Ms. Joanne Jones is a highly accomplished nonprofit leader with over two decades of experience driving transformative initiatives and building impactful programs. She serves as the Executive Director of the Global Youth Excellence and Leadership (GYEL) Program, a multilateral and multistakeholder initiative comprising intergovernmental organizations, permanent observers, NGOs, and entities with special consultative status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The program operates within the framework and ecosystem of the United Nations system and under the auspices of its members and organizations.
As a UN Credentialed ECOSOC Delegate, Ms. Jones represents and advocates for youth empowerment and sustainable development at the United Nations headquarters. She actively engages with global leaders to promote initiatives aligned with the UN’s goals, fostering transformative solutions that address critical global challenges.
Prior to her role at GYEL, Ms. Jones served as the Executive Director of The Dream Big Foundation where she expanded the Foundation’s flagship program, FeedingNY, which now provides over 10,000 meals annually to families in need, transforming it into a vital resource for underserved communities.
Ms. Jones’s prior roles include serving as Executive Director of the March of Dimes and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, as well as her tenure as Director of Advancement at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School.
With over 25 years in Catholic education, Mr. Sventora has built a career focused on student growth, academic integrity, and institutional innovation. From serving as a guidance counselor and varsity coach to leading admissions strategy and international programs, Mr. Sventora has always centered on helping young people thrive—academically, personally, and spiritually.
At St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School, he held numerous leadership roles, including Guidance Chairperson, Registrar, SAT/ACT Coordinator, and IEP/504 Liaison, while also coaching varsity soccer and softball. Mr. Sventora helped guide students to top universities (including Yale, MIT, NYU, and UPenn), rebuilt a competitive soccer program, and modernized school systems through LMS and automation initiatives.
In 2020, Mr. Sventora made the difficult decision to leave St. Mary’s and join the Administrative Team at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School. There, he served as the school’s first Director of Admissions, where he led the digital transformation of the admissions process, tripled international enrollment, and reconnected with feeder schools to drive recruitment.
Rooted in faith and service, Mr. Sventora remains passionate about creating meaningful pathways for students to succeed—in school and life. He leads with this mantra in mind: “Connections over transactions”. As a Credentialed UN ECOSOC delegate, Mr. Sventora brings a wealth of service and initiative opportunities to GYEL and our students.
“I am thrilled to be part of the tremendous team with GYEL, and I look forward to watching our students grow into tomorrow’s leaders for a sustainable future.”
His Excellency Ambassador David Xavier Sanchez is a globally respected diplomat and advocate for multilateral collaboration. Serving as the Ambassador and Permanent Observer to the United Nations (OIJ), Ambassador Sanchez holds one of the most prestigious designations in international governance. The OIJ’s Permanent Observer status at the United Nations General Assembly places it among a select group of esteemed entities, including the European Union and World Trade Organization, recognized for their critical roles in influencing decisions at the highest levels of global diplomacy.
In this capacity, Ambassador Sanchez works at the intersection of diplomacy and social impact, engaging with world leaders, U.S. department officials, military commanders, and international organizations. He has participated in pivotal discussions shaping global policies and contributed to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His role has also included participation in White House functions and collaborations with influential figures to address challenges such as global inequality, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
Ambassador Sanchez’s leadership extends to his active involvement in fostering youth leadership on a global scale. Through his work with the OIJ, he has championed initiatives to empower young leaders, equipping them to navigate the complexities of an interconnected world. His efforts reflect the OIJ’s mission to mobilize youth as agents of change within the framework of international governance.
Additionally, Ambassador Sanchez is a valued partner and strategic member of the Global Youth Excellence and Leadership (GYEL) Program, a multilateral and multistakeholder initiative comprising intergovernmental organizations, permanent observers, NGOs, and organizations with official special consultative status within the United Nations system.
Ambassador Sanchez’s work embodies the spirit of diplomacy, collaboration, and leadership, making him a key figure in advancing global development and international cooperation.
