WYA Staff
Paula Lopez Rodríguez
WYA President
Paula is the 6th President of World Youth Alliance. Paula served as Regional Director for WYA Latin America and also worked in the Human Rights Office for the city of Bogotá, Colombia. She holds a Law degree from Universidad de La Sabana.
Faye Ysabela Ong
International Director of Operations
Faye is the International Director of Operations for World Youth Alliance. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines – Visayas. Faye joined WYA when she was 12 years old through the Assumption – Iloilo Teen Club and has remained an active member since. She completed her online internship in 2022 and continues to pursue her passion of working in advocacy, research, and policy through WYA.
Rokaia Elhommosani
Director of Advocacy
Rokaia is the Director of Advocacy for World Youth Alliance and a Senior Global Advocacy Fellow. She has been involved with WYA since age 16 as a passionate mentor, speaker, and international advocate. She holds a law degree with specialities in jurisprudence, human rights law, and legal research from the Open University in the United Kingdom.
Cynthia Wangari
Regional Director
WYA Africa
Cynthia is the Regional Director for World Youth Alliance Africa. Cynthia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Conflict and Peace studies, from The University of Nairobi. Previously, she worked to for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems in Kenya, running civic voter education initiatives.
Joy Wangui Maina
Regional Director of Operations
WYA Africa
Joy is the Regional Director of Operations for WYA Africa. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the Technical University of Mombasa and a professional certificate in accounting. Joy is from Kitui, Kenya and is passionate about youth and community-based organizations.
Rejean Marie Darroca
Regional Director of Operations
WYA Asia Pacific
Rejean is the Regional Director of Operations for the World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific. She became a certified member and trainer, established three chapters, was awarded the first Viktor Frankl Award for her region, and joined the WYA staff in 2022. She holds a master’s degree in Food Technology from the VLIR IUPFOOD Program and balances her passion for quality management, global food safety, policy, and advocacy.
Ermelinda Gjeci
Subregional Director
WYA Southeast Europe
Ermelinda is Director of World Youth Alliance Southeast Europe, a sub-region of WYA Europe. Ermelinda did an internship with WYA in both Brussels and New York City and lead the WYA Albania Chapter. Ermelinda holds a BA in Law and a Master’s Degree in International Law.
Maria Laura Hernandez
Regional Director
WYA Latin America
María Laura is the Regional Director for WYA Latin America. She was the WYA Chapter President in Venezuela. She is a second year student of Administration with mention in marketing at Rafael Belloso Chacín University.
John AL Feghaly
Regional Director
WYA Middle East and North Africa
John is the Regional Director for WYA Middle East and North Africa. He holds a Masters in Diplomacy and International Security from Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. After completing the Certified Training Program, John served as World Youth Alliance’s National Coordinator in Lebanon. John has cultivated a strong leadership ethos and is eager to empower Lebanese youth to drive social change through the mission and programs of the World Youth Alliance.
WYA FOUNDATION STAFF
Anna Halpine
Founder
Anna founded the World Youth Alliance in 1999 at the age of 21. She served as President from 1999 to 2007. Anna holds an MA in Philosophy of Religion from Yale University and a Bachelor of Music from Mount Allison University in Canada. Anna is the CEO of FEMM.
Mislav Barišić
Director of Policy and Research
Mislav is the Director of Policy and Research for World Youth Alliance. Mislav previously served as Director of Advocacy in Brussels at the EU and then Policy and Research Specialist for WYA. Mislav has certifed members across Europe in both CTP and the Advocacy Academy. Mislav studied the law and has a degree in French Language, Literature and Philosophy, from the University of Zagreb.
Demy Cruz Jr.
Director of Marketing
Demy is the Director of Marketing for World Youth Alliance. Demy has worked with various brands, government agencies, and NGOs in Asia Pacific and abroad. Demy holds a BA in Multimedia Arts from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Manila). He had an extensive servant-leadership stint in his country that earned him a spot as one of the Youth Ambassadors of the Philippines to several countries in Asia.
Clare Halpine
Director
Human Dignity Curriculum
Clare is the Creative Director for World Youth Alliance as well as the Director of the Human Dignity Curriculum (HDC). Clare previously served as Director for WYA North America. Clare holds an MFA from the University of Washington and a BFA from Mount Allison University in Canada.
Lord Leomer Pomperada
Director
Philippines expansion HDC
Lord is Director of the HDC Expansion in the Philippines for the World Youth Alliance. He previously served as WYA president for seven years. Lord holds a BA in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Manila) and a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.
Hrvoje Vargić
Grants and Partnerships
Hrvoje leads our work with grants and partnerships within the European region. Hrvoje was a founder of the WYA Croatia Chapter and previously served as Regional Director for WYA Europe. He holds a BA degree in both Philosophy and business, an MA degree in both Philosophy and Economics, and a PhD in Philosophy.
Kelly Heilman
Content Writer
Kelly is the Content Writer for World Youth Alliance. She previously worked in international trademark law and various advocacy-focused organizations. Kelly holds a J.D. from Notre Dame Law School, a B.A. in Politics, and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Theology from Boston College.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Aliah Dimaporo
Ann Seabright, Chair
Anna Halpine, Founder
Caroline Shisubili Maingi
Elisabeth Hohenberg
Federico Eichberg
Jesús Rivera
Joe Wurtz
Paula Andrea Lopez, President, Ex-officio
Timothy Flanigan
Vincenzina Santoro
