Romy is the Founder and President of Babel Institute. He oversees the think tank’s day-to-day operations and long-term direction.

His research interests are rooted in questions of how societies rebuild, educate, and empower the next generation after periods of conflict and instability. Through the creation of Babel Institute, he seeks to bridge research, policy, and civic engagement to equip young people with the tools to become change-makers in their communities and shape the future of governance and development across regions.

Romy was born in Kinshasa, Zaire, and immigrated to the United States at age eleven. He joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 2015, where he has served in multiple leadership and operational roles. In 2020, he was mobilized in support of New York State’s COVID-19 response in Central New York, providing operational support at a NYS Department of Health testing and vaccination site. Following the January 6 events at the U.S. Capitol, he led a team of soldiers in Washington, D.C., supporting the United States Capitol Police to help ensure a safe and peaceful presidential transition in 2021. In 2022, he deployed in the Horn of Africa on a security mission under U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), participating in security operations, key leader engagements, and humanitarian missions.

Romy’s professional experience includes work as a Claims Analyst at AIG, specializing in Trade Credit and Political Risk insurance, and as a Development Intern at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he conducted research, reviewed grant reports, and assisted with proposals for institutional and individual donors.

He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University.