This is the third article in my series of People to follow from One Young World 2025. You can view my first article here, my second article here and my third article here.
This article will focus on delegates at One Young World 2025 who have founded their own company, are One Young World staff, or are One Young World coordinating ambassadors.
If you prefer, you can view a video summary of the article here:
Title: OYW2025 Coordinating Ambassador of the Pacific Islands
Based in: USA
Expertise: Global Health
Lavau is a multi-disciplinary humanitarian, and medical doctor based in Washington, D.C., USA. He has a strong focus on global health and social justice, particularly in the Pacific Islands. Lavau is recognised as a leader in the Pacific region and has been actively involved in numerous health projects aimed at improving public health outcomes. He currently works as a youth health educator and executive team member for the PNG Health Project, which seeks to improve health literacy in Papua New Guinea, and serves as the PNG-Australian Liaison and Cultural Advisor to the Bush Dokta Initiative, an Australian charity delivering essential medical resources to rural Papua New Guinea.
In addition to his medical and humanitarian work, Lavau co-founded and curates Archiveples, a digital media project that reclaims the visual narrative of Papua New Guinea by documenting stories shared by Papua New Guineans themselves.
He is also an OYW2025 Coordinating Ambassador for the Pacific Island Nations, where he plays a leadership role connecting young leaders and supporting community-driven health and social justice initiatives.
Title: Founder & CEO at Blusink
Based in: Zurich, Switzerland
Expertise: Climate Change
Lorena is the Founder and CEO of Blusink, a Switzerland-based company pioneering innovative solutions for ocean-based carbon capture and marine ecosystem restoration. Blusink develops bioengineered pebbles called “Blusinkies,” designed to enhance and accelerate natural ocean processes to capture carbon permanently while restoring marine habitats. Lorena and her co-founder started Blusink after meeting during a research cruise at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, driven by their shared passion for ocean sustainability.
Blusink aims to empower businesses, governments, and individuals to meet their climate goals through scientifically backed, practical solutions that benefit ocean health and biodiversity. The company focuses on bridging cutting-edge science with scalable, nature-based approaches to combating climate change. Lorena has been recognised as a Deloitte Scholar and actively participates in international climate discussions and innovation forums.
Title: UN Young Champion of the Earth 🇺🇳 | Obama Leader | 40 Under 40 Africa
Based in: Nairobi, Kenya
Expertise: Climate Change
Joseph is a Kenyan climate-tech engineer, environmental innovator, and social entrepreneur renowned for his work in sustainable technology and circular economy solutions. He is the founder of HyaPak, a startup that transforms the invasive water hyacinth weed from Kenyan lakes into biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics, such as packaging materials. This innovative approach tackles both environmental pollution and the invasive species problem while creating green jobs locally.
Joseph has also co-founded M-Situ AI, a startup using artificial intelligence and satellite imagery to detect deforestation, wildfires, and illegal charcoal burning, supporting forest conservation efforts. He is a co-founder of AfroClimate, a nonprofit empowering African entrepreneurs to develop climate solutions, and actively engages in youth climate action through organisations like The Keeling Society and YOUNGO. His impactful work has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2025 United Nations Young Champion of the Earth, an Obama Foundation Leader (2023), and inclusion in the 40 Under 40 Africa list.
Title: Editor-in-Chief of The Afghan Times
Based in: Dublin, Ireland
Expertise: Journalism
Salma is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Afghan Times, an independent media outlet based in Ireland that amplifies the voices of Afghan women. Forced to flee Afghanistan in after the Taliban regained power, she continues her journalistic work in exile, leading a courageous team of female reporters and photographers who operate secretly inside Afghanistan. Through The Afghan Times, Salma has launched initiatives such as the Open Mic Podcast and influential magazine editions covering critical issues like food insecurity, women’s voices, and child labour, empowering Afghan women to share their personal stories of resilience.
Her work highlights pressing social, cultural, and women’s rights issues in Afghanistan and has inspired a new generation of journalists both inside and outside the country. Despite facing significant risks, she remains deeply committed to truthful storytelling, using journalism as a tool for justice and social change.
Title: Entrepreneurship Program Design & Management ALX Africa
Based in: Legos, Nigeria
Expertise: Scaling Impact
Belinda Nkechi Idinmachi is an Entrepreneurship Specialist based in Lagos, Nigeria. She is known for her expertise in entrepreneurship program design and management, growth strategy, and digital transformation. She currently works with ALX Ventures, where she empowers aspiring and early-stage founders by providing in-depth entrepreneurship training and support to develop sustainable businesses that contribute to economic growth and job creation.
