Our Network

Global Fellows in Courage (GFiC) is built on a strong network of changemakers, mentors, and partners dedicated to advancing human rights.

Question Jaden Ramontsho
Botswana
-24.6282
25.9231
Shomy Hasan Chowdhury
Bangladesh
22.3569
91.7832
Mohammad Taqi Yasir
Bangladesh
23.8103
90.4125
Sumesh Shiwakoty
Nepal
28.2096
83.9856
Tunde Adeyemi
Nigeria
9.0579
7.4951
Racheal Kalinaki
Uganda
0.3476
32.5825
Furough Shakarmamadova
Tajikistan
38.5598
68.7870
Dawsher Charles
Grenada
12.0561
-61.7486
Dinara Auyelbekova
Kazakhstan
51.1605
71.4704
Isabella Grajczyk
Canada
45.4215
-75.6972
Pallavi Kejriwal
India
25.3176
82.9739
Dr. Khadijah Bwanakheri
Tanzania
-6.1629
35.7516
Mbali Pfeiffer Shongwe
South Africa
-25.7479
28.2293
Dr. Nojus Saad
Iraq
33.3152
44.3661
Imogen Gerraty
Australia
-35.2809
149.1300
Maya Mitre
México
19.4326
-99.1332
Gabriela Oviedo Perhavec
Costa Rica
9.9281
-84.0907
Astha Sharma
Nepal
27.7172
85.3240
Fatoumatta L Kassama
The Gambia
13.4549
-16.5790
Sohee Yang
South Korea
37.5665
126.9780
Himanshu Panday
India
21.1458
79.0882
Yairy Vega Muenala
Ecuador
-0.1807
-78.4678
Jummah Alsileeni
Libya
32.8872
13.1913
Giovanna Martins Vial
Brazilia
-23.5505
-46.6333
Oluwadamilola Akintewe
Nigeria
9.0579
7.4951
Ani Mukhigulashvili
Georgia/Sakartvelo
41.7151
44.8271
Jessica Ilunga
Belgium
50.8503
4.3517
Finbarr Toesland
United Kingdom
51.5074
-0.1278
Nishat Maryam
Pakistan
33.6844
73.0479
Suman Saurav
India
19.0760
72.8777
Brenda Formin
Cameroon
3.8480
11.5021
Surya M Rajendran
India
28.6139
77.2090
Memory Tapela Banda
Zambia
-15.3875
28.3228
Augustus Nicko Bas
Philippines
14.5995
120.9842
Tamana Farewar
Afghanistan
34.5553
69.2075
Christiana Okere
Nigeria
9.0579
7.4951
Eden Tadesse
Germany
52.5200
13.4050
Elizabeth Mwangi
Kenya
-1.2921
36.8219
Bradford Watson
USA
42.3770
-71.1167
Monique Ntumngia
Cameroon
3.8480
11.5021
Victoire Mandonnaud
France
48.8566
2.3522
Priyal Agrawal
India
28.6139
77.2090
Alona Hryshko
Ukraine
50.4501
30.5234
Aida Kandil
Morocco
34.0209
-6.8416
Chanu Peiris
Sri Lanka
6.9271
79.8612
Shannon Asher Hardy
Sri Lanka
7.8731
80.7718
Rita Kamazima
Botswana
-24.6282
25.9231
Axana Soltan
Afghanistan
33.9391
67.7100
Noemi Grütter
Switzerland
46.8182
8.2275
Muetter Iliqud
China
35.8617
104.1954
Deborah Akello
Uganda
1.3733
32.2903
Tara Grace Connolly
Northern Ireland
54.5973
-5.9301
Sarah Imran
Pakistan
30.3753
69.3451
Anastase Ndagijimana
Rwanda
-1.9579
30.1127
Jhuma Sen
India
22.5726
88.3639
Yasmina Benslimane
Morocco
31.7917
-7.0926

GFiC Community

GFiC connects Fellows to a global network of advisors and experts, fostering continuous support and collaboration. Through shared learning and mutual encouragement, fellows build strong relationships that empower and drive collective impact.

Aida Kandil
She/Her
Morocco

Social Entrepreneur and Founder of MyTindy.

Head of Empowerment at Women in Tech Morocco.

