Casey Harden General Secretary (United States)

General Secretary/CEO (USA)

Casey (she/her) is a testament to the YWCAs mission to create space for young women to be leaders, in all their diversities, working together to contribute to gender equality.

Since January 2019, as the 15th General Secretary of World YWCA, Casey has been driving the realisation of the global YWCA movements’ Goal 2035 – 100 million young women transforming power structures – and tackling exciting operational, governance, and partnership opportunities to ensure the vitality and relevancy of YWCA in the 21st century.  She demonstrates commitment to transparency, authenticity and inclusion, and a closely held aspiration for World YWCA to be accountable to the leaders of the YWCA global movement, most especially young leaders.

Casey has worked in the local, regional and national sphere of the USA advocating on and ensuring direct services in response to the issues of sexual and gender-based violence, economic justice, health and wellness, leadership and anti-racism. Casey joined the YWCA movement 24 years ago and through varied executive and leadership positions, has shown how to harness a movement that is rich and wide-reaching in its diversity, toward a common goal for collective impact, including a multi-year transformative process toward the YWCA USA mission of racial justice.

Casey serves on the Board of ACT Alliance, as a co-chair of the Multi-Faith Advisory Council to the UN Interagency Task Force on Religion and Development, on the Board of the Global Youth Mobilization, and as a #ThursdaysinBlack ambassador for the World Council of Churches.  

An aspiring astronaut, proud mama of four, and YWCA torchbearer who finds joy in simple things, Casey believes that young women and girls will lead the way in realizing the global goal of leaving no one behind.

Read more about her journey here.

Aïda Rehouma

Director of Operations (Switzerland and Tunisia)

Aïda (she/her) comes with over 10 years of experience working both in profit and non-profit organisations in service of a more equal, fairer, and sustainable and prosperous future.

She joined the World YWCA in 2014 where over the years she has utilized her expertise in strategy and partnership management, general planning and management, and operations and event coordination in multiple roles.

She is passionate about taking impact based work towards helping the World YWCA and the movement achieve the goals envisioned around the empowerment of women, young women and girls. Prior to World YWCA, Aïda has worked for the World Economic Forum in Geneva, non-profit initiatives in North Africa and Switzerland, as well as in the energy sector in Canada. She carries with her dual educational background in Business Administration and International Relations.

Suchi Gaur (Ph.D.)

Director of Global Engagement and Impact (India)

Suchi (she/her) carries with over 10 years of experience working at the confluence of gender, public health and communications technology in the non-profit, startup, parliamentary and research sectors. She joined the World YWCA in 2018, where she is combining her expertise in behavior change, social marketing and community mobilization into her passion and experience around young women and women`s empowerment.

She currently oversees the World YWCA’s daily engagement, programmatic, mission impact and communications activities.

Passionate about writing around issues of service delivery and access, advocacy on rights-based policies for women and youth engagement comes naturally to her. She loves to volunteer to train youth and women across the world. A researcher by training, she was awarded a gold medal and the prestigious Fulbright scholarship for her doctoral work in participatory community communications.

Thabani Sibanda

Lead – YW4A Partnership and Initiative (Zimbabwe)

Thabani (she/her) is a strategic partnerships, resource mobilization and grants management professional with 12 years of experience. With specialized expertise in sourcing funding for different thematic areas such as SRHR, HIV and AIDS, MNCH, women and girls empowerment, she joined the World YWCA in 2018.

At World YWCA, she is coordinating and guiding the development of strategic partnerships, mobilizing resources and donor building to enhance the sustainability of the World Office and the movement.

She is keen on linking her expertise in resource mobilization and her commitment to gender equality into generating revenue towards the YWCA Goal 2035 and beyond. She envisions a world where young women have better access to information and reproductive health. She carries with her a MSc. in Strategic Management and in Development Studies.

Caterina Lemp Bitsacopoulos

Lead of Movement Building (Chile)

Caterina Lemp Bitsacopoulos (she/her), known to many as Cate, has spent over 25 years advancing the mission of the YWCA across local, national, regional, and global communities. Her efforts began as a young volunteer and staff member at the YWCA in Valparaíso, Chile, and today, she leads movement-building efforts at the World YWCA and advocates for good governance, organisational development, and holding the movement and the civil society sector accountable to its stated values.

Since 2007, Cate has ensured that the World YWCA was relevant and complimentary to YWCA associations and leaders through many internal and external transitions. More recently, she has been one of a handful of leaders who have led a multi-year initiative toward movement accountability, authentic partnership, and bold change. Her vision that women and young women are able to lead and sustain the YWCA movement – and the human, women’s, and youth rights movement – is a constant lamp for the movement and partners of the YWCA to follow.

Cate draws on her journalism background and fluency in Spanish, French, and English to build strong, meaningful connections across the global YWCA network.

Cate constantly creates capacity-building modalities and provides constancy and new influence on value-based operational and governance methods and systems for YWCA leaders and volunteers, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to contribute to a powerful global movement for gender justice.

