Darek Silva
Political science student, former Senate Foreign Relations legislative intern, Gingrich 360 policy intern, AEI Honors Fellow, and ASYP's Institutional Advancement Executive, focused on foreign policy, national security, and the networks that shape American leadership.
My name is Darek Silva. I am a senior at Skidmore College pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science, with additional study at American University's School of Public Affairs and George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government. I focus on U.S. foreign policy, national security, and the expanding geopolitical influence of China, Russia, and Iran.
I served as a legislative intern for Chairman James E. Risch on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, covering MENA, Indo-Pacific, Political-Military Affairs, and the Western Hemisphere. Before that I worked as a Policy Intern at Gingrich 360, producing research and briefing materials alongside former Speaker Newt Gingrich and Ambassador Callista Gingrich that supported congressional meetings, media engagements, and strategic consulting projects. I also served as a Foreign Commercial Diplomacy Intern at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where I coordinated export advocacy for defense firms competing for foreign public-sector contracts.
I have been selected for fellowships at the American Enterprise Institute, the Hertog Foundation, and the Fund for American Studies, and my policy work has been published in the New York Sun. At ASYP I serve as Institutional Advancement Executive, bringing my government and policy networks to bear in growing the organization's reach and deepening its partnerships with institutions that matter.
Milestones
Gingrich 360
Policy Intern working directly with former Speaker Newt Gingrich and Ambassador Callista Gingrich
Senate Foreign Relations
Legislative Intern under Chairman Risch, covering MENA, Indo-Pacific, and Political-Military Affairs
AEI Honors Fellow
1 of 18 scholars selected for the Molding the Middle East: U.S. Foreign Policy seminar
Published, New York Sun
Co-authored policy analysis with Speaker Gingrich, published in the New York Sun and Gingrich 360
Competency Map
Where the work happened.
Policy Intern
Gingrich 360
Worked directly with former Speaker Newt Gingrich and Ambassador Callista Gingrich, producing policy research and briefing materials across healthcare, education, fiscal policy, and national security.
Legislative Intern
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Supported Chairman Risch's staff covering MENA, Indo-Pacific, Political-Military Affairs, and the Western Hemisphere. Observed Secretary Rubio's testimony and supported ambassadorial confirmation hearings.
Legislative & Communications Intern
United States Senate
Continued serving in the Senate, supporting legislative and communications operations on Capitol Hill.
Foreign Commercial Diplomacy Intern
U.S. Department of Commerce
Coordinated U.S. government export advocacy for defense firms competing for foreign public-sector contracts on the Europe and Western Hemisphere team at the International Trade Administration.
Honors Fellow
American Enterprise Institute
Selected as 1 of 18 scholars for AEI's competitive Molding the Middle East: U.S. Foreign Policy seminar, led by Danielle Pletka and Dr. Daniel Samet.
Institutional Advancement Executive
ASYP
Drives ASYP's institutional growth and strategic partnerships, leveraging deep policy and government networks to expand the organization's reach and impact.
Alllargesystemsarelakesofmediocritywithtinyislandsofexcellence.Findtheislands,buildinvisiblebridgesbetweenthem,andyoucanachieveincrediblethings.
Darek Silva
Be part of the network Darek is advancing.
ASYP connects ambitious young professionals with the community, tools, and access to lead at the highest levels.