Belinda is also a OYW2025 Coordinating Ambassador for West & Central Africa and an advocate for women’s economic empowerment. Her work includes fostering female entrepreneurship, equipping women and mothers with future-ready digital skills, and leading programs that promote financial independence and workforce reintegration. She has a strong background in growth hacking, startup building, and community leadership, and holds a postgraduate degree from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in the UK and a certification from Harvard University on Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies.
Title: Founder & Executive Director of She Writes Woman
Based in: Legos, Nigeria
Expertise: Mental Health
Hauwa is the Founder and Executive Director of She Writes Woman, a pioneering women-led movement based in Nigeria dedicated to giving mental health a voice. Having lived experience with bipolar disorder and PTSD, she founded the organisation in 2016 to destigmatise mental health issues and empower people with psychosocial disabilities through storytelling, advocacy, and support services. She Writes Woman runs Nigeria’s first 24/7 mental health crisis helpline and established Safe Place Nigeria, Africa’s first walk-in life clinic focused on mental health and life challenges.
Hauwa is a prominent mental health activist who has spoken publicly about her experiences and is the first person with a mental health condition to testify before the Nigerian National Assembly on mental health rights. She has received numerous awards, including the Queen’s Young Leader Award, and is recognised locally and internationally for her work normalising mental health conversations, creating safe spaces, and promoting preventative, intersectional solutions in Nigerian society.
Title: Regional Programme Lead at Amref Health Africa
Based in: Nairobi, Kenya
Expertise: Youth-led advocacy
Winnie is a leading voice in youth-led tobacco control advocacy across Africa, driving policy change and strengthening movements in multiple countries. In 2025, she received global recognition as an AstraZeneca Young Health Programme Scholar and winner of the OYW2025 Lead2030 Challenge, affirming the impact of her work in advancing healthier, tobacco-free futures for young people.
She has played a pivotal role in supporting and coordinating tobacco control advocacy efforts in Kenya, Zambia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa, working closely with youth-led organisations, ministries of health, and regional coalitions. Her work focuses on building the capacity of young advocates to engage meaningfully in policy processes, counter the rise of novel and nicotine products, and influence the implementation and strengthening of national tobacco control laws aligned with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Winnie has represented African youth perspectives at major global convenings, including the World Conference on Tobacco Control, WHO FCTC CoP 11, amplifying grassroots realities in high-level policy spaces. Through movement building, strategic advocacy, and regional collaboration, she continues to strengthen youth participation in tobacco control governance and position young people as credible, solutions-driven partners in advancing public health across the continent.
Dora is the Co-Founder and CEO of imagi, an edtech company based in the USA that focuses on empowering children, especially girls, through coding education. She is recognised for her innovative approach to technology education, aiming to make coding accessible and engaging for young learners globally. Dora is featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her work transforming how technology is taught in schools to prepare children for the AI age. Her company imagi collaborates with initiatives like Lovable and OpenAI to bring AI-based coding experiences to children worldwide.
Dora is passionate about blending deep research with practical teaching tools that enhance problem-solving and creativity for kids. She advocates for teaching the fundamentals of coding to ensure children fully understand the building and creative process behind technology, rather than just using code generators. Her leadership is driving a movement to make “vibe coding” and AI literacy a core part of modern education, empowering the next generation of innovators and coders.
Title: Co-founder of Potplant Studio | Co-founder of PasiPaki | Kiwibank Local Hero
Based in: Wellington, New Zealand
Expertise: Community Development
Joshua co-founded Potplant Studio, a social enterprise in Wellington, New Zealand, that harnesses plants to foster community development and engagement. As a Kiwibank Local Hero medalist from New Zealand in 2020, Joshua has been recognised for his innovative work in building inclusive spaces and strengthening social ties through creative, nature-based initiatives. His efforts extend to co-founding PasiPaki, another company amplifying Pacific voices and cultural connections, reflecting his deep commitment to diversity, equity, and community empowerment.
A Young Pacific Leaders alumnus and a Professional Young leader, Joshua champions cross-cultural collaboration and sustainable growth in Aotearoa. Based in Wellington, his expertise lies in transforming everyday environments into hubs of social impact, earning accolades for blending entrepreneurship with humanitarian values. Through these platforms, Joshua continues to inspire resilient communities, aligning with global themes of social justice and environmental stewardship.
