In the first two sections of my review of people I met or heard from at OYW2025, I featured company founders, and in the second section, I featured people who spoke at the event from large organisations who are making a difference in the world. In this section, I will be reviewing the people who spoke at the event, who are politicians, celebrities or the event’s senior staff. These people were the headliners at the event and often brought their own personal experiences into their speeches about why this event was so special to them and why it tapped into their personal values. If you would prefer to see a summary of the information, please view this video
Title: HRH Queen Rania Al Abdullah
Where are they based: Amman, Jordan
Area of expertise: Founder & Chairperson, Jordan River Foundation
HRH Queen Rania Al Abdullah is Queen of Jordan and a globally recognised advocate for education, children’s rights and social justice. As Founder and Chairperson of the Jordan River Foundation, she has led initiatives focused on child protection, women’s economic empowerment and community development, positioning the organisation as a leading model for grassroots, citizen‑centred social change in Jordan and the wider region. A prominent voice on global platforms, she works closely with international agencies and philanthropic partners to advance quality education, digital skills, and protection for vulnerable children, while also championing cross‑cultural understanding and tolerance. Her role as Queen is closely intertwined with hands‑on engagement in policy conversations on refugees, youth opportunity and inclusive development, and she is widely regarded as a thoughtful, principled leader who consistently links local realities in Jordan to wider regional and global challenges.
At OYW2025, Queen Rania addressed the attendees at the opening, using her keynote to explore the moral consequences of global indifference to conflict and injustice, with a particular focus on the war in Gaza and its human toll. She spoke about how prolonged violence, displacement and the erosion of international norms are reshaping people’s sense of fairness and trust in the world order, warning that hatred is enabled by the “silent ally” of indifference and by a willingness to look away from suffering. Linking this to the rise of polarisation and the numbing effects of technology, she urged delegates to resist desensitisation, cultivate “defiant” hope, and see themselves as custodians of a shared moral compass, capable of challenging injustice wherever it appears.
HRH Princess Sophie Alexandria
Title: Queen of Beveria
Where are they based: Beveria, Germany
Area of expertise: Academic and Humanitarian
Princess Sophie-Alexandra of Bavaria (née Sophie-Alexandra Evekink) is a Dutch‑Canadian academic and humanitarian who became a member of the Bavarian royal family through her marriage to Prince Ludwig of Bavaria. Born in 1989 and raised across several countries, she built a career focused on global health, human rights and transitional justice, working with the United Nations on health and human rights initiatives and contributing to policy and advocacy in complex international contexts. Alongside her practical work, she has pursued an academic career and is completing a doctorate at the University of Oxford’s Law Faculty, where she also teaches on transitional justice, exploring how societies address the legacies of conflict and mass abuse.
At OYW2025, Princess Sophie-Alexandra appeared as “Her Royal Highness Princess Sophie-Alexandra of Bavaria” in the session “The Universal Language of Creativity”, alongside artists from the Bavarian State Ballet. In this session, she helped explore how creativity and artistic expression can transcend geography, politics and history, highlighting the role of culture in building empathy, shared identity and mutual respect in a divided world.
Her contribution aligned with her broader focus on dialogue, dignity and inclusion, emphasising how storytelling and the arts can complement legal and policy tools in advancing social cohesion and human rights.
Title: Former Executive Director, World Food Programme, Former Governor of South Carolina, USA
Where are they based: North Carolina, USA
Area of expertise: Politics and Activism
Governor Beasley served as Governor of South Carolina from 1995 to 1999, one of the youngest in the state’s history, after earlier terms in the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he rose to Majority Leader. A conservative Republican known for economic development initiatives like the Enterprise Zone Act, which attracted over $11 billion in investments and 50,000 jobs, he also championed welfare reform through the Family Independence Act, mandating job training and time limits on benefits. His tenure included education advancements, such as statewide internet wiring for schools and tax cuts exceeding a billion dollars, alongside controversial stances like leading the push to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse dome in 1996, earning him the JFK Profile in Courage Award despite political backlash. Later, as Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) from 2017 to 2023, he oversaw aid to 160 million people annually, raising $55 billion and receiving the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for efforts against hunger in conflicts. Now based in North Carolina, Governor Beasley’s expertise spans politics, activism, and humanitarian leadership, blending faith-driven conservatism with pragmatic governance.
