Our Young Global Leaders
At the end of 2017, 17 Young Global Leaders had completed their 200-hour commitment and 30 were enrolled in the J. Luce Foundation Young Global Leadership Initiative. The majority of Young Global Leaders reside in New York City.
In addition to our YGL Initiative, The J. Luce Foundation presents annual Luce Leadership Awards to young leaders working to better humanity, either in the U.S. or abroad, who embody the characteristics of honor, intelligence, benevolence, and stewardship on an annual basis, as well as recognize Honorable Mention for Leadership. These individuals typically live outside of New York City and can be from around the world. Typically, YGL and Luce Leaders are 17-25, while Young Global Leaders are 6-16.
Luce Leaders.
The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation, Inc. presents annual Luce Leadership Awards to young leaders working to better humanity, either in the U.S. or abroad, who embody the characteristics of honor, intelligence, benevolence, and stewardship. See biographies below.
2017
Shivam Evan Persaud, Connecticut (b. ’07)
2016
We are already taking nominees for 2016, including our youngest nominees, two 13-year old young global leaders, Jewels Harrison (b.’02) and Ramin Herath (b.’02).
2015
Eugenie Carys de Silva, Harvard University (b. ’98)
Alana Galloway, Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, Greenwich (b. ’97)
2014
Jamil Patacon Fuller, Lawrence University (b. ’96)
Seal-Bin Han, Johns Hopkins University (b. 95)
2013
Joey Lowenstein, The Joey Lowenstein Foundation, NYC (b. ’97)
Jesse Pollans, U.W. Madison, Chicago (b. ’93)
2012
Isaac J. Kassin, New York University (b. ’95)
Christopher Rim, Yale University (b. ’95)
2011
Auguste Jean Fédris, President, Association Pour Secourir les Victimes, Haiti
Bill Tenda, Executive Director, Orphans International Worldwide Indonesia
Selected Bios.
Isaac Bayoh
Sr. Young Global Leader ’17
Originally from Sierra Leone, Isaac Bayoh studied International Marketing & Corporate Management Technology at Eastern University. He is the Permanent Youth Representative of Sierra Leone to the UN in the area of Economic and Social Affairs. Isaac founded a non-profit called GirlOptimization to provide academic stationaries and sanitary needs for young women and girls in Sierra Leone.
Valentine Camaño
Sr. Young Global Leader ’16
Val is currently attending the Borough of Manhattan Community College majoring in Business Administration and Linguistics and endeavors to continue his education at Brooklyn College. Valentine volunteered with the social media team for the United Nations Women’s Summit and is part of the Youth Assembly at the U.N.
Tsewang "Keii" Lhamo
Luce Leader ’16
Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, and raised in India by her Tibetan family, Keii moved to NYC to study Applied Science from the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and is currently studying in Baruch College. Keii writes for The Stewardship Report on Connecting Goodness and volunteers for Teen Art Labs and Teen Guide Counsel at the Rubin Museum, as well as Special Events for J. Luce Foundation and it’s The Manjushree Fund, in addition to Orphans International Worldwide She received a full scholarship to attend the 2017 J. Luce Leadership Experience: Hellas.
Hector Liang
Sr. Young Global Leader since ’16
Hector grew up in Venezuela with years living in China. In NYC, he studied Computer Science at Borough of Manhattan of Community College (BMCC) while working full-time and serving as president of the Tribeca Campus Lions Club. Hector was a founding member of the foundation’s Toastmasters chapter where he delivered impeccable speeches weekly as a participant in the Young Global Leadership Initiative. He writes and edits The Stewardship Report on Connecting Goodness.
Ekua Musumba
Sr. Young Global Leader since ’16
Originally from Kenya, Ekua Musumba is a graduate of the United Nations Internationale School for her High School Career. She is now attending the New School, Home to Parsons-School of Design and Eugene Lang-School of Liberal Arts. See HuffPo piece entitled Honoring Young Leaders, Humanitarians at U.N. Mission.
Israel Santana
Sr. Young Global Leader since ’16
Israel was raised in the Dominican Republic and is now a resident of NYC. He is a graduate of Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) with honors in Criminal Justice. Israel transferred to CCNY to major in Political Science with a minor in Journalism. Last summer he interned with Skadden Arps.
Ben Salom
Sr. Young Global Leader since ’16
Ben holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication & Media Studies from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland and spent the summer of 2017 working for the foundation. Ben has extensive community service experience with peer-mentoring younger classmates, and volunteering at hospitals, urban farms, and food preparation for the infirm. He was a founding officers of the foundation’s Toastmasters Club.
Leyla Nergis Wahedi
Sr. Young Global Leader since ’16
A student at the University of Colorado Boulder in Environmental Design within City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning, Leyla studied Engineering at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) where she served as president of the Tribeca Campus Lions Club Chapter and treasurer of the BMCC Engineering Club. Leyla has been a contributor to The Stewardship Report on Connecting Goodness and was a founding member of the J. Luce Foundation Toastmasters Club.