Global Leaders Program

The University YMCA develops campus and community leaders committed to social justice, environmental protection, interfaith cooperation and global engagement by fostering dialogue, reflection and action.

The Learning Technology Center is a statewide program that supports all public K-12 districts, schools, and educators through technology initiatives, services, and professional learning opportunities. Our goal is to maximize school districts’ access to technology and enhance districts’ use of technology to improve educational opportunities for the students of Illinois.

Mercy Education Project is a nonprofit organization in Southwest Detroit that provides educational programs for women and girls. We believe every woman and girl has the right to boundless opportunities and educational resources.

SEE is the governmental entity responsible for overseeing and regulating the state education system in Baja California, Mexico.  Our mission is to provide quality education to all students in the state and promote educational opportunities that contribute to the social and economic development of the region.

Instead of developing a strategy based on a community’s needs, as perceived by those from outside the community, we support local leaders from within the community to build off already present strengths and assets. Our mission is to promote sustainable development by engaging and supporting leaders in emerging communities.

Pasitos is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other related conditions. We have been provided educational and psychological care to children with autism for over 25 years. Our mission is to enhance the development of children with ASD or other developmental disorders through personalized and professional care, promoting their right to inclusion and a dignified life.

Laura Adiwasito is an impact-driven senior strategist with over 11 years of experience in creative communications, design thinking, consulting, and project management in multiple subject matters including: social innovation and entrepreneurship, sexual and reproductive health, and sustainable development.

Laura has worked with organizations in the nonprofit, multi-lateral, public, and private sectors in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and South Asia. A political scientist based in Bogotá, Colombia, she is passionate about working in international and multicultural environments, particularly with social impact initiatives that drive change.

Richard (Richy) Bikko's initial work experience was an internship at TASSC International, a human rights organization in Washington, D.C. He moved back to Kenya in 2012 where he joined DIPAD, a peacebuilding and development organization that works at the intersection of restorative justice, trauma healing, and leadership development. His initial work experiences gave him a deeper understanding of the liberating and transformative power of both formal and informal education.

In 2013, Richy joined Global Minimum Inc. (GMin) as a volunteer and was captivated by the organization’s vision of engaging and inspiring young Africans to be at the forefront of creating a more just and equitable world through unique learning experiences. Since then he has been instrumental to the growth of the organization and played a key role in the development and facilitation of workshops on Design Thinking, Project Based Learning, as well as leadership and social entrepreneurship. He has also played a key role in the development of GMin programs to be more accessible and inclusive for all young leaders. Mentoring young leaders at GMin is one of his most treasured moments as he gets to see firsthand the impact and transformational journey the youth are making toward creating social change in their communities. 

Richy’s education journey led him to attain a B.A. degree in Justice, Peace & Conflict Studies from Eastern Mennonite University. His education strengthened his resolve to champion social justice and exposed him to a multidisciplinary and multicultural educational environment.

Michelle Ngure is a learning experience designer who has contributed to the development of STEM curriculum in primary and secondary schools. She has led an afterschool STEM program serving over 700 marginalized youth in low-resourced schools at Global Minimum, a non-profit organization that provides youth with the opportunity to harness their potential as changemakers. In her role as East Africa - Regional Manager, she established STEM learning centers in Kampala and Nairobi or STEMCafe. She is a member of the International Development Innovation Network (IDIN), a program led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where her experience in immersive human-centered design, through training engagements and coaching, has facilitated learning and project development for diverse groups of teams in Africa.

In her most recent role as a Project Lead at inHive, a non-profit organization that strengthens access to youth’s social capital strong networks, and relatable role models, she advised on the structure and operations of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Nairobi and is pursuing a Master of Education in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology at Harvard University.

Erik Halaas, MPA in Health Policy and Management, is an intrapreneur with over 12 years of experience launching novel programming in public health and education through cross-sector partnerships from NYC to the Bay Area. Most recently, Erik helped to launch the Toaster Innovation Hub, a 6500 sq. ft. space in the heart of the University of Minnesota (UMN) campus that facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration in service to student innovation and entrepreneurship. While at the UMN, he facilitated a variety of courses, programs, and workshops helping students bring their solutions, products, services, businesses, from concept to reality.

Joe Bradley is an Assistant Clinical Professor in Bioengineering in the Grainger College of Engineering, a Health Innovation Professor, and the Director of Engineering Education and Entrepreneurship in the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. His research focuses on engineering education. His research seeks to understand how design impacts outcomes and overall system (i.e., products, services, organizations) performance. His work focuses primarily on engineering design/biodesign within the context of interprofessional skills development and collaboration of interdisciplinary teams. He has used analytical models to study the alignment of products and services with processes, as an organization seeks to address needs and bring new tools, products, and services to the market. He is a co-founder of Sun Buckets, Inc.

Alejandra Matallana Hoyos is a strategic designer with a passion for transforming customer experiences and driving innovation. With a master’s degree in Design Thinking & Customer Experience, she specializes in service and experience design, leveraging her ability to deeply empathize and generate valuable insights through thorough analysis and understanding. Creativity and innovation are at the heart of everything she does. She thrives on collaborating with customers and stakeholders to co-create reliable strategies that seamlessly integrate business objectives with user needs. Her approach ensures that every solution is not only strategic but also resonates deeply with the end-users. You can learn more about her work here: https://alejandramatallanahoyos.squarespace.com/.