At OYW2025, Governor Beasley featured in two key sessions on peace and security. In “Communicating Across Divides: Negotiation, Diplomacy, and Coalition-Building for Global Impact”, he drew on his public service and WFP experience to discuss essential communication skills for negotiation, crisis resolution, and cross-sector collaboration in complex global challenges. He also joined Lord Michael Hastings for a fireside chat, “Governor David Beasley and Lord Michael Hastings in Conversation”, linking food security to lasting peace by highlighting how hunger fuels instability while sustainable access fosters resilience and dignity, stressing global cooperation against root causes like inequality.
Title: Managing Director, UNIDO
Where are they based: Vienna, Austria
Area of expertise: International development, industrial policy and sustainability
Gunther serves as Managing Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), overseeing strategic direction on inclusive and sustainable industrial development globally. With a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, he brings extensive experience from senior roles at the World Bank Group, including Executive Director for Germany, and leadership positions in Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, where he directed global health, private sector engagement, trade and sustainable supply chains. Earlier, he held key posts in the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, focusing on international projects, foreign trade promotion and agricultural diplomacy, such as at the German Embassy in Moscow. Based in Vienna, Gunther’s expertise centres on fostering innovation, economic resilience and green industrial transformation in developing economies, emphasising cross-sector partnerships to address poverty, climate challenges and industrial competitiveness.
At OYW2025, Gunther spoke in the session “Audi Foundation and UNIDO: Progress through technology & Progress through innovation”, alongside Rüediger Recknagel of the Audi Environmental Foundation. The discussion highlighted collaborative advancements in sustainable technology and innovation, underscoring UNIDO’s role in supporting youth-led industrial solutions for global challenges like resource efficiency and equitable growth.
Title: Actress and activist
Where are they based: Born in Iran, now living in the UK
Area of expertise: Acting and activism
Nazanin is an Iranian-born British actress and prominent human rights activist, renowned for roles in Homeland, Counterpart, Hotel Mumbai and the Lord of the Rings series, earning SAG and AACTA Award nominations. Since 2008, she has partnered with Amnesty International as a UK Ambassador, advocating for Iranian youth, women and prisoners of conscience, spearheading campaigns like petitions for detained filmmakers and the “Free the Hikers” effort, while addressing global forums including the UN Security Council and parliaments. Her activism intensified during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, championing the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement; she has received accolades like the 2023 Sydney Peace Prize, Freedom House Raising Awareness Award and People Magazine’s “25 Women Changing the World”. A Council on Foreign Relations member, Boniadi blends her artistic platform with advocacy for democracy, gender equality and against disinformation in Iran.
At OYW2025, Nazanin Boniadi spoke in the session “Iran in Focus”, spotlighting the plight of Iranian prisoners of conscience, their resilience amid harsh conditions, and the courage of activists and journalists demanding freedoms. Featuring a video message from Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, the panel emphasised defiance and hope against intimidation, aligning with Boniadi’s lifelong commitment to amplifying silenced Iranian voices on the global stage.
Stephen Bronfman and Andy Nulman are the co-founders of PACT!, a broad-reaching, inclusive initiative based in the USA that aims to make hate socially unacceptable and promote radical goodness. Stephen is a business leader, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist from a prominent Canadian family with a legacy of impact across industries and causes. Andy is a well-known entrepreneur and innovator, co-founder of the Just For Laughs comedy festival and a pioneer in mobile media marketing. Together, they launched PACT! as a response to rising hate and division, focusing on fighting all forms of hatred, including racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, misogyny, and attacks on LGBTQI+ communities.