Cate has clarity about and passion to sustain her contribution to feminist and social movements that are community-based and membership-led, especially those that tackle issues of justice. She exemplifies that accountability begins with personal responsibility and community accountability will lead to collective transformation.

Rooted in her Chilean, Greek, and Swiss heritage, Cate finds joy in spending time with her family, the sustenance of the sun, and communing with plants and animals of all kinds. You may find Cate crocheting during a meeting, on a train ride, or all afternoon on a Sunday. She approaches life with curiosity, a standard of integrity and a relentless commitment to justice.

Helen Deslarzes

Senior Specialist- Finance and Operations (Philippines)

Originally from Philippines, Helen (she/her) carries with her over 17 years of experience in finance and accounting. She joined World YWCA in September 2013 working with the finance and operations team. With her expertise in accounting, and her understanding of the development sector, she is working collaboratively around young women`s development and donor management.

Before joining the World YWCA she worked as an accountant for a trust in Geneva providing administrative and related financial management. Thereafter, she moved to a philanthropic office where she developed knowledge in investment accounting and philanthropic activities. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accountancy from St. Louis University (Philippines).

Daniela Zelaya Raudales

Project Specialist (Honduras)

Daniela (she/her) joined the World YWCA, from Honduras, as a young intern in 2016. Currently championing initiatives and engagement at the World YWCA, Daniela has worked across communications and programme roles, coordinating peace building and young women empowerment and leadership programmes. Before joining the World YWCA, she was a volunteer and board member at the YWCA of Honduras where she worked as a peer educator for social and gender justice, violence against women and girls, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

She has over the years linked her passion and ground knowledge around different thematic areas into young women leadership for development. She carries with her a degree in communications and advertising, with a specialty in administration.

Victoria Genecand

Executive and Operations Associate (Brazil)

Victoria joined the World YWCA in 2018 and currently supports the executive operations.

She applies her experience in a start-up environment to her current role. The causes of stopping Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), human trafficking, and forced child marriage are close to her heart, and she connects deeply with the work of the global YWCA movement.

Victoria has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Since moving to Switzerland in 2015, she learned French and now considers the country her new home. She enjoys reading and is a fitness geek and foodie.

Talisa Avanthay Garcia

Communications Associate (Switzerland and Ecuador)

Talisa (she/her) joined the World YWCA in 2019 with experience of bringing effective communication systems into the development world. Through her work, she has utilised communications in addressing human rights violations in armed conflicts and internal displacements of refugee women in Colombia.

She is keen on enhancing the awareness on effectively utilising communications for better policies for human rights, particularly for less represented communities and minorities.

Passionate about defending freedom of speech and information, gender equality and the fight against early and forced child marriage, she is keen to stand up for the rights of young women and girls.

Nirmala Gurung

Research and Engagement Associate for Rise Up! Leadership Initiative in Asia-Pacific (Nepal)

Nirmala is a passionate, detail-oriented, grassroots-driven advocate who has been part of World YWCA since 2018 in various capacities. She is a YWCA leader who has showcased the power of investing in young women’s leadership and has also done a lot of work under our ecumenical identity.

Nirmala’s work within the YWCA has its root in the YWCA of Nepal. She specialises in co-designing, implementation, evaluation and youth-led evidence generation. She is a firm believer in the YWCA model of young women’s leadership and has extensively spoken about breaking formal and informal power structures. For many years, she has delivered training for young women through communities and national levels on issues that matter to them- sexual and reproductive health and rights, mental health, gender justice, and more. As a human-rights advocate, Nirmala has been working with youth across Asia for a long time.

Nirmala holds a Master’s degree in Rural Development from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. With her current role as a RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE, she will guide and support the work under evidence-based storytelling, streamlined communications and coordination, and provide support to manage a technical pool of assistance. Her skills, experiences, understanding and in-depth knowledge of the YWCAs in the region will complement the Global Engagement and Impact team in meeting the objectives of Phase IV of the RiseUp! Leadership initiative in Asia-Pacific.

Vicki Snoddy

Executive Office and Governance Associate ( Scotland)

Originally from Scotland, Vicki joined the World YWCA in 2022 and is based in Geneva working in the World Office. She joins the team with over 20 years of professional experience in the private and non-profit sector in a variety of roles that have contributed to her having a wide array of skills and competence across administrative and governance functions.

Before joining the World YWCA she worked in the Trade Union movement, championing the improvement of workers’ rights and equality for women.

Ndulamo Pholi

Finance and Administration Coordinator for the YW4A Initiative

Originally from Zimbabwe, Ndulamo (he/his) is an accomplished and solutions-driven Development Finance Practitioner with over nine years of experience in financial operations management, including financial planning, forecasting, reporting, risk mitigation, compliance, and strategic decision-making. His career history spans social entrepreneurship, development, and corporate sectors, in different finance functions that focused on accountability, continuous process improvement, strategic planning, and execution, as well as financial and thought leadership. He has worked as a Financial Planning and Analysis Manager for the US-based Velocity Global firm; Head of Finance for Shield GEO; Grants Accountant at World Vision International and a Finance and Partnerships Specialist at Lead Us Today Trust, among other mandates.