His Excellency Ambassador Carlos García is a globally recognized diplomat with over 25 years of distinguished leadership within the United Nations system.
Throughout his distinguished career, Ambassador García has held numerous high-level positions, including Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations, where he represented his country on the global stage for nearly two decades. He served as Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and President of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) during the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, addressing critical issues such as peacekeeping, decolonization, and human rights.
Additionally, Ambassador García has served as Vice-President of the Executive Board of UNDP-UNFPA-UNOPS, where he oversaw key programs addressing global development and humanitarian challenges. He was also Vice-Chairman of the Commission on the Status of Women, where he championed gender equality across three consecutive sessions, and Vice-Chairman of the Commission for Social Development, advancing social justice and inclusive global policies.
Currently, as the Chief Representative of the Organization for Poverty Alleviation and Development (OPAD) to the United Nations, Ambassador García leads an international organization with special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In this role, he spearheads initiatives aimed at combating poverty, mitigating climate change, and advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ambassador García is also a valued partner and strategic member of the Global Youth Excellence and Leadership (GYEL) Program, a multilateral and multistakeholder initiative comprised of intergovernmental organizations, permanent observers, NGOs, and organizations with official special consultative status within the United Nations system.
Dr. Miroslav Polzer stands as a distinguished leader in global sustainable development and climate action, renowned for his innovative approaches and deep-rooted connections with the United Nations (UN) system. As the Secretary General of the International Association for the Advancement of Innovative Approaches to Global Challenges (IAAI), Dr. Polzer has been instrumental in pioneering initiatives that bridge digital innovation, youth empowerment, and global governance.
Under Dr. Polzer’s visionary leadership, IAAI has maintained the prestigious and rare status of special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), enabling active participation in UN deliberations and policy formulations. This status underscores IAAI’s commitment to addressing pressing global challenges through collaborative efforts.
Under his leadership, IAAI has been at the forefront of initiatives that integrate blockchain, AI, and digital governance into climate action and sustainable development efforts. He also serves as the Strategic Director of the Climate Chain Coalition (CCC), a UN-backed global network that leverages emerging technologies to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Polzer’s influence extends into European climate diplomacy, where he serves as an EU Climate Pact Ambassador, building bridges between the European Commission, the UN, and global multistakeholder initiatives. His academic background in development economics and expertise in international scientific cooperation management make him a sought-after speaker at high-level UN events, where he advocates for systemic solutions to climate change. further exemplifies his dedication to fostering synergies between European climate initiatives and global multistakeholder efforts within the UN framework.
IAAI’s flagship initiative, the Global Challenges Action Empowerment Consortium (GloCha), serves as a global platform that unites various stakeholders, including UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector, to collaboratively address sustainable development goals. By leveraging digital technologies, cultural initiatives, and organizational innovations, GloCha empowers youth and local communities to actively participate in climate action and sustainable development.
Dr. Polzer’s contributions have been pivotal in organizing high-impact events, such as the GloCha UN Headquarters Conference 2024, titled “Celebrating the Future with Culture, Youth, Digital Innovation & Localization of SDGs.” This conference, held at the UN Headquarters in New York, convened global leaders, innovators, and youth representatives to explore creative solutions and governance innovations essential for a sustainable future.
His Excellency Ambassador Stan Oduma Smith is a distinguished diplomat and attorney currently serving as the Permanent Representative of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the United Nations since March 2022.
Ambassador Smith has spearheaded several high-impact initiatives, including hosting the “Sustainable Climate Action and Capacity Building for The Water Crisis” conference in collaboration with Morocco, Tajikistan, and the World Youth Group.
Prior to his current appointment, Ambassador Smith served as personal assistant to Prime Minister Perry Gladstone Christie from 2018 to 2021, where he facilitated diplomatic engagements and provided strategic support. He previously held the position of Ambassador-at-Large between 2015 and 2017, alongside heading the Legal Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Smith began his professional career practicing law in Barbados from 2005 to 2015 after earning his bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s University in Canada and graduating from the University of the West Indies Law School. His combined legal expertise and diplomatic experience make him a valuable partner in advancing global development and international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations system.
