Women's Forum Community

Meet the latest Youth Voices Ambassadors

Published on April 21, 2023 by Prisca Appadourai


On March 28th 2023, in Washington D.C, during Women's Forum USA, 12 youth voices were selected and benefited from a dedicated workshop on leadership. They had access to the event and had a chance to meet and challenge the speakers and attendees.

We are thrilled to have new youth ambassadors on board!

Meet them below!

Marilia Garcia

“It is up to the international community to uphold the rights of young girls to exist and develop by pressuring the nations that fail to allow them to.”

  • Studied International Human Rights at Harvard University and Oxford University.
  • Co-founded the first organization on Harvard’s campus solely dedicated to advocating for a free and democratic Cuba.
  • Former Head Intern at the United Nations as a Head Intern for The Agoro community Development Association in Uganda.
  • Former legislative fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • She was one of nine fellows chosen per year for Running Start’s Congressional Cohort. Running Start is a nonpartisan nonprofit that trains young women to run for political office and beyond.

Louisa Sholar 

“Thinking critically about gender equity, justice, and feminism was something that opened my world and allowed me to examine other ideologies and ways of thinking about the world we want (and should build).”

  • Currently studying public policy at Georgetown University McCourt
  • Former research assistant
  • Former Member of the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement at the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School
  • Former Executive Vice President at the Elon Student Government Association 
  • Currently Digital Services Network Analyst at the Beeck Center for Social Impact 

Dhanya Rao

“I hope that those who come after me can look to me as someone who championed gender equity and opened doors for other girls and women to thrive.”

  • BA International Studies 
    • Associative activity at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at American University 
  • Former Strategic Partnership and Engagement Intern at Vital Voices
  • Former Program Associate at The Aspen Institute 
  • Currently Development Coordinator at Malala Fund

 Laura Valentina Natera

“Women Leadership and Financial Inclusion of women are truly the two areas I am dedicated both professionally wise as well as in my extra-curricular activities.”

  • Master’s degree in law and Technology at IE Business School
  • Former Diversity Coordinator & Financial Analyst at PRIME Research 
  • Former Diversity and Inclusion Data Lead at the University of Oxford 
  • Former research fellow in Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme at International Labour Organization 
  • Former gender research fellow and diversity innovation consultant at Inter-American Development Bank 
  • Currently Programme Officer – Gender, Youth, ACE at UN Climate Change 

Hediya Sizar

 “I aspire to empower human flourishing to build understanding and create compassionate communities for the world.”

  • Master’s degree in MBA, Leadership and Change Management at New York Univeristy Stern School of Business 
  • Former Senior Manager of Special Projects in Global Programs & University Life at New York University
  • Co-Founder, Board Director, and former Executive Director of Bring on the Books Foundation, a non-profit which aims to tackle the access-to-books gap across the U.S.
  • Currently Program Manager and Consulting at SYPartners 

 Miraal Kabir 

 “We live in a world that is designed by men for men, and because of that, there are so many inequalities towards women.”

  • Bachelor of Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University 
  • Bachelor of Computer Science at University of Waterloo 
  • Independent Designer 
  • Former Product Designer at knct and Ontario Digital Service 
  • Former Game Designer at Happify Health 
  • Co-Founder on Safi. Safi is a non-profit initiative that produces a cost-effective pasteurization tool to clean milk in Kenya.

Tiyi Ayeva 

“For me, activism is not just a hobby, but a way of life. I believe that by working together, we can create a world that is fair, just and equal for all.” 

  • Studied in Exploring Social Innovation (ESI) at Stanford University
  • Was part of Young Global Scholars Program at Yale University 
  • NSLC on Medicine & Health Care at Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Studied Business Economics at Tokyo International University 
    • Associative activity: Created the Hogo Women's Network society, actively educating youth on gender inequality through social media.
  • Former French Delegate at Fora: Network for Change. Supported the creation of a communiqué for G20 leaders.
  • Former Finance Internship and Business Development Intern and currently FP&A Intern at Publicis Group 

Erkhemshagai Mandakhbayar    

"I truly wish that women all around the world would have increased access to education as part of SDG 5 in the coming decades.”

  • Master’s degrees in science, Environment and Sustainability Management at Georgetown University 
  • Former Project officer, Risk Analyst and Risk Manager at Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia 
  • Currently Sustainability Management (STEM) at Georgetown University

 Zaima Alam

 “It's time women are not only at the table but spearheading policy and regulatory changes in the tech industry.”

  • B.A International Relations and Global Studies at the University of Texas at Austin 
  • Certified Marketing Professional at American Marketing Association 
  • Finance Certificate at Georgetown University
  • Volunteer at Positive Planet US, Migrant Center for Human Rights, Horton's Kids, Inc, Austin Child Guidance Center…
  • Research Assistant – Department of Government at the University of Texas 
  • Operations Associate and Senior Associate at PayPal 
  • Technology and Innovation Coordinator at Vital Voices 

 Bijan Moore 

 "I want to be an advocate for young people, especially those who are queer and of color.”

  • BA International Studies Major at the American University 
  • Volunteer in The Global Center for LGBTI+ Freedom and Education at the Education Associate 
  • Student Researcher in Diplomacy Lab at the U.S. Department of State
  • Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Partnerships Intern at the IREX
  • Program Assistant, Leadership & Social Impact at the Vital Voices

 Tanya Stockdale  

 “I have hope that the tides will change and that more women and marginalized groups will someday have the same access and opportunities as men, despite their racial background and sexual orientation as well.”

  • International Studies, Human Rights, Spanish, Latin America & Caribbean Studies at University of Washington
  • Volunteer at Rainier Athletes
  • Former Interpreting Contractor Intern at the Refugee Resettlement Office
  • Former Program Assistant in Human Rights and currently Program Coordinator in Issue Advocacy at Vital Voices 

 Abby Hotchkiss 

 “From impacting their livelihoods to increasing rates of gender-based violence to reducing access to clean water, women are disproportionately impacted by climate change.”

  • Studied in International Relations and Affairs at University of San Diego 
    • Director Of Alumni Relations in Student International Business Council (SIBC)
  • Former Executive Intern at San Diego Diplomacy Council 
  • Former Congressional Intern at U.S House of Representatives 
  • Former Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Intern and currently Program Assistant at Vital Voices