Ndulamo’s commitment to the pursuit of social development, social justice, and human dignity, leveraging financial and leadership skills to pursue such an ideal, has persistently attracted him to the development sector as evident in him joining the World YWCA team in 2023. Furthermore, Ndulamo believes that gender equality is a prerequisite to any form of development.

Ndulamo holds a Masters Degree in Development Finance from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, and a Bachelor of Commerce Honors Degree in Accounting from the National University of Science and Technology.”

Dorothy Kwelu

Accountant

Veena Singh

Program Coordinator for Rise Up! Leadership Initiative in Asia Pacific (Fiji)

Veena Singh is a Fiji Islander, born and raised in a small rural town in Fiji and is of mixed ethnicity (her mum is an Indigenous Fijian woman and her dad is a Fiji Islander of Indian descent). She is a feminist development practitioner and is a strong advocate of ‘shifting powers to create positive change’ and in ‘building an economy of kindness’. Her work experience has largely been in the areas of Human Rights, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, and she has more than 18 years of professional experience working specifically in women and children’s rights, Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325), Human Security, Community Development and Community Media.

Veena has worked and volunteered for several Fiji and Regional based NGOs and agencies before joining the World YWCA- The Pacific Community (SPC), Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, FemLINKPacific, Fiji Red Cross and Save the Children (Fiji). Additionally, Veena has worked on a wide range of development areas and issues, including Access to Justice, Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Women’s Political Participation, Leadership and in Decision Making, and more recently in the area of Gender Statistics. Outside of the office, she likes to work on promoting and protecting the environment; raising awareness on positive mental health and wellbeing; and spending time on writing.

She is a mum to 11 cats, proud wearer of sarees and a collector of postcards. Veena holds a Degree in Community Development with Murdoch University (Australia) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy with the Fiji National University.

Victoria Kahla

Victoria Kahla (she/her) joined World YWCA in 2023. She respectuflly acknowledges she lives and works on the traditional lands of the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation (Victoria, Australia).  She grew up in a multi-culutral family with a Scottish mother and Lebanese father, both migrants to Australia. She lived in the UK for 10 years working in book publishing, film and TV before joining the international development community.

She is an experienced development professional, with expertise in program management and youth leadership across Africa, Asia, Australia and Pacific Island countries. She is passionate about girls’ and women’s engagement, and specialises in adolescent development, safeguarding, and feminsit participatory practice in program design, implementation, and MEARL (monitoring, evalution, accountability, research and learning). She is deeply committed to making inclusive, safe space and place for girls and women both online and in person. She works in solidarity to decolonise and dismantle attitudes and practices that hold back progress towards justice for all. 

She has 20 years experience in co-creating face to face and digital programs and advocacy campaigns with young women and adolescent girls’ addressing access to education, economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, mental health and wellbeing, digital access and safety, living free from violence, safer public spaces, leadership, political engagement, and climate change. 

Monica Nabil Aziz

Technical Programme Manager in Middle East and North Africa for the YW4A Initiative

Monica joined the World YWCA in April 2023, she is based in Egypt where she is providing close technical support to the implementation of the YW4A initiative in Egypt and in Palestine.

With over 9 years of experience, she has a background in psychology, social work, and working on projects related to women’s rights, child development, and climate change. She is also specialized in designing and implementing MEAL systems and leading programs’ evaluations. Moreover, she worked in case management for Gender-based violence survivors with refugees for three years. In addition to her interest in facilitating trainings and working with partners on mutual goals. Her skills and experiences reflect her rooted dedication to gender equality, feminism, and a life free from violence. 

Outside of the office, Monica loves theater and oil painting. She is also an accomplished author, having published a novel on refugees and gender-based violence survivors. She is happily-married to a fellow human-rights advocate, and she is a proud mother of a four-year-old son.

Dolphine Kwamboka

Technical Programme Manager in Eastern Africa for the YW4A Initiative (Kenya)

With close to 8 years’ experience, Dolphine has a strong passion for anti-gender-based violence (GBV) and disability programming. She is committed to addressing the root causes of violence and promoting human rights. Her vision for change encompasses system transformations, individual growth, and organizational development.  

As a specialist in gender equality and social inclusion, she has experience in gender transformative programming, addressing the root causes of inequalities, and economic empowerment of women. She understands gender analysis, empowerment, and evaluation frameworks. In addition to that, she enjoys content simplification and delivery to various audiences on different approaches in the gender sphere.

Dolphine has worked with various projects involving women, girls, youth, and persons with disabilities, working closely with UN Agencies and County governments to ensure sustainability and a multisectoral approach.

Outside the office, she is in the farm looking after her crop or having a quiet day indoors.

Mira Rizeq

President (Palestine – Middle East)

Mira Rizeq (she/her/hers) is a recognised leader with over 35 years of solid local, regional and international experience in development and advocacy. Mira is a Palestinian who was born in East Jerusalem. She got her graduate degree in Business Administration in the United States and her second Master’s Degree in International Development in the Hague.