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Social entrepreneur and founder of MyTindy — a tech-enabled marketplace supporting 2,000+ African artisans, particularly rural Moroccan women. Combines strategic management and data science to build inclusive trade ecosystems. Experienced in e-commerce (L’Oréal, LVMH) and collaborates with entities like the Moroccan Ministry of Crafts, World Bank, and Women in Tech Morocco.

Alona Hryshko
She/Her
Ukraine

Managing Director of Brave Generation

Ukrainian Civic Leader

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Ukrainian civic leader and Managing Director of Brave Generation — a youth-driven nonprofit providing education, mental health, and civic engagement to war-impacted youth. Specializes in international development, policy advocacy, and disinformation as human rights violations. Builds cross-national mentorship and leadership initiatives funded by UN Women, the European Commission, and Yale.

Ani Mukhigulashvili
She/Her
Georgia/Sakartvelo

Lawyer and Projects Coordinator at Rights Georgia

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Georgian human rights lawyer and project coordinator focused on youth engagement, gender equality, and judiciary reform. Coordinates national coalitions and conducts research on freedom of expression and justice system transformation.

Astha Sharma
She/Her
Nepal

Head of Shequal Foundation  

Social Entrepreneur

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Social entrepreneur and technologist leading Shequal Foundation, which empowers girls and women across Nepal through training, mentorship, and digital inclusion. With a background in engineering and over a decade in the impact sector, she has designed programs that connect thousands of young women to knowledge, leadership, and economic opportunity.

Augustus Nicko Bas
He/Him
Philippines

Co-founder & CEO of O1nnovations

Civil Engineer for Climate-Resilient Water Solutions

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Philippine civil engineer and youth leader—co-founder and CEO of O1nnovations Rainwater Solutions Corp. Designs rainwater harvesting and sanitation systems with community participation in climate-vulnerable settlements. A YSEALI Academic Fellow and Habitat for Humanity Youth Solutions grantee, committed to scalable, inclusive water resilience.

Bradford Watson
He/Him
USA

Co-founder of Mindful Musicianship

Sociologist, and Creative Producer

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Harvard-educated sociologist and co-founder of Mindful Musicianship, building programs to support wellness and economic sustainability for underrepresented creatives. Involved in media, publishing, and hospitality initiatives that prioritize mental health, equity, and artist development. Serves on the board of Brooklyn Youth, deepening Black wellness integration across sectors.

Brenda Formin
She/Her
Cameroon

Global SRHR Consultant, Founder of Kubeli

Feminist Strategist

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Global SRHR consultant, feminist strategist, and program designer with 7+ years experience across 50+ countries. Rooted in Cameroon and inspired by her grandmother, she builds movements that resist silos and delay. Co-founder of Kubeli — a radical feminist infrastructure reclaiming memory, agency, and political imagination — and speaker/writer envisioning feminist leadership as everyday.

Chanu Peiris
She/Her
Sri Lanka

Human Rights Strategist

Founder of Jackfruit

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Founder of Jackfruit — a digital platform reimagining commerce and storytelling in Sri Lanka by uplifting marginalized entrepreneurs. Works at the intersection of economic dignity, cultural identity, and justice.

Christiana Okere
She/Her
Nigeria

Co-founder of myStash

Financial Inclusion Advocate

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Purpose-driven fintech entrepreneur and co-founder of myStash — a savings platform for formal and informal economy workers, focused on women’s financial resilience in Nigeria. Brings experience from UN-led post‑conflict rehabilitation for Chibok Girls and supports SDGs 1, 5, 8, 10. Recognized in 2024 as one of Black Women in Asset Management’s 40‑Under‑40.

Dawsher Charles
She/Her
Grenadian/Trinidad and Tobago

Founder of Survival Scholars and The Puppet Palace

Mental Health Advocate

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Caribbean social entrepreneur and founder of Survival Scholars and The Puppet Palace, using art and storytelling to promote youth mental health and resilience. Her work blends education, creativity, and advocacy, with partnerships across UNESCO, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the OAS.

