I am Nouhaila Attaq. I study International Studies at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane and am in my third year of undergraduate studies. My academic development has included global issues with international relations and the detailed study of geopolitical dynamics which provides me with wide knowledge of critical worldwide challenges.

I combine academic education with directing key leadership tasks which provided valuable development of my organizational abilities and strategic mental processes. The Astronomy Club presidency at Al Akhawayn University has allowed me to launch various intellectual enhancement programs that provoke interdisciplinary outlooks among the students. My experience as team leader in AIESEC enabled me to develop leadership expertise by managing diverse international teams and enabling both exchanges with other teams and developing leadership capabilities in others.

As part of my scheduled fall studies, I will enroll in Charles University's Prague campus to pursue a study exchange while deepening my international perspective and global leadership dedication. The leadership seminar creates a pivotal chance for me to improve my leadership abilities and study leadership insights with fellows while understanding global effective leadership dynamics. I anticipate bringing my wisdom to the group while extracting beneficial knowledge from the various perspectives among my colleagues.

My name is Belal Hassan, and I am a petroleum and energy engineering student from Egypt, the American University in Cairo, with a deep commitment to sustainability, leadership, and regional development. I’ve had the opportunity to represent Egypt at the 4th Kuwait Arab Youth Forum and the International Arabic Renewable Energy Forum in Jordan, where I engaged with policymakers, researchers, and fellow change makers on urgent climate change challenges facing the Middle East.

Over the past few years, I’ve led international campers in the U.S., presented AI-powered environmental solutions, and worked on projects spanning carbon capture and water conservation. These experiences have shaped my belief that leadership is less about authority and more about connection, building bridges between ideas, people, and values.

While my academic path is rooted in engineering, I’ve always carried a passion for philosophy, cinema, and books, as lenses through which I explore identity, meaning, and the kind of world we’re trying to build. I believe storytelling, in its many forms, is a vital tool for re-imagining the future and sparking honest dialogue.

I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Leadership in Action Seminar, and I look forward to learning from fellow participants, sharing ideas, and growing through this global exchange of perspectives.

My name is Coral Pierson from the central Ohio area in the United States. I am currently a third-year student at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Africana Gender & Identity Studies and English Creative Writing.

Through this program, I am excited to expand my community work outside of my participation in sports as a Track & Field athlete, cultivating leadership skills applicable in addressing social issues within my hometown and campus community.

Hi! My name is Gale Mercado. I am a proud Puerto Rican from the United States of America. I am a rising junior at Hope College in Holland, Michigan double majoring in Business and Communications with a minor in Leadership. I am also dual enrolled in cosmetology school and will become a licensed nail technician by August! 

My future plans include earning an MBA in Organizational Leadership and working in the nonprofit sector, specifically in disaster relief and anti-human trafficking efforts. I’m especially passionate about serving children and have spent years engaging with them in different contexts including providing childcare at a domestic violence shelter, working as a life skills coach at Kidstrong, and directing my church’s Vacation Bible School for the last 9 years where I oversee the recreational team’s involvement with the special needs program.

Recently, my initiatives involve reintegrating my organization back into of Hope College’s identity. I represent one of the oldest collegiate traditions in America, The Pull, dating back to 1898. This past semester, I collaborated with my team to introduce a new position to the tradition, an Alumni Chair, who will help involve the organization in Hope College’s philanthropic events. With this new role, I hope to internally unite my team and externally benefit the college and community.  

Hello! My name is Arianna Williams, and I’m an undergraduate student at the American University of Paris (AUP), double majoring in Film Studies and Gender, Sexuality, and Society. I am passionate about the powerful intersection of art and activism. I believe that creative expression is a tool that can be used to amplify advocacy and social change. During my time at The Brotherhood Sistersol, I was able to engage in community activism and organizing back home in New York City. I gained the most meaningful experience of being able to give back to an organization that prepared me with leadership tools which centered community at the forefront of action. Through my continued engagement, I was able to teach high school students about film and photography with an emphasis on the ways artists from marginalized communities use visual storytelling as a way of expressing themselves and building agency.  

At AUP, I’ve continued to pursue the intersections of art, activism, and community in my position as Editor-in-Chief of the Roaches magazine. Roaches is a ‘zine that functions to amplify marginalized voices while taking an actively critical position on the margins. This role has helped me support others in using art to express themselves and speak out. I’m excited to continue developing these skills and exploring news ways of engaging with leadership!  

