Introducing our 2026 Global Democracy Fellows
The Presidential Precinct is proud to host 20 of the world’s rising leaders at the 2026 Global Democracy Fellowship, a program designed to build leadership skills in Fellows ready to create a better world.
Building on the legacy of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, this program has expanded beyond the African continent to represent countries across the globe. During their six weeks at the Presidential Precinct, Fellows will engage in numerous debates, masterclasses, and opportunities to network and grow in their fields of expertise. From Charlottesville to Montpelier to Williamsburg, Fellows will learn about democracy in various historically rich settings.
Aayush Pantha, Nepal
Aayush Pantha is a digital media practitioner and democracy organizer working at the intersection of grassroots movements, new media, and political participation. Based in Nepal, he leads the multimedia and IT department of Freedom Studio, a media tech organization that supports marginalized communities through storytelling, digital organizing, and civic engagement.
His work focuses on building narratives from the ground up, collaborating with young people, artists, and creatives to amplify the voices of marginalized and oppressed communities often excluded from formal politics.
Through partnerships with social movements and civil society organizations, he has supported issue-based mobilization around accountability, democratic participation, and people's power.
Aayush's overarching goal is to help young people and marginalized communities engage with democracy not only as spectators, but as active citizens. He holds a Master's in Business Administration from British College and a Bachelor's in Multimedia from Islington College, both affiliated with universities in the UK.
Alethea Wong, Malaysia
Alethea Wong is a policy professional with a background in politics, working across government institutions and civil society organizations to advance governance reform, legislative development, and regional cooperation.
Her career in public service has been marked by significant contributions at the highest levels of Malaysia's democratic institutions, including the offices of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Leader of the Opposition, the Parliamentary Select Committee on International Relations and Trade, and the Deputy Prime Minister.
Beyond her public service roles, Alethea has served on multiple government-appointed councils, advising on youth development and civic engagement. She is committed to advancing progressive policies, strengthening democratic governance, and fostering regional cooperation across Southeast Asia. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford.
Alphia Kemokai, Liberia
Alphia Faith Kemokai is an independent, nonpartisan youth governance and democracy consultant and Program Manager at Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, where she leads the Young Political Leadership School Africa.
She works at the intersection of youth leadership, democratic institutions, and political systems, supporting partners to move youth participation beyond tokenism and translate young people’s priorities into practical governance action. She is a mentor and coach to many young people, a grassroots civic leader committed to inspiring the next generation of African changemakers.
With over a decade of experience in youth leadership development, civic engagement, and governance initiatives, Alphia’s work spans Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Mano River Union and ECOWAS region.
Alphia is an Obama Foundation Africa Leader and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Multilateral Diplomacy from the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute, earned as part of the inaugural class of the Madam Suakoko Graduate School for Female Diplomats Program. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Stella Maris Polytechnic University, along with several leadership and civic engagement training certificates.
Doruntina Maliqi, Kosovo
Doruntina Maliqi is an education and democracy practitioner working at the intersection of public policy, sustainability, and inclusive learning systems. Her work focuses on how education can strengthen democratic participation, social inclusion, and institutional trust during periods of social and economic transition.
She currently serves as Environmental Policy and Resource Efficiency Advisor at GIZ Kosovo, where she coordinates Kosovo Sustainable Development Week, a national platform that brings together government institutions, universities, municipalities, civil society, and the private sector to advance sustainability policy, green skills development, and public engagement.
Alongside her policy work, Doruntina has led youth and women’s empowerment initiatives focused on educational access, employability, and inclusion, particularly for marginalized communities in Kosovo. Her experience spans public policy, advocacy, strategic communication, and cross-sector coordination in both local and international contexts.
She holds a Master’s degree in Advocacy and in Strategic and Environmental Communication, and is pursuing a Doctoral Program in Education Policy and Leadership. She views education not only as a pathway to opportunity, but as a foundation for democratic resilience and long-term societal transformation.
Francisco Mendoza, Ecuador
Francisco Mendoza is co-founder and director of Fundación Libre Razón, a think tank that promotes, defends, and advances the ideas of freedom through public debate, democratic training, and policy engagement. Through this platform, he has designed and led national and local programs focused on democratic strengthening and political leadership development.
Libre Razón has trained more than 3,000 political leaders and civic actors, collaborating with international partners such as the International Republican Institute, National Endowment for Democracy, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, and the Swedish International Liberal Centre.
