Community

The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a community of innovators from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Search current members and alumni by year awarded, sector or region.

Sanni Grahn-Laasonen

Member of Parliament, Parliament of Finland (Eduskunta), Finland

Former Minister of Education, former Vice-President of the National Coalition Party of Finland and is serving third term as a Member of Parliament. Portfolio as Minister of Education covered the entire knowledge chain, from early childhood education to top scientific research. Tasks have also involved issues related to culture, sport, youth and religious affairs during the period 2015-17. Served as the Minister of the Environment between 2014 and 2015. Formerly, worked as a reporter, as a Stockholm correspondent and as a press attaché to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Entered Parliament in 2011.

Livia Járóka

Member of the European Parliament, European Parliament, Belgium

Master's in Society and Politics, CEU University, UK. Since 2004, Representative for Fidesz, Hungary and Member, European People's Party, European Parliament and European Democrats, European Parliament. Director, Roma Integration, EPP-ED Working Group. Member, Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; EPP-ED Group, Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality.

Benjamina Karic

Mayor of Sarajevo, City of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Karić was born on 8 April 1991 in Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. She graduated from the University of Sarajevo. She later worked as an assistant at the Faculty of Law at the University of Travnik and in Kiseljak. Following the 2020 municipal elections, Karić became mayor of Sarajevo in 2021 as a replacement for Bogić Bogićević, who decided to pull out of the candidacy for mayor shortly before. She graduated from two faculties simultaneously, the Faculty of Law at, the University of Sarajevo and the Department of History at the Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo. Karić is a recipient of the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo for Outstanding Achievement in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies. She is the author of fifty publications, books, articles, and translations from Latin to Bosnian.

Niki Kerameus

Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs of Greece, Greece

Niki K. Kerameus started her career as a lawyer on major litigations, such as Enron and the AOL-Time Warner. While in Government, she has served on committees dealing with e-goverment, constitutional reform, education and youth.

Igor Luksic

Professor, University of Donja Gorica, Montenegro

Prime Minister 2010-2012, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Affairs and European Integration 2012-2016, Minister of Finance 2004-2010, Member of Parliament of Montenegro 2001-2003, Member of Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro 2003-2006
Luksic stood as official candidate for the UN Secretary General in 2016 advocating for the more efficient and effective UN able to respond to the SDG agenda along with peace operations. He also advocated for the stronger voice of the youth.
Member of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders community class 2013.
Presently, Luksic is with PwC as South East Europe public sector director.
Luksic holds PhD in the economics of transition and is an associate professor of the University of Donja Gorica Podgorica (UDG).
Spending most of his professional career up to date in the public sector and serving in several governmental positions Luksic was committed to political and economic freedoms giving boost to many economic and political reforms based on rule of law and business friendly environment. Luksic advocated for transparency, put emphasis on dialogue and proactive approach both related to internal and foreign relations. While Prime Minister Montenegro opened accession talks with the EU and completed accession to WTO. When Finance Minister Montenegro pursued significant public finance management and tax reforms, obtained first ever credit rating, sold first Eurobonds and made significant steps to improve Doing Business ranking, took part in different projects attracting FDI to the country. As Foreign Minister Luksic was among the key cabinet members working to meet NATO membership conditions and was crucial in launching Western Balkans 6 initiative. As a new in-house initiative he set up economic diplomacy structure within the ministry.
Married, father of three.

Emmanuel Macron

President of France, Office of the President of the Republic of France, France

2001, diploma, IEP Paris; 2002-04, studied at ENA (National Administration School); postgraduate diploma (DEA) in Philosophy. 1999-2001, worked for philosopher Paul Ricoeur. Former senior official and 2004-08, Inspecteur des Finances, Ministry of Economy, in charge of the Commission for French Growth (Attali commission) and project leader; 2008, joined the private sector as Investment Banker (Partner), Rothschild. 2012-14, Deputy Secretary-General, Presidency of the French Republic. 2014-16, Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs of France. Since May 2017, President of the Republic of France.

Eva Maydell

Member of the European Parliament, European Parliament, Belgium

Eva Maydell is a Member of the European Parliament and President of European Movement International, the largest organisation of associations and civil societies in Europe.

Maydell´s policy priorities include innovation and the use of new technologies as well as supporting entrepreneurs and sustainable investments in Europe. In the European Parliament, she is a member of the Industry and Economic Affairs Committees, Vice-Chair of the Delegation for Relations with Japan and member of the Delegation for Relations with the U.S.

MEP Maydell is the EPP Group Rapporteur on the Chips Act and the rapporteur on the Chips Joint Undertaking, a massive new planned EU public-private partnership for microchips. MEP Maydell is also the lead rapporteur in the Industry Committee on the AI Act, the first-ever general law on Artificial Intelligence, as well as the EPP Group rapporteur on the NIS 2 Directive on cybersecurity.

Eva Maydell is a Board Member for World Economic Forum’s Digital Europe program and a member of the WEF Global Future Council of Europe. Maydell has been awarded the European Parliament's MEP of the Year Award twice and has been featured in FT's 'New Europe 100' ranking of CEE's emerging change-makers, European Forbes' 30 Under 30 list, POLITICO’s 40 most influential MEPs and “POLITICO 28” list of people who shape Europe.

