Meet the Fellows
2025 Pomegranate Writing Fellows
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Emily McDonnell is a fourth-year PhD candidate at UNC Chapel Hill, where she researches Indigenous geographies, tourism, and contemporary identity. Originally from Arizona, she is a proud citizen of the Navajo Nation. As an avid traveler, she credits her upbringing on the (Navajo) reservation for giving her a strong sense of identity, while encouraging her to meet people from diverse places and backgrounds. She especially enjoys traveling to other Indigenous and Jewish communities around the world. Emily describes herself as a NavaJew and is always looking for new ways to blend her unique identities. Guided by traditional Navajo and Jewish values, she strongly believes in public service and is involved in local Jewish and Native organizations. Outside of work and research, she enjoys cooking, running, practicing her Spanish, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.
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Hannah Joy Sachs is an experiential educator. After obtaining her BA in Sociology (Davidson) and MSc in Migration Studies (Oxford), she has worked around the world, leading immersive programs for young adults and emerging change makers. Though she was raised in and remains based in New York, she also considers many parts of East and Southeast Asia “home.” Throughout her travels, writing has always allowed Hannah to process and reflect on the people, places, and cultures she encountered. She is delighted to be part of JWA’s inaugural Pomegranate Writing Fellowship and is eager to continue growing and refining her writing skills. Outside her professional and academic pursuits, Hannah is an equestrian; nothing improves her mood as much as spending time with some of her favorite horses! In moments of downtime, she also loves reading, crafting, spending time with loved ones, and rooting for the New York Yankees.