She accredits her first development experience right after graduating to Save the Children U.S.A. in Palestine and the Middle East region, where she started her career by designing credit programs and entrepreneurship development programs specifically for women.

Mira then moved on as Team Leader for the Local and Rural Development Program at the United Nations Development Program in Palestine (UNDP). She succeeded in designing one of the most successful partnership programs between civil society and local governments for poverty alleviation.

Later, Mira headed the Palestine National NGO Project, funded by the World Bank in Palestine for many years, a program managed by a consortium of international NGOs and led by the Welfare Association. Through this program, she has designed special training manuals for NGO capacity building, especially in areas of good governance, monitoring and evaluations, and conducted trainings especially for NGO Boards, leaders, and staff in these different topics.

Mira has been an active YWCA member since her childhood and served as the National General Secretary at the YWCA of Palestine from April 2006 to April 2020, after which she was elected as President in the 29th World YWCA Council Meeting held in Johannesburg in November 2019 in South Africa. Mira was re-elected as the World YWCA Board President at the first transformative hybrid 30^th World Council, in November 2023.

Mira is an activist in the area of human rights, and especially women’s rights. She has served on several boards of women’s institutions, acted as an advisor to several UN agencies, especially on women empowerment strategies, and served as an International Board Member on the Global Ministries Board (United Church of Christ and Church of the Disciples) in the USA for eight years and actively advocating for justice.

Her passion is for music and advocacy for peace and justice. During her childhood and earlier years, she joined many music groups as a composer/singer and pianist.

Casey Harden

General Secretary/CEO (USA)

Ex-Officio Member

Casey (she/her) is a testament to the YWCAs mission to create space for young women to be leaders, in all their diversities, working together to contribute to gender equality.

Since January 2019, as the 15th General Secretary of World YWCA, Casey has been driving the realisation of the global YWCA movements’ Goal 2035 – 100 million young women transforming power structures – and tackling exciting operational, governance, and partnership opportunities to ensure the vitality and relevancy of YWCA in the 21st century.  She demonstrates commitment to transparency, authenticity and inclusion, and a closely held aspiration for World YWCA to be accountable to the leaders of the YWCA global movement, most especially young leaders.

Casey has worked in the local, regional and national sphere of the USA advocating on and ensuring direct services in response to the issues of sexual and gender-based violence, economic justice, health and wellness, leadership and anti-racism. Casey joined the YWCA movement 24 years ago and through varied executive and leadership positions, has shown how to harness a movement that is rich and wide-reaching in its diversity, toward a common goal for collective impact, including a multi-year transformative process toward the YWCA USA mission of racial justice.

Casey serves on the Board of ACT Alliance, as a co-chair of the Multi-Faith Advisory Council to the UN Interagency Task Force on Religion and Development, on the Board of the Global Youth Mobilization, and as a #ThursdaysinBlack ambassador for the World Council of Churches.  

An aspiring astronaut, proud mama of four, and YWCA torchbearer who finds joy in simple things, Casey believes that young women and girls will lead the way in realizing the global goal of leaving no one behind.

Read more about her journey here.

Tina Herrera

Treasurer (USA – North America)

Tina Herrera is an accomplished leader whose entire adult life has been shaped by YWCA. Beginning her YWCA journey as a teen and serving as YWCA USA National Student President while in university, she recently completed two terms as a Director of the National Board of YWCA USA, with two years as National Board President. Her extensive experience encompasses governance, investment, finance, development, and global relations, making her a key figure in shaping the organisation’s strategy and growth. As Chair of the YWCA USA Investment Committee, she was instrumental in launching the YWCA ETF nationally, an innovative investment fund traded on the New York Stock Exchange, which is designed to provide broad market exposure to companies with strong policies and practices supporting women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Tina’s career spans from engineering at NASA, where she launched life science research into space, to high-tech marketing and investment advisory services. She holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering, as well as an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Tina’s leadership with a national YWCA and her professional background provides her with key competencies in strategic planning, financial modelling, corporate communications, and board governance.

Elected as World YWCA Board Treasurer at the 2023 World Council meeting, Tina brings a vision of empowering young women through leadership development, financial literacy, and advocacy. She is committed to advancing gender equality and organisational stability and fostering collaboration between YWCA USA and World YWCA. In addition, Tina’s expertise in fundraising and donor cultivation, along with her service commitment to annual giving, further strengthens her dedication to the organisation’s financial growth and sustainability.

Fluent in English and basic in Spanish, Tina’s values guide her inclusive approach, which is focused on creating a world where women’s leadership promotes and sustains justice, peace, health, and human dignity.