PACT! incorporates creative campaigns like the Break the Hate Challenge, which honours young leaders courageously combating hate globally through innovative approaches. Stephen and Andy use their combined experience in business, media, and social impact to mobilise communities towards kindness, inclusivity, and positive social change.
At the OYW2025, the co-founders hosted the presentation of the inaugural PACT! Break the Hate Award. The Break the Hate Challenge, developed in collaboration with One Young World, is a global call to action that recognises young leaders who are creatively and courageously fighting hate in all its forms. During the session, the award winners shared how they are using their talent, resilience, and commitment to impact their message – to make hate socially unacceptable.
Sir Bill Browder
Title: Expert in criminal finance
Where are they based: UK
Area of expertise: How to stand up to a dictator
Sir Bill Browder is a British-American financier and human rights activist renowned for exposing corruption in Russia, particularly through his role as CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, once the largest foreign investor in Russia. After his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky was tortured and killed in a Moscow prison in 2009 for uncovering a tax fraud scheme involving Russian officials, Bob spearheaded the global Magnitsky sanctions movement, leading to laws in over 30 countries that target human rights abusers and kleptocrats by freezing their assets and banning travel. He was knighted in the UK for his anti-corruption efforts, he has testified before numerous parliaments and authored Red Notice, a bestselling account of his experiences, establishing him as a leading authority on combating authoritarian kleptocracy through financial transparency and targeted sanctions.
At OYW2025, he delivered one of my favourite sessions, “How to Stand Up to a Dictator”, sharing insights on geopolitical threats like financial corruption, kleptocracy and state-sponsored aggression. He discussed the necessity of robust anti-corruption measures and Magnitsky-style sanctions to protect European democracy and stability, drawing from his direct advocacy experience.
Title: Holocaust survivor (born in a concentration camp); speaker on resilience
Where are they based: UK
Area of expertise: Holocaust
Eva Clarke BEM, born on 29 April 1945 in Mauthausen concentration camp, is one of only three babies known to have survived birth there, weighing just 3 pounds amid her mother Anka’s unimaginable ordeal of deportation from Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, forced labour in Freiberg, and a 17-day death march in open coal wagons. Anka, selected for work despite late pregnancy, gave birth days before the camp’s liberation by US forces on 5 May 1945, after the Nazis destroyed the gas chambers; tragically, 15 family members, including Eva’s father Bernd, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousin, were murdered at Auschwitz. Emigrating from Prague to Cardiff in 1948, then settling in Cambridge, Eva has dedicated decades to Holocaust education, sharing her mother’s story of defiance—including smuggling food and risking conception in camps—to combat antisemitism, prejudice and forgetting. Awarded the British Empire Medal, she speaks worldwide on resilience, humanity’s capacity for both evil and kindness, and the fragility of democracy.
At OYW2025, Eva Clarke spoke during the closing session ‘80 Years since the end of the Second World War’, along with Shigemitsu Tanaka, Co-Chairperson, Nihon Hidankyo, and President, Nagasaki A-bomb Survivors Council, Toru Yamaguchi, Councillor, the Nagasaki A-bomb Survivors’ Council, and Member, Second-generation Hibakusha Association and Bradley Langer, Public Affairs Manager, Holocaust Educational Trust about her powerful testimony on survival, maternal courage and the lessons of Mauthausen would resonate deeply with the Summit’s themes of peace, resilience and combating hate. Her lived experience remains a vital counterpoint to discussions on security, inclusion and historical memory.
Title: Former NFL player, Actor, Activist & Host (United States)
Where are they based: California, USA
Area of expertise: Actor, Activism
Terry is an acclaimed American actor, former NFL player, television host and activist, best known for roles like Terry Jeffords in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Hale Caesar in The Expendables series, and President Camacho in Idiocracy. Transitioning from a professional football career with teams like the Rams and Chargers, he broke into entertainment via Battle Dome and films such as Friday After Next, later starring in Everybody Hates Chris, White Chicks and Old Spice campaigns that became cultural phenomena. A vocal advocate against toxic masculinity, sexual assault and for men’s mental health, Terry shared his #MeToo experience of being groped by a Hollywood executive, earning recognition as a Time “Silence Breaker” in 2017; he also promotes family values, sobriety and creativity through painting and authorship.
