VVEngage A Fellowship to Advance Women’s Public Leadership and The SDGs

Alice Stollmeyer is the Founder & Executive Director of Defend Democracy, a nonpartisan NGO defending democracy from foreign, domestic and technological threats. Alice has a background in social studies of science, technology and society. A former policy adviser and digital strategist, she now works at the nexus of democracy, technology and security, in particular sharp power (also known as hybrid threats).

Besides leading Defend Democracy, she is on the Steering Group of the ‘Digitalisation’ strand of the Netherlands Democracy Coalition and she is an associated expert of the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre. Alice has lived and worked in Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels, and increasingly travels across Europe and beyond for her work. She is in Politico’s #Power40 top influencers who are most effectively setting the agenda in politics, public policy & advocacy in Brussels. She is a frequent speaker in panels, podcasts, the media, and closed-door meetings.

Andrea Mariana Domínguez Noriega is a law professor at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), where she leads the Environmental Law Clinic and coordinates the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of Environmental Law Clinics. Through collaborative legal education, she co-designs legal strategies with students, communities, and public institutions to advance environmental justice and sustainability.

Her clinic has supported landmark legal and advocacy cases involving climate change, land rights, and indigenous peoples, contributing to SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Andrea also serves as Regional Director for Latin America at the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), and sits on the Advisory Board of EPIC-N Latin America. She is part of the Climate Litigation Network of Columbia University’s Sabin Center and the UNEP-LAC Legal Education Platform.

Previously, she served as senior advisor at Peru’s Ministries of Culture and Environment, and as a legal expert at the International Labour Organization, where she worked on the implementation of ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous Peoples.

Andrea holds a Master’s in Economic Analysis of Law and Public Policy from the University of Salamanca and an Executive Certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. She was recently recognized by the international network “Teachers for the Planet.”

Driven by a deep sense of ethics and collective care, Andrea is committed to empowering the next generation of legal changemakers to build more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies.

Antonia Orellana Guarello is the current Minister for Women and Gender Equality for Chile. She is a journalist specializing in media management and mother of a six year old boy. Antonia is also a national delegate on the Committee of her party, Frente Amplio, and a former participant on the Chilean Network Against Violence Towards Women.

Previously, she was the coordinator of her party to the equal participation act for the Constitutional Convention and head of the gender area for the candidacy of President Gabriel Boric until becoming minister. Under her leadership as Minister, the government has passed the bill for Parental Responsibility, comprehensive law against gender violence (Ley General de Violencia Contra las Mujeres), the Reparation Law for Victims of Femicide, and laws that settle the offense of femicide, suicide, and strengthen the prosecution of sexual offenses.

Antonia has dedicated much of her career to supporting the establishment and dissemination of social and political organizations in Chile, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the feminist movement both in Chile and Latin America. Her work is focused on SDGs 1, 3, 5, and 8.

Breeze Liu is a globally recognized activist and entrepreneur reshaping the global response to online abuse. She is the founder and CEO of Alecto AI, a groundbreaking company building AI-powered infrastructure to combat online image abuse. Through her nonprofit, the Alecto Foundation, she also leads survivor-centered policy reform and international coalition building.

As a survivor of both CSAM and deepfake abuse, Breeze transformed personal trauma into structural change—spearheading the historic “Take It Down Act”, the first U.S. federal law to criminalize non-consensual intimate imagery and deepfake exploitation. Her leadership has redefined the legal and technological boundaries of digital human rights.

Breeze has been invited by two U.S. Presidents, Congress, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the United Nations to speak on technology-facilitated gender-based violence. She serves as a key advisor to global coalitions on AI regulation and digital safety, and is widely recognized as a pioneering voice demanding accountability from some of the world’s most powerful platforms.

Prior to founding Alecto AI, Breeze led Trust & Safety initiatives in Big Tech and built a successful career in venture capital. A graduate of UC Berkeley in Peace & Conflict Studies, she combines legal foresight, technical innovation, and philosophical depth to build scalable systems of justice.

Breeze’s work has been featured in The New York Times, People Magazine, Wired, and on national television across continents.

