Global Staff Archives | Global Citizen Year

Babalwa Ngcongolo

Leah Mesh-Ferguson — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 18:32:31 +0000

Babalwa Ngcongolo is a diversity and transformation consultant, social justice educator, and activist. Babalwa is passionate about young people leading the solutions for social cohesion and justice. She has coordinated youth leadership programs, developed social justice curricula and facilitated diversity-focused interventions and strategies. She holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Cape Town (UCT).

Babalwa has worked with the civil , public and private sector to develop and implement strategic processes for dialogue, collaboration and community building. Her work aims to apply an intersectional lens to understand the interconnectedness of the world’s most pressing issues, and the systemic solutions that may arise from this nuanced perspective. Babalwa aspires to codify equity, justice and kindness into the simplest and most complex interactions across all communities. She is a gym fanatic, a proud plant mom and she loves a good book. In her spare time, Babalwa makes music and writes poetry.

“All acts of kindness are lights in the war of justice” – Joy Harjo”

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Diana Akokpari

Leah Mesh-Ferguson — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 19:27:29 +0000

Diana has years of experience working in the social impact sector in Cape Town, South Africa. Her experience includes development of program curriculum for youth, workshop facilitation and training of team and staff. She thrives in working with diverse groups of people and is passionate about youth development and creating social cohesion amongst communities. Diana holds a BA degree in International Relations and is completing a post-graduate honours degree in International Politics. She hopes to continuously provoke critical thinking, provide safe spaces which foster welcoming and integration, and advocate for social equity. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking and feeding others.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” – African proverb

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Wyatt Foster

Leah Mesh-Ferguson — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:18:19 +0000

Wyatt received a BA from American University’s Global Scholars program in International Studies with a concentration in Identity, Race, Gender, and Culture and a regional focus of Sub-Saharan Africa. She is also a Global Citizen Year alumni (Senegal 2018 Fellow). Since she first began traveling in high school, Wyatt has been passionate about exploring and learning about the world’s challenges and how intercultural exchange can ethically and sustainably aid in bettering the world. She is excited to be part of the Global Citizen Year team as the Admissions Associate to help other young leaders along this journey of curiosity and learning. Outside of work, Wyatt enjoys reading mystery novels, attempting to cook, and any live music event. Quote:, “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.” – Maya Angelou.

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Lindsey Adams

Leah Mesh-Ferguson — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:17:16 +0000

Lindsey Adams is the Technology Operations Manager at Global Citizen Year. With 10+ years of experience serving in mission-driven nonprofit education organizations, Lindsey’s skills and perspectives gained from her work in direct support and administrative roles inform her drive to build, support, and maintain sustainable technology solutions. She is a 3X Salesforce Certified Administrator, and has most recently served as the Senior Database Administrator at College Track. Lindsey is excited to join the Global Citizen Year team, and to support the work of an organization that is dedicated to cultivating a new generation of young leaders who are committed to leading in service of equity and justice. Outside of work, Lindsey is an artist, surfer, and over-enthusiastic home chef. Quote “We are the ones we have been waiting for.” – poet June Jordan

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Leah Mesh-Ferguson

Leah Mesh-Ferguson — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:16:20 +0000

Leah is proud to be a 2014 Ecuador alum of Global Citizen Year. She comes to Global Citizen Year from the theater world, where she worked as a company manager. Over the past year, she has also been a people ops, strategy, and operations consultant for small arts organizations. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Drama Studies and Cultural Studies at McGill University in Montreal and now lives in Brooklyn, NY. She grew up in Arlington, MA. Outside of work, Leah is an avid crafter who knits and sews much of her wardrobe. When possible, she loves to escape the urban sprawl and hang out in the woods. As the People Operations Associate, Leah is thrilled to be part of developing this organization as a leader in human-centered employment practices and philosophies. Quote: “[Creativity is] the relationship between a human being and the mysteries of inspiration.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

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Fernando Martinez

Leah Mesh-Ferguson — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:14:50 +0000

Fernando is a Houston-based biliterate marketer that specializes in out-of-the-box solutions to bring big ideas to life, increasing brand identity and awareness through digital strategy and creative marketing. He is passionate about enriching future leaders and innovators for the global challenges of tomorrow. Fernando has five years of experience developing and executing 360 marketing strategies to further advance brand missions from both B2C and B2B perspectives, most recently in the EdTech industry. Outside of work, Fernando enjoys spending time with his big Salvadoran family, reading books, going to the movie theater with his husband, and playing ball with his two doggies. His favorite quote is from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and it goes like this: “All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.”