Francisco has held senior leadership roles within Ecuador’s political arena, including serving on the National Executive Committee of the CREO Party. Also, he worked as senior advisor to the government caucus in the National Assembly and later as Undersecretary at the Secretariat of Government. He has also been a candidate for city council (2019) and the National Assembly (2021). Since July 2025, he has served as director of the César Monge Training Center, the party’s academic institution.
Francisco is an economist specializing in data science and innovation and has completed international programs on democracy, rule of law, political coalitions, and authoritarianism.
Gabriel Marmentini, Brazil
Gabriel Marmentini has dedicated his career to strengthening democracy and advancing social justice in Brazil through social entrepreneurship.
At the age of 22, he co-founded two high-impact civil society organizations: Politize! — Civic Education Institute and the Brazilian Association for Head and Neck Cancer (ACBG Brasil). He holds a degree in Public Management from the State University of Santa Catarina, as well as a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Management.
From 2021 to 2023, Gabriel served as an adjunct professor, teaching courses related to social entrepreneurship, socio-environmental responsibility, and the co-production of public value. Throughout his journey, Gabriel has been part of leading global leadership networks and programs such as the YLAI, MIT Solve, and the Fundação Lemann Leadership Network.
His work has been recognized with major awards, including Forbes Under 30, the Empreendedor Social Folha Award, and Innovators Under 35 by MIT Technology Review. With national and international impact, Gabriel continues to inspire the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Brazil and beyond.
Hakob Gabrielyan, Armenia
Hakob Gabrielyan is a project officer leading the Council of Europe's "Promoting Equality and Non-discrimination" project in Armenia.
He holds a doctorate (2018) and two master’s degrees (2014, 2023) in international affairs, political science, and peacebuilding. He is distinguished by the Chevening Scholarship, Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship for Armenian Studies, as well as other awards and recognitions.
Previously, Hakob worked as a manager for the Global Policy Institute in the UK, researching global policies and governance. His background also includes successful completion of other Council of Europe and European Union Delegation projects in Armenia, as well as an academic fellowship at his alma mater and publishing peer-reviewed articles on peace.
Hakob’s interests include the role of international organizations in modern architecture of peace, democratic transition, space law, and the philosophy of stoicism.
Hisan Matta, Indonesia
Hisan Matta is the Deputy Head of Electoral Affairs Coordinating Division of Indonesia's People's Wave Party (Partai Gelombang Rakyat [GELORA] Indonesia).
Previously, she was the Secretary of the Politics and Government Division, the Secretary of the Youth Division and was an Expert Staff for MP in the National House of Representatives (DPR RI) Commission I. She is interested in public policy, female representation and involvement in politics, educational issues and foreign affairs.
Hisan holds a Bachelor's degree in Politics, Economics and Law from the University of Buckingham, UK and a Master's degree in Comparative Education from University College London, Institute of Education.
Isaac Aboah, Ghana
Isaac Aboah is a Ghanaian social entrepreneur, researcher, and communications professional focused on youth development, research capacity building, and climate justice. He is the Founder of the Young Africans Research Academy, a pan-African initiative that trains undergraduates in research, writing, and policy analysis, with clear pathways to publication and impact.
Isaac serves as Communications Manager at SilverLining, supporting global research and policy efforts on climate risks and youth leadership. He is also Festival Director of Green Film Festival Africa, Ghana's first environmental film festival, which has attracted over 1,800 global submissions and partnerships with UN agencies.
As host of the Change the Africa Podcast, Isaac convenes policymakers and development practitioners for conversations on governance and Africa's development. The podcast connects policy, research, and community voices across the continent.
Previously, Isaac led programs for Junior Achievement Ghana and 8B Education managing fellowships, youth programs, and multi-country partnerships. He holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Ghana.
Jemhra Rose Garcia, Philippines
Jemhra Rose Garcia is a democracy and human rights advocate with a background in Political Science and International Relations, and over a decade of experience spanning local governance, national policy, and international solidarity.
She currently serves as Regional Executive Director of the Center for Applied Nonviolent Actions and Strategies (CANVAS) — Asia Office, where she leads efforts to support pro-democracy movements across Southeast Asia.
Her public service began at 17, when she was elected village youth council chairperson (Sangguniang Kabataan), a role she held for three years, championing youth inclusion in local governance. She later brought that commitment to the national level, serving as technical staff at the National Anti-Poverty Commission under the Office of the Secretary, and as parliamentary staff in the House of Representatives, where she gained critical experience in policy lobbying and reform under challenging political conditions.
Following her government service, Jemhra founded Project Pagsibol, an initiative dedicated to empowering vulnerable rural communities, including farmers and fisherfolk, through civic education and community organizing.