Title: OYW2025, Managing Ambassador: Canada & USA, Goalkeeper at The Gates Foundation
Based in: New York, USA
Expertise: Sustainability
Lahna is the Managing Ambassador for OYW2025, covering Canada and the USA.. She plays a pivotal role in leading community engagement and activities for the OYW2025 movement across North America, fostering connections among young leaders and facilitating impactful collaborations that address pressing social and environmental challenges.
Lahna advocates for the business case of ‘finance for good’ focusing on the intersectionality of compassion and business. Having started her career at MUFG, she went on to work at Live Oak Bank and Avidbank. She has worked at The Gates Foundation, where, according to her LinkedIn, Goalkeepers is a catalyst for action toward these goals—bringing together leaders from around the world to make progress toward ending poverty and fighting inequality
Title: Founder of Takt
Based in: San Francisco, California, United States
Expertise: Sustainability
Adhitya is the founder of Takt, a stealth startup that leverages AI and advanced data analysis to help manufacturers reduce production waste and improve efficiency, addressing a global problem of over $100 billion lost annually. He is also the founder of KanTalk Education, a non-profit platform providing personalised mentorship to underprivileged students applying to college. Additionally, he co-founded Nirmaan, a startup focused on developing battery energy storage systems to enhance energy resiliency.
Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, Adhitya brings a strong combination of technical expertise and business acumen gained from his education at Princeton University and Harvard Business School, as well as consulting experience at Bain & Company. His ventures reflect his commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social impact through technology-driven solutions.
Title: Member of Norwegian Refugee Council
Based in: Oslo, Norway, but born in Kabul, Afghanistan
Expertise: Refugee Empowerment
Kohejesta is a education coordinator with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), based in Norway but originally from Afghanistan. With a strong focus on refugee empowerment, Kohejesta brings valuable lived experience and expertise to support displaced populations, advocating for their rights and access to essential services. Her work contributes to NRC’s broad humanitarian mission, which spans education, legal assistance, protection, livelihood support, and shelter for refugees and internally displaced people worldwide.
Through her role, Kohejesta plays a crucial part in helping refugees navigate complex challenges related to displacement and integration, ensuring they can rebuild their lives with dignity. Her background, combining Afghan heritage and professional engagement in Norway, enriches her commitment to culturally sensitive approaches to refugee empowerment. She is involved in advancing NRC’s capacity to provide legal counselling, protection from violence, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for displaced communities across various contexts.
Title: Colleague Volunteering of Absa Group Limited
Based in: Johannesburg, South Africa
Expertise: Empowering underrepresented groups
Zintle is based in South Africa and currently serves as Manager for Colleague Engagement and Corporate Community Support at Absa Group Limited. Zintle is known for her commitment to social causes and has been involved in key programmes to help drive youth employability in South Africa. Through her work, she helps foster intergenerational inclusion and opportunity creation in South Africa’s multi-faceted society. This dedication aligns with Absa’s broader mission to be a “force for good” in the communities it serves.
Her expertise lies in driving inclusive growth by leveraging corporate resources to uplift vulnerable communities, strengthening Absa’s position as a responsible corporate citizen. Zintle is known for her commitment to social causes and has been involved in key programmes such as the Visa She’s Next and youth entrepreneurship empowerment initiatives. Through her work, she helps foster intergenerational inclusion and opportunity creation in South Africa’s multi-faceted society. This dedication aligns with Absa’s broader mission to be a “force for good” in the communities it
Lukas is the co-founder and CEO of Meet5, Europe’s largest social platform dedicated to combating the loneliness epidemic, particularly among those over 40. Based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, he launched the app in 2017 initially as a dating platform called Go Crush before pivoting to group activities like hiking, dinners, and cultural events. With over 2.5 million users organising 40,000+ monthly real-life meetups, Meet5 fosters meaningful connections, with 80% of users reporting improved social lives.
Lukas emphasises creating pressure-free, memorable experiences that help users “feel young again,” distinguishing Meet5 from swipe-based apps through its freemium model—12% of monthly users subscribe for premium features like private messaging. His vision addresses modern isolation by prioritising in-person interactions over digital swiping, building a diverse community evident in events like the 700-person Meet5 Summer Night.
Title: Specialist in gender-based violence and advancing refugee rights
Based in: London, UK
Expertise: Gender-based violence and advancing refugee rights
Rebecca is committed to addressing gender-based violence and amplifying youth voices in global policymaking. While pursuing a Master’s in Development Studies at the University of Oxford, she works with a UK-based charity dedicated to ending sexual violence and supporting survivors of rape. Through this role, she helps advance education, advocacy, and systemic change initiatives aimed at dismantling the social and structural barriers that perpetuate gender inequality.