Byambadulam Enkhbayar is the Chief Executive Officer of TV9 Mongolia, where she leads one of the country’s largest independent media networks. In her role, she is responsible for strategic leadership, media programming, and the integration of gender equality into mainstream broadcasting. Under her leadership, TV9 has launched Mongolia’s first national Women’s Hour program and implemented company-wide gender bias training, advancing SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

She is also the UK Representative of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce, where she fosters cross-border trade and investment, with a focus on women’s economic empowerment. Byambadulam serves on the Executive Committee of the Mongolian Women’s Federation, where she leads international partnerships and policy advocacy. MWF has influenced national reforms around gender-based violence and rural women’s participation in leadership.

Previously, she worked for eight years as a corporate lawyer in London, specializing in international transactions and co-founding her firm’s gender equity group. She holds a law degree from the London School of Economics and is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Catalina Martinez Coral is the Vice President for Latinoamerica and the Caribbean at the Center for Reproductive Rights, an international NGO working for the recognition of reproductive rights as human rights. She is a feminist from Cali, Colombia and is based in Bogotá, where the Center´s office for the region is located. As VP she oversees the full program of the Center in the region and sets innovative legal, advocacy and communications strategies to secure progress in law and to influence at the same time social and cultural changes regarding reproductive freedom and justice. Through this work, her organization contributes directly to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By centering the needs of the most vulnerable and challenging legal and societal barriers, the Center helps to ensure that all people—especially girls and women—can live in countries where the legal system ensures their dignity, equality, autonomy, and health.

Catalina is also a member of the Causa Justa movement and one of the plaintiffs in the historic ruling that decriminalized abortion in Colombia in 2022. She previously worked at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and holds two Master’s degrees in public international law and international relations from the Universities of Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne and the Institute of Political Studies of Paris (Sciences Po).

Dansari Anasuya, known as Seethakka, is an Adivasi Gutti Koya tribal leader and three-time member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Mulug (ST-reserved). Currently, she is serving as Telangana’s Minister for Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, Rural Water Supply, and Women and Child Welfare. Seethakka is a daughter of the tribal lands, a fighter for justice, and a servant of the people. Born in the remote village of Nellipaka, her journey from the forests of Adilabad to the legislative assembly is a testament to the power of resilience and hope.

Growing up in poverty, Seethakka witnessed the struggles of her community firsthand. This pain led her to activism, and later, to politics not for power, but for change. With a PhD from Osmania University, on “Tribal Rights and Livelihood,” she has dedicated her life to ensuring that no tribal child suffers as she did.

As an MLA from Mulugu, she walks tough paths literally and figuratively to bring education, healthcare, and dignity to her people. From building schools to fighting for land rights, her mission is clear: “empowerment through opportunity.” Elected MLA in 2009 (TDP), 2018, and 2023 (Congress), her leadership shines in grassroots engagement. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, she trekked through forests to deliver essentials to 400 tribal villages, earning the title “Iron Lady of Telangana.” As General Secretary of the All India Mahila Congress (2018) and Chhattisgarh Mahila Congress in-charge (2019), she empowered women politically. Seethakka’s ministerial initiatives include innovative projects like Mulugu’s container hospital and advocating for tribal welfare funding.

Seethakka believes in leading by example. Whether it’s sleeping in a hut during village visits or standing firm against injustice, her strength comes from her people. Her message is simple: “No dream is too big, no hurdle too high. Together, we rise.”

Enkhuun Byambadorj is an environmental rights advocate. After witnessing her loved ones suffer from air pollution, she co-founded and is currently the Director of Operations of Breathe Mongolia, a nonprofit working to transform policies, narratives, and sectors to clean our air and protect the climate. Last year alone, her team trained over 600 youth in environmental action and reached more than 252,000 people through advocacy campaigns. Her team is now building a community-based vocabulary and practical frameworks to facilitate inclusive, intersectional, and context-appropriate discussions and efforts toward environmental justice.

Enkhuun holds a BA in Environment and International Development, a combination that fuels her commitment to advancing justice through multilateral systems. She advocates for environmental justice and human rights-based approaches in negotiation processes. She trained as a climate negotiator with the Young Negotiators Academy and has served in the Mongolian delegation to the UNFCCC at COP28 and COP29.

She also serves on Mongolia’s National Environmental Youth Council, the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Clean Air, and the board of Climate Mongolia. Through her work, Enkhuun wants to arm communities with the resources to make the right to a clean, healthy, safe, and sustainable environment a reality and transform the systems that prevent its realization.

