We’re proud to introduce the judging panel for the 2026 Study UK Alumni Awards in the USA, a remarkable group of leaders whose expertise spans national policy, education, business, creative industries, and technology. Their diverse perspectives and deep experience will help us celebrate the outstanding achievements of UK alumni across the country. Get to know each of our judges and the inspiring work they do.

Chloé Messdaghi

Founder And Principal Advisor, Thornbridge Advisory

Chloé Messdaghi is a strategic advisor specializing in AI governance, cybersecurity, and systems oversight. She collaborates with leadership teams, public institutions, investors, and NGOs to design resilient systems aligned with emerging technology trends, regulatory frameworks, and long-term objectives. With over a decade of experience, she has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Bloomberg, SC Media, and DarkReading, and has spoken at major conferences such as RSA and Black Hat.

Dr. Erin Macdonald

Award-Winning And Best-Selling Writer, Speaker, Producer, And Science Advisor

Erin holds the distinction of being the 1st woman science advisor for the Star Trek franchise since 2019. She is the founder and CEO of Spacetime Productions, a production company dedicated to lifting marginalized voices and providing opportunity in traditionally under-represented genre stories. She was a part of the Star Trek team who received the institutional Peabody award, and in 2025 she was the Study UK Alumni Award winner for Culture and Creativity in the USA.

Rhiannon Hughes

Deputy Director, Great Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign, GREAT

Rhiannon is Deputy Director of the GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign (GREAT), She is a passionate and strategic marketing leader with extensive experience spanning the UK and Australia. Before joining the GREAT Campaign, Rhiannon held senior positions at leading creative agencies including AMV BBDO, Ogilvy and MullenLowe working with companies such as American Express, Specsavers, Coca-Cola, Expedia and Smart Energy GB.

Richard Cushnie

Director, Northern Ireland Bureau Washington, DC

Richard was appointed Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in North America in August 2024. He is a career Northern Ireland Civil Servant with a wide range of policy and delivery experience, including as Deputy Director of the Bureau from 2017 to 2020.

As Director of Good Relations in The Executive Office he focused on creating thriving communities, building on previous experience of Troubles legacy issues in the Department of Justice and education reform in the Department of Education.

 

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