Global Fellows in Courage (GFiC) is built on a strong network of changemakers, mentors, and partners dedicated to advancing human rights.
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.
Social Entrepreneur and Founder of MyTindy.
Head of Empowerment at Women in Tech Morocco.
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.
Managing Director of Brave Generation
Ukrainian Civic Leader
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.
Lawyer and Projects Coordinator at Rights Georgia
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.
Head of Shequal Foundation
Social Entrepreneur
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.
Co-founder & CEO of O1nnovations
Civil Engineer for Climate-Resilient Water Solutions
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.
Co-founder of Mindful Musicianship
Sociologist, and Creative Producer
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.
Global SRHR Consultant, Founder of Kubeli
Feminist Strategist
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.
Human Rights Strategist
Founder of Jackfruit
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.
Co-founder of myStash
Financial Inclusion Advocate
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.
Founder of Survival Scholars and The Puppet Palace
Mental Health Advocate
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.
Founder of Girls Power Fund
Social Entrepreneur
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.
Founder of Safe Haven Foundation
Adolescent SRH Advocate
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.
Global Health Diplomat, Technical Advisor at WHO
Founder of Youth For Women Foundation
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.
Founder & CEO of Invicta, Human Rights Advocate
Social Impact Innovator
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.
Founder & CEO of Gwiji for Women
Social Entrepreneur
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.
Founder & CEO of Girls' Pride Group
Human Rights Advocate
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.
Investigative Journalist
Human Rights Reporter
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.
Founder of a Women-Led Eco-Tourism Organization
Environmental Advocate
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.
Human Rights Lawyer and Head of the Human Mobility Team at CEJIL
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.
Co-founder of YouManitarian
Human Rights Lawyer, International Correspondent
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.
Co-founder of Dignity in Difference (DiD)
Digital Anthropologist
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.
Strategy and Partnerships Lead at the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
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.
Founder & Executive Director of Sask Girls United
Gender & Development Researcher
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.
Founder & Executive Director of Ius Stella
Justice Reform Advocate
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.
Projects Manager at EOD
Civil Society Leader
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.
Founder of Daya Consultoría
Social Entrepreneur
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.
Founder of Mindful(l)
Public Health Advocate
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.
Founder of Zambian DisabilityMatters Organization
Youth Human Rights Advocate
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.
Co-founder of Footsteps Bangladesh
Legal Professional
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.
Founder & Executive Director of Green Girls Organisation
Social Entrepreneur, Clean Energy Advocate
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.
Senior Program Officer at Community World Service Asia
Intersectional Feminist Organizer
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.
Founder of Project Rebirth
Feminist Social Entrepreneur
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.
Advocate for the Right to Play
Social Entrepreneur
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.
Founder of StandWeSpeak and Sexual & Reproductive Health Advocate
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.
Executive Director of the Common Code Foundation
Digital Equity Advocate
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.
Medical Doctor
Disability Rights Advocate
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.
Co-founder of Awareness 360
Global WASH Activist
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.
Founder of the YOUNAN Movement
Co-founder of VALID
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.
Co-founder & Executive Director at Comms for a Cause
Storyteller, and Feminist Strategist
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.
Founder of RakshyaKawach
Human Rights Researcher
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.
Founder of Entreovert People Association
CEO of Clowak Innovations LLP
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.
Co-founder of Amu Social Enterprise
Business Development Specialist
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.
Research Lead at CCCI Africa
Cleantech Expert
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.
Founder & CEO of On My Way, PhD Candidate at Columbia University, and UN Joint SDG Fund Intern
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.
Founder of Footprints of Power
Indigenous Youth Advocate
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.
Founder & Executive Director, We Got Your Back NGO
Youth Coordinator, Rwanda Men Engage Network
Deputy Chairperson, AfriYAN
Chairperson, Young African Leaders Regional Leadership Center
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
International Lawyer & Research Scholar
Eisenhower Global Scholar, University of Oxford
Chief Senior Advisor to the President, Oxford Union
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.
Founder, Women and Girls Rights Advocacy Uganda (WAGRAU)
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.
Advocate, Calcutta High Court & Supreme Court
Adjunct Faculty, National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata
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.
Academic Activist & Human Rights Lawyer
Researcher, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation & Uyghur Transitional Justice Database
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.
Program Officer, Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA)
Co-President, Santé Sexuelle Suisse
Former Roles at Amnesty International, UNFPA, and Equipop
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.
Gender Justice Advocate & Youth Empowerment Leader
Former Peace Corps, US Department of State, USAID, FDA
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.
PhD Candidate, Political Science | Feminist Comparative International Politics
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.
Project Officer, UN Women
Government Focal Point, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Sri Lanka
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.
Feminist Activist & Advocate
Former UN Youth Delegate for Ireland
Member, All-Island Women’s Forum
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
Founder, Politics4Her & Climate Sirens
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.
Director, Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies, Brown University Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
Cofounder Mandela-Inspired Global Leadership Movement for Change, Harvard Fellow, Executive Coach, Author, Speaker, Consultant
Senior Adviser, FP and principal founder of Emerging Markets Management LLC
Senior Fellow in International and Public Affairs, Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University
Ph.D. Candidate in Global Governance and Human Security; NSF IGERT Coasts and Communities Fellow
President Harvard University Board of Overseers CEO Hudson Bay Company President CVS Pharmacy
Global Human Capital & Talent Strategy Consultant for Corporations, Government, and Nonprofits
Professor of Sociology and International and Public Affairs Brown University Watson Institute of International Studies & Public Affairs
Advocacy and Policy Officer PCOS HELPS and Research Fellow at Global Institute of Law
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, 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.
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 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 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 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.