Farah Kanbi is the Co-Director of Politics4Her, a global grassroots, youth-led feminist movement mobilizing young women and marginalized communities in civic engagement and political leadership. In this role, she leads strategic planning, advocacy campaigns, fundraising, and international partnerships, steering the organization’s efforts to dismantle patriarchal systems and ensure young women’s inclusion in decision-making in Global Majority countries.

Politics4Her operates across all continents, using community-centered activism and digital mobilization to advance the SDGs particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Under Farah’s leadership, the organization has developed feminist advocacy toolkits, policy briefs, launched Talks4Her and Digital Voices for Change, and supported young feminists around the world in building political power.

A Tunisian human rights defender, grassroots activist, and researcher, Farah is committed to amplifying marginalized voices and resisting civic space repression in Tunisia and the SWANA region. Through her advocacy and writing, she has exposed authoritarian tactics, restrictions on freedoms, and gender-based rights violations. She has contributed to international forums, including CSW69, where she spotlighted the urgent threats faced by human rights defenders.

Farah’s work is driven by a deep belief in collective liberation, decolonial intersectional justice, and radical inclusion. She holds a Master’s in International Relations and a Master’s in International Development and Cooperation, grounding her practice in critical global analysis and feminist thought. Her work continues to bridge local resistance and transnational solidarity to reimagine power dynamics.

Hannah Phillips’ professional mission is to work towards more equal, compassionate and safer societies. With a decade of experience in the public sector and academia, she is an expert in policy research and advocacy. In her current roles, she works to address abuse in public life towards stronger, more equal democracies.

Hannah works at The Jo Cox Foundation, which makes meaningful change on issues that the late Jo Cox MP was passionate about and practices her message that we have “more in common” than that which divides us. Hannah manages the Jo Cox Civility Commission, which advocates for the implementation recommendations to address abuse across UK politics. She leads the policy development and advocacy with a range of cross-party and cross-sector senior stakeholders. Hannah regularly appears on national and international media and events, including the high-profile BBC Radio 4 Moral Maze and the influential Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Originally from Scotland, Hannah completed her undergraduate studies in Government at Harvard University and my MSc in Gender, Policy and Inequalities at the London School of Economics. She is due to shortly be awarded a DPhil (PhD) from the University of Oxford. Her research uses qualitative methods to explore the problem framing of violence (including abuse, harassment and intimidation) towards UK MPs. Alongside her doctorate work, Hannah manages a project at Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government to develop global research and recommendations to reduce threats to women in politics.

Dr. Ibtissame Azzaoui is a councilor on the Rabat City Council and the founding president of Parliamentarians for Climate (P4C), a global network of current and former legislators committed to environmental sustainability and climate action. P4C advances legislative leadership aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

A former Member of the Moroccan Parliament (2016–2021), Dr. Azzaoui served on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the joint parliamentary commission between Morocco and the European Union. In 2021, she led and won a highly competitive local election, becoming a city councilor in Rabat and a member of the Agdal-Riad district council.

She is an international consultant in digital transformation, public policy, and strategic governance, with extensive experience in the public and private sectors, including leadership roles in the insurance industry in Europe and Morocco.

Dr. Azzaoui’s work is guided by her commitment to inclusive governance, sustainable development, and bridging the gap between technology and public affairs. She actively contributes to global policy and research networks focused on governance, climate, and digital innovation.

She holds a PhD in Economic Sciences and Management from Mohammed V University. Her thesis on Moroccan parliamentary diplomacy in Africa won the National Prize for the Best Thesis Related to Parliamentary Affairs. She is also an IT Engineer, a graduate of EHTP Morocco and École Centrale Paris. She is also an alumna of prestigious programs such as the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and the McCain Fellowship for Freedom.

Liza Gashi is the Acting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora in Kosovo and an elected member of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo. She is a leader, innovator, social entrepreneur, and policy analyst with expertise in migration, diaspora engagement, public and digital diplomacy, and civic advocacy.

Liza is the founder and former executive director of GERMIN, a leading nonprofit focused on diaspora engagement in the Western Balkans. GERMIN has played a pivotal role in shaping national policies on diaspora matters and advancing the development and democratization of home countries. She also founded KosovoDiaspora.org, a digital platform that has promoted Kosovo’s statehood internationally, and previously led UWC Kosova, an education initiative that helped place Kosova’s youth leaders into top international institutions.

