Board Member (The Bahamas – Caribbean)
Ashley Albury’s (she/her/hers) goals and interests are guided by community culture and an innate passion for researching and sustainably solving challenges that result from and influence social, economic, and environmental behaviours.
She is a savvy story stylist backed by tertiary studies in environmental science and urban planning. For nearly 10 years, Ashley has helped businesses and individuals finetune their functionality through the development and promotion of customised digital and traditional strategies.
When not in front of a computer screen, Ashley is most likely operating a camera, glued to a book, using her hands creatively or fully immersed in an outdoor adventure. She has served on the Bahamas YWCA’s Board of Management for the past 8 years and counting. The Lord is her light.
Board Member (Palestine – Middle East)
Selina Abdallah (she/her/hers) is a Grant, Reporting and Compliance Manager who believes in the power of leveraging funding opportunities to drive positive change in communities. She began her journey in the non-profit sector by volunteering with YWCA of Palestine during her college years, where she discovered her passion for project management and grant writing. Now, she dreams of securing sustainable funding to support initiatives that address social inequalities and power structures.
One of Selina’s proudest moments is mobilising youth and women to be part of the organisation’s mission and community to further advance the status of as many youth and women as possible.
Board Member (Canada – North America)
Aldeli Albán Reyna (she/her/hers) is the Director of Grants and Community Initiatives at Laidlaw Foundation. Born and raised in Montréal to Afro-Peruvian parents, Aldeli is a Black artist with a natural talent for using language to bring stories to life coupled with an ability to transform her lived experiences, using multilingual narratives. She holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Women and Gender Studies, Spanish, and Italian from the University of Toronto and a Master’s in Public Policy, Administration, and Law (MPPAL) from York University. Aldeli has extensive experience working in multiple sectors including nonprofit, philanthropy, and corporate. She worked nationally for almost a decade in advocacy and public policy.
Board Member (Ethiopia – Africa)
Meti Gemechu (she/her/hers), 24-year-old, is a passionate and tireless advocate for equal opportunities, across humanity and fighting gender-based injustices. She is a self-starter who seeks out initiatives to bring about change as evidenced in her advocacy engagement and empowering projects she successfully developed and managed with a primary focus on access to education.
Board Member (Sweden – Europe)
Emma (she/her/hers) is a 27-year-old political scientist and secondary school teacher from YWCA-YMCA Sweden. She was elected as the first youngest YWCA YMCA President at the age of 23 years old.
Board Member (Netherlands – Europe)
Dieke (she/her/hers) has been an active member of the YWCA for more than 10 years. She has been leading multiple committees within the national YWCA of the Netherlands as well as being a member of the board for 3 years. In her daily life, she is a policy and judicial advisor, working for the Ministry of Health on the Mental Health Team and is responsible for human rights legislation in mental health care and international affairs, specialising in human rights law. Dieke has gained many leadership skills and empowerment from her work with the YWCA and is keen to give back to the movement as an enthusiastic board member.
Board Member (India – Asia)
Meet CA Ann Joseph, (she/her/hers) a dynamic leader and accomplished Chartered Accountant, whose journey embodies professional excellence, academic achievement, and community service.
As Managing Partner of Jose Maruthathu & Co., Ann steers the firm with integrity and professionalism, backed by extensive educational credentials including a BCom degree, Company Secretary (CS Inter), and Chartered Accountant (CA) qualifications.
Born into a family of achievers, Ann carries forward her father’s legacy as the founder of Jose Maruthathu & Co., driven by a strong work ethic and a commitment to making a difference.
Deeply engaged in community service, Ann’s presidency at JCI Pathanamthitta Queens in 2022 saw her spearheading initiatives like establishing an open gym free for public use, earning her recognition with two National and four Zone Awards, including Outstanding President of the Zone.
Beyond her professional and community roles, Ann has been actively involved in the YWCA movement since childhood, serving as Secretary and Youth board member. She also contributes as a Finance Committee member of the Church of South India, Central Kerala Diocese, and National Finance Committee member of JCI INDIA, showcasing her commitment to financial stewardship and organisational excellence.
With a passion for excellence and service, CA Ann Joseph inspires through leadership and a dedication to positive impact.
Board Member (USA – North America)
Amara Killen (she/her/hers) is a fierce advocate for social justice and is passionate about fighting to end gender based violence. Throughout her work she has experienced the joy of healing, the value of prevention, and the strength of survival, and she believes in working at the intersection of racial, indigenous, gender and climate justices and beyond.
Amara joined the YWCA community in 2019 as a Prevention and Empowerment Advocate with the YWCA Walla Walla. In 2021, she was one of ten global leaders selected to be a World YWCA Leadership Cohort Member, where she partnered with young women leaders from Palestine, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Sudan, India and Taiwan to discuss and spread awareness about gender based violence.
In 2022, Amara moved to Palestine to partner with a local grassroots organisation on community led actions to support land rights for indigenous communities, improve accessibility to education, and offer safe spaces for women, people with disabilities, and other marginalised communities. Currently, she is completing her Master’s Degree in Migration and Diaspora Studies at SOAS University in London.
Amara is committed to a decolonising and justice-oriented living and working practice, and is eager to continue working on the intersection of gender-based violence prevention and human rights.
Board Member (Myanmar – Asia)
Gloria (she/her/hers) was the first young woman elected as Vice President of YWCA of Myanmar, serving as Vice President for two consecutive terms and she was also Youth Committee chairperson in her local YWCA. Since her junior years, Gloria has actively participated in all YWCA activities. She has taken the lead in mobilising and strengthening young women/Y Thazin activities and supporting and mentoring the Rise Up Leads. As a senior young woman, Gloria has proven herself in intergenerational transformative leadership, encouraging young women leadership and participation in the empowerment of young people to take an active role in the organisation and in addressing challenges. Gloria has also ensured there was leadership development and capacity building for members and staff to strengthen the organisation’s ability to make a positive impact.
Board Member (Ethiopia – Africa)
Emebet Regassa Bikila (she/her/hers) gender expert devoted her career in ranges of Developmental and Humanitarian Programs; Gender Equality, Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women, Girls & Youth, Youth Leadership and SRHR, Girl’s Education, Partner Management and Capacity Development, Women Right Organisations, Local and International Advocacy of Human Rights. She is currently working in the capacity of program manager at the Embassy of Sweden for Regional Development Corporation in Africa. She has worked for Danish Church Aid and International Rescue Committee assuming the position of program manager. She also served other two local women right organizations on women empowerment and youth championing programs. Emebet has been working for 8 years at Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) in Ethiopia from project assistant to Acting General Secretary. She has also served at Addis Ababa University Gender Office in the position of gender office coordinator where she was able to manage mobilizing resource to support female students. Her engagement and role have created tremendous economic and social empowerment for young people and women in the community.
She starts serving in the professional Team (Core Training and Coaching /CTC) of Plan International Ethiopia on the Women voice leadership (WVL) program for women right based organisation capacity building. She is team leader of Evidence Based Advocacy and Adviser of Strategic Plan groups and played key role in developing modules for these two subjects. She is also playing key role in the process of sustaining the role of CTC through establishing Resource Hub.
She was awarded postgraduate scholarship for MA degree at Addis Ababa University. She also had attended several regional and international training in various themes. Her exemplary leadership makes her among a few resilient and successful women in achieving remarkable result in all her engagement.
Emebet has MBA in Management, Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy, with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Sociology. Currently, she is pursuing her third Master of Art degree in Political science and international relations, all from Addis Ababa University.