Ashley Mejia

United States

Child Protection and Global Development

Ashley is deeply committed to ending violence against children—an issue she has tackled through her work with organizations like USAID’s Children in Adversity team and the INSPIRE Implementation Working Group. These experiences have shaped her into a strategic advocate, working at the intersection of policy, research, and international collaboration. Through her previous role at USAID, she contributed to high-level policy development and coordinated with global stakeholders to protect vulnerable children. Now, as a Global Leadership Diploma recipient, Ashley is expanding her leadership skills to amplify her impact on a global scale. With a vision rooted in equity, protection, and empowerment, she aims to lead transformative initiatives that ensure every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment.

Edgar Buryahika

Uganda

Youth Peacebuilding

Peacebuilding has been a lifelong passion for Edgar, and in spite of many obstacles, he tenaciously established a nonprofit organization called Youth for Peace and Development Uganda (YOPEDU), focused on empowering Ugandan youth to engage in peacebuilding initiatives in their local communities. While this new social enterprise has experienced many successes, it is still facing challenges with funding and sustainability. Edgar is using the Diploma in Social Innovation to identify and implement further youth peacebuilding projects aligned with their goals of cultivating a culture of greater peace and tolerance.

Frida Ibarra

Mexico

Social Innovation and Community Empowerment

Hailing from Chiapas, Mexico, Frida has dedicated her work to empowering marginalized communities through technology, education, and social entrepreneurship. Her experiences with organizations like Laboratoria and the Hult Prize Foundation have shown her the transformative power of access to digital tools and entrepreneurial opportunities. Her participation in international initiatives, including the Hult On Campus Awards in Kenya, has deepened her global perspective and strengthened her commitment to collaboration across cultures. As a recipient of the Diploma in Social Innovation, Frida is furthering her mission to design sustainable solutions that address complex social challenges and build more inclusive, resilient communities.

Sofía González

Costa Rica

Refugee Advocacy and Environmental Law

Sofía is a passionate advocate for human rights, social justice, and environmental protection. Her academic path reflects a deep commitment to transformative change. In her recent role as a Resettlement Associate at UNHCR, Sofía supported vulnerable refugee populations in finding long-term solutions, bringing her legal expertise and humanitarian values to the forefront. Her indigenous and Latin American roots have shaped her strong social conscience, driving her volunteer work with homeless individuals, at-risk women, and environmental initiatives like turtle rescue in Guanacaste. By pursuing the Diploma in Social Innovation, Sofía is expanding her impact, seeking the tools to bridge law, education, and innovation to create inclusive, sustainable change in her community and beyond.

Mishka Murray

Jamaica

Crime and Violence Prevention

Growing up, Mishka was deeply saddened by the extreme levels of crime and violence within her home nation. Through her volunteer work at the Rotaract Club in Kingston, Jamaica, she discovered her passion for implementing peace programs aimed at reducing crime and violence. Therefore, the Rotary Club of Plymouth M.A. has awarded her a diploma in Global Leadership, to equip her with essential skills to effectively execute her own programs in widespread crime reduction and peace development. She is determined to drive positive change and share her knowledge to improve the lives of countless individuals within her community.

Carol Zakhour

Syria

Gender Equality

Carol's childhood was engulfed by war and conflict. From a young age, she was desperate to help guide her nation away from this relentless violence, but after expressing her dreams of starting a NGO she was told that as a female Syrian she needed to stay within her limits and accept her reality. Despite many setbacks, in 2021, she launched the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative, providing education, support, and raising awareness on gender equality. Her perseverance has helped thousands of women obtain equal access to better jobs and education, and the Diploma in Social Innovation is supporting scalability and reach at this crucial stage in her organization's development.