At OYW2025, Terry delivered one of my favourite keynotes, confronting toxic masculinity with vulnerability and strength, sharing personal stories of emotional suppression and harm from traditional manhood ideals. He challenged destructive patterns by advocating empathy, accountability and respect for healthier relationships, while joining Seif Taher in “Rethinking Masculinity” to address why men suffer in silence and how mental health forms the foundation for authentic success. Terry and his wife Rebecca also took part in the closing ceremony, ensuring that all the ambassadors would go home and be motivated to start building on what they learnt at the summit.
Title: Actress (Game of Thrones; Fast & Furious franchises)
Where are they based: UK
Area of expertise: Acting and Activism
Nathalie is an English actress best known for playing Missandei in HBO’s Game of Thrones and Ramsey, the brilliant hacker, in the Fast & Furious franchise, as well as key roles in The Maze Runner films, Army of Thieves, The Invitation and Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. Born in Southend‑on‑Sea to a diverse Caribbean and English heritage, she began performing on stage as a child and first gained TV recognition in UK soap Hollyoaks before moving into major international film and streaming projects. Alongside her screen work, she increasingly uses her platform to speak about racial justice, representation, women’s empowerment and industry inclusion, supporting campaigns that challenge stereotyping and promote better opportunities for underrepresented groups on and off screen.
At OYW2025, Nathalie delivered a welcome keynote address on the first day of the conference, sharing an inspiring message about the power of young leaders to create impact and drive change. Drawing on her journey from shop assistant to global franchises, she highlighted resilience, self‑belief and community as foundations for leadership, encouraging delegates to use their voices and talents to tackle injustice and build more equitable systems in their own fields.
Title: Former Footballer, Founder of The Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Sports Pundit, Podcaster and Entrepreneur
Where are they based: Daubi, UEA, formerly Manchester UK
Area of expertise: Sports, Philanthropy, Entrepreneurship and Communication
Rio is a retired English footballer widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest centre-backs. Having 81 caps for England and a stellar club career spanning West Ham United, Leeds United, Manchester United and QPR. At Manchester United from 2002 to 2014, he won six Premier League titles, the 2008 UEFA Champions League, two League Cups, five Community Shields and the FIFA Club World Cup, forming an iconic partnership with Nemanja Vidić that yielded 189 clean sheets and just one red card in 455 appearances. Inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2023, he transitioned into media as a pundit for BT Sport and hosts the podcast Between The Lines, while founding The Rio Ferdinand Foundation to support vulnerable youth through mentoring and mental health initiatives. Now based in Dubai, he is now involved in property investments, communication ventures and apparel, blending sharp communication skills with advocacy for diversity and social mobility.
At OYW2025, Rio Ferdinand appeared in the session featuring himself alongside Gary Stannett, Carine N’koué and Angela F Williams, focusing on the power of sport to drive social change, though specifics align with broader Summit themes of inclusion and leadership. His participation highlighted leveraging athletic influence for cohesion, barrier-breaking and opportunity creation, drawing from his foundation’s work.
Title: Vice-Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Munich Security Conference
Where are they based: Munich, Germany
Area of expertise: Politics
Dr. Benedikt Franke is Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), the world’s leading forum for international security dialogue, where he oversees daily operations, strategic development and global outreach to heads of state, policymakers and experts. Holding a PhD in Politics from the University of Cambridge on constructivism in African politics, and a Master’s from Johns Hopkins SAIS, he previously served as Special Assistant to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Senior Advisor for Strategic Affairs at Germany’s CSU party, and in senior roles at the Kofi Annan Foundation and Global Governance Institute. A prolific author and speaker on foreign policy, diplomacy and global governance, Dr. Franke contributes to committees like the International Charlemagne Prize and serves as Special Envoy for the Sovereign Order of Malta, blending academic rigour with practical multilateralism.