Dinara Auyelbekova
she/her
Kazakhstan

Founder of Girls Power Fund  

Social Entrepreneur

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Kazakh social entrepreneur and founder of Girls Power Fund, empowering girls and women across Central Asia through STEM and leadership programs. An Obama Scholar and Young Global Changer, she bridges tech, mentorship, and education in underserved communities. Dinara collaborates with USAID, UNDP, and the U.S. Embassy, and holds degrees in economics and international management.

Dr. Khadijah Bwanakheri
She/Her
Tanzania

Founder of Safe Haven Foundation

Adolescent SRH Advocate

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Tanzanian medical doctor and public health advocate focused on adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH).She founded the Safe Haven Foundation to deliver youth-centred SRH education and empowerment programs. Khadijah envisions building a youth led recreational and SRH center to expand access to services and a safe space for young people.

Dr. Nojus Saad
He/They
Iraq

Global Health Diplomat, Technical Advisor at WHO

Founder of Youth For Women Foundation

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Physician and global health diplomat advancing gender justice and digital innovation. Founder of Youth For Women Foundation and WHO advisor, he’s led youth-driven public health projects across 12 SWANA countries. Also advises the Born This Way Foundation and produced TOXSICK, a documentary on health system failures.

Eden Tadesse
She/Her
Germany

Founder & CEO of Invicta, Human Rights Advocate

Social Impact Innovator

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Multi-award-winning entrepreneur, human rights advocate, journalist, and founder of Invicta — a global platform connecting displaced youth to education, employment, and entrepreneurship in 100+ countries. Creator of the Decolonize Politics campaign and host of podcasts profiling climate defenders and women in STEM. Advises UN, Mastercard Foundation, and notable governments.

Elizabeth Mwangi
She/Her
Kenya

Founder & CEO of Gwiji for Women

Social Entrepreneur

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Founder and CEO of Gwiji for Women — a tech-driven enterprise empowering low‑income women in Kenya’s informal settlements through dignified work and upskill training. Trained as an architect, she pivoted to social impact after leading construction volunteer programs and founded Gwiji to support over 3,000 women in sustainable livelihoods.

Fatoumatta L Kassama
She/her
United Kigdom/Gambian

Founder & CEO of Girls' Pride Group  

Human Rights Advocate

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Human rights advocate and social entrepreneur with over 13 years of experience in global public health and community development. She is the founder of Girls’ Pride Group and Eye Care for All, and co-founder of Prospect for Girls—organizations that work to advance gender equality, quality education, health access, and the rights of women and marginalized communities in The Gambia. Currently pursuing a master's in Public Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, she brings a hands-on, grassroots perspective to challenging harmful practices and creating space for inclusive growth.

Finbarr Toesland
He / Him
United Kingdom

Investigative Journalist

Human Rights Reporter

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Award-winning journalist reporting on human rights, LGBTQ issues, and extremism across 18+ countries. Led major investigations, including into European conversion therapy networks, and regularly reports from Ukraine and other conflict zones.

Furough Shakarmamadova
She/Her
Tajikistan

Founder of a Women-Led Eco-Tourism Organization

Environmental Advocate

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Fulbright Scholar and eco-tourism advocate promoting gender equity and environmental sustainability in Tajikistan. She founded a women-led trekking initiative and participated in the K2 Clean-Up Expedition to address mountain waste. Furough holds a Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy.

Gabriela Oviedo Perhavec
She/Her
Costa Rica

Human Rights Lawyer and Head of the Human Mobility Team at CEJIL

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Human rights lawyer from Ecuador, defends the rights of migrants, refugees, and displaced communities across the Americas. As the lead of the Human Mobility team at CEJIL, she works on strategic litigation and advocacy grounded in anti-racist, feminist, and environmental justice principles. Gabriela’s vision centers on collective well-being and dignity for climate-displaced and immobile communities.

Giovanna Martins Vial
She/Her
Brazilian/Lebanon

Co-founder of YouManitarian

Human Rights Lawyer, International Correspondent

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Brazilian human rights lawyer and journalist based in Beirut, reporting from conflict zones and amplifying Global South narratives. Co-founder of YouManitarian, an educational platform challenging colonial frameworks in human rights media.

Himanshu Panday
He/Him
India

Co-founder of Dignity in Difference (DiD)

Digital Anthropologist

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Digital anthropologist and co-founder of Dignity in Difference, combating online hate and disinformation in South Asia. Designs AI tools for digital peacebuilding and represents the region in global tech and security coalitions.