Her extensive experience spans international organizations such as the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and IREX. Gashi’s work has consistently aimed at strengthening migration and foreign policy, as well as fostering innovation in global diplomacy.

Fluent in Albanian, English, and Spanish, Gashi holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, and Spanish from Wartburg College in Iowa. She is also an alumna of United World College in Costa Rica and the National University of Córdoba in Argentina.

Mariana Ribeiro is the CEO of CLARICE, a non-profit studio dedicated to research and audiovisual productions that spotlight women challenging the status quo and redefining power. In this role, she leads strategic direction, creative development, and partnership cultivation to shift mental models and social norms around female leadership worldwide.

CLARICE operates at the intersection of media and social impact, contributing to UN SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through its commitment to diversifying power narratives and promoting gender equity.

As a strategic communicator with 10+ years of experience, Mariana has led numerous social and environmental mobilization initiatives and campaigns. Her achievements include developing innovative gender-focused projects like Mapa do Acolhimento and Beta Chatbot, and creating the acclaimed web series “Imagina na Copa”. She also led the impact campaign for Netflix’s Oscar-nominated documentary “The Edge of Democracy” (2020) and Emmy Award-winning “The Nightcrawlers.”

Mariana’s work has garnered international recognition, including the Google Stories Challenge, Cannes Lion, and Anthem Awards. She currently serves on the boards of five social organizations focused on gender, democracy, LGBTQ+ rights, civic space, and climate justice. She holds an MBA in Marketing from FGV/SP and a specialization in Design for Social Change from The School of Visual Arts (NYC).

Mariana is driven by her conviction that strategic communications, in all its forms, play a pivotal role in bringing social and environmental issues to the forefront of public awareness to unlock narrative shift and drive systemic change.

Maya Rupert is a podcast host, political strategist, and writer. In 2020, she served as campaign manager for Julián Castro’s presidential campaign and is only the third Black woman to have managed a major presidential campaign. When Secretary Castro exited the race, she joined Elizabeth Warren’s campaign as a Senior Advisor. In 2021, she managed Maya Wiley’s NYC Mayoral campaign.

She is the host of When We Win with Maya Rupert, a limited series podcast with Lemonada Media. Her forthcoming book, The Real Ones: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic, will be published by Dutton Books in 2026.

Maya is a nationally respected voice on progressive politics and the future of the Democratic party. She has appeared as a guest on national television and radio including for MSNBC, CNN, NPR, and SiriusXM. She has also written for publications including The New York Times, The Atlantic, Teen Vogue, and Slate. Maya has previously been awarded NABJ Salute to Excellence awards for her writing. She has been recognized by national outlets including Ebony Magazine and The Root for her leadership in the Black community. In 2025, her podcast was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series.

Maya received her B.A. from U.C. Santa Barbara and her J.D. from U.C. Berkeley. She clerked for the Honorable Eric L. Clay of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is on the Board of Directors of the National Women’s Law Center.

Teina Mackenzie is a dynamic and multifaceted leader based in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, whose values are deeply interwoven with environmental advocacy, community empowerment, and ethical development. Her impressive background spans education, political engagement, entrepreneurship, and earnest commitment to cultural preservation and ocean health.

Through Te Ipukarea Society (TIS), the leading local environmental NGO, Teina champions the unique biodiversity of her island and ocean home and also serves as a UNESCO Communications Co-Commissioner and GEF-Small Grants Committee member for the Cook Islands, bridging local needs with global initiatives. Teina’s leadership extends beyond environmental circles. She has a distinguished history of community service via the Business & Professional Women’s Association (CIBPWA), the Cook Islands Voyaging Society (CIVS) – a testament to her embrace of traditional knowledge and maritime heritage, the Cook Islands Red Cross Society, and the Pacific Women in Maritime Association (PacWiMA).

A true global citizen, Teina’s expertise is recognized internationally having presented at numerous workshops, conferences, and fellowships worldwide. Her recognition as a Vital Voices LEAD Fellow and an IVLP Alumni speaks to her capacity for impactful global collaboration.