Adrianna Sosa

Vice President (Haiti – Caribbean)

Adrianna Sosa (she/her/hers) is a young woman activist born and currently living in Haiti. She has been a board member of the World YWCA since 2019 and is currently serving a second term representing the region of the Caribbean. For the past three years, she has been committed to peacebuilding and community development, working at a grassroots level as a project coordinator at the YWCA Haiti. Her work is primarily centred on implementing projects aimed at preventing and addressing gender-based violence for girls and young women coming from increasingly at-risk communities of the metropolitan region of Pétion-Ville and its surroundings. A key component of these projects is creating awareness of mental health and well-being, providing professional psycho-social support to victims of violence and abuse, as well as providing young women with adequate professional skills to be autonomised and enter the labour market. Additionally, she is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and has hands-on experience in institutional governance, financial management, resource mobilising, and program development. Adrianna is committed to advocating for social justice, gender equality, and a peaceful world that can only be sustainable if women are at the forefront of it.

Kateule Valentina Kasonde

Vice President (Zambia – Africa)

Kateule Valentina Kasonde (she/her/hers) embodies the spirit of empowerment and advocacy, seamlessly blending her roles as a commercial lawyer, human rights advocate, youth leader, and farmer. Her journey with the YWCA began as a Y-teen volunteer, where her passion for social change was ignited. Recognised for her leadership potential, Kateule was mentored by the senior leaders within YWCA Zambia, propelling her into the role of National Youth Chairperson from 2015 to 2019. During her tenure, she represented the organisation on national and international platforms, advocating for human rights, youth empowerment and the development of organisational policy documents to further youth participation. Currently, Kateule serves as the World YWCA Board Africa Region Vice President, bringing her wealth of experience and dedication to advancing women’s rights and social justice across the continent. Additionally, she holds the vital position of Constitution Chairperson within YWCA Zambia, ensuring governance structures align with the organisation’s mission and values.

Professionally, Kateule lends her expertise to Invictus Hill Zambia, where she is seconded to Messrs. Nawa Mataa Advocates, a leading law firm specialising in commercial, tax, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and intellectual property advisory services. Her commitment to legal excellence extends beyond the boardroom as she continues to volunteer with YWCA Zambia and community organisations, advocating tirelessly for the rights of women, youth, and children. Kateule’s multifaceted approach to social change exemplifies the transformative power of combining passion with action, inspiring others to join the movement towards a more just and equitable world.

Charlotte Muggeridge

Vice President (Aotearoa/New Zealand – Pacific)

Charlotte (she/her/hers) is in her second term on the Board as a Vice-President. She is a Partner at a law firm in New Zealand, specialising in environmental law. She holds various governance positions both locally and nationally in New Zealand. She is on the New Zealand/Aotearoa YWCA board and has a passion for gender equality.

Margaret Jip Kuo

Vice President (Taiwan – Asia)

Margaret (she/her/hers) is passionate about being a volunteer. In 2003, she joined the YWCA young women international training programs. From 2009, she became the board member of National YWCA of Taiwan and has been a board member of World YWCA since 2019. She ran an ultra-marathon (45K) for a charity fund raising for the ITI (International Training Institute of Young Women) in 2014. Margaret is positive, energetic and enthusiastic in sharing the knowledge about women’s health and eager to promote human welfare. She has a doctorate degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Fu Jen University in Taiwan; she comes with over 25 years of teaching experience in university and is a consultant in sports nutrition and human sciences. She will utilise her expertise in envisioning intergenerational leadership at the World YWCA, specifically to create a safe, healthy and sustainable world for women, strengthening young women and girls’ transformative leadership, realising gender equality, and leading a sustainable YWCA movement. Margaret truly believes that with love and strength, we can do everything successfully together.

Nancy Fabiola Urrutia Zelaya

Vice President (Honduras – Latin America)

Nancy (she/her/hers) joined the YWCA Honduras in 2017, initially serving as a volunteer and later taking on various roles, including Board President. Her experience spans program execution in projects related to local governance, gender, water and sanitation, and philanthropic private foundations. With a strong commitment to social justice and gender equality, she has been an advocate for empowering young women and girls, aligning her efforts with the mission of the YWCA.

Yvonne Schüpbach

Vice President  (Switzerland – Europe)

“I envision a strong and relevant World YWCA that is sustainable for many generations of women and girls to come. As a young woman myself, I know that we are not just the future; we are the present and relevant now. I see young women as agents of change, creating meaningful and relevant spaces and change in their communities. I want us to co-create a world where it is safe to be a girl or a young woman and where we can thrive.”

Yvonne (she/her/hers) has been part of the YWCA YMCA Switzerland since she was a young girl scout. Over the last 20 years she has grown into various local, regional and national leadership roles and has gained a wide range of leadership experience.

Yvonne has also been active in the international YWCA and YMCA for 10 years, starting with participating in the 2014 European Representatives Meeting in Stuttgart (now the European YWCA General Assembly). Since then, her heart burns for the YWCA.

Yvonne is a historian and gender researcher, feminist activist, critical and analytical thinker and adventuress. This is her second term on the World YWCA Board; she was actively involved as a board member in the last term, 2019-2023. At the 30th World YWCA Council she was re-elected for another 4 years, now as Vice President. As a young woman on the board, she is committed to inclusive feminist leadership, modernising, democratising and decolonising structure, ensuring that the World YWCA is fit for purpose.