Imogen Gerraty
She/Her
Australia

Strategy and Partnerships Lead at the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Develops strategy and partnerships at the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (Australia), driving reforms in child protection, youth justice, and family support. With a background in law and politics, she brings nearly a decade of experience in youth, mental health, and human rights. Former board member of UN Youth Australia and a graduate of the Australian National University.

Isabella Grajczyk
she/her
Canada

Founder & Executive Director of Sask Girls United

Gender & Development Researcher

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Gender and development researcher and founder of Sask Girls United, a nonprofit reaching over 1,000 youth in rural Canada. A Master’s student at McGill University. She has worked with UNDP and led research on gender mainstreaming in Rwanda during COVID-19. Isabella centers equity, rural voices, and girl-led change.

Jessica Ilunga
She/Her
Belgium

Founder & Executive Director of Ius Stella  

Justice Reform Advocate

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Founder of Ius Stella, advancing humane and transparent justice in the DRC through data and technology. Former strategic communicator leveraging narratives for systems change and dignity-centered legal reform.

Jummah Alsileeni
He/Him
Libya

Projects Manager at EOD

Civil Society Leader

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Libyan peacebuilder and project manager fostering youth engagement and social cohesion in conflict-affected communities. Leads civic initiatives supporting displaced populations and promotes dialogue through local and regional platforms.

Maya Mitre
She/Her
México

Founder of Daya Consultoría

Social Entrepreneur

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Mexican social entrepreneur and consultant working at the intersection of gender justice, Indigenous rights, and transformative leadership. As the founder of Daya Consultoría, she partners with Afro-Mexican and Indigenous women’s organizations to co-create long-term strategies focused on autonomy, digital culture, and collective care.

Mbali Pfeiffer Shongwe
She/Her
South Africa

Founder of Mindful(l)  

Public Health Advocate

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Public health advocate and founder of Mindful(l), a youth-led mental health nonprofit in South Africa. She promotes collective care and trauma healing through peer support, feminist education, and GBV advocacy. As Program Manager at BLKHLTH South Africa, her work centers Black health equity and systemic change.

Memory Tapela Banda
She/Her
Zambia

Founder of Zambian DisabilityMatters Organization

Youth Human Rights Advocate

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Zambian youth activist and founder of the Zambian DisabilityMatters Organization (ZDMO), advocating for children and youth with disabilities. Serves as a SADC Youth Parliamentarian, GPE Youth Leader, UNOY and Theirworld Ambassador. Drives inclusive education, peace, and child safety through grassroots campaigns and policy influence.

Mohammad Taqi Yasir
He/Him
Bangladesh

Co-founder of Footsteps Bangladesh

Legal Professional

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Bangladeshi legal professional and social entrepreneur transforming communities through innovation and policy. As Co-founder of Footsteps Bangladesh, he has impacted 700,000+ lives across 44 districts with solutions in water, healthcare, disaster relief, and education. Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 and honored at the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, he also lectures in British law and leads ATnation, promoting digital entrepreneurship.

Monique Ntumngia
She/Her
Cameroon

Founder & Executive Director of Green Girls Organisation

Social Entrepreneur, Clean Energy Advocate

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Award-winning Cameroonian social entrepreneur and founder of Green Girls Organisation. Empowers rural CAMEROONIAN girls in renewable energy and eco-entrepreneurship. Recognized by Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 and CNN; a decade in climate justice and gender equity advocacy shaping youth-led models for systemic sustainability.

Nishat Maryam
She/Her
Pakistan

Senior Program Officer at Community World Service Asia

Intersectional Feminist Organizer

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Intersectional feminist and grassroots organizer in Pakistan with 7 years of experience in gender advocacy and education equity. Leads menstrual health initiatives and policy advocacy, supporting youth and marginalized communities through large-scale programs and campaigns.

Oluwadamilola Akintewe
She/Her
Nigeria

Founder of Project Rebirth  

Feminist Social Entrepreneur

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Nigerian lawyer and feminist founder of Project Rebirth and Forbidden Topics, promoting gender equality and sustainability. A Schwarzman Scholar and Diana Legacy Awardee, she advocates for women in underserved communities through bold, community-rooted action.