Kesaria Gogua, Georgia
Kesaria Gogua is a human rights specialist and civic education trainer with extensive experience working with young people on democracy, civic engagement, and social justice. Since 2017, she has been a certified debate trainer and judge, co-creating youth civic camps focused on democratic values, women’s rights, discrimination, and mental health.
Kesaria previously worked with the Caucasus Environmental NGOs Network, managing a three-year civic education program in ethnic minority communities in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli. Participants received small grants to design and implement local initiatives, combining theoretical knowledge with practical civic engagement. She also contributed to nationwide voter engagement efforts during Georgia’s October 2024 elections.
Kesaria is a member of the Civic Education Teachers’ Forum and previously worked as a civic education trainer at Buckwood International School. Currently, she serves as a trainer at "Action for Democracy," an initiative actively collaborating with various schools and Ilia State University. In this role, she continues to focus on media literacy, human rights, global citizenship, and student-led civic initiatives.
She is deeply interested in women’s rights and the use of documentary photography and videography as tools for civic expression and youth empowerment.
Nehrin Mustofa, Bangladesh
Nehrin Mustofa is a prominent political activist, lawyer, and media professional from Bangladesh dedicated to advancing inclusive governance and democratic resilience. She currently serves as a corporate lawyer at City Bank PLC and previously served as Secretary General of the Global Members Advisory Board of Generation Democracy for the International Republican Institute.
With over 15 years of experience as a senior news presenter at ATN News, Nehrin has used her platform to promote transparency, civic awareness, and democratic values. She has worked extensively on human rights issues, including advocacy for transgender and gender-diverse communities. Nehrin is a fellow of the Konrad Adenauer School for Young Politicians and an IVLP alumna.
Through her foundation, Dabir Uddin Ahmed Mridha Foundation, she leads grassroots initiatives in Dhaka-5 focused on youth empowerment, women’s health, and social justice. She served as the Co-Chairman of the Election Management Committee of Dhaka-5 during Bangladesh’s 12th Parliamentary Election, playing a vital role in coordinating electoral activities and strengthening grassroots engagement. Nehrin holds an LLB, an LLM, and a Master’s degree in Criminology.
Nestor Alejandro Torres, Guatemala
Nestor Alejandro Torres is a senior communications specialist with over two decades of experience spanning diplomacy, institutional strategy, branding, and media production across both the public and private sectors.
Throughout his career, Nestor has worked with leading institutions of the Government of Guatemala, including the Embassy of Guatemala to the United States (2023–2026), the Secretariat of Social Communication of the Presidency (2017–2023), and the Ministry of Culture and Sports (2020). In the private sector, he has contributed to Guatemala’s national broadcasting landscape (2011–2017), building deep knowledge in strategic communication, graphic design, and animation.
He has more than 20 years of experience in voice-over acting and off-screen narration, and served as the Government of Guatemala's on-air promotional voice from 2017 to 2019, lending his voice to public campaigns and institutional broadcasts.
Nestor holds a Master’s degree in Marketing for Design from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, an MBA in Management and Political Decision-Making from Formato Educativo / Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes, and a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.
Norwell Hinds, Guyana
Norwell Hinds is a sustainable development and innovation specialist from Guyana whose work spans sustainable energy development, public policy, and good governance. He is the Director for the Institute of Energy Diplomacy at the University of Guyana where he works with households, utilities, policy makers, and civil society leaders to promote the democratization and next generation governance of energy systems.
Prior to his current role, Norwell was recognized as a leading advocate for democracy, human rights, and good governance in Guyana. He led the highly successful voter education campaign, Vote Like A Boss, as well as several consensus-building and social cohesion initiatives to address the deep-seated ethnic polarization threatening Guyana’s democracy.
Norwell earned degrees in Computer Science and Information Systems at the University of Guyana before completing a Ph.D. in Innovation in Global Development at Arizona State University. His Ph.D. research focused on how everyday life depends on energy systems and how the design and rules of those systems can create or reduce energy vulnerability.
Olga Cabellero, Paraguay
Olga Caballero is a Paraguayan social psychologist and civic leader with over 15 years of experience in community development, participatory democracy, civic education, and leadership training.
She is the co-founder and Executive Director of Alma Cívica, a platform dedicated to strengthening democracy, political education, and citizen participation in Paraguay through youth leadership programs, political training initiatives, local governance projects, and democratic innovation labs.
Olga has led civic education, electoral observation, public policy incubation, and democratic participation initiatives, collaborating with civil society organizations, local governments, grassroots communities, and international partners across the region. Previously, she served as Executive Director of TECHO Paraguay, where she coordinated community-driven development programs and mobilized large volunteer networks nationwide.
