A proud first-generation immigrant, Omer Rafiq was born and raised in Saudi Arabia to parents of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent. Commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the Marines, Omer has deployed across the globe to Europe, Asia, Middle East, and East Africa. He also served as a Legislative Fellow at the United States Senate where he managed a broad portfolio that included matters related to defense, foreign policy, and immigration. Omer graduated from Worcester State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences. Additionally, he earned a Master of Science in International Relations from Northeastern University. Omer is currently pursuing a Master in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is interested in investigating the rise of populism, its impact on the future of American democracy, and crafting tech strategies that protect democratic institutions.