Pallavi Kejriwal
she/her
India

Advocate for the Right to Play

Social Entrepreneur

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

A social entrepreneur from India working at the intersection of education, youth leadership, and systems change. She designs and leads play-based programs that build confidence, creativity, and collaboration, reaching hundreds of thousands of children across the country.

Priyal Agrawal
She/They
India

Founder of StandWeSpeak and Sexual & Reproductive Health Advocate

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Founder of StandWeSpeak — a digital platform promoting inclusive sexual and reproductive health education for women, girls, and LGBTQ+ communities in India. Developed the AI-powered chatbot "Mae" to deliver anonymous, stigma-free health information. Recognized by the Diana Award and Young Global Changers; active in WEF, TEDx, and global advocacy.

Question Jaden Ramontsho
He / Him
Botswana

Executive Director of the Common Code Foundation

Digital Equity Advocate

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Executive Director of the Common Code Foundation, training underrepresented youth in Botswana in robotics, AI, and coding. His programs have introduced emerging tech to 500+ students—60% of them girls—with the goal of integrating STEM education into all public schools. Jaden’s work blends youth empowerment, education reform, and digital equity to close the tech divide.

Racheal Kalinaki
She/her
Uganda

Medical Doctor

Disability Rights Advocate

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Ugandan medical doctor and disability rights advocate promoting inclusive healthcare and gender equity. She has championed SRHR for women with disabilities, successfully advocating for adjustable maternity beds and systemic inclusion. Racheal is currently interning at Iganga General Hospital.

Shomy Hasan Chowdhury
She/Her
Bangladesh/United Kingdom

Co-founder of Awareness 360

Global WASH Activist

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

WASH activist and co-founder of Awareness 360, a global youth-led initiative active in 70+ countries. Honored by President Obama, Forbes, and the UN, she has delivered keynotes across 6 continents, including at the White House and UN HQ. A McCain Global Leader and 2025 Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.

Sohee Yang
she/Her
South Korea

Founder of the YOUNAN Movement  

Co-founder of VALID

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

South Korean activist and founder of the YOUNAN Movement, empowering youth and advancing gender equity. Former policy advisor and spokesperson, she now focuses on inclusive governance and democratic innovation in the AI era.

Suman Saurav
They/Them
India

Co-founder & Executive Director at Comms for a Cause

Storyteller, and Feminist Strategist

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Dalit agender neurodivergent storyteller and strategist working at the intersection of digital safety, feminist advocacy, and ethical communications. Co-founder of Comms for a Cause, advancing justice movements globally through care, clarity, and radical solidarity.

Sumesh Shiwakoty
He/Him
Nepal

Founder of RakshyaKawach

Human Rights Researcher

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Nepalese human rights advocate whose work spans law, journalism, and grassroots innovation. A Clinton Global Initiative Fellow and researcher, he has published in The Nation, The Diplomat, and Oxford Human Rights Hub. He holds degrees from Pitzer College and Central European University, with academic experience across India, Australia, and the U.S.

Surya M Rajendran
He/Him
India

Founder of Entreovert People Association

CEO of Clowak Innovations LLP

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Social entrepreneur and grassroots innovator from Tamil Nadu, India. Founder of Entreovert People Association — empowering women and youth in tier 2/3 cities through entrepreneurship — and CEO of Clowak Innovations LLP, developing accessible dental and wellness tech for marginalized groups. Recognized for AI-based oral health tools and portable clinics.

Tamana Farewar
She/Her
Afghanistan/Germany

Co-founder of Amu Social Enterprise

Business Development Specialist

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Afghan social entrepreneur and MA candidate in Ethics, Economics, Law & Politics (EELP) at Ruhr University Bochum under a German scholarship. Co-founded Amu Social Enterprise to promote Afghan women’s economic participation through traditional crafts. Brings experience from CARE, AWCCI, UNDP, and multiple global leadership programs; multilingual and passionate about boxing, motorbike riding, and poetry.

Tunde Adeyemi
He/Him
Nigeria

Research Lead at CCCI Africa

Cleantech Expert

Cohort 25'
Health, Wellness, and Environment

Environmentalist and PhD researcher driving cleantech innovation and sustainable change in Nigeria. As research lead at CCCI Africa, he has empowered over 50,000 rural women through off-grid energy solutions and AI-driven clean cooking technologies. A published author and seasoned project leader, Tunde blends science, community impact, and climate advocacy for a greener future.

