One Young World and United Way Worldwide partner to equip young leaders driving global community impact

Munich, 2025 September 18 - One Young World is partnering with United Way Worldwide to send a 20 -delegate cohort of United Way leaders to the One Young World Summit (11/3-11-6).

The selected delegates are part of a year-long leadership development programme focused on building more equitable and resilient communities by improving health, education, and economic mobility.

The partnership with One Young World will empower the United Way delegates with the ideas, inspiration, network and skills to go on to lead and deliver tangible and positive change—helping to make the world a better place.

The twenty participants will attend the annual One Young World Summit taking place in Munich where they will have the chance to meet distinguished global leaders, connect with like-minded individuals from across the globe, and increase their knowledge to push forward the work they are doing to support local communities.

The United Way delegates who will be joining the programme include:

• Csenge Mezei, Budapest, Hungary: As a teacher with a United Way partner school, Csenge champions literacy programmes that give children the skills to succeed.
• Lola Cassinello, Madrid, Spain: As a Project Coordinator at United Way Spain, Lola builds strong networks and partnerships to drive meaningful community impact.
• Taylor Bottle, Calgary, Canada: As a United Way volunteer Taylor, works with Indigenous youth, empowering them to speak up, be heard, and lead change in their communities.
• Daisy Butzer, Pittsboro, USA: As an Impact Manager, Daisy coordinates support services to break cycles of poverty and strengthen community resilience.
• Brooke Ferrara, Kitchener, Canada: A Senior Manager for Community Investment, Brooke evaluates funding proposals and advocates for systemic change to tackle inequality and marginalisation.
• Jasmine Vedua, Minneapolis, USA: Managing community impact operations at Greater Twin Cities United Way, Jasmine advances collaborative local initiatives.
• Abhinaya Ravee Shankar, Chennai, India: Abhinaya leads CSR partnerships to fund education, environment, and inclusive development initiatives through United Way Chennai.
• Friederike Marie Vierck, Berlin, Germany: Friederike brings together businesses and nonprofits to create positive social change through United Way Germany.
• Christian Villagomez, Las Vegas, USA: As a Community Impact Program Manager, Cristian manages community programmes, grants, and partnerships, driving impact across Nevada.
• Abby Good, Spartanburg, USA: As a Director of Communications, Abby uses strategic storytelling to amplify United Way’s mission and community impact.
• Claire Smart, Milwaukee, USA: Managing 300+ corporate partners, Claire helps raise $50M annually through United Way’s workplace campaigns.
• Long Nguyen Duc, Hanoi, Vietnam: Leading SDG and innovation initiatives, Long uses citizen-generated data to empower communities and shape policy through MSD United Way Vietnam.
• Deepali Desai, Atlanta, USA: Deepali strengthens foundation partnerships at United Way, while volunteering to support survivors of violence.
• Ben Thompson, Detroit, USA: Leading philanthropy and leadership giving, Ben builds lasting relationships to advance United Way’s mission.
• Ariel Davis, Buffalo, USA: Ariel, Resource Development Project Coordinator, supports workplace campaigns and youth initiatives, fostering engagement and community collaboration.
• Juanita Gray, Canton, USA: As a Marketing Manager, Juanita drives digital engagement strategies to connect people with United Way’s impact.
• Boluwatife Sofola, Lagos, Nigeria: Boluwatife designs and leads social impact programmes in digital literacy, skills development, and resilience with United Way Nigeria.
• Jes Garcia Ramos, Orlando, USA: Jes, of United Way of Central Florida, directs executive operations, advocating for food security and lasting social justice.
• Wissal Benali, Ottawa, Canada: Wissal builds tech solutions and champions social entrepreneurship to make community work smarter through United Way Centraide Canada.
• Hannah Reynolds, Grand Rapids, USA: As an Account Manager of Heart of West Michigan United Way, Hannah manages education and financial partnerships and founded a youth affinity group for student leadership.

Each year the Summit brings together 2,000+ of the brightest young leaders from every country and sector, working to accelerate social impact.
Summit delegates participate in four transformative days of speeches, panels, networking, mentorships, and workshops. They can give keynote speeches to share their platform with global leaders and the world’s media.

Ella Robertson McKay, Managing Director, One Young World, says:

“It is a privilege to once again welcome United Way Worldwide to the One Young World Summit. United Way shares our commitment to empowering young people to become catalysts for change in their communities and beyond. This year’s delegation brings with it a wealth of experience, energy, and vision, and I have no doubt that they will leave Munich ready to inspire action and create lasting impact around the world.”

Angela F. Williams, President and CEO, United Way Worldwide, says:

“This generation of young leaders is not waiting for change; they are creating it. For the third consecutive year, United Way is thrilled to send a delegation – our largest cohort yet – to the One Young World Summit. I am proud that United Way is working to empower the next generation of changemakers to build a more just and compassionate world. The challenges we face often feel immovable until they are met with the unstoppable energy, tenacity, and hope of young people. United Way is grateful for the opportunity to partner with One Young World to tap into that spirit and create a better future for all.”

Media enquiries:
One Young World - OYW@wearesevenhills.com
United Way Worldwide – pr@unitedway.org 

About One Young World
One Young World is the largest global network of young people who are making positive change across communities and businesses. Its mission is to empower young people with the ideas, inspiration, network, and skills they need to lead and deliver tangible positive change.

Made up of more than 18,500+ Ambassadors from 196 countries, the One Young World community focuses on making the world a better place. Member-led initiatives are improving access global health and education, campaigning for equal opportunity in the workplace, and pushing forward the circular economy. Collectively, the network has generated in excess of $4 billion worth of social impact in the last three years alone.

Many of the world's most prominent political, social, humanitarian and business leaders support the work of One Young World through its annual Summit. These include HM Queen Rania, the late Kofi Annan, Sir Bob Geldof, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Maria Ressa, President Mary Robinson, Sir Richard Branson, and CEOs from the world’s biggest businesses.

To date, Summits have taken place in London (2010,2019), Zurich (2011), Pittsburgh (2012), Johannesburg (2013), Dublin (2014), Bangkok (2015), Ottawa (2016), Bogota (2017), The Hague (2018), Munich (2021), Manchester (2022), Belfast (2023) and Montréal (2024). The next Summit will take place in Munich in November 2025.

About United Way Worldwide  
United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. True to our founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our communities, United Way is there. We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. Our reach across tens of thousands of communities means we can share innovations and scale impact to improve lives around the world.  From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, we’re working towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential. To learn more, visit www.unitedway.org.