Ambassador Spotlight: March 2025

One Young World Ambassadors are leading projects in every country of the world, creating substantial social impact across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Every month our Coordinating Ambassadors select someone from their region who has created significant social impact locally, regionally or even worldwide.

This Month's Projects in Numbers

178 K

People Provided Educational Programming

13 K

Tonnes of Harmful Emissions Reduced

UpGreen Living Walls Project

Meet the Ambassadors

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James Gunselman - United States

James Gunselman is the Associate Director of PV Intelligence, Strategy, and Engagement at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines that help patients overcome serious diseases. His team created an employee burnout research project during the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in the recommendation to have quarterly Days of Rest for the entire company. Working closely with the HR department, they identified clear evidence of burnout and took action to support their colleagues.

 

A member of the inaugural class of the United Nations Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals, James helped develop a Mental Health Resources Framework that companies could integrate into their staff benefits. Through his involvement with both One Young World and the Innovation Accelerator, he was able to change some of the regional BMS sick leave policies to include mental health accommodations. Additionally, he founded the Mental Health Ally programme – a support network of colleagues trained in mental health first aid – alongside the BMS wellbeing lead. Mental Health Ally also provides training on the BMS Employee Assistance Program and the importance of mental well-being.

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Idris Adetola - Nigeria

As Packaging Recovery Lead at Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Nigeria, Idris Adetola works closely to implement the World Without Waste Agenda. Through his role with the bottling partner for the Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria and 28 other markets across Africa and Europe, jointly known as the Coca-Cola system, Idris is involved with the establishment of a post-consumer packaging collection centre in Lagos. This will not only be a center that fulfills regulatory obligations but will also serve as a valuable data source to aid modeling and policy decisions.


This project has the capacity to collect 13,000 tonnes of polyethylene terephthalate annually for recycling. When fully operational, this will be the equivalent of about 500 million polyethylene terephthalate bottles removed from the environment. The project will also support up to a hundred waste aggregators in the waste management sector and help transition hundreds of waste pickers in the value chain to a more formal structure in Lagos. Basic amenities will be provided to support the waste pickers in the value chain, enabling them to work safely.
 

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Trang Chu Minh - Singapore

Trang Chu Minh is a running guide for people with disabilities (PwDs) and serves on the management committee of Runninghour, Singapore’s largest inclusive sports cooperative. She oversees external partnerships, fundraising, and new training programmes to expand access to opportunities that support the physical and mental well-being of PwDs. Around 3% of Singapore’s population has a disability and one in 150 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. While disability sports organisations provide vital pathways for PwDs, their strict, often performance-based criteria exclude those who do not meet such benchmarks or fall outside existing parasports classifications.

 

Runninghour bridges this gap by making sports accessible to all abilities and needs. What began as an informal running group of 10 grew into a community of over 780 PwDs, caregivers, and volunteers. The cooperative organises weekly running, yoga, and fitness sessions, monthly hikes, and inclusive activities such as bowling, climbing, and Zumba. In 2024, Runninghour engaged over 10,000 people across more than 200 activities, while its flagship event, Run For Inclusion, remains one of Singapore’s largest inclusive races, with over 1,800 participants.

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Eleonora Gasca - Italy

As the Group HR Transformation, People Attraction and Development Manager at Epta Group, Eleonora Gasca leads the EptaGIVES Corporate Volunteering Programme, a cornerstone of the company’s commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. This initiative gives employees the opportunity to take part in meaningful volunteer activities, working with local organizations on projects ranging from environmental conservation to education and healthcare. Every employee receives eight hours of Volunteer Time Off (VTO) each year, allowing them to contribute to social impact and sustainability during work hours.

In 2024 alone, EptaGIVES volunteers dedicated 9,000 hours to various initiatives, with 1,000 employees taking part in volunteer activities. Through skills-based projects, team-building events, and hands-on involvement, the programme not only supports communities but also enriches employees' personal and professional growth. EptaGIVES reflects Epta Group’s dedication to making a tangible difference, one volunteer hour at a time, while fostering a culture of engagement and purpose across the company.