Victoire Mandonnaud
She/Her
France/USA

Founder & CEO of On My Way, PhD Candidate at Columbia University, and UN Joint SDG Fund Intern

Cohort 25'
Economic Empowerment

Founder and CEO of On My Way — a real-time mutual aid and financing platform; PhD candidate at Columbia University; UN Joint SDG Fund intern. Works across diplomacy, entrepreneurship, and art — painter, photographer, singer-songwriter — to center human dignity and collective systems-building through creative innovation.

Yairy Vega Muenala
She/Her
Ecuadorian/England (student status)

Founder of Footprints of Power  

Indigenous Youth Advocate

Cohort 25'
Civic Engagement and Advocacy

Kichwa Cotacachi Indigenous leader from Ecuador advocating for Indigenous youth and women’s political participation. Creator of Footprints of Power and youth advisor to the EU, bridging grassroots activism with global governance.

Anastase Ndagijimana
he/him/his
Rwanda

Founder & Executive Director, We Got Your Back NGO
Youth Coordinator, Rwanda Men Engage Network
Deputy Chairperson, AfriYAN
Chairperson, Young African Leaders Regional Leadership Center

Cohort 24'

Anastase Ndagijimana is a tireless gender and education activist focusing on positive masculinity and men's engagement in gender equality and storytelling to reshape norms and beliefs. He holds many advisory roles including the Rwanda Men Engage Network Youth Coordinator, the Deputy Chairperson at AfriYAN, Chairperson for Young African Leaders Regional Leadership Center. Most importantlyl Anastase is the Founder and Executive Director of We Got Your Back NGO

Axana Soltan
she/her/hers
Afghanistan

International Lawyer & Research Scholar

Eisenhower Global Scholar, University of Oxford

Chief Senior Advisor to the President, Oxford Union

Cohort 24'

Axana Soltan is an American international lawyer, research scholar, and advocate for women’s rights, education, and gender equity. She received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Justitia Award from the Palace of Justice within the Supreme Court of Vienna, Austria. Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024, Soltan was recognized as "one of the zealous fighters against the Taliban regime" for her impactful work in women's rights and education. Currently, Axana is studying at the University of Oxford as an Eisenhower Global Scholar in public policy and serves as the Chief Senior Advisor to the President of Oxford Union.

Deborah Akello
she/her/hers
Uganda

Founder, Women and Girls Rights Advocacy Uganda (WAGRAU)

Cohort 24'

Deborah Akello is a founder of Women and Girls Rights Advocacy Uganda (WAGRAU) in 2020 which is committed to reducing gender-based violence and inequality in her rural community of Serere via advocacy, awareness, legal representation and empowerment. Deborah received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Uganda Christian University in Kampala.

Jhuma Sen
she/her/hers
India

Advocate, Calcutta High Court & Supreme Court

Adjunct Faculty, National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata

Cohort 24'

Jhuma Sen is an Advocate practicing at the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court, where she has represented survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, trafficking, and sexual harassment, as well as disability rights groups, workers unions, farmers groups, tribal rights associations in a range of matters. Her list of achievements is too long to mention here, and she has received numerous prestigious fellowships from leading universities, including a few in our own backyard here: Brown and Harvard. She also serves as an Adjunct Faculty at the National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata.

Muetter Iliqud
she/her/hers
China

Academic Activist & Human Rights Lawyer

Researcher, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation & Uyghur Transitional Justice Database

Cohort 24'

Muetter Iliqud is a Uyghur academic activist and human rights lawyer with years of experience advocating against the ongoing persecution of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in China. As a researcher with the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and Uyghur Transitional Justice Database, she has focused on gathering first-hand testimonies from survivors of China’s internment camps, preparing trial materials, and documenting injuries.

Noemi Grütter
she/her/hers
Switzerland

Program Officer, Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA)

Co-President, Santé Sexuelle Suisse

Former Roles at Amnesty International, UNFPA, and Equipop

Cohort 24'

Noemi Grütter is currently serving at the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA), working at the intersection of climate justice and gender justice, focused on cross-mouvement building. As the co-president of Santé Sexuelle Suisse, she created the first Youth Network of activists in Switzerland. She has worked at Amnesty International, the UN (UNFPA) in Rwanda and for Equipop, an organisation specialized in SRHR in Western Africa.

