Dexter Fundire

Dexter Fundire is a filmmaker and social justice content creator, currently serving as Head of Department for The Feedzw and Magamba TV under the Magamba Network. He is also the Project Officer for the ALZ Film Fellowship, an annual program for young Zimbabwean filmmakers focused on social justice and accountability, in partnership with Accountability Lab Zimbabwe. Additionally, Dexter is the 2024 Country Festival Director for Global South Health Week. His recent work includes producing the upcoming film Just Say Hello with Invision Studios.

In his words, “Humans are walking contradictions, and it is within those juxtapositions that the best stories are told.”

Dr. Henry Za Lal Lian

Dr. Henry Za Lal Lian is a medical doctor from Myanmar with over 10 years of expertise in Reproductive Health, Gender-based Violence prevention, Mental Health advocacy, and human rights promotion. He is known for integrating youth empowerment and meaningful participation into his programs, ensuring broad outreach to young people and enhancing accountability and sustainability. Dr. Lian’s experience spans both development and humanitarian contexts across Southeast Asia and Southern Africa.

Gesu Antonio Baez

Gesù Antonio Baez is the Founder and Chief Political Advisor of Pax Tecum Global Consultancy in London, specializing in diplomatic mediation and impact assessments for companies in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. With over 10 years of international experience, he has led development and diplomatic programs and served as Champion Representative for UN Women. Baez is a renowned speaker at events like TEDx and a prolific foreign affairs writer, analyzing US foreign policy and the Middle East for various publications. Additionally, he advocates for the inclusion of mixed-race Italians and Italians of foreign origin in classrooms as a member of the Board of Directors for Teach for Italy, part of the Teach for All network.

Evan Sulpizio Estrada

Evan Sulpizio Estrada is a 19-year-old global advocate and citizen of the world. Having grown up in a multicultural community and always being affiliated with international students, Evan is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and peace through his passion for languages, travel, and storytelling. 

He hosts the podcast “Evan Worldwide: Global Youth Perspectives,” which features impactful interviews with young individuals worldwide across all inhabited continents. Recognized for his cultural contributions, Evan received the 2022 Anthem Silver Award for Young Leader of the Year and a Webby Award Nomination for his documentary “Refugee Food Festival” in Paris, France. As the First Youth Ambassador for The Peace Studio, he mobilizes young people globally to promote peace and positive change. 

While originally from San Diego, California, Evan is currently studying International Relations and Film/Media Studies at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts while competing on the men’s track and field team. He continues his mission to create a more peaceful society through advocacy, leadership and youth empowerment.

Jennifer Y. Wang

Jennifer Y. Wang is a waste and recycling management consultant and founder of Full Cycle Resource, where she creates sustainable solutions through strategic partnerships and innovative waste practices. She has consulted globally, including for UNCTAD, focusing on trade strategies to reduce plastic pollution and analyzing the environmental impact of the second-hand clothing market. Jennifer has also led key initiatives, such as developing waste recovery facilities for East Africa’s largest waste management company. With expertise in WASH projects and a passion for behavioral change communication, she is committed to transforming waste into opportunities and inspiring future leaders to drive sustainable impact.

Juanita Vorster

In 2011, Juanita transitioned from employee to self-employed to employer, despite having no formal managerial or business qualifications. Her leadership has been shaped by core principles, including saying yes to opportunities without overpromising, building on existing knowledge, collaborating effectively, focusing on results, and keeping things simple.

Her practical, results-driven approach to solving complex business problems earned her a reputation among business leaders, who sought her advice on strategy, operational efficiency, human resources, product development, reputation management, and industry trends. To formalize her expertise, Juanita became a Certified Director and Ethics Officer in 2017.

Kudzai Mukaratirwa

Kudzai is a seasoned development consultant with 7 years of experience at international organizations like the United Nations, NGOs, and Civil Society. His expertise lies in youth development, peace, justice, and security. Currently at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, he focuses on education programs for youth crime prevention and strengthening juvenile criminal justice systems in Eastern and Southern Africa. Kudzai is passionate about empowering young people, particularly those from vulnerable communities, and has a global perspective, having worked across Africa, the Middle East, and liaised with UN HQs in Europe and the USA. Outside work, he’s enthusiastic about languages and anthropology, exploring ways to foster mutual understanding, empathy, and respect among people.

Lequeu Laurent Jean Michel Ghislain

Laurent has extensive experience managing portfolios across various financial asset classes, including Fixed Income, Equities, Commodities, and Currencies. He began his career in Luxembourg as a buy-side analyst, investment advisor, and portfolio manager, before relocating to Singapore in 2012 to advise high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients. In 2023, after leading a major multi-family office in Singapore, Laurent became an independent financial consultant and launched “The Macro Butler” newsletter on Substack.

Laurent holds a Master of Science in Business Engineering from Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management and a Fintech Certificate from MIT. He is fluent in French and English, with basic proficiency in Portuguese and Spanish.