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Alejandro Flores Monge

Leah Mesh-Ferguson — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:12:01 +0000

An alum of the Global Citizen Year Fellowship, Alejandro is returning to Global Citizen Year as the Talent Coordinator. After spending his fellowship volunteering at a primary school in Pune, India, Alejandro went on to receive a B.A. in Art from Williams College. He continued a practice of arts-centric community building that he first began developing as a student at United World College (UWC-USA). While pursuing his degree, he acted as Artistic Director to Ritmo Latino, was featured in multiple student gallery presentations, and was honored for his educational work in queer sexual health and HIV awareness by the Ohio Youth Leadership Summit in Columbus, OH. Alejandro believes that in struggle and success, he can turn to his kitchen for some good advice. “Barriga llena, corazón contento.” – Spanish language proverb

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Thuguri Wacira

Digital Interactive — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:36:54 +0000

As Alumni Community Engagement Manager Thuguri is passionate about creating a world where everybody’s basic needs are met. She hopes the sum of her life’s work will be a contribution to this goal. Thuguri previously worked as a Team Leader for the India team. In addition she has experience as a language teacher and a researcher. She spent two years as an Intern Coordinator with Initiatives of Change India and worked with young people from around the world to find ways in which they could each create social change in their own communities. Thuguri holds a Masters degree in International Peace, Conflict and Development from Universitat Jaume 1, Spain.

“I am human, I consider nothing that is human to be alien to me.” Terence

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Suchi Manerkar

Digital Interactive — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:29:44 +0000

Suchi brings with her a varied experience and has worked as a home tutor, delivered lectures in various institutes on humanities related subject and general aptitude. She has also done shows on economics on All India Radio, Mumbai. Suchi has assisted various national and state level technical and culture events in college. For several years she has assisted young foreign and studied abroad students to get acclimatized to Pune. Being from small a town in Goa surrounded by the Western Ghats she has explored the core areas of the forest with her father which has made her passionate about wildlife and current initiatives around the world to save it.

Suchi has a Bachelor of Engineering, in Information Technology(B.E.I.T) from GOA University

Lives by the Rumi quote “wherever you stand be the soul of that place “

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Sophia Ozenbaugh

Digital Interactive — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:18:05 +0000

As a Development Associate, Sophia ensures that Global Citizen Year’s fundraising engine runs efficiently and that our donors are delighted in their interactions with the organization. Prior to Global Citizen Year, Sophia worked at the Philadelphia Outward Bound School, where she raised funds to help thousands of students benefit from Outward Bound’s unique approach to outdoor, experiential education. Sophia holds a BA in Culture and Communications from Ithaca College and brings over seven years of experience in communications and fundraising. In her free time, you can find Sophia between the pages of a good book or out on the trail. “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” ― Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

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Shruti Kedia

Digital Interactive — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:15:41 +0000

Shruti Kedia strongly believes that stories have the power to transform, connect, and inspire people all over the world. Every individual has a compelling life story- filled with ambition and aspirations, scars and mistakes, courage and strength- awaiting to be captured. These narratives not only fuel the passion but also encourage Shruti to find innovative ways to make these stories matter and heard. This zest to archive the everyday lives of extraordinary people marks Shruti’s journey to Global Citizen Year.

An alumni of Columbia University and Cardiff University, Shruti worked as a development journalist in India for over 6 years. Her quest to create a sustainable impact led her to start her own student venture, Ekatra Life, to support local businesses and women artisans in the pandemic. Passionate about exploring international cuisines, Shruti spends her free time exploring New York City, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time in nature.,

“Let us not worry for the recognition or the reward, but let us be more anxious for the quality of our work.”
-Swami Chinmayananda

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Sharon Meyer

Digital Interactive — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:13:46 +0000

Sharon is a Board Certified Internist and HIV Specialist. She practices and teaches in several locations in San Francisco, including California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), St. Mary’s Medical Center, and University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Sharon has a diverse outpatient practice, caring for patients from ages 16 to 103. She also supervises medical students and residents in training, as well as nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

In addition to her work as the Medical Advisor for Global Citizen Year, Sharon was the Assistant Medical Director of the Sister Mary Philippa Clinic, the Medical Director at the University of San Francisco Student Health Clinic. She was also the Inpatient Attending and Faculty at St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Assistant Medical Director at the Family Health Center at CPMC. Additionally, Sharon was the Attending Physician at UCSF’s 360 Program, an HIV Women’s Program. Sharon has volunteered her time as a physician at Camp Mather near Yosemite National Park.

Sharon attended medical school at George Washington University School of Medicine, in Washington D.C. She completed her medical residency at California Pacific Medical Center, in San Francisco, CA where she was also Chief Resident.

Sharon’s daughter is a 2014 graduate of Global Citizen Year; her daughter spent her bridge year in Ecuador.

Favorite Quote?

“I was born to catch dragons in their dens / And pick flowers / To tell tales and laugh away the morning / To drift and dream like a lazy stream / And walk barefoot across sunshine days.” – James Kavanaugh

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