Through the Atlantic Council’s 2025–2026 Millennium Fellowship, Will Barnes, Head of Policy Research, and Suri Bandler, an Architect on our Technology Team, tested the leadership instincts they’ve developed at Bridgewater out in the open. The nine-month leadership accelerator connected them to a cohort of global leaders from nonprofits, businesses, and governments. The discussions pushed them to examine what they believe about leadership—and why.
For Will, the experience reinforced an idea he’s long appreciated about our community: “After working at Bridgewater for almost a decade, one thing I’ve loved is how exceptional people can emerge as leaders quite quickly, even if they might be thought of as ‘junior’ in many organizations,” he said. “The highlight of my career so far has been getting to see people who I worked with as interns only a few years ago contribute substantially to our understanding of the world, develop others, and help shape our organization.”
Will first joined Bridgewater as an investment associate right out of college and rapidly emerged as a leader. Today, he oversees a group of researchers focused on understanding the impact of government policy and geopolitical dynamics on economies and markets around the world. Throughout his time here, he’s observed and participated in a culture where the best ideas win: “Leadership here goes hand in hand with openness. There’s a recognition that the newest or quietest person in the room might see something that no one else does, and a collective refusal to shy away from difficult conversations.”
For Suri, the fellowship served as a mirror for her leadership style rooted in care and motivation.
“Understanding what fundamentally motivates you and what motivates others builds empathy, sharpens collaboration, and ultimately compounds impact,” she said.
It’s a perspective that Suri connects to her roots. She grew up in a close-knit Jewish family where community and responsibility were part of daily life. She shares that through her work, becoming a mother, and experiences like the fellowship, those values of deep care have shaped how she approaches the people around her.
“Leadership, to me, is about caring deeply for the people around you while driving meaningful results. It means leading by example, setting a high bar, and helping others grow and have impact over time."
Suri first joined Bridgewater as a software engineering intern in 2017. Today, she’s a technology lead helping design and build the systems that power our research process and trade-generation platforms.
For both Will and Suri, leadership begins with how you engage the people around you—embracing an open mindset and working to understand what fundamentally motivates others.
Learn more about the Atlantic Council’s Millennium Fellowship.