At OYW2025 Dr. Franke delivered a keynote addressing the evolving landscape of global security and the essential role of young leaders in driving international cooperation. He emphasised proactive responses to threats like disinformation, cyber risks and geopolitical fragmentation, urging delegates to build resilience, foster cross-sector partnerships and bridge divides in an era of accelerating crises.
Title: Aid Activist, Musician & Businessman
Where are they based: London UK
Area of expertise: Philanthropy and Music
Born in Dublin before moving to London in his early 20s, Sir Bob Geldof rose to fame as lead singer of The Boomtown Rats, scoring UK number one hits like “Rat Trap” and “I Don’t Like Mondays” in the late 1970s, blending punk energy with socially conscious lyrics that critiqued violence and inequality. Knighted in 1986 for humanitarian efforts, he galvanised global action during the 1984 Ethiopian famine by co-writing “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” with Midge Ure, forming Band Aid supergroup and organising the epochal Live Aid concerts in 1985, which raised over £150 million through simultaneous London and Philadelphia events watched by 1.9 billion people. Continuing advocacy with Live 8 in 2005 to pressure G8 on poverty and debt relief, alongside co-founding DATA (now ONE), Geldof chairs 8 Miles, an Africa-focused private equity firm, while authoring books and speaking on social justice.
At OYW2025, Sir Bob Geldof delivered a keynote address during the opening ceremony and welcome remarks the following day. His speeches included marking Live Aid’s 40th anniversary, reflecting on the 1985 unity of musicians against famine and its lasting influence on charity and activism. He explored global poverty’s persistence, emphasising collective action’s power and delegates’ role in confronting entrenched challenges through bold, collaborative leadership.
Title: Politician, Anti-apartheid Activist (UK; former MP and Cabinet Minister)
Where are they based: London, UK
Area of expertise: Politics
Lord Peter Hain, born in 1950 in Kenya to South African parents, grew up under apartheid and moved to the UK as a teenager after his family faced bans for anti-regime activism. A leading anti-apartheid campaigner in the 1970s, he organised direct-action protests that successfully disrupted all-white South African sports tours to Britain and Australia, facing conviction for criminal conspiracy but earning global recognition for isolating the regime. Elected Labour MP for Neath in 1991, he served 12 years as a senior minister under Blair and Brown, including Secretary of State for Wales (twice), Northern Ireland (negotiating the 2007 power-sharing deal ending decades of conflict), Work and Pensions, and Leader of the House of Commons; he also chaired the UN Security Council and advanced treaties on nuclear non-proliferation and blood diamonds. Now a life peer in the House of Lords since 2015, Lord Hain remains active on peace, justice and inequality.
At OYW2025, Lord Peter Hain joined Thuli Madonsela and Ashraf Garda for “Reflections on three decades since the end of Apartheid”, revisiting South Africa’s triumphs in dismantling racial oppression while confronting persistent inequality, corruption and reconciliation challenges. The dialogue inspired renewed commitment to freedom, truth and accountability, urging young leaders to address unfinished justice work globally.
Title: British politician; Member, House of Lords; former CEO of PEN International
Where are they based: UK
Area of expertise: Politics
Lord Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE is an independent crossbench peer in the House of Lords, appointed in 2005, with a distinguished career spanning public service, media, business and philanthropy. Beginning as a teacher, he advanced racial equality policies as a Commissioner for the Commission for Racial Equality (1993-2001) and chaired Crime Concern for 15 years, merging it into Catch22 to tackle youth crime and disadvantage. At the BBC, he served as Head of Public Affairs and first Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, then as Global Head of Citizenship at KPMG for 13 years, advising on sustainability and ethics at the World Economic Forum. A Vice President of UNICEF UK and former Chancellor of Regent’s University London, he chairs SOAS University of London and the London Chamber of Commerce’s Black Business Association, earning a CBE in 2003 for crime reduction.