Her work focuses on bridging communities, institutions, and ideas to make democracy a lived, inclusive, and actionable practice, particularly in contexts facing democratic erosion, polarization, and shrinking civic space.
Thomas Sangungi, Namibia
Thomas Sangungi is a Namibian public health practitioner, disability rights advocate, and democracy leader with over eight years of experience advancing inclusive governance, human rights, and equitable healthcare for marginalized communities, particularly persons with disabilities and rural populations.
Since 2016, he has led civic education and voter registration initiatives strengthening participation of persons with disabilities and underserved rural communities in Namibia’s electoral processes. For five years, Thomas has directed mobile physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs in rural Namibia, delivering community-based care to over 3,000 individuals while integrating health services with civic awareness to reduce barriers to democratic engagement.
He has served as a United Nations Volunteer in peace and democracy initiatives. Thomas is a Mandela Washington Fellow (Civic Leadership, Michigan State University, 2025) and completed a Professional Development Experience (PDE) at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He holds a BSc in Physiotherapy (Honours) and diplomas in Sports Medicine and Leadership & Public Policy. He is committed to strengthening inclusive democratic institutions in Namibia.
Valeria Hernández, Chile
Valeria Hernández is a career diplomat and lawyer currently serving as a Human Rights Policy Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile. In this role, Valeria is responsible for coordinating and monitoring Chile's foreign policy on human rights, contributing to national positions, preparing technical and policy briefings, and supporting multilateral engagement on issues such as freedom of religion, children's rights, and regional cooperation.
Valeria’s work involves close coordination with government counterparts, international organizations, and civil society, as well as direct support to Chile’s participation in key multilateral processes. Prior to joining the diplomatic service, Valeria worked for several years at Chile’s Public Prosecutor’s Office, where she gained solid experience in legal analysis, the justice system, and the protection of fundamental rights in complex cases.
Valeria holds a law degree from the University of Chile and postgraduate diplomas in International Human Rights Law and International Studies. Her professional interests focus on strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law, and multilateral cooperation through dialogue and consensus-building.
Wendy Ong’are, Kenya
Wendy Ong’are is a democracy and governance practitioner with a decade of experience using strategic communication to strengthen civic participation, demand accountability, and connect citizens to power in Kenya. Her work sits at the intersection of advocacy, digital mobilization, and program learning.
She has contributed to and led initiatives with organizations such as PAWA 254, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Peace Brigades International, and Brave Media (Sema Ukweli), supporting rights-based leadership and social accountability efforts across diverse contexts.
Wendy is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication at the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Communication from Multimedia University of Kenya and is currently undertaking a Certificate in Public Leadership and Policy at the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG Kenya).
Yanique Tracy, Jamaica
Yanique Tracy is a Jamaican democracy practitioner, Counsellor/Educator, and global youth and democracy policy strategist advancing civic participation and democratic reform across the Caribbean.
She is the Founder and Director of Operations of Tracy’s Training & Consulting Services and has served as a Program Consultant with the International Republican Institute, designing and leading civic, policy, and democratic leadership initiatives in Jamaica. She previously served for four years as Co-Chair of Jamaica’s National Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica and as Technical Director of the National Youth Parliament of Jamaica, mentoring over 400 young leaders in policy advocacy, governance, and legislative debate.
Internationally, she has represented Jamaica through IRI fellowships, the U.S. Summit for Democracy in Costa Rica, and the Senator John McCain Fellowship for Freedom, engaging global leaders on democracy and youth inclusion and policy reform.
Academically, she holds a BSc (Hons) double major in Counselling and Education and an Executive Master’s in Education and Leadership Management and is an incoming Doctoral student at the University of Florida. Her work bridges grassroots leadership and national policy design, positioning her at the intersection of youth development, democratic governance, and institutional reform.
Yuliia Dychuk, Ukraine
Yuliia Dychuk is a Ukrainian media leader and public policy professional with 10 years of experience in journalism and team leadership.
As Head of Children’s Content at Suspilne Ukraine, she leads the team behind Ukraine’s first ad-free video-on-demand platform for children. Her work focuses on creating meaningful content for young audiences and building partnerships that support education and democratic resilience.
Previously, Yuliia worked as a cultural journalist and producer. She covered major international film festivals, including Cannes and Venice, and launched a television series about Ukrainian museums.
In 2025, she earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the Kyiv School of Economics, where she researched children’s information security during wartime. She is also a member of the EBU Kids News and Heads of Kids groups.
Congrats to these 20 Global Democracy Fellows!
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