Teina is a staunch advocate for Global Citizenship Education, promoting SDGs programs, and nurturing the next generation of informed and engaged citizens. Her commitment to systemic change is further evidenced by her involvement in political reform and running for parliament. Teina Mackenzie’s trajectory is a testament to her dedication to the well-being of her community and the planet. Her contributions reflect a profound passion for environmental guardianship and cultural sensitivities in development matters.

Regita Savira Putri is the Founder and Education Development Lead of EduEmpati, a peace education initiative focused on preventing bullying, intolerance, and sexual violence in schools. She believes that every child deserves a safe, inclusive, and empowering space to learn. In this role, she designs and leads practical teacher trainings that help educators build learning environments where students can grow, both academically and emotionally.

Since launching EduEmpati in late 2023, Regita has reached over 250 teachers across various regions in Indonesia, including remote and underserved areas. Her work focuses on equipping educators with contextualized strategies for violence prevention and inclusive classroom practices. For its innovative and scalable impact, EduEmpati was awarded as “The Most Valuable Project” by SDG Academy Indonesia, and is aligned strongly with SDG 4: Quality Education. Regita also holds a certification as an SDG-Certified Leader.

Since 2020, Regita has also led over 15 national peacebuilding and youth development programs through Indika Foundation, engaging 300 to 1,000 youth annually. Her work includes interfaith dialogue, civic education, and youth-led initiatives promoting social cohesion. She brings key strengths in inclusive mindset, strategic planning, and relationship-building across diverse communities. A career milestone includes serving as Project Lead of SabangMerauke 2024, a national student exchange promoting education, tolerance, and leadership.

Rez Gardi is an international human rights lawyer, advocate, and trailblazer in the global refugee leadership movement. Born stateless and as a refugee in Pakistan to survivors of genocide, Rez has transformed her lived experience into a lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and systemic change. Her work bridges the gap between law, policy, and lived experience to challenge exclusionary systems and promote meaningful participation of those most affected by displacement and persecution.

Rez is a Harvard-educated lawyer, admitted to the bar in both New York and New Zealand, with academic qualifications in law, international relations, politics, and peace and conflict studies. She combines legal expertise with grassroots advocacy to champion human rights and amplify underrepresented voices in global decision-making spaces.

She is the co-founder and co-director of R-SEAT (Refugees Seeking Equal Access at the Table), the only global refugee-led organisation working to embed refugee co-leadership in state delegations and policy processes at the United Nations. Currently based in New York, she works to bridge advocacy efforts between Geneva and New York, ensuring cohesive and coordinated refugee representation across global governance systems.

Rez also serves as co-director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies at the University of Auckland and is the founder of Empower, a refugee-led organisation advancing educational access for refugee youth. She sits on UNHCR’s Advisory Board and contributes as an expert to the Wilson Center’s Refugee and Forced Displacement Initiative.

Rudina Hajdari leads out IGA’s International Democracy Fellowship, bringing extensive international leadership experience to champion a new generation of democratic leaders. Drawing on her backgrounds in both Albanian national politics and US-based fellowship programs, Hajdari works to equip democratic leaders from different countries with the tools, networks, and strategic vision necessary to advance democracy in different national contexts.

Hajdari was a 2022 Millenium Fellow and participant in the Atlantic Council’s 2024 Executive Leadership Intensive. That experience focused on cross-cultural collaboration, strategic governance, and building resilient democratic institutions, and it directly informs her approach to empowering democratic leaders internationally. With the International Democracy Fellowship, she creates structured opportunities for collaborative leadership development among rising political leaders globally.

Prior to IGA, Hajdari served as a member of the Albanian parliament, where she chaired the European Integration Committee and was instrumental in advancing Albania’s EU accession efforts in 2020. Known for her moderate stance, she worked across party lines to promote democratic reforms. She also worked for the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, advising Congressman Eliot Engel on Balkan affairs and foreign policy.

Hajdari is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a 2025 Vital Voices global fellow, recognized for her efforts to empower women leaders and promote democratic resilience. She holds degrees from Fordham University, King’s College London, and Columbia University.

The daughter of a prominent Albanian pro-democracy figure and victim of political violence, Hajdari witnessed first-hand the sacrifices required to confront advance democratic practices in challenging contexts. Based in New York City, she enjoys skiing, discovering new hiking trails, and exploring the city’s vibrant art and music scenes.