Alongside her charitable work, Rebecca contributes to Global Policy Commons, an organisation that empowers young people in developing countries to participate meaningfully in policymaking. She supports programmes that connect young leaders with the tools and networks to influence local and international decisions affecting their communities. At the 2025 OYW2025 Summit in Munich, Rebecca co-led the impactful workshop “OYW empowers — Creating a Refugee Mentoring Concept from the Bottom Up” gathering insights to bridge displaced talent with inclusive career pathways via personalised mentoring.
Title: Founder at Soul Canvas Creations
Based in: Harare, Zimbabwe
Expertise: Using creativity to address challenges such as nutrition, education and health
Michel is a registered social worker based in London, UK and the founder of Soul Canvas Creations, an organisation that advocates for mental health through self-expressive art. She is also a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Edinburgh (2024/25) and is recognised for her leadership in youth mentorship, policy advocacy, and community empowerment.
Soul Canvas Creations is a consultancy organisation using creative activities like drawing, storytelling and painting to enhance the understanding of complex challenges like nutrition, education and health.
Title: Gender justice activist and artist
Based in: New York, USA
Expertise: Female Empowerment
Sophie is a prominent gender justice activist, street artist, and educator based in New York City. Holding a B.A. in Gender & Sexuality Studies from New York University, she founded the influential initiative Catcalls of NYC in 2016 to combat street harassment and gender-based violence. Through vibrant chalk art on sidewalks and powerful digital media campaigns, Sandberg highlights real catcalls experienced by women, raising awareness and sparking global conversations on female empowerment.
Her work has inspired the youth-led Chalk Back movement, expanding to “Catcalls of” sites across six continents and reaching millions online. As a sought-after speaker, she delivers workshops on gender justice, youth activism, mental health, and digital wellness at schools and universities nationwide.
Andrea is co-founder and CEO of koorvi, a Munich-based startup advancing the circular economy by extending product lifecycles through reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacturing. At Koorvi, she leads the development of a software platform that connects actors in downstream supply chains, automating and optimising take-back programmes with features such as shipping label creation, digital pre-sorting, and dynamic customer payouts. The platform is designed to easily integrate with existing store systems and helps brands manage and track return flows efficiently while generating revenue through re-commerce and remanufacturing.
Koorvi’s platform includes a fully branded white-label take-back portal and resale shop, plus a central dashboard for managing refurbishment, resale, and recycling processes.
It supports smart distribution logic for routing returns to the best partners, partner matching and management, and provides sustainability reporting complying with frameworks like ESRS/CSRD. Notable implementations include a partnership with Tchibo, where Koorvi’s software manages a scalable take-back and resale system for coffee machines, promoting circular product flows and new revenue streams. The platform aims to make circularity simple, scalable, profitable, and native-feeling to a brand’s identity, enabling companies to maintain control over the secondary market while boosting customer retention and sustainability impact.
Edith is a dedicated social impact expert from Mexico, specialising in project management, youth empowerment, and health advocacy. She has a background in advancing sexual and reproductive health initiatives, particularly through her work at Pro Mujer.
Edith integrates gender-focused and innovative educational approaches to support community development and social change.
As a Coordinating Ambassador for OYW2025, Edith plays a vital role in nurturing youth leadership and fostering social innovation across various sectors.
Her expertise lies in designing impactful programmes that address pressing social issues, especially those relating to health and gender equality.
Title: OYW2025 Global Coordinator – dsm-firmenich
Based in: Philadelphia, USA
Expertise: Sustainability
Nadia serves as OYW2025 Global Coordinator and Ambassador, based in the USA, with expertise in sustainability through regenerative materials and circular economy innovations. Holding a Master of Engineering Science (MESc) from Western University, she works as Lead Regenerative Materials Global Technical Expert at dsm-firmenich, focusing on developing sustainable technologies for materials science. As a former OYW2025 delegate, she now coordinates the programme, empowering youth leaders at events like the 2025 Munich Summit, where she featured in sessions on circularity and sustainability, such as linking cows to antibiotic reduction.
Nadia drives impact by bridging corporate innovation with global youth activism, sharing insights on regenerative solutions and youth empowerment via LinkedIn and dsm-firmenich stories. Her passion lies in creating sustainable technologies that address environmental challenges, while fostering mental fitness and outreach in professional settings.
