Zachary Boissonneau is a U.S.-based educator, mentor, and writer with 16 years of experience in the humanities. He holds a Master’s in Teaching English and a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing. His scholarly work focuses on literary responses to industrialization and climate change, research that earned him the Best Paper Prize at the Master’s in English Regional Conference. A versatile writer, Zachary has contributed essays and articles to various print and digital publications since 2007, largely in the field of literary criticism. Beyond the classroom, he is committed to community and educational advocacy. He mentors international students pursuing higher education and volunteers at a local refugee resettlement organization, where he specializes in English instruction and college planning, helping youth participants build meaningful relationships as they prepare for their futures in higher education.

Javed Ahmed is an experienced international Management Consultant and Lecturer with over 15 years of expertise bridging academia and development practice. He holds advanced qualifications in Business Management, Finance, Project Management, and Leadership from leading institutions in South Asia, the UK, and the USA.

As a lecturer at UK universities and colleges, he delivers engaging business and management courses that promote critical thinking and professional growth. Alongside his academic role, he provides strategic consultancy to NGOs and public institutions, specializing in the design and management of donor-funded projects. He has successfully secured and implemented funding from major international donors, delivering practical, evidence-based solutions in complex and challenging environments.

Dr. I-Chant A. Chiang is committed to advancing fairness and inclusion in organizations. She most recently served as Executive Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Sprott Shaw College and previously led the Curriculum and Instruction Division at Simon Fraser University, where she launched initiatives to promote inclusive teaching.

She holds a BA and BS from the University of Illinois and an AM and PhD in Psychology from Stanford University. Before moving into administration, she taught psychology at Aberystwyth University and Quest University Canada. Dr. Chiang is a certified inclusion professional, change management practitioner, speaker, and author passionate about evidence-based impact.

Alida is a legal professional and scholar specializing in domestic and comparative law, human rights, and rule of law programming. She holds an LL.M. in Comparative Law from McGill University, is licensed to practice in Bangladesh, and has held fellowships at Columbia University.

She has worked with UNODC and UNDP on justice reform and human rights initiatives, including engagement with Rohingya refugees and national stakeholders. Her work focuses on advancing access to justice for marginalized communities, and she currently serves as a Regulatory Information Analyst in the legal technology sector, combining legal research, policy, and technology to support inclusive, evidence-based rule of law outcomes.

Jami is the Founder and CEO of Scholar Guidance Organization, a global educational and scholarship advising platform dedicated to expanding access to international learning opportunities. Since 2006, he has designed and led programs in ESL education, academic advising, workforce training, and community development, serving more than 10,000 students and professionals worldwide.

A Fulbright Scholar and former EducationUSA Advisor, Mr. Jami specializes in building scalable education and workforce pathways that strengthen employability, expand access, and support long-term success. He is deeply committed to unlocking human potential through the intersection of education, psychology, and practical life pathways. His work integrates principles of human development, cross-cultural leadership, and systems design to help individuals and communities grow, adapt, and thrive sustainably.

Susan Bahman is a Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF in South Sudan, working at the intersection of conflict, displacement, and youth resilience. A former refugee who grew up in the UK, she brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her work with children affected by armed conflict, recruitment, and violence.

She holds an MSc in War Psychiatry from King’s College London, where she focused on the psychological impact of conflict on children and communities. Her career centers on strengthening child protection systems, supporting youth in high-risk environments, and advancing accountability for grave violations against children. She works closely with local organizations to expand the social service workforce and build sustainable, community-based protection models.

Shaurya Kumar Jha is a management professional and mentor with expertise in strategy, economics, and private equity consulting. He is a Senior Associate at Bain & Company, working on due diligence, ESG, workforce analytics, and large-scale strategic projects across sectors. He holds an MBA in Strategy from IIM Tiruchirappalli and a Bachelor’s in Economics, and is pursuing a Master’s in Economics. Shaurya has previously worked with NITI Aayog, EY, and Reliance Jio, and actively mentors students through initiatives like Teach for India, supporting higher education access and economic development.

Nasratullah Mateen is an educator, mentor, and environmental specialist with strong experience in training, advocacy, and capacity building. He has led initiatives on climate action, sustainable development, and social justice, and his work has been featured in international media and forums. Holding a BSc in Environmental Sciences from Kabul University and a MicroMasters in Global Development Leadership from the University of Queensland, he also brings nearly a decade of experience as a TOEFL/IELTS coach and educational consultant. Mr. Mateen is dedicated to guiding students in scholarship applications, English preparation, and academic growth with a supportive, collaborative approach.