At OYW2025, Lord Michael Hastings joined Governor David Beasley for a fireside chat on “Governor David Beasley and Lord Michael Hastings in Conversation”, linking food security to lasting peace by showing how hunger fuels conflict while sustainable access builds resilience and dignity. He also featured in “The New Now Now: Peace & Security | Radical Collaboration and Positive Disruption in an Age of Insecurity”, advocating systems thinking, intergenerational leadership and cross-sector partnerships for a safer, inclusive future.
Title: Mayor of Cape Town, South Africa
Where are they based: Cape Town, South Africa
Area of expertise: Politics
Mayor Hill-Lewis, born in 1986, became Cape Town’s youngest Executive Mayor in November 2021 at age 34, leading the Democratic Alliance (DA) after serving a decade in South Africa’s National Assembly. Elected MP in 2011 as the youngest post-apartheid parliamentarian, he progressed through DA shadow cabinet roles: Deputy Shadow Minister for Public Service and Administration (2011-2012), Trade and Industry (2012-2017), and Shadow Minister for Finance (2019-2021), scrutinising national budgets and economic policy. Holding an Honours degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Cape Town and a Master’s in Finance (Economic Policy) from the University of London, he previously served as Chief of Staff to DA leader Helen Zille (2009-2011). As mayor, Hill-Lewis prioritises housing, energy resilience against loadshedding, infrastructure and economic growth, advocating public-private partnerships and direct electricity procurement from independent producers.
At OYW2025, Geordin Hill-Lewis presented the Politician of the Year Award, honouring three young politicians using public office for tangible youth impact in communities. He was then part of the South African delegation, which took the baton of the host city of One Young World 2026, which will take place in Cape Town, next year
Title: Co-Founder of One Young World and Founder of BrandTone
Where are they based: London, UK
Area of expertise: Communications, Events and Leadership
David is a pioneering advertising executive and social impact leader who co-founded One Young World in 2009 with Kate Robertson, establishing it as the premier global forum for young leaders tackling humanity’s greatest challenges. Previously the youngest global CEO of Havas and Havas Worldwide, he transformed the French-owned agency network into a digital powerhouse before launching The Brandtech Group in 2015 with $350 million, now valued at over $1.3 billion with 7,000 employees across 40 countries, pioneering Generative AI marketing for brands like Unilever, LVMH and Google. Creator of the “Social Business Idea” and author of the bestseller Who Cares Wins, David drove Kofi Annan’s TckTckTck climate campaign, recruiting 17 million supporters, and advises on sustainability for L’Oréal, AB InBev and the World Economic Forum, while championing women in tech as a Male Champion of Change.
As Chair of the Board of Trustees of One Young World, in 2025 in Munich, both David and Kate were a consistent presence on stage, whether it was the opening or closing ceremonies, or on the main stage throughout the three days of the conference, introducing each speaker, or insirpiring and driving attendees to go back to home cities or organisations and create initiatives that will empower others to change the world.
Title: Soloist Ballerina
Where are they based: Pennsylvania, USA
Area of expertise: Ballet
Jeanette is a soloist ballerina based in Pennsylvania, USA, whose career has taken her from her roots at Pennsylvania Regional Ballet to performing with prestigious companies including San Francisco Ballet, English National Ballet, and Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich. Her expertise in ballet encompasses classical technique, performance artistry, and increasingly, advocacy for dancer wellbeing in an art form where physical and psychological demands can be extreme. Recognised as an Emerging Dancer finalist, Jeanette has excelled in leading roles across landmark repertoire including Jewels, Giselle, Raymonda, and The Nutcracker, blending American dynamism with Russian-influenced precision to create a distinctive and compelling stage presence. Beyond her performing career, Jeanette is an open and articulate voice on the mental health challenges of professional dancing, having overcome significant teenage anxiety herself.
She actively promotes balanced nutrition without restrictive dieting, the importance of adequate rest and recovery, and the need for downtime to prevent the burnout that can prematurely end careers in ballet’s demanding world. Through blogging, interviews, and social media, she inspires aspiring dancers with messages of self-discipline, adaptability, and the importance of maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life beyond the studio.