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Mirujaa Santhirasegaram - Switzerland

Recognising that many refugees and migrants in Switzerland face challenges even after their official integration period ends, Mirujaa Santhirasegaram founded Hand 4 Hand to provide support that truly meets the needs of refugees and migrants. The organisation encourages communities to get involved with societal integration and works closely with existing initiatives to ensure help reaches those who need it most. For Mirujaa, real inclusion is a shared responsibility. It is not just about offering opportunities at the start but ensuring ongoing access to the right resources. She believes no one should be left behind simply because they lacked information or didn’t know where to turn.


In just over a year, the organisation has helped 57 people gain independence and connected more than 150 individuals with valuable resources to help them reach their full potential. The Hand 4 Hand website also reaches 80 people every day, providing them with the information they need to navigate life with confidence.

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Martina Vollmer - Germany

As the Founder of FutureTechKid, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to empowering young people in Africa through digital education, technology access, and career development opportunities, Martina Vollmer equips the next generation with the skills necessary to excel in the global tech industry. Her foundation aims to address gaps in digital literacy and employability by providing hands-on training in cybersecurity, business, and emerging technologies. This is achieved through mentorship programmes and strategic partnerships with companies and educational institutions.


Martina is also Cyber Security Lead Architect Digital Identity at Siemens where she guides cross-functional teams in information technology and operational technology. As a leader in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, she merges her expertise in cybersecurity, digital identity, and leadership with her passion for diversity and inclusion. Beyond FutureTechKid, she is an advocate for women in STEM, underrepresented talent in tech, and inclusive innovation.

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Marcela Thurler - Brazil

Marcela Thurler is the Higher Education, Alumni, Strategic Partnerships, and Employability Manager at Ismart. Ismart is a non-profit organisation that identifies talented, low-income youth, providing them with scholarships to attend top private schools and offering comprehensive support, including wellbeing services, key skills development, professional guidance, and university application assistance. A key factor in Ismart’s success has been the influence of its stakeholders, who encourage a business-oriented approach that focuses on the organisation’s strength in identifying and developing raw talent.

Since its in-person programme began in 1999, more than 9,000 students have benefited from Ismart’s initiatives, with 99% of students in the in-person programmes passing their university entrance exams and 89% gaining admission to top universities. Additionally, 85% of students in Ismart’s online programmes passed their university entrance exams, and 72% went on to pursue courses at prestigious universities. Ismart alumni also serve as living proof of the lasting impact of the programme. Of the 652 alumni surveyed, nearly all were employed, with 64% earning above-average wages in their respective fields. This success has taught Marcela the importance of applying rigorous planning and data-driven evaluation to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

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María José Charris Vizcaíno - Colombia

As the President of the Milagros Foundation, María José Charris Vizcaíno is committed to transforming the lives of single mothers aged 14 to 28 through socio-economic and emotional empowerment. The foundation’s mission is to equip these women with the tools they need to develop sustainable businesses, access financing, and improve their families' wellbeing. It achieves this through comprehensive entrepreneurship training, access to savings and credit funds, inclusion in the formal economy, and impact tracking. Fundación Milagros is currently supporting 150 mothers from 10 neighbourhoods in Barranquilla.


The foundation’s future goals include strengthening the Women Entrepreneurs' Bank with a sustainable fund supported by Latin American investors, and collaborating with UN Women and the Barranquilla Mayor’s Office. Additionally, the foundation aims to lead the development of an Entrepreneurs' Information System to accurately measure its impact. Through their work, the Milagros Foundation empowers thousands of women, creating lasting change in their communities under the motto: "Being a woman is making miracles."

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Rosemary Dionicio Vásquez - Guatemala

Rosemary Dionicio Vásquez is the Founder of JovenGO, an organisation that supports young people who are isolated from opportunities, providing them with information on education, human rights, leadership, democracy, and entrepreneurship. The organisation has also implemented projects supporting artisans in Latin American communities, giving them essential tools and resources. Their work has been recognised by national and international institutions, and they have built strategic alliances with government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organisations that share their vision of empowered and proactive youth.


