Youth Voice and Agency in Action: Meet WUSC’s Youth Advisory Council
Young people are powerful drivers of change—and at WUSC, their leadership is central to everything we do. As a Canadian global development organization, we create opportunities for young people to thrive in education and economic life, with a particular focus on women and displaced youth. This commitment is at the heart of our five-year strategy, WUSC 2030. To bring this vision to life, youth voices must do more than be heard—they must help shape our organizational decisions. That’s why WUSC is proud to launch its first-ever Youth Advisory Council, a new platform designed to bring young people’s diverse and unique perspectives directly into conversations with Senior Management.
The inaugural Youth Advisory Council is made up of five outstanding members aged 18–35, representing diverse regions, backgrounds, and lived experiences. Council Members bring strong connections to WUSC’s wide geographic work, deep community engagement, and a shared commitment to youth leadership. Interest in the Council was overwhelming: +2,000 young people applied from around the globe. Following a rigorous selection process, five exceptional individuals were chosen to form our inaugural Council.
Watch highlights from the Council’s first in-person meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.
Meet the Council Members
Hasan Almatroud
Hasan Almatroud is a Syrian refugee living in Amman, Jordan, since 2013. With eight years of experience in social and community work, Hasan is currently a program coordinator at Amala Education, leading the first internationally accredited secondary diploma program specifically designed for refugees. Alongside this role, he works as a guidance counsellor on complementary pathways with WUSC. Hasan is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration at the University of London, Royal Holloway. Hasan strongly believes in advocacy and education as a means to create a better world.
Mahami Badijigra Mary
Mahami Badijigra Mary is a development practitioner from Northern Ghana with a maritime background. She leads youth and women empowerment initiatives, climate advocacy, WASH projects, renewable energy, and sustainable ocean programs. Through training, innovation-driven sanitation solutions, eco-clubs, and radio outreach, she inspires communities and amplifies youth voices, reaching thousands. Badijigra is passionate about fostering leadership, promoting sustainability, and creating lasting impact in underserved communities. She also currently advises WUSC on its ACTIVATE project in Ghana.
Thao Anh Nguyen
Thao Anh Nguyen is an educator and youth development advocate with international experience in Vietnam, Switzerland, and Germany. She has worked as a university lecturer and project coordinator, mentoring students in entrepreneurship, career development, and leadership skills. Thao Anh previously volunteered with WUSC and WISE through the IGNI+E program in Vietnam, supporting young women entrepreneurs by designing online training and facilitating community engagement. She brings strong intercultural communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a deep commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment. She is excited to contribute to WUSC’s mission through the Youth Advisory Council and to help amplify diverse youth voices across global programs.
Joan Museny’a Nthenge
Joan Museny’a Nthenge is a Nairobi-based global development professional focused on strengthening partnerships and advancing youth and gender inclusion across programs in Africa. She has over a decade of experience spanning community-led development, advocacy, and systems strengthening. Joan currently serves as Senior Associate Director at The END Fund and has previously held roles with Afya Yetu Coalition and NEPHAK. She also serves on the Kenya Advisory Team for the Digital Health and Rights Project and is a Board Member of the Disability Rights Empowerment Trust. Joan is passionate about ensuring young people shape the decisions that affect their futures.
Brenda Okorogba
Brenda Okorogba is a multi-award-winning Learning Facilitator, Resource Mobilization Advisor, and Equity Advocate with over 12 years of experience advancing inclusive opportunities for young people and emerging leaders across Canada, Sub-Saharan Africa, and beyond. As founder of Momentswithbren Consulting and Learnwithbren Village, she has supported more than 15,000 learners in over 30 countries, unlocking over $5 billion in funding for students, researchers, nonprofits, institutions, and micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises across education, workforce development, and social innovation. Her work spans inclusive education, social protection, workforce development, gender equity, and community economic empowerment. She has served on advisory bodies for the Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity, Results Canada, the Students Commission of Canada, CODE NGO, Young Diplomats of Canada, and Immigrant Women Services Ottawa. Brenda’s contributions have earned national and global recognition, including Honorary Member of the Order of Canada, the 2025 Ontario Volunteer Service Award, 2023 DMZ Women of the Year, and the 2019 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants.
With the launch of the Youth Advisory Council, we are elevating youth voices to the organizational level, giving young people a central role in shaping programs, priorities, and the impact we create globally.