Mentors on the Cutting Edge

In the coming months, high school students around the world will team up as equal global citizens to brainstorm how AI can be used to solve SDG challenges in different corners of the world in the AI's Impact on SDGs Online Forum. To guide the students through the process are the team coaches and consultants:

Forum Director - Yohana Fontenia, Economics & Politics and Business Leadership, Forward College (Germany), Spain

Yohana has a dual bachelor's degree in Economics & Politics from the London School of Economics and Business Leadership at Forward College. Having lived in Spain, Portugal, France, and Germany, she embraces a holistic international perspective. She is passionate about education, social justice, leadership, strategy, and sustainability. She is an EU Climate Pact Ambassador, she has collaborated with the European Commission and UNICEF in several events related to climate change. She has also worked and led several projects and start-ups. Yohana is committed to working towards positive global changes and helping others.

Scorer - Chiedzamatipa Banga, Sciences Po Paris (Campus de Reims, France), Zimbabwe

Chiedza hails from Zimbabwe, but has spent most of her life traveling around the world. She is currently studying Political Science and International Relations at Sciences Po in France. She joined the Be the Change forum and won the best video presentation in August 2022. Throughout high school, she was involved in MUN, Global Advocacy and English tutoring, and was also an international student ambassador for her school. She continues her involvement with student life in university through her leadership positions in the African Students Association and the Fashion Club, whilst also representing Sciences Po as an ambassador for City of Reims.

Team Coach - Section A - Pedro Esquer, Sciences Po Paris (Campus de Reims, France), Spain

Pedro Ezquer is a student studying Political Humanities at Sciences Po Paris, Campus de Reims, focusing on the intersection between North American and European politics, through a philosophical lens. He is minoring in Trade and International Finance. Pedro is the director of the annual RIMUN conference on his University’s campus, as well as being the Treasurer for Exp(ose). Pedro directs communication for the oenological society of his university and works in the organization of events for the Latin-American-Hispanic association.

Team Coach - Section A - Joy Yang, Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan

Joy Yang led the Best Team in the Human Migration Forum in 2021 and she ran her BWB Club in her high school and promoted the global pen pal project to facilitate friendship and collaboration between BWB clubs around the world. Besides BWB events, she has also taken part in national debate tournaments. "AI technology has been applied in almost every field, making our life more and more convenient. If we can make use of AI, progress towards SDGs can definitely be accelerated. As a coach in this forum, I am looking forward to brainstorming the use of AI to make the environment we in live a better place." 

Team Coach - Section B - Maitreyi Gharat

Senior Year in Computer Science, CSUMB (USA), India

Maitreyi is a senior majoring in Computer Science at California State University Monterey Bay and an international transfer student from India. Her passion is building applications that benefit people. As a dedicated volunteer, she has organized technology and AI conferences with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Women in Engineering (WIE), serving as a technical writer for IEEE SAC Bombay Section. Maitreyi has been a global student ambassador for IEEEXtreme and she is currently serving as a treasurer for the Women in Computer Science club at CSUMB.

Team Coach - Section B - Varad Jaideep Tawde, Senior Year in Computer Science, CSUMB (USA), India

Varad is deeply passionate about the transformative potential of AI and its role in shaping a sustainable future for both people and the environment. As an aspiring software engineer and team leader of various full-stack web application projects, Varad has developed a strong foundation in full-stack development and project management, with a focus on collaboration and innovation.  He has led multiple teams on software development projects, utilizing agile methodologies to drive projects from ideation to completion, ensuring efficient teamwork and the achievement of shared goals.

Graphic Consultant - Sophia Chaisson, Communication Design, CSUMB, USA

Sophia Chaisson is a Communication Design senior at the California State University of Monterey Bay with a concentration in Visual Design. She currently works as an IT intern for the Monterey County Health Department and has a passion for Environmental Graphic Design and Experience Design. She devotes herself to creating designs that enhance the involvement of users and help spread awareness of the importance of inclusive design. She is extremely excited to help the students incorporate design into teaching the benefits of AI.

Data Consultant - Martin Nguyen, Data Science & Machine Learning, CSUMB, USA

Martin is a senior at California State University, Monterey Bay, majoring in computer science with a concentration on data science and machine learning. He is currently developing a capstone project that leverages convolutional neural networks to diagnose brain tumors with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His academic and professional interests include philosophy, machine learning and AI. Martin is committed to increasing positive global change and promoting awareness about the importance of AI safety in society.