Since 2021, JovenGO has focused on Indigenous language courses such as Q'eqchi', Sakapulteko, K'iche', and Kakchiquel, enrolling 4,000 people. Their projects serve Indigenous, Xinca, Afro-descendant, and Ladino-mestizo peoples across 22 departments, offering scholarships and English courses through initiatives like EduGrowing and EduWoman Guatemala. They also promote inclusion by teaching sign language, with 100 scholarship recipients currently learning a third language. JovenGO has positively impacted nearly 12,000 young people in Guatemala and other Latin American countries.

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Jose Gabriel Benitez Gonzalez - Paraguay

Jose Gabriel Benitez Gonzalez co-founded UpGreen Living Walls in 2017, Paraguay’s first sustainable landscape company specialising in the design and construction of living vertical gardens, to strengthen the connection between people and nature. Over the past eight years, they have witnessed how sustainability is crucial for human development and how the absence of nature threatens well-being. Paraguay ranks 75th out of 76 in the MIT Green Future Index, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions. UpGreen has taken action by building over 5,000 m² of vertical gardens, promoting climate change mitigation, and educating communities about the benefits of green spaces one vertical garden at a time. Their impact was acknowleded with the SDG Good Practices recognition by the UN Global Compact Paraguay for their commitment to SDGs 11 and 13.

 

As a Z Zurich Foundation Scholar for the OYW Montreal Summit and a participant in the OYW Academy, Gabriel has strengthened his ability to connect local environmental challenges with global initiatives. He is committed to serving as a storyteller for Paraguay, adapting One Young World lessons to foster community-driven development and sustainable change.

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Shannon Fernandes - United Arab Emirates

As Quality, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (QHSSE) Supervisor, Shannon Fernandes has contributed to various independent and corporate sustainability initiatives supporting the LEAP 28 strategy. He has supported Eyes for Africa, which provides cataract surgeries to remote Ethiopian communities, and participated in the Give a Ghaf Tree Planting Programme, promoting environmental awareness in the UAE. At Bureau Veritas Dubai, he conducted technical product safety conformity reviews, ensuring compliance with international standards in East Africa and the Middle East. He also directed the International Women’s Day 2024 video in collaboration with fellow Trust Makers from the Government Services Department, which won top recognition in the Middle East for the theme ‘Inspiring Inclusion.’


Shannon has also had the ability to partake in community service projects. He took part in the Bookings 2030 Programme by Dubai Cares, sharing stories of underprivileged children, and earned the Duke of Edinburgh Award – Bronze for volunteering at labour camps and beach clean-ups. He has supported initiatives such as the Beat Diabetes Walk, desert clean-ups, and seedling plantation drives, volunteering to support musical plays at the Special Needs Future Development Centre, while also contributing to the governance ESG pillar for compliance screening processes aligned with international ethical standards.

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Caritta Seppä - Finland

Caritta Seppä is the Co-Founder of Tespack, an innovative energy technology company based in Finland that is dedicated to transforming energy and internet access in underserved regions. The company deploys smart mobile micro-grid systems that integrate advanced solar power, modular battery systems, and deep learning capabilities. With their AI-powered platform, they can optimise battery performance, extend lifespan, and track CO₂ emissions for effective mitigation. Tespack’s smart energy solutions have been used in projects across education, agriculture, emergency aid, and healthcare, as well as for conducting training, workshops, and other educational activities that require energy to power mobile devices while utilising audiovisual content.

In 2024 alone, Tespack mitigated over 90 tCO2 emissions. In collaboration with their partners at the Solidaridad Network, they trained over 20,000 rural farmers on smart climate practices. They also reached rural communities with Touch One Life in Kenya, training over 10,000 locals on the harmful practices of female genital mutilation. Additionally, their systems have transformed several rural schools into smart digital schools in partnership with UNICEF in Timor Leste, among other countries. Overall, they have trained and facilitated access to quality education for over 150,000 people.