Dr. Rusudan Tevzadze is a Georgian economist, educator, and political leader with over two decades of experience in civic engagement, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics, specializing in business engineering and administration, and is recognized nationally as an expert in disaster risk reduction, with interdisciplinary expertise in geography, socio-political systems, and environmental science.

As a dedicated educator, she has led university-level courses and developed educational programs at Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, and other academic institutions. She is the author of numerous scientific publications on topics including territorial and administrative reform, civic education, and disaster resilience.

In 2021, Dr. Tevzadze co-founded the Women’s Organization of Georgia within the opposition political party For Georgia, where she currently serves as a Member of the Political Council. She co-developed the party’s strategic platforms on education, culture, environmental protection, and climate action, with a particular focus on mitigating and addressing the increasing threat of climate-induced disasters in Georgia and the greater Caucasus. Her political work centers on advancing democratization and countering authoritarianism in Georgia.

She has led regional grassroots mobilization efforts, championed women’s economic and political empowerment, and played an active role in Georgia’s women-led pro-democracy movement, including mass mobilizations following the contested 2024 elections. She is married and a proud mother of two daughters. A passionate advocate for animal rights, she actively supports campaigns to rescue and protect street dogs and cats in her city.

Samara Castro is Chief of Staff at the Secretariat for Social Communication (SECOM) of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil. She leads institutional strategies to strengthen democratic public communication, promote information integrity, and coordinate SECOM’s participation in international forums, including COP30 and BRICS.

From 2023 to 2025, she served as Director for the Promotion of Freedom of Expression at the Secretariat for Digital Policies, where she coordinated Brazil’s national strategy against disinformation on public policies and led the Interministerial Committee on the National Immunization Program. She also managed the government’s “Saúde com Ciência” (Health with Science) program and was the government’s lead negotiator on artificial intelligence regulation.

Samara is a member of Brazil’s National Data Protection Council (CNPD), the Data Protection Officer at SECOM, and a consultant for the AI Governance Lab (LiA.IDP). She also represents Brazil in the G20 Digital Economy Working Group on Information Integrity, and coordinated the Global Initiative for Information Integrity and Climate Change with the UN and UNESCO. In 2024, she received the Vital Voices Global Leadership Award.

A lawyer specializing in electoral and digital law, her career turned toward combating disinformation after the assassination of Marielle Franco. She has experience in strategic litigation, crisis management, and co-founded a data science-focused tech company.

She holds a Master’s degree in Political and Economic Law (Mackenzie) and postgraduate degrees from PUC-Rio and PUC-Minas. She has held leadership roles at OAB/RJ and ABRADEP and teaches at several academic institutions.

Simone Mbodé Diouf is a young Senegalese woman passionate about gender issues, youth empowerment, peace, and security. She serves as the African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace, representing the West African region. Simone is an international consultant and trainer on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) for various institutions and organizations, including La Francophonie and Senghor University.

In addition to her consulting work, Simone is the co-founder and vice president of the Association for the Promotion of Young Women and Girls’ Leadership in Senegal. She has actively supported initiatives to enhance women and youth participation and protection, prevent violent extremism in West Africa, advocate for quality education, and equitable access to vaccines in Africa.

Her expertise includes implementing and localising the WPS and YPS programs and peacebuilding throughout Africa. Previously, she worked in the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), at the UN Women West and Central Africa Regional Office, and with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP).

Sobita Gautam is a Member of the House of Representatives in Nepal, elected in 2022 from Kathmandu-2 as the youngest directly elected federal lawmaker. A lawyer by training, she serves on the Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee and is a founding central committee member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, representing a bold new generation of political leadership focused on reform, transparency, and citizen empowerment.

In 2025, she was elected to the Health Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), where she advocates for global health equity and inclusive policy frameworks. Prior to her political journey, Sobita was a nationally recognized television presenter, known for hosting a public health program that brought expert knowledge to the grassroots.

With over a decade of experience in youth activism, civic engagement, and legal advocacy, she continues to work across sectors linking governance, health, climate justice, and human rights to build a more just and accountable state.

Sohee Yang is a political activist and social entrepreneur from South Korea, dedicated to advancing youth civic engagement and inclusive democratic innovation. She is the founder of the YOUNAN Movement, a nonprofit that empowers young citizens through civic education, and co-founder of VALID, an action-oriented political think tank that nurtures emerging leaders and agendas for democratic reform.