Muataz Nour

Muataz is a dedicated social work professional with over seven years of experience. His passion for empowering individuals started in 2008 when he volunteered in a supplementary school, sparking his commitment to social justice. He has worked extensively with ex-offenders, guiding them towards societal reintegration and advocating for their rights. Muataz earned his bachelor’s degree in social work in 2017 and excels in establishing positive relationships with service users and their families. His expertise in Adult Social Care legislation, strong communication skills, and commitment to professional development make him adept at handling complex situations.

Rogelio Estrada

Roger Estrada is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in operational excellence, business transformation, and project management. As Vice President of Process Excellence at Frontwave Credit Union, he leads strategic initiatives and reports to the Board. Roger is skilled in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, optimizing processes, and establishing Enterprise Program Management Offices (EPMOs).

He has held leadership roles at Valley Strong Credit Union, LPL Financial, Palm Tree Investments, and Qualcomm, driving innovation through Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Machine Learning (ML). A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Prosci Change Management Practitioner, Roger excels in building high-performing teams focused on customer value.

He holds an MBA in Finance and served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserves.

Saeedah Haque

A self-taught designer, Saeedah Haque launched her eponymous fashion label of modest garments for the next generation of Muslim girls in 2021. Haque’s line, touted as the first streetwear abaya brand, reinterprets the traditional abaya into utility streetwear with a mission to reclaim the narrative of Islamic clothing. Her debut runway show in 2021 ran alongside a visual campaign that represented Muslim women in sports and urban exploration. Inspired by the FIFA World Cup hosted in Qatar, her garments demonstrate creative activism. Haque uses social media to fight against hijab legislation and inspire her community of 250,000 followers. As of 2023, she has garnered 50,000 customers on her mailing list. In the summer of 2023, she partnered with Nike to launch the first ever Nike abaya and Niqab utilizing England jerseys ahead of the Women’s World Cup.

Samantha Louise Hancock

Samantha is a Service Manager with a background in social sciences and is currently pursuing a degree in Mental Health Nursing. With over five years of leadership experience in the voluntary sector, she has managed services for diverse groups, including children, adults, and the elderly, across social care, education, and voluntary sectors. Her expertise includes handling complex cases related to mental health, trauma, SEN, disability, and substance misuse.

A strong relationship-builder, Samantha is known for her proactive and resilient approach. She has a proven track record in team management and leadership development across the health and social care sector in England. Passionate about empowering individuals and teams, she focuses on fostering emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and resilience, driving personal and professional growth.

Sameen Zehra

Sameen is a Programme Coordinator at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, leading the ‘Young Cities’ program, where she supports young people globally in developing project management and leadership skills. Her recent work in Pakistan and Belgium involves funding community initiatives, facilitating workshops, and creating training resources for youth activists and peacebuilders. She also helps municipal governments and local partners better support peacebuilding efforts and fosters collaboration between governments and civil society to address hate, extremism, and polarization.

Previously, Sameen worked with the International Civil Society Action Network, Samara Centre for Democracy, UN Counterterrorism Executive Directorate, and the African Youth Initiative Network. She holds an MS in Global Affairs from New York University and a BA in Peace, Conflict, and Justice from the University of Toronto.

Sarina Khani

Sarina Khani is a sophomore at Tufts University pursuing a B.A. in International Relations with a focus on Global Security. Fluent in Farsi and Spanish, and a beginner in Japanese, she is passionate about intercultural communication, global affairs, and diplomacy.

Sarina has actively engaged in language education as an English tutor for Afghan refugees in the U.S. and students in Nicaragua affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences have enhanced her skills in navigating complex intercultural interactions and deepened her commitment to fostering understanding among diverse communities.

In addition to her studies, Sarina is a member of the Tufts women’s track and field team and serves as an officer in the Persian Student Association. She enjoys reading and spending time with her family, particularly through cooking.

Sarina’s diverse experiences and passions make her a dynamic participant in the global conversation, dedicated to making a positive impact in international relations.

Suzie Yassin

Suzie is a multilingual leader with over 20 years of experience empowering young people, fostering lifelong learning, and building strategic partnerships across the UK and MENA region. She has an extensive background in establishing and managing charities and non-profits, with a strong commitment to social impact and education. Currently leading ETS Middle East, she collaborates with international organizations, institutions, and governments to expand educational and employment opportunities and drive social change. Suzie is a recognized leader in education and assessment, working with global partners to advance learning and create innovative learning solutions. Fluent in English, Arabic, and Spanish, she is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders through continuous learning and collaboration.

Victoria Ibiwoye

Victoria Ibiwoye is the Founder of OneAfricanChild, an organization dedicated to empowering children and youth in underserved communities in Nigeria through peace and citizenship education programs. She has actively participated in high-level education policy dialogues within the UN System, advocating for policies that reflect young people’s voices and experiences to transform education systems.

Victoria has led several innovative youth-led initiatives, including the SDG4Youth Network and the Joint Youth Force Programme on Financing a Green, Inclusive, and Sustainable Recovery, supported by the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth.

As a seasoned trainer, she has facilitated youth leadership workshops for organizations such as UNESCO, the United States Institute of Peace, and Education Above All (EAA). Additionally, Victoria is an active member of the UNODC Women’s Network in Law and Policy against Organized Crime, where she emphasizes the importance of women’s leadership in creating a sustainable future for all.