Ashley Albury

Board Member (The Bahamas – Caribbean)

Ashley Albury’s (she/her/hers) goals and interests are guided by community culture and an innate passion for researching and sustainably solving challenges that result from and influence social, economic, and environmental behaviours.

She is a savvy story stylist backed by tertiary studies in environmental science and urban planning. For nearly 10 years, Ashley has helped businesses and individuals finetune their functionality through the development and promotion of customised digital and traditional strategies.

When not in front of a computer screen, Ashley is most likely operating a camera, glued to a book, using her hands creatively or fully immersed in an outdoor adventure. She has served on the Bahamas YWCA’s Board of Management for the past 8 years and counting. The Lord is her light.

Amara Killen

Board Member (USA – North America)

Amara Killen (she/her/hers) is a fierce advocate for social justice and is passionate about fighting to end gender based violence. Throughout her work she has experienced the joy of healing, the value of prevention, and the strength of survival, and she believes in working at the intersection of racial, indigenous, gender and climate justices and beyond.

Amara joined the YWCA community in 2019 as a Prevention and Empowerment Advocate with the YWCA Walla Walla. In 2021, she was one of ten global leaders selected to be a World YWCA Leadership Cohort Member, where she partnered with young women leaders from Palestine, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Sudan, India and Taiwan to discuss and spread awareness about gender based violence.

In 2022, Amara moved to Palestine to partner with a local grassroots organisation on community led actions to support land rights for indigenous communities, improve accessibility to education, and offer safe spaces for women, people with disabilities, and other marginalised communities. Currently, she is completing her Master’s Degree in Migration and Diaspora Studies at SOAS University in London.

Amara is committed to a decolonising and justice-oriented living and working practice, and is eager to continue working on the intersection of gender-based violence prevention and human rights.

Aldeli Albán Reyna

Board Member (Canada – North America)

Aldeli Albán Reyna (she/her/hers) is the Director of Grants and Community Initiatives at Laidlaw Foundation. Born and raised in Montréal to Afro-Peruvian parents, Aldeli is a Black artist with a natural talent for using language to bring stories to life coupled with an ability to transform her lived experiences, using multilingual narratives. She holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Women and Gender Studies, Spanish, and Italian from the University of Toronto and a Master’s in Public Policy, Administration, and Law (MPPAL) from York University. Aldeli has extensive experience working in multiple sectors including nonprofit, philanthropy, and corporate. She worked nationally for almost a decade in advocacy and public policy.

Dieke Hengelaar

Board Member (Netherlands – Europe)

Dieke (she/her/hers) has been an active member of the YWCA for more than 10 years. She has been leading multiple committees within the national YWCA of the Netherlands as well as being a member of the board for 3 years. In her daily life, she is a policy and judicial advisor, working for the Ministry of Health on the Mental Health Team and is responsible for human rights legislation in mental health care and international affairs, specialising in human rights law. Dieke has gained many leadership skills and empowerment from her work with the YWCA and is keen to give back to the movement as an enthusiastic board member.

Ann  Joseph

Board Member (India – Asia)

Meet CA Ann Joseph, (she/her/hers) a dynamic leader and accomplished Chartered Accountant, whose journey embodies professional excellence, academic achievement, and community service.

As Managing Partner of Jose Maruthathu & Co., Ann steers the firm with integrity and professionalism, backed by extensive educational credentials including a BCom degree, Company Secretary (CS Inter), and Chartered Accountant (CA) qualifications.

Born into a family of achievers, Ann carries forward her father’s legacy as the founder of Jose Maruthathu & Co., driven by a strong work ethic and a commitment to making a difference.

Deeply engaged in community service, Ann’s presidency at JCI Pathanamthitta Queens in 2022 saw her spearheading initiatives like establishing an open gym free for public use, earning her recognition with two National and four Zone Awards, including Outstanding President of the Zone.

Beyond her professional and community roles, Ann has been actively involved in the YWCA movement since childhood, serving as Secretary and Youth board member. She also contributes as a Finance Committee member of the Church of South India, Central Kerala Diocese, and National Finance Committee member of JCI INDIA, showcasing her commitment to financial stewardship and organisational excellence.

With a passion for excellence and service, CA Ann Joseph inspires through leadership and a dedication to positive impact.

Emma  Grzechnik Mörk

Board Member (Sweden – Europe)

Emma (she/her/hers) is a 27-year-old political scientist and secondary school teacher from YWCA-YMCA Sweden. She was elected as the first youngest YWCA YMCA President at the age of 23 years old.

