Taya Weiss is a writer, policy analyst, adventurer and skydiver. She has degrees from Harvard University (A.B. Social Studies, magna cum laude) and Princeton University (Master in Public Affairs, International Relations). With work experience ranging from internet startups to policy think tanks, she found her first professional calling in South Africa doing research on the illicit gun trade in Africa. She has conducted independent, solo fieldwork in East, West, and Southern Africa and published her findings.
Based in Johannesburg until 2008, Taya also taught self-defense and empowerment to hundreds of students, led a successful bid for the Parachute Association of South Africa to recognize wingsuit flying as a skydiving discipline, and served on the boards of several charitable organizations.
She is currently the President of non-profit Raise the Sky, an organization that links skydivers with humanitarian and charitable outreach opportunities. She was the lead organizer of the 68-person 2009 US National Wingsuit Formation Record, which fundraised for and inspired City Year students and Corps members. Taya is working on a book project and continues to consult on human security policy.