At the One Young World 2025 Summit, Jeanette participated in sessions on arts, leadership, and personal resilience, contributing perspectives from professional ballet on discipline, empathy, and the power of turning vulnerability into sustainable strength.
Title: Founder, Tawakkol Karman Foundation; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Where are they based: Yemen
Area of expertise: Peace Process
Tawakkol is a trailblazing Yemeni journalist and activist, celebrated for spearheading non-violent protests during the 2011 Arab Spring that challenged President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s authoritarian rule. Born in 1979 in Ta’izz, she established Women Journalists Without Chains in 2005 to advance press freedom, women’s rights, and democratic principles in Yemen’s stifling political climate. Her persistent demonstrations in Sana’a’s Tahrir Square galvanised young people, earning her titles like “Mother of the Revolution.” In 2011, at age 32, she became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient, sharing it with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee for promoting women’s roles in peace-building.
Tawakkol’s unwavering commitment persists amid arrests, threats, and Yemen’s civil war since 2015, which prompted her relocation to Turkey for security. Holding degrees in commerce and political science, she advocates for human rights, Sunni-Shia reconciliation, and Islam’s alignment with gender equality and democracy. As the founder of the Tawakkol Karman Foundation, her expertise focuses on peace processes.
At the One Young World Summit Munich 2025, she delivered a plenary keynote on peace and security, urging youth to lead with moral conscience, combat injustice, corruption, and hatred, and build ethical businesses that prioritise human dignity over greed.
Title: Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG
Where are they based: Munich, Germany
Area of expertise: Sustainability
Ilka is a Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for People and Places, based in Munich, Germany. Her expertise encompasses sustainability, particularly the integration of social responsibility with economic success through employee-driven transformation projects that position BMW Group for the future. She joined BMW in 1995 after graduating in business administration, progressing through human resources and organisational development before moving into production roles, including head of Production and Planning for Engines and E-drives in 2013 and managing director of BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in 2018. Since 2019, Ilka has overseen the employment and development of nearly 155,000 people, as well as all real estate and construction projects across five continents, consistently emphasising that the workforce is the decisive factor in navigating the profound transformations facing the automotive industry. Her leadership philosophy holds that sustainability cannot be separated from people strategy; the two must advance together to create organisations that are both resilient and responsible.
At OYW2025, Ilka spoke on combining corporate success with sustainability and social cohesion, highlighting BMW Group’s approaches to driving innovation through workforce empowerment and addressing global challenges, including climate action and inclusive growth. She stressed the company’s societal duty to develop solutions that genuinely balance profitability, environmental stewardship, and meaningful community impact, inspiring young delegates to prioritise people at the heart of their sustainable business strategies.
Title: Producer, Singer, Designer & Entrepreneur
Where are they based: California, United States,
Area of expertise: Music and Entrepreneurship
Rebecca is a multifaceted producer, singer, designer and entrepreneur based in California. She grew up in Gary, Indiana, where she won the Miss Gary title in 1984. After studying musical theatre at Western Michigan University, she formed the gospel group The Chosen Ones, performing as singer, songwriter, and producer. Married to actor Terry Crews since 1990, she raised their blended family of ten children, appearing with them on BET’s The Family Crews, which drew 2 million viewers. In 2020, amid the pandemic and her stage-one breast cancer diagnosis—which she shared publicly to promote early detection—she released her debut project Regina Madre, amassing over 800,000 streams, and starred in the award-winning film Blueberry.
Rebecca’s entrepreneurial ventures include a 2021 clothing line and sought-after speaking engagements on family, faith, and fame at events like the Uniquely YOU Summit. Her expertise spans music production and business innovation, blending creativity with advocacy for self-care and interracial dynamics. At the One Young World Summit Munich 2025, alongside Terry Crews, she presented the Lead 2030 cheque award, celebrating youth-led initiatives for global impact during the summit’s closing ceremony.