Emebet Regassa

Board Member (Ethiopia – Africa)

Emebet Regassa Bikila (she/her/hers) gender expert devoted her career in ranges of Developmental and Humanitarian Programs; Gender Equality, Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women, Girls & Youth, Youth Leadership and SRHR, Girl’s Education, Partner Management and Capacity Development, Women Right Organisations, Local and International Advocacy of Human Rights. She is currently working in the capacity of program manager at the Embassy of Sweden for Regional Development Corporation in Africa. She has worked for Danish Church Aid and International Rescue Committee assuming the position of program manager. She also served other two local women right organizations on women empowerment and youth championing programs. Emebet has been working for 8 years at Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) in Ethiopia from project assistant to Acting General Secretary. She has also served at Addis Ababa University Gender Office in the position of gender office coordinator where she was able to manage mobilizing resource to support female students. Her engagement and role have created tremendous economic and social empowerment for young people and women in the community.

She starts serving in the professional Team (Core Training and Coaching /CTC) of Plan International Ethiopia on the Women voice leadership (WVL) program for women right based organisation capacity building. She is team leader of Evidence Based Advocacy and Adviser of Strategic Plan groups and played key role in developing modules for these two subjects. She is also playing key role in the process of sustaining the role of CTC through establishing Resource Hub.

She was awarded postgraduate scholarship for MA degree at Addis Ababa University. She also had attended several regional and international training in various themes. Her exemplary leadership makes her among a few resilient and successful women in achieving remarkable result in all her engagement.

Emebet has MBA in Management, Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy, with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Sociology. Currently, she is pursuing her third Master of Art degree in Political science and international relations, all from Addis Ababa University.

Naw Gloria Maung Maung

Board Member (Myanmar – Asia)

Gloria (she/her/hers) was the first young woman elected as Vice President of YWCA of Myanmar, serving as Vice President for two consecutive terms and she was also Youth Committee chairperson in her local YWCA.  Since her junior years, Gloria has actively participated in all YWCA activities.  She has taken the lead in mobilising and strengthening young women/Y Thazin activities and supporting and mentoring the Rise Up Leads.  As a senior young woman, Gloria has proven herself in intergenerational transformative leadership, encouraging young women leadership and participation in the empowerment of young people to take an active role in the organisation and in addressing challenges. Gloria has also ensured there was leadership development and capacity building for members and staff to strengthen the organisation’s ability to make a positive impact.

Luisa Kasandra Pedraza Melgar

Board Member (Bolivia – Latin America)

Kasandra Pedraza (she/her/hers) is a committed leader and passionate about women’s empowerment and social justice. Since 2017, she has been an active member of YWCA Bolivia, where she has contributed with her dedication to promote the defence of the rights of women and children. In addition, it is important to highlight that she is firmly against femicide and the rape of girls and boys, thus showing her commitment to the protection and respect of human rights at all levels.

In recognition of her work and leadership, she was elected as president of the YWCA in the city of Santa Cruz. In this role, Kasandra has demonstrated her commitment to positive change, working to create initiatives that promote women’s empowerment and the active participation of youth in the YWCA in her country.

She is an advocate for equal opportunity and human dignity. Her entrepreneurial approach is reflected in her constant search for solutions to address the most pressing social challenges, focusing on access to education and strengthening youth leadership.

Kasandra has cemented her commitment to volunteerism, fostering a culture of solidarity and community service among the organisation’s members. Her visionary leadership has been instrumental in inspiring others to join the fight for a more inclusive world free of gender-based violence, demonstrating that youth have the power and responsibility to create meaningful change in their community and the world.

Meti Gemechu Edo

Board Member (Ethiopia – Africa)

Meti Gemechu (she/her/hers), 24-year-old, is a passionate and tireless advocate for equal opportunities, across humanity and fighting gender-based injustices. She is a self-starter who seeks out initiatives to bring about change as evidenced in her advocacy engagement and empowering projects she successfully developed and managed with a primary focus on access to education.

Renee Mastrolembo     

Board Member (Australia – Pacific)

Born and raised in Canberra, Renee (she/her/hers) is a proud YWCA Canberra member and director, and YWCA World director.

Renee works at Farrar Gesini Dunn as a family lawyer. She specialises in parenting, property and family violence legal matters.

Renee is passionate about gender equality and particularly the gendered experienced surrounding women’s interactions with the law. Her goal is to help all women, particularly young women, feel better represented and heard – both in the court room and on a global stage.

Selina Abdallah

Board Member (Palestine – Middle East)

Selina Abdallah (she/her/hers) is a Grant, Reporting and Compliance Manager who believes in the power of leveraging funding opportunities to drive positive change in communities. She began her journey in the non-profit sector by volunteering with YWCA of Palestine during her college years, where she discovered her passion for project management and grant writing. Now, she dreams of securing sustainable funding to support initiatives that address social inequalities and power structures.

One of Selina’s proudest moments is mobilising youth and women to be part of the organisation’s mission and community to further advance the status of as many youth and women as possible.

Ann Joseph

Nomination Committee Member (India- Asia)

Meet CA Ann Joseph (she/her/hers), a dynamic leader and accomplished Chartered Accountant whose journey embodies professional excellence, academic achievement, and community service.