Rita Kamazima
she/her/hers
Botswana

Gender Justice Advocate & Youth Empowerment Leader

Former Peace Corps, US Department of State, USAID, FDA

Cohort 24'

Rita Kamazima, a Tanzanian-born global citizen, is deeply committed to service, youth empowerment, gender justice, and international development. Rita has served extensively with US Governmental Agencies including the Peace Corps, the US Department of State, USAID, and FDA. Rita’s gender justice efforts thus far have focused on amplification of marginalized voices and advocating for inclusion, diversity, and gender equality by championing initiatives that take a holistic person-centered approach and aim to ensure that women and girls are not left behind in public health efforts.

Sarah Imran
she/her/hers
Pakistan

PhD Candidate, Political Science | Feminist Comparative International Politics

Cohort 24'

Sarah Imran is a Political Science PhD Candidate with a concentration in Feminist Comparative International Politics. She has built a career at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and creative communications work that advances gender equity and gender justice. Sarah is also a mission-driven artist and illustrator, and her art is grounded in gender, racial, and social justice. She is inspired by feminist movements, nature, joyful design, her Pakistani roots, and her baby daughter.

Shannon Asher Hardy
she/her/hers
Sri Lanka

Project Officer, UN Women

Government Focal Point, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Sri Lanka

Cohort 24'

Shannon Hardy is a first-generation graduate and lawyer from Sri Lanka. She is currently working as a Project Officer for UN Women, and acts as the government focal point working closely with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. She was an Erasmus+ scholar, and completed her legal apprenticeship at the Attorney-General’s Department, Sri Lanka. She has co-authored numerous publications on important topics such as period poverty, workplace sexual harassment, gender-based violence and women in politics.

Tara Grace Connolly
she/her/hers
Northern Ireland

Feminist Activist & Advocate
Former UN Youth Delegate for Ireland
Member, All-Island Women’s Forum

Cohort 24'

Tara Grace Connolly is a feminist activist and advocate from West Belfast. She was the first person from the North/Northern Ireland to serve as Ireland’s UN Youth Delegate, representing 1.3 million Irish young people at the United Nations. She currently sits on the All-Island Women’s Forum, an initiative of the National Women’s Council

Yasmina Benslimane
she/her/hers
Morocco

Founder, Politics4Her & Climate Sirens

Cohort 24'

Yasmina Benslimane is an award-winning feminist activist, consultant, and women's empowerment coach from Morocco. As the founder of Politics4Her and Climate Sirens, Yasmina is dedicated to advancing gender equality and advocating for the political participation and representation of young women and girls from Global Majority countries. Her work focuses on critical issues such as climate justice, forced migration, gender-based violence, and peacebuilding. She has been recognized as one of BBC's 100 Most Influential and Inspiring Women of 2023, listed in Forbes 30 Under 30.

Abhishek Pandey

Public Policy Manager - South Asia & Africa

Adam Levine

Director, Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies, Brown University Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs

Alisa DeLage, MSW, LICSW

Chief Program Officer at Old Colony Elder Services

Andrea Castaneda

Superintendent Salem, Oregon Public Schools

Anne Pratt

Cofounder Mandela-Inspired Global Leadership Movement for Change, Harvard Fellow, Executive Coach, Author, Speaker, Consultant

Antoine van Agtmael

Senior Adviser, FP and principal founder of Emerging Markets Management LLC

Bill Allen

Senior Fellow in International and Public Affairs, Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University

Bill Foulkes

Advisor/Investor to Creative Startups and Faculty Member at RISD

Candace Famiglietti

Ph.D. Candidate in Global Governance and Human Security; NSF IGERT Coasts and Communities Fellow

Candace Lightner

Founder Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

Dr. Pablo Rodriguez

Past Chair, Rhode Island Foundation & Planned Parenthood

Eva-Marie Mancuso

Director of engagement and outreach, Christ the King Catholic Church

Fran Kelly

CEO View Branding

Frank Faltus, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Human Behavior

Geoffrey Kirkman

Founder and Principal, Potenciar Advisors

Helena Foulkes

President Harvard University Board of Overseers CEO Hudson Bay Company President CVS Pharmacy

