellows to identify suitable work placements at leading institutions in Russia by drawing upon extensive contacts throughout industry, media, government, and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, the Moscow Office staff organizes other important aspects of the program, such as the seminar series, language courses, housing, and regional trips.