Mr. Keith Agoada is a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to revolutionizing the global agricultural supply chain. As the founder of Producers Trust, he has been instrumental in creating a network that empowers farmers worldwide by providing them with direct access to markets and essential data services. This initiative enhances transparency and ensures fair compensation for producers, thereby fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
His expertise and innovative approaches have garnered recognition from esteemed international organizations. Mr. Agoada has actively collaborated with the United Nations, contributing to high-level discussions on sustainable agriculture and climate action. Notably, he participated in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s learning session on “Artificial Intelligence and Nature Restoration,” where he explored the transformative potential of AI in environmental conservation. He was also a featured speaker at the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) summit at the UN Headquarters, highlighting the role of sustainable agriculture in economic empowerment.
Under Mr. Agoada’s leadership, Producers Trust has expanded its reach to include over 1,000 producer groups across more than 80 countries, impacting the livelihoods of millions of farmers. The organization’s innovative platform, Landscape Relationship Management (LRM™), exemplifies his commitment to leveraging technology to drive sustainable systems change in food and agriculture.
Mr. Agoada’s vision is further strengthened by an esteemed Board of Advisors, whose collective expertise enhances Producers Trust’s capacity for impact and innovation: Susan Rockefeller, Craig Cogut, Adrian Grenier, Dr. Charles Levy, M.D., MBA, Rosa Sangiorgio, and Terry Tamminen.
Yuliana Lebedinskaya serves on the Management Board of the Executive Board to the Permanent Observer to the United Nations, a prestigious role that places her at the forefront of international diplomacy and global governance. In this capacity, she plays a pivotal role in advising and executing directives from the Permanent Observer, ensuring that the office’s initiatives align with the strategic objectives of the United Nations and deliver measurable impact across key global challenges.
Renowned for her ability to navigate complex global networks, Yuliana is a highly influential figure with a proven track record of fostering high-level collaborations. Her deep connections span critical industries, including energy, technology, and sustainable development, where she has facilitated partnerships between traditional energy leaders and innovators in sustainable solutions. These efforts underscore her commitment to advancing technologies and practices that address the pressing demands of a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Beyond her work in diplomacy, Yuliana is a celebrated internet personality with an extensive following and influence. Her unique ability to leverage digital platforms for strategic advocacy and awareness positions her as a powerful voice for change. Whether connecting with high-level policymakers or engaging global audiences, Yuliana consistently bridges the gap between diverse sectors, creating meaningful dialogue and fostering actionable solutions.
Her exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and ability to execute complex initiatives make her an invaluable asset to the Permanent Observer’s mission and the broader United Nations ecosystem. Through her efforts, Yuliana continues to champion transformative change and uphold the highest standards of global cooperation.
The Global Youth Excellence and Leadership Program (GYEL) is a multilateral and multistakeholder initiative of intergovernmental organizations, permanent observers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and organizations with official special consultative status in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It functions within the framework and ecosystem of the United Nations system and operates under the auspices of members and organizations within the United Nations system. The primary goal of GYEL is to foster excellence and leadership among global youth through a variety of strategic political and social initiatives. The program has focused on preparing individuals to become future leaders who are equipped to address the complex challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.
Each UN Coalition Partner listed on our About page has signed a formal Institutional Agreement between their UN-affiliated organization or agency (recognized under the United Nations framework) and GYEL. They are not a Coalition Partner in a personal or unofficial capacity. They represent their organization and agency in an official role as a designated signatory within the UN system.
His Excellency, Permanent Observer to the General Assembly and Ambassador to the United Nations, along with the President/Secretary-General, and Deputy, who hold ECOSOC organizational status, are excitedly discussing the Global Youth Excellence and Leadership (GYEL) program’s continued ability to support and empower the next generation of global leaders. Through their unwavering commitment, GYEL continues to foster excellence and leadership, creating meaningful opportunities for young people to thrive within the United Nations’ established framework.