Aravilla “Ara” Tan is a professional teacher from the Philippines who transitioned into the development sector, working in Nepal and Malawi as a teacher trainer. She holds dual Master’s degrees in Peace Education and Political Science (Global Politics) through the Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship, funded by The Nippon Foundation. Currently a Peace Fellow at the Jill Knox Peace Through Humor Fellowship, Ara brings expertise in peace education, facilitation, coaching, and writing. She advocates the use of play, humor, and laughter as tools for healing and empowerment, and is committed to mentoring Afghan girls to achieve their full academic and personal potential.

Emmalyn Green is the Director of Learning Design at JA Worldwide, where she applies her extensive background in education and program management to lead the creation and implementation of innovative learning experiences. Before joining JA Worldwide, Emmalyn taught at a middle school and managed educational programs for JA of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Florida Atlantic University, focusing on educational technology. Her research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and education, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in teaching and learning. Emmalyn resides in West Palm Beach, Florida, and is inspired by the transformative power of mentorship and our human potential.

Dr. Hayfa Jafar is an expert in institutional effectiveness and research with over 20 years of experience across Canada, Iraq, and the UAE. She has held leadership roles at Georgian College and the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, supporting accreditation, planning, and student success. Her expertise spans quantitative and qualitative methods, student outcomes, curriculum review, and program development. A published scholar, her PhD examined internationalization and imported universities in post-2003 Iraq. Her research focuses on student mobility, graduate transitions, and education policy in post-conflict contexts. She also teaches statistics and research methods and mentors students and academic professionals.

Dr. Tristaca McCray is an internationally recognized leader, visionary, and changemaker dedicated to empowering youth, women, and communities worldwide. She is the CEO and Founder of NERDS RULE INC. and A BRAVE SPACE, platforms that promote education, leadership, and kindness. As architect of the NERDS RULE INC. Academy, she develops programs that build advanced leadership skills and entrepreneurial confidence among young people. She also serves as General Secretary of The World Kindness Movement, leading global initiatives for compassion and social change. A powerful mentor, Dr. McCray inspires others to lead with courage, purpose, and the belief that kindness transforms the world.

Fahim Muhammad was raised and schooled in Saudi Arabia before pursuing higher education in Pakistan. Over the past 15+ years, he has built a diverse career spanning multiple industries, including hospitality, construction and development, automotive, the development sector, and most recently, education. His professional journey includes leading large-scale projects in international education, driving commercial growth strategies, and managing complex operational transformations. Fahim’s expertise lies in strategy development, operations management, stakeholder engagement, and building sustainable models that deliver measurable impact. With experience across South Asia, he brings a strong regional perspective and a proven track record of enabling growth and long-term value creation.

Betania holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and brings experience in training and supporting young people, as well as managing international and intercultural projects within the non-profit sector. Originally from Argentina and now based in France, she has dedicated her career to fostering youth development through education and cross-cultural exchange. A mentor trainer, Betania currently mentors civic service volunteers, guiding them in their personal and professional growth. She is deeply committed to advancing gender equality and firmly believes in the transformative power of education and mentoring to empower women and girls.

Husna Bahar Jalil is a Master’s candidate in Islamic Finance at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar. She earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Data Science from the American University of Afghanistan, developing strong skills in financial analysis, strategic management, and data-driven decision-making. She has extensive experience in mentorship and student leadership, serving as a mentor for three years, later advancing to Peer Mentor Lead, and supporting students in the Bridge Program. A Qatar Foundation Scholar and a PDS Scholar of the U.S. Embassy, she seeks to apply her expertise in finance and leadership to create impact, empower others, and foster collaboration.

Courtney Bailey is deeply passionate about languages, cultures and building meaningful connections across global communities. With over a decade of experience as an English language lecturer and international teacher trainer she finds joy in empowering learners and educators through language teaching, connection and service. Through Afghans for Progressive Thinking, Courtney treasures the opportunity to work hand in hand with Afghan women and youth, celebrating their resilience and voices. She believes true impact begins with compassion and warmly calls on others to contribute their gifts in support of Afghan youth and women.

Brian Moser is a Maryland-based research professional who volunteers as an English teacher. He has experience teaching students over 15 countries, and has used his knowledge of 12 languages to offer students unique linguistic insights. Brian also has a background in humanitarian work, with a focus on refugee assistance and advocacy, and has engaged in refugee relief efforts on three continents.

Kim Henrie is a full-time instructor in the Programs for Newcomers department at Mohawk College. She specializes in helping learners to build their language and academic skills, as well as their confidence, for employment or post-secondary studies with a strengths-based approach. She seeks opportunities to provide greater support to newcomers and refugees to Canada that address all aspects of their lives both inside and outside of the classroom.