Seif is the co-founder of The SeifSpace Collective, a social enterprise and digital platform based in the USA, dedicated to ending mental health stigma, particularly among young men. Seif created the platform to empower users to speak up, seek help, and heal through community support, resources, and awareness campaigns. As North Africa Coordinating Ambassador for OYW2025, he participated in the 2025 Munich Summit, leading the Action Circle on Mental Health and Wellbeing to build resilient support systems amid rising global mental health challenges.
The SeifSpace Collective emphasises breaking cultural silence around topics like suicide and emotional vulnerability, with initiatives during Mental Health Awareness Week featuring events, workshops, and digital content. Taher’s advocacy extends to global forums, promoting men’s mental health through meaningful business practices and youth-led innovation. This year, he also appeared on the Ikea stage along with an actor and OYW Councillor to discuss toxic masculinity in modern culture
Christina is the Founder and CEO of Aim Sky High Talent, a Manchester-based agency in the UK empowering underrepresented youth through talent representation in modelling, dance, sports, and entertainment. Starting her journey teaching dance at a local youth centre aged 13, she built Aim Sky High from a social enterprise dance academy into a multifaceted group, including ASH Talent Juniors for children, XYZ Dance Agency, and The Purpose Agency for personal branding of athletes and CEOs. Her work with high-profile clients like Manchester United’s Mary Earps underscores her commitment to social mobility, equity, and opening doors for diverse talent from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Christina’s expertise in youth empowerment has earned accolades such as Business Insider’s #1 Female Founder of Colour to Watch in Europe, Duke of York Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2016, and the 2024 Havas Boost Business competition (£150K prize). A University of Liverpool Football Industries MBA graduate, she leverages networks in sport and media to drive career opportunities, with profits funding social impact. Her initiatives address barriers through community ties, choreography for stars like Stormzy, and award-winning programmes fostering discipline and aspiration.
Kolfinna is the co-Founder and Director of AiXist, the Consortium for AI & Existential Risks, based in Iceland. A legal expert with a background in law and international studies from the University of Iceland, she serves as Senior Adviser and Coordinator at the European Digital Innovation Hub in Iceland (EDIH-IS) under Rannís, leading a €4.2 million project to help SMEs and public organisations harness technology ethically. Her AI expertise focuses on mitigating risks from advanced technologies through education, policy advocacy, and collaboration with industry stakeholders, ensuring interdisciplinary voices—especially women and the global majority—shape innovation.
As Co-Chair of OYW2025’s Global Youth Security Council, Kolfinna spearheads discussions on planetary security, AI governance, and existential threats at forums like the 2025 InterAction Council Plenary in Dublin. A finalist for Nordic Women in Tech Awards’ Rising Star of the Year 2025, she promotes inclusive, ethical AI via initiatives like the “Women in AI” working group, blending her roles as OYW Ambassador and guest lecturer to drive responsible tech deployment for humanity’s benefit.
Marie-Leopoldine Tossou is the Founder and President of ONG Yeble, an NGO dedicated to women’s empowerment and mental health in Côte d’Ivoire. With over 11 years of experience in the women’s empowerment and health sector—including five years specializing in maternal, newborn, and child health—she has led impactful initiatives that advance reproductive health and gender equality. Notably, she spearheaded USAID’s Merci Mon Héros campaign, reaching thousands across Africa and fostering open dialogue around family planning and youth reproductive health.
Through Yeble, Tossou works to break persistent taboos surrounding reproductive health, mental health, and gender-based violence. The organization leads community dialogues and awareness campaigns addressing urgent challenges, including the reality that over 12% of girls aged 15–19 give birth annually in Côte d’Ivoire.
A feminist activist and Mandela Washington Fellowship Fellow, Tossou also heads Ashiyr Consulting Group, supporting businesses, government institutions, and NGOs with training, digital communication, event management, and strategic consulting. Her participation in the One Young World 2025 Academy strengthened her focus on expanding reproductive and mental health services in rural communities, driving sustainable social transformation and health autonomy for women.
Title: Founder & CEO Intrare
Based in: Mexico City, Mexico
Expertise: Refugee Empowerment
Her career spans human rights advocacy, including roles at the German Foreign Office in Geneva, the Mexican Commission for Human Rights, and the European Foundation for Democracy, alongside a master’s from LSE and early volunteering in Ghana. Facing her own biases as a young woman in tech, Hannah often emphasises peer support networks like Amela Tech Club and urges people from marginalised communities to believe in themselves amid doubters.