Namaste! My name is Suhani Mathur and my roots are from a town in India called Ajmer. I am a fourth year undergraduate student at FLAME University in Pune, where I am pursuing Psychology and Human Resources. While I have, for the last two consecutive years, been placed on the Dean’s Roll of Honour for my academic achievements, it is the on-field and beyond classroom exposure that has most shaped my understanding of leadership.

A huge part of my personal growth has come from engaging with local communities and leading initiatives that truly matter to me. Serving as President of the Community Service Club this year has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. In that role, I coordinated river clean-ups, blood donation drives, and awareness campaigns on health and education in rural areas. These moments helped me understand that leadership is rooted in empathy, persistence, and collective effort. I also co-founded a digital literacy program for children in Lavale village and have interned with both grassroots organisations and global entities like Plan India.

Currently, I serve as a Peer Mentor and Residential Assistant on my college campus. Through these diverse roles, I have come to see leadership as something not defined by just position, but the genuine intention to make an impact. That is why the seminar’s focus on non-positional leadership truly speaks to me.

I bring with me a strong commitment to community building, cross-cultural dialogue, and a desire to create tangible social impact. The opportunity to learn alongside peers from around the world in Morocco excites me. I look forward to refining my leadership philosophy through the Knowing-Being-Doing framework, and returning with insights to execute youth-led change within and beyond my campus.

My name is Malak Abdalla,  a Freshman at the American University in Cairo. I am studying Economics on a full scholarship, which includes academic, leadership, art and music components. I was born and raised in Egypt, where I developed a passion for youth leadership and policy reform.

My leadership journey has been interdisciplinary; I currently work with Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV Egypt), where I serve as a counsellor for organized events. In this role, I help foster global friendships while incorporating educational benefits into team-building activities, emphasizing cooperation and intercultural understanding. In the past I have held high positions in Model United Nations conferences, where I conducted policy research with my peers, chaired conferences and developed training programs for students. Beyond my work in counselling and Model United Nations, I am very passionate about the arts. I have worked with a local theatre company, where I led the makeup application and costume process, blending my leadership skills with my love for the arts.

Being given the opportunity to participate in the Leadership in Action Seminar, I am excited to bring a multidisciplinary perspective, meet new people and learn from their varied experiences. I am deeply committed to leadership led by creativity to drive change. I look forward to developing these skills and contributing to a platform where ideas are turned into impactful solutions.

Hi! My name is Alejandro Cruz, I'm a Sophomore at Wabash College studying Rhetoric, Computer Science, and Music. I'm from the Rio Grande Valley, an area in South Texas that borders Mexico, and I'm really excited to be a part of the Leadership in Action Seminar. 

I’ve always been an ambitious individual who has tried to make the most out of every community and organization I’ve participated in. This has, sometimes, led me to assume leadership roles within these groups. Most recently, I’ve been given the opportunity to lead our Latino Student Union as vice president, and I’ve had the chance to lead a mariachi ensemble on campus. 

In each of these roles, I’ve never been completely satisfied with my performance, and I’ve always looked for ways to improve. Whether it’s communicating the vision or culture more clearly, or establishing goals on a more consistent basis, there has always been something for me to improve as a leader. For these reasons, through this seminar, I hope to find ways to bring my leadership to another level of efficacy and impact by diving into aspects of leadership that I’ve either neglected or hadn’t considered at all. 

Going back to campus, I’ll be working on establishing a mariachi program for the public schools in the area. Hopefully, I’ll be able to lead that project effectively with tools and strategies I learn through the seminar

Hello! My name is Fridosse Idrissou Adam, and I am a junior at The College of Wooster, double majoring in History and French & Francophone Studies, with a Global Impact pathway. I was born in Benin, raised in Togo, and now live in the United States.

Over the past few years, I have been deeply involved in intercultural dialogue, mentorship, and community-building. At Wooster, I serve as an intern for International Student Services, where I help coordinate communications and organize events that foster cross-cultural connection. I also serve on the executive boards of the International Students Association, the Black Women’s Organization, the Scot Council, and the Muslim Student Union.

These experiences have shaped my understanding of leadership as a practice grounded in listening, collaboration, and intentional care. A pivotal moment in my journey was participating in the 2025 Student Leadership Institute at Wooster, where I studied the Social Change Model of leadership through Leadership for a Better World by Susan Komives. This experience deepened my commitment to leading with purpose and creating inclusive spaces where others can thrive.

I am excited to bring my voice, lived experience, and Global South perspective to this seminar. I look forward to learning, sharing, and contributing to a collective vision of meaningful change.