Karol Arámbula (México) has worked on numerous projects, programmes and movement-building initiatives with the United Nations (UN) and other stakeholders in +15 countries. She has represented intergovernmental entities, the private sector and civil society in +400 high-level UN processes related to sustainable development, human rights, peacebuilding and civic space. She possesses +10 years of expertise in the design and implementation mechanisms of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognized by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, the UN SDG Action Campaign and the UN Volunteers Programme. In 2014, she founded MY World Mexico: Hub of Action for Sustainable Development, which has now impacted on +100 million people across Mexico and Latin America thanks to +2 million actions, +10,000 organizations, +100,00 volunteers and +100 campaigns. She has also participated in +170 public speaking engagements at the national and international levels. Karol also possesses significant field experience in conflict and post-conflict settings with the UN in North Africa and South America, with solid competence in working with former combatants, civilian, military and police personnel. Karol has +20 years of first-hand volunteering experience, campaigning, mobilization and activism in developing countries and has served as Board of CIVICUS, the UN-Mandated Major Group for Children and Youth and Pax Tecum Global Consultancy.

James O’Brien is the Executive Director of the International Forum for Volunteering in Development (Forum). Prior to joining Forum, he spent nine years in various roles with VSO, most recently as Global Leadership Manager and Country Representative for Ireland. He has served as Coordinator of the Volunteer Groups Alliance and Chair of the Post-2015 Volunteering Working Group, and worked with Better Care Network and Lumos on child protection and responsible volunteering. He is the Chair of University College Dublin Volunteers Overseas.

Mei is an advisor to the UN Disaster and Risk Reduction (UNDRR) program advocating on behalf of volunteers and volunteer involving organizations. Mei was also appointed to and serves on the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. She has consulted and trained in 37 countries and is a champion for the role volunteers play in creating, leading and sustaining change. Globally she helped develop Pro Vobis, the national volunteer center in Romania and worked in the United Arab Emirates to develop its first national volunteer program, Takatof. Mei most recently led Volunteer Engagement at United Way Worldwide. Prior to her work at United Way Worldwide, Mei served as Senior Vice President at the Points of Light Foundation and as Vice President for the United Way of San Diego County. Mei is an active volunteer serving on a variety of boards and is an accompanist for local schools and music programs. She also performs regularly with the Annapolis Chorale and Cantori.

Faisal Alfadl is an award-winning architect, dedicated volunteer, and community builder, known for his profound contributions to sustainable development. As the Secretary-General of the Saudi Green Building Forum, an influential figure in the architectural community, his work centers around creating a sustainable future for our planet.

Faisal’s philosophy centers on creating sustainable and eco-friendly environments advocating innovative architecture and urban planning policies. As an educator and advocate, he continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of architects, planners, and volunteers, ensuring that sustainability remains at the forefront of business, industry and architectural practice.

Faisal’s work focuses on promoting green practices and advocating for environmental sustainability. Through his expertise in architecture and his passion for sustainability, he strives to create a positive impact on the global community. His dedication to sustainable development and his impressive career achievements make him a leading figure in the business and industry for the global community, championing a future where architecture harmonizes with nature for the benefit of all.

Sam Fankuchen is Founder & CEO of Golden, the most award-winning volunteer management software in the world and most popular volunteering apps. He was the first person to major in Social Entrepreneurship at Stanford, and wrote his Masters thesis on recruiting, retaining, and optimizing the lifetime value of volunteers while at the Stanford d.School. He is Technology Editor of Engage Journal, Executive Judge at the Anthem and Webby Awards, and Advisor to numerous institutions across sectors, including Giving Tuesday, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Greater Giving Summit, family offices, and technology startups.

Dumiso Gatsha, FCMA, CGMA, M.Sc, M.Phil, B.Com is a neurodivergent, queer feminist Pan African human rights defender and founder of Success Capital, a grassroots non-profit working in the nexus of human rights and sustainable development established by and in partnership with volunteers, notable work in SRHR services & GBV advocacy for LGBTIQ+ Youth.

Dumi has secured research permission on LGBTIQ+ experiences from the Office of the President of Botswana twice and Chaired a Parliamentary Dialogue on LGBTIQ+ and Sex Work prior to the decriminalisation of same-sex intimacy. Dumi also led a Constitutional Review petition and submission on menstrual health with additional aspects including sex work, LGBTIQ+ rights, pleasure and socioeconomic rights.

Lennart Jordan works at the intersection of governance, strategy and regulatory affairs to strengthen institutions and enable resilient, innovative economies. With a background spanning law, international business, and cross-border organisational leadership, he bridges business, policy and civil society to drive sustainable and responsible growth.

Lennart combines legal and commercial training with experience at Baker McKenzie and HSBC, where he focused on ESG frameworks, corporate/M&A, compliance, and international banking processes. Previously, Lennart served as President of a global network of 100k+ members active in over 45 countries, leading strategy, organisational development and international stakeholder relations while guiding a leadership team of more than 100 individuals.