As Managing Partner of Jose Maruthathu & Co., Ann steers the firm with integrity and professionalism, backed by extensive educational credentials, including a BCom degree, Company Secretary (CS Inter), and Chartered Accountant (CA) qualifications.

Born into a family of achievers, Ann carries forward her father’s legacy as the founder of Jose Maruthathu & Co., driven by a strong work ethic and a commitment to making a difference.

Deeply engaged in community service, Ann’s presidency at JCI Pathanamthitta Queens in 2022 saw her spearheading initiatives like establishing an open gym free for the public, earning her recognition with two National and four Zone Awards, including Outstanding President of the Zone.

Beyond her professional and community roles, Ann has been actively involved in the YWCA movement since childhood, serving as Secretary and Youth board member. She also contributes as a Finance Committee member of the Church of South India, Central Kerala Diocese, and National Finance Committee member of JCI INDIA, showcasing her commitment to financial stewardship and organisational excellence.

With a passion for excellence and service, CA Ann Joseph inspires through leadership and a dedication to positive impact.

Gema Romero

Nomination Committee Member (Bolivia – Latin America)

Esther Gema Romero Valencia (she/her/hers) is a member of YWCA Bolivia in South America. Over the course of eight years within the institution, she reflects, “This is the best thing that could happen to me.”

Starting as a volunteer in 1997, Esther has delved deep into the philosophy and YWCA objectives, realising that she recognised the symbol from her school, where some Methodist Pastors had visited La Paz, Bolivia, and their wives initiated the institution 96 years ago.

Through attending numerous trainings and seminars, Esther made a solemn vow to remain loyal to the institution. She focused on understanding the real significance of its name, “Young Women’s Christian Association,” drawing from her upbringing in religion and her inherent belief in advocating for women’s rights. Esther dedicated herself to various roles within the organisation, emphasising the importance of leadership training.

Having served as the Public Relations Secretary on the local board in La Paz, followed by nearly four years as the International Secretary of YWCA Bolivia, and as a member of the National Nominations Committee, Esther sees her next challenge as being part of the World Nominations Committee.

Magda Barsoum

Nomination Committee Member (Egypt – Middle East)

Magda Barsoum, a passionate advocate for youth, women, and social justice, brings over three decades of diverse experience to her role. With a background deeply rooted in the YWCA, she earned a master’s degree from Oxford University, UK, laying a solid foundation for her lifelong commitment to community development.

During her tenure at the US Embassy in Cairo, Magda led cultural and educational programs focusing on marginalised communities. In retirement, she directed USAID projects, championing civic education and children’s and women’s rights.

As a board member of YWCA Cairo, Magda promotes a democratic approach, prioritising the recruitment and empowerment of young women. She advocates for remote engagement and skill-building incentives to overcome barriers to participation.

Magda’s ultimate goal is to see more women in leadership roles across sectors, guided by principles of inclusivity and tolerance. Her tireless efforts underscore her dedication to fostering a more equitable society, making her a vital asset to the YWCA and the broader social justice movement.

Queen Zanele Ncube

Nomination Committee Member (Zimbabwe – Africa)

Queen (they/them/theirs) is a social worker and a Development Practitioner skilled in research and consultancy, a social and gender justice advocate with years of experience in championing SRHR, particularly access to comprehensive differentiated health care services for gender diverse persons, adolescents, girls and women in local, regional and global platforms.

Queen has been involved in the YWCA movement for more than seven years, serving as a leader for two terms at their local YWCA and has just been elected to the World YWCA nominations committee. In the YWCA movement, Queen has been instrumental in coordinating and implementing strategies and campaigns to promote visibility within the local and national organisation, development of technical content for proposals for partner engagement as well and facilitating topical discussions for youths that entail mental health, SOGIEC, climate change etc.

Olga Gkini

Nomination Committee Member (Greece – Europe)

Ms. Olga Gkini was born in Thessaloniki. She is an active lawyer in civil and criminal law, a graduate of the Law School of the Democritus University of Thrace. Since 2007, she has been a volunteer member of the local YWCA Centre in Thessaloniki, where she supported the Social Service with her specialisation. She was elected a member of the Executive Committee of the YWCA of Greece, and from 2012 to 2018, she served as its Treasurer. In 2018, she was elected President of the national YWCA. Her presidency was renewed in 2021 for another three-year term, which ended in March 2024.

Guided by the collective and bold vision of the movement, its principles, values, and history, during her tenure, in collaboration with the organisation’s staff – volunteers and professionals – she ensured the investment of resources – human and financial – in the digital transition of the administration and operation, in maintaining high standards of good governance and transparency, in the optimal utilisation of its real estate, in providing quality services to women, and in implementing projects aimed at protecting the organisation’s intellectual capital so that the YWCA in Greece could transition fully equipped to the new century of its significant presence.

The Executive Board of YWCA of Greece, recognising her experience in women’s issues in Greece, her contribution to the visibility and recognition of the movement in social affairs, and her expertise in national law, appointed her as its advisor on advocacy issues, among other issues.