Hannah Töpler, a German social entrepreneur now based in Mexico, founded Intrare, an AI-powered platform that eliminates bias in hiring to connect refugees, marginalised women, and LGBTIQ+ individuals with fair employment opportunities. Inspired by witnessing discrimination at a Mexican immigration office, she developed a SaaS solution that has supported over 4,000 diverse candidates, with 250 securing jobs boasting twice the regional average income, breaking poverty cycles. An Ashoka Fellow and Aurora Tech Award winner, Hannah and her team have raised $1.4 million USD, partnering with UNHCR, IOM, and over 80 companies to train and match talent while promoting inclusive practices.
Title: CEO of Satellites On Fire
Based in: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Expertise: Entrepreneurial empowerment
An MIT graudate Franco Rodríguez Viau is the CEO and co-founder of Satellites On Fire, an Argentine tech startup that uses satellite imagery and AI to provide an early warning system for wildfires. Starting from a personal inspiration after witnessing wildfires affecting family friends, Franco and his team developed a system that monitors 193 million hectares, improving detection speeds beyond NASA’s systems and helping fight fires across Latin America. With a background in technology developed from a young age, Franco now leads the company in scaling impact, partnering with fire agencies and environmental organisations to mitigate wildfire damage. He is recognised globally as one of the top young innovators and fellows in entrepreneurial and tech ecosystems.
Satellites On Fire monitors wildfires in real-time with data from six satellites, offering rapid alerts to fire departments, national parks, and forestry companies via subscription services. The startup has grown from grassroots support into a revenue-generating social enterprise with users across Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, aiming to expand further throughout the Americas.
Franco emphasises teamwork, having co-founded the company with fellow developers who complement each other’s skills. The focus remains on building technology that reduces biodiversity loss and carbon emissions from fires while positively impacting vulnerable communities through faster response times.
Title: Founder of H2O Technologies and CEO of Tayaba.org
Based in: Islamabad, Pakistan
Expertise: Climate Change
Nida is the CEO of Tayaba.org and founder of H2O Technologies based in Pakistan, leads innovative climate-tech solutions tackling water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. Joining founders Bilal and Momin Saqib in 2019 after witnessing rural women’s struggles with water collection, she drives Tayaba’s mission to lift 25 million people out of scarcity by 2030 through affordable innovations like the H2O Wheel for transport, H2O Solar, and H2O Air for atmospheric water generation. These have delivered over half a billion litres of safe water, reaching thousands via WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) projects in underserved villages, with partnerships like Reckitt enhancing scale and advocacy.
Recognised as Pakistan’s first OYW2025 Lead2030 Challenge winner for SDG6, UN Women’s 30 for 2030 honoree, and LUMS Alumni Achievement Awardee, Nida champions blockchain for aid distribution and gender equity.
Tayaba’s team, including H2O Star Zoha Waqas (Diana Award winner and Youth4Climate laureate), has secured Earth Company Impact Heroes status and featured on Shark Tank Pakistan, amplifying global south voices in climate resilience.
Sena Zungu and Stacy Jayne Saggers
Title: Host of the Colour-Full Podcast
Based in: Cape Town, South Africa
Expertise: Promoting underrepresented groups
Senamile “Sena” Zungu and Stacy Jayne Saggers are the dynamic co-hosts of Colour-Full, a leading South African podcast that fearlessly tackles race, identity, privilege, and inclusion. Best friends who are interracial, intergenerational, and neurodiverse, they balance full-time careers in global data analytics—Sena as Commercial Lead and Stacy as Commercial Growth Director for South Africa and WECA—with their passion project. Launched with just a laptop and microphone, the podcast quickly charted on Apple in Society & Culture, featuring guests like comedian Jason Goliath, satirist Lesego Tlhabi (Coconut Kelz), and lawyer Lwando Xaso. Through warm, witty conversations, they amplify underrepresented voices, challenging apartheid legacies and fostering empathetic curiosity across divides.
Their mission stems from a deep “why”: South Africa needs ongoing, brave dialogues on systemic issues. Sena, with her focus on internal representation, and Stacy, driving commercial growth, model vulnerability by sharing personal stories—from hair politics to reverse racism myths.
Colour-Full has sparked cultural shifts, hosting live soirées and inspiring side hustles. As extroverted sensitivos, they prove that caring loudly can transform workplaces and society, empowering marginalised groups like Black women, youth activists, and pan-Africanists to reclaim narratives