H.R.H. Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

Crown Princess of Norway, The Royal Court, Norway

Master's in Management, BI Norwegian Business School; studies in Development Issues, School of Oriental and African Studies, London. Dedicated to youth health and youth empowerment nationally and internationally. 2006, appointed Special Representative for UNAIDS. 2008, invited by UNAIDS to participate in strategic planning of the future AIDS response, and also focused on HIV/AIDS at the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. 2015, co-founded the Maverick Collective with Kate Roberts (Senior Vice-President, Population Services International); Melinda Gates joined as co-chair. The Maverick Collective aims to engage other women to use their voice, intellectual and financial resources, to improve women's health worldwide and help end extreme poverty. Patron, Norwegian Red Cross. Member, Global Agenda Council on Healthy New Generation, World Economic Forum. Involved with developing and supporting new models of health interventions to address the most critical health issues for youth, specifically for girls. Also focused on strengthening youth leadership, through participation as Member of the Board, The Crown Prince and Crown Princess' Fund, which aims to empower youth in Norway. Member of the Board, Global Shapers, World Economic Forum. Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum. Named: Leading Global Thinker, Foreign Policy Magazine (2016); one of the Most Creative People in Business, Fast Company (2016).

H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway

Crown Prince of Norway, The Royal Court, Norway

As heir to the Norwegian throne, has a broad range of national and international engagements. Youth leadership, global development and the oceans are issues particularly close to heart. United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador since 2003, focusing in particular on the Sustainable Development Goals. Co-Founder of Global Dignity and actively engaged in The Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s Humanitarian Fund, which supports projects for young people at risk and aims to strengthen youth leadership. Every year, leads Norwegian delegations abroad to strengthen bilateral relations within trade and industry, science and humanitarian fields. Has also represented Norway in the United Nations. Over several years, has had a special interest in the role of technology and how innovation can contribute to move the world forward. Graduate from Norwegian Naval Academy; BA in Political Science from Berkeley; Master’s in Development Studies from LSE. Passionate surfer, kiter and music lover.

Şafak Pavey

Senior Adviser, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Switzerland

Background embracing international and national public policymaking and UN diplomacy. Expertise in strategic public sector engagement & philanthropy in humanitarian affairs, peacebuilding, social & ecological policy, cities & cultural diplomacy, 'UN Women, Peace & Security' Agenda. Formerly; Deputy Speaker and Member of the Turkish Parliament for Istanbul City (-CHP -Social Democratic Party). Served as the Vice-Chair of Turkey-EU Accession Committee, NATO Parliamentary Assembly Civilian Security, Vice-Chair of CHP Party for Nature Rights and Social Policy. UN Independent Expert. Head of Secretariat, UN OHCHR; with the UN Refugee Agency holding both headquarters and field-based positions in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Bachelor's in International Relations & post-grad in London School of Economics. 2015 Young Global Leader /World Economic Forum, 2016 Munich Young Leader/Munich Security Conference. Selected Awards: 2012 International Woman of Courage Award by US State Department, 2014 Secularist of the Year Award by British Secular Society, 2012 Izmir City EXPO Ambassador & Izmir City Human Rights Memorial Award, 2014 Izmir City Şafak Pavey Youth Centre, 2011 Ten Outstanding Young Person of the World Award (Children, World Peace &/ Human Rights) by Junior Chamber International.

Susannah Rodgers

Technical Adviser on Disability Inclusion, Climate and Environment Directorate, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, United Kingdom

A successful former professional Paralympic swimmer who competed at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, winning six medals across both Games including gold in the 50m Butterfly in Rio and 5 bronze medals. Susie has won 30 international medals throughout her career at all levels of competition, 17 of them gold. Susie is an expert adviser for global clients on disability inclusion and currently works for the UK Government in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as a Technical Adviser on Disability Inclusion. She has advised on a number of projects of over £4bn investments in companies around the world, pioneering new inclusive approaches, designs, thought leadership and strategy to ensure no one is left behind in international development. She is an expert panel member of the Global Disability Advisory Panel at the British Council. Susie has a degree from Newcastle University in Modern Languages, holds a postgraduate diploma from the Financial Times in Non-Executive Director leadership. She recently completed executive education courses at Stanford University, Harvard Kennedy School and Cambridge Judge Business School. Susie is a sought-after public speaker, podcast guest and has hosted and spoken on panels and individually at events including at Davos, for academic and education institutions, INGOs, gender diversity conferences (SHE conference) and at summits in both the public and private sectors. She is an experienced non-executive director and Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Panel at Spirit of 2012, the London 2012 legacy charity, which funds projects promoting wellbeing in communities through social cohesion, volunteering, the arts and physical and mental well-being in the UK. She previously chaired a sub-committee for an organization leading high profile cases and successful pro bono investigations into athlete welfare and safeguarding in the UK elite sport system. She is a patron of various charities and an ocean ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society and recently created a series of paintings of marine life which have been sold as prints to raise money for UK marine conservation efforts. She is passionate about education, inclusion, climate change and ocean conservation. She was awarded an MBE (2017) for services to Paralympic sport by Her Majesty the Queen.

Annika Saarikko

Minister of Finance, Ministry of Finance of Finland, Finland

Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services in Finland and the woman driving the management of the Social and Health Care Reform (SOTE), one of Finland's most extensive social projects. Saarikko became the Finnish Centre party's Vice Chair at the age of 26 and was elected to Parliament in 2011, where she has served in the Social Affairs and Health Committee and the Employment and Equality Committee.