Alongside his professional focus, Lennart remains engaged in multilateral processes. He not only serves on the Board of the Volunteer Groups Alliance but also contributes to youth engagement initiatives at the European Economic and Social Committee, UN ECOSOC, the Financing for Development Forum (FFD4), UNCTAD and the OECD. In these roles, he works to move youth engagement from symbolic participation toward meaningful partnership in policy and institutional development.

Laura, originally from Colombia, has lived in Chile for the past 8 years and is now based in the U.S. after completing her Executive MPA at NYU and UCL (London). She has worked for 16 years in volunteer organizations. At TECHO, she mobilized more than 10,000 volunteers and expanded the organization's reach nationwide. At the Jesuit Immigration Service, she coordinated strategic partnerships with local governments and private sectors and pioneered innovative projects with immigrants. For the past 7 years, she has worked for America Solidaria coordinating strategic partnerships throughout Latin America, developing innovative fundraising strategies, and raising millions in funds for impactful projects in the region. As a multilingual advocate, Laura excels in leading multicultural teams, bringing together diverse perspectives to achieve meaningful impact. Her expertise in strategic planning, partnerships, volunteer engagement, and fundraising has enabled transformative projects that improve housing in slums, enhance youth engagement, and support immigrants.

Maryrose is a Kenyan lady based in Malawi. She received her Masters in the US and has extensive global experience with organizations like PATH (Kenya), VSO and ChildFund International in Mozambique, Action Aid in Bangladesh. At the United Nations, Maryrose managed the United Nations Volunteers program in Malawi. She currently serves with the NGO Gender Coordination Network in Malawi, where, while working with the National Youth Council, researching mental youth literacy with Queen Mary University of London, and mentoring youth, she coordinated the first and the second VNR reports. Maryrose is a positive thinker who enjoys traveling when time allows.

Asunta Wagura is a global public health advocate, social impact leader, and humanitarian organizer with over three decades of experience advancing gender equity, HIV/AIDS support, seniors’ empowerment, disability inclusion, and community health initiatives across Africa and Canada.

She is the Founder and CEO of KACB Worldwork Alliance Canada (KAWAC) and the Founder of the Kenya Network of Women with AIDS (KENWA), organizations that have supported thousands of women, children, seniors, and vulnerable households through advocacy, care services, nutritional programs, accessible digital training, and climate-resilient community support networks.

Asunta is widely recognized for her pioneering role in destigmatizing HIV/AIDS, championing women’s rights, and developing innovative grassroots systems to uplift marginalized Black and immigrant communities. Her lived experience as a long-term HIV survivor fuels her compassionate leadership and unwavering commitment to dignity, inclusion, and empowerment.

She has engaged with United Nations platforms, global civil society forums, and cross-continental grassroots movements, bringing authentic community voice and strategic leadership to global development, climate and health justice work, and inclusive social policy.

Ms. Hattaya Wongsaengpaiboon has over 17 years of experience in the volunteering for development sector. She currently serves as Technical Lead, Volunteering for Development at VSO International, working to advance responsible and impactful volunteering across Asia and the Pacific. She has led the global uptake of the Global Volunteering Standard, now embedded in national guidelines and policies in 11 countries.

Previously, as Country Manager for VSO Thailand, she built strong partnerships with government, academic institutions, and civil society organizations at national and regional levels and contributed to the drafting of Thailand’s Volunteer Guidelines. Hattaya also serves as a Board Member of the Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies at Thammasat University and has been a Guest Lecturer on volunteering for development and a member of Thailand's Ministry of Social Development’s Technical Working Group on Volunteerism.

Teng Yun is Chairman of VOW CENTER (China), a senior certified trainer of China Volunteer Service, special instructor of Charity Education Center of Beijing Normal University, initiator of Northeast China Youth Public Welfare Development Forum, visiting scholar of IVLP non-profit organizations at the US Department of State, and visiting scholar of youth social organizations invited by the Russian Ministry of Science and Education. He has successively served as the executive director of the China Youth Volunteer Association, the secretary-general of the Liaoning Youth Volunteer Association, and the director of the Dalian Youth Volunteer Service Center. In 2021, he compiled and published the "Liaoning Province Youth Volunteer Service Training Outline," and in 2023, he wrote the report "The Status Quo and Development Strategy of China's Volunteer Service Organizations," which was selected into the Blue Book of Political System Reform of the National Academy of Administration of China.

In addition to serving as the representative for volunteers at the United Nations as coordinator of the Volunteer Groups Alliance, David is also Director of Learning and Leadership Programs at the League of American Orchestras in New York City. He is a former Treasurer and North American Representative of the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), and former Board President of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration as well as Volunteer Alexandria. From 2000-2007, he served as a Senior Director at the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network in the U.S. Also as a BoardSource Certified Governance consultant, David has expertise in NGO responsibilities and exceptional practices, fundraising, leadership and partnership development, outcomes measurement, strategic planning, and volunteer management. His clients have included local, state, national, and international organizations, and he was a Senior Governance Consultant for BoardSource for 13 years, including 5 years full-time on staff from 2007-2012.