Her work spans from grassroots mobilization to global policy platforms, having represented Korea or spoken at major international forums such as the United Nations, APEC, the Open Government Partnership Global Summit, and the World Forum for Democracy. Her focus areas include structural reform for youth and women’s political representation, combating social inequality, and exploring and shaping democracy in the digital and AI era, particularly in alignment with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Over the past few years, Sohee has held roles including policy advisor on youth and gender and political party spokesperson, and led the local mayoral campaign as Chairperson. These experiences have shaped her commitment to addressing entrenched exclusion and polarisation in Korea’s political landscape. Through her organisations, she is building infrastructure for youth civic empowerment and driving a new generation of democratic leadership.

She holds a BA in Global Korean Studies with honors and was selected as the 2019 Commencement Speaker at her university.

Susannah Rodgers is a Technical Adviser on Disability Inclusion currently at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Susie is a former Paralympic swimmer who competed at two Paralympic Games, winning gold and five bronze medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016. She is passionate about advancing the rights of the most marginalized and the leave no one behind agenda of the SDGs through her work. She studied three languages at University and her career has spanned the public and private sector.

She is an experienced non-executive director and has served on several charity boards, including in sport welfare and she is currently a board director of Women Enabled International, the global organization working on the intersection between gender and disability rights. She is a public speaker and panelist, discussing leadership, sport and other topics and she has featured on live comedy shows and documentaries through UK media. She has given keynotes at global conferences alongside Heads of State including speaking on stage at Davos.

She was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2018 and was awarded an MBE for services to swimming by Her Majesty the Queen in 2017. Outside of work, she is also a visual artist, painting pieces inspired by marine life and raising funds for the UK’s Marine Conservation Society as one of their Ocean Ambassadors. She was born missing the lower part of her left arm and leg at birth and has worn prosthetic devices her whole life.

Thokozile Nhlumayo is a political and social justice advocate who has made significant contributions to the development of African politics and leadership. She is the founder of the #NotTooYoungtToLead campaign, which is now a global movement.

Thokozile serves as Executive Secretary of the International Youth Parliament, an Institution that exists in 45 countries in Africa that advocates for meaningful inclusion of young people in politics, leadership, and decision- making. Through her leadership, the International Youth Parliament was recognized by the African Union as one of top 70 institutions contributing to Africa’s political and leadership development. Additionally, Thokozile introduced the Women’s Political Leaders Program in South Africa, Kenya and Namibia. Her work focuses on advancing the SDGs of Reducing Inequalities and advancing Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

She was named one of the 50 most powerful women in South Africa in 2021, and in 2022, she was named one of the 100 most influential young people globally. Thokozile was the first Mandela Washington Fellow who had the opportunity to do her PDE in the U.S House of Representatives under the office of Congress Member Karen Bass where she had the opportunity to also contribute to writing think pieces on behalf of Congress about improving U.S-Africa Relations. In 2023, Thokozile was also amongst leaders who were announced by President Obama as Obama Leaders joining the Obama Leadership Program which she graduated from in August last year.

Her vision is to see young people and women becoming pillars of democracy and shapers of decisions.

Wunmi Hassan-Bello is the Deputy Executive Director – Politeracy at Electoral College Nigeria, where she leads political literacy and leadership development programs across the country. In this role, she designs and implements civic education initiatives aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge and tools to engage meaningfully in democratic processes.

Electoral College Nigeria is a non-partisan organization committed to fostering political literacy and civic engagement. Its mission aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). Through her leadership, over 13,000 citizens have been educated in governance, civic responsibility, and electoral systems.

Wunmi’s career spans media, finance, and nonprofit work. She began as an on-air personality at Unilorin FM, worked in banking at Heritage Bank Limited, and served as Creative Director at DanHausawa Media Nigeria before founding L-Speak Media. She is also the founder of War Against Rape and Sexual Abuse, a nonprofit organization focused on sensitizing youth and supporting survivors of abuse.

Her mission is rooted in empowering communities through education, advocacy, and inclusive dialogue. Passionate about equity, Wunmi is committed to creating a politically informed and socially conscious generation.

She holds a degree in Biochemistry and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, bringing a multidisciplinary approach to her work in civic education and youth development.