Jessi Hempel

Senior Editor at Large LinkedIn

Jessica Walker

Founder of Wondering Forward

Jim Seymour

Managing Partner at Pontefract Global Strategies, LLC

Joe Steele

Global Human Capital & Talent Strategy Consultant for Corporations, Government, and Nonprofits

Jonathan Stone

Former Executive Director at Save the Bay

Joyce Lily

Nurse Lawyer at Law Office of Joyce Stamp Lilly RN JD

Julia Wolinsky

Founder | Executive Coach & Consultant at JWO Impact

Karina Wood

Executive Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses RI

Kate Simpson

President of Academic Travel Abroad

Katie McDonald

Founder of Bnourished

Laura Winningham

Founder, Winningham Impact Ventures

Leonard Schlesinger

Harvard Business School Baker Foundation Professor Chair

Matt Ramirez

Project Leader at Delivery Associates

Meg Stowe

Co-founder and Executive Director - Girls Leadership Collaborative

Mickey Ackerman

Faculty and Department Chair Rhode Island School of Design

Patrick Heller

Professor of Sociology and International and Public Affairs Brown University Watson Institute of International Studies & Public Affairs

Peter Hahn

Faculty member of the Gabelli School of Business, Roger Williams University

Robert L. Carothers

President Emeritus University of Rhode Island

Rumbidzai Mashayahanya

Senior Business Correspondent NRTV

Ruth Davis

Principal at Ruth Davis Associates

Sach Chandaria

Managing DirectorComcraft Switzerland and Founder of Emotionalism

Sam Azar

Founder & CEO at Ascend Impact Advisors

Simra Sohail

Advocacy and Policy Officer PCOS HELPS and Research Fellow at Global Institute of Law

Ted Widmer

Historian, Speech Writer and Biographer for President Clinton

Tony Klemmer

Founder, National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education

The Brown University Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Studies

The Brown University Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Studies is an academic partner that supports the development of the curriculum, engages lecturers and professors from the University, provides certificates for the Fellows after the program, and offers opportunities to be part of the Global Fellows group by CHRHS Brown University.

Lorne Adrain
Founder & Co-chair

Lorne Adrain, the Founder and Chair of GFiC, has been inspired by many change-makers around the globe. He has developed extensive networks through his work in business, education and community. He believes that continuous learning and access to resources are important ingredients to accelerating progress. Lorne believes Global Fellows in Courage is a way to help others access the resources needed to accelerate their own important missions.

Chris Simmons
Co-chair

Cris Simmons is the Co-Chair of Global Fellows in Courage (GFIC) and a corporate leader specializing in governance, diversity & inclusion, and business strategy. As the first African-American elected by national vote to PwC’s Governing Board, he has led major initiatives in financial structuring, leadership development, and organizational transformation. Chris is a recognized speaker and advisor, dedicated to empowering leaders and fostering inclusive workplaces.

Eugenia Mazurenko
Interim CEO

Eugenia Mazurenko is the Interim CEO of Global Fellows in Courage, co-founder of “Philanthropy in Ukraine”, chair of the board “Voices of children.”  She is a strategic leader with extensive experience in philanthropy, fundraising, and nonprofit development. Eugenia has successfully built global partnerships and secured major funding for impact-driven initiatives.

Kelly (Ramirez) Stone
Program Facilitator

Kelly Ramirez is the Program Facilitator for Global Fellows in Courage and the Director of the Donald Ryan Incubator for Entrepreneurship in the Arts & Sciences at Providence College. She was previously the Co-Founder and former CEO of Social Enterprise Greenhouse, where she played a key role in supporting social entrepreneurs and impact-driven ventures. Her expertise lies in fostering innovation, mentorship, and leadership development in the social impact sector.

Stefanie Engelhardt
Program Consultant

Stefanie Engelhardt is the Program Consultant for Global Fellows in Courage and the Senior Director of Programs at Social Enterprise Greenhouse. She has extensive experience in nonprofit strategy, program development, and social impact initiatives, supporting entrepreneurs and mission-driven organizations in scaling their work.