International Branches & Branch Heads
YDL Nakuru
Mercy Valery Aluoch
Mercy Valery Aluoch is a student at Egerton University, pursuing Bachelor of Laws. She is passionate about the Rule of law and leadership at large. Aside from being a student, she is a member of a of a small group in Kenya which visits different schools regularly to offer motivation and career advice to the students. During her long holidays she applys to be an intern at a law firm where she hopes to sharpen her skills and learn from advocates in practice. She is enthusiastic and passionate about law and leadership and is currently working towards being the Chief Justice of Kenya one day.
YDL Peshawar
Ansar Ullah Khan
​I am Ansar Ullah, a dedicated student pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree at the Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar. I grew up in a remote Pakistani village with limited access to essential amenities like potable water and medical care . I have a strong dedication to social impact and environmental action and supporter of sustainable development and innovative educational practices. I participate as an active volunteer work with a number of organisations that aim to bring about significant change. I was part of the McKinsey Forward learning program in 2024, which enhanced my leadership and problem-solving skills. This program focused on future-forward leadership, equipping me with the tools to manage projects efficiently and drive teams towards success.
YDL Nairobi West
Regina Wanjiru
Regina Wanjiru, 24, is a driven and creative Kenyan with a deep passion for storytelling, communication, and social impact. With a degree in Journalism and Communication, she has been on a mission to make a meaningful difference in the world. Raised in a family of strong women in the medical field, Regina chose a different path—one rooted in words, visuals, and the transformative power of media. From interning at Capuchin TV to working as a personal assistant and communication manager for an influencer, she has blended her love for storytelling with a commitment to creating change. Her current roles include project management, handling social media, and crafting narratives that resonate with wide audiences.
YDL Meru
Sylivia Ntamwinja
Ntamwira Sylivia Ntamwinja, also known as filledeDieu, is a dedicated 4th-year medical student at Kenya Methodist University. As the founder of Lumière Nebo Dunia, she is committed to empowering young people through training programs focused on leadership skills and health advocacy. A proud alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), she is passionate about fostering youth empowerment and creating a positive societal impact. In addition to her medical studies, Sylivia serves as a French instructor, teaching the language with a mission to build confidence and open up job opportunities for her students. Her multifaceted approach to education and advocacy demonstrates her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people and her community.
YDL Gabarone Central
Magdeline Ramagonono
​Magdeline is a prolific public speaker and debater. She was the 2018 best debater for the World Scholars Cup in the Gaborone round junior division. Additionally, she was also the best in writing that year alongisde the 4th competitor overall. Additionally, she is a writer in Okavango news 24/7, an activist, poet, and athelete at the University of Botswana.
YDL Islamabad North
Choudhary Tahir
Chaudhary Tahir is a Pakistani Political Analyst ,Writer and a student of politics. He’s a Youth Activist, Leader and Advocate for Democracy and social Justice in Pakistan. Currently he’s associated with School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid e Azam University Islamabad and is a member of Pakistan Youth Parliament.
YDL Punjab
Warda Chaudhary
Hey there, I am Warda, an English Literature student from Pakistan. Before Pursuing Literature for my higher education I have done my intermediate in Pre- Medical. Not on an international level, but I have always been involved in active debates and declamations and have won quite a few awards.
Reading books is my one true love. I do have a blog where I share my views on the books I have read. Furthermore, I’d say that I'm an adaptable and multitasking human being who loves to perform and manage various tasks at a single time.
YDL Calgary
Andrew Wang
Andrew is a Grade 11 IB student at Sir Winston Churchill High School in Calgary, Alberta. Ever since his first debate tournament in 8th grade where he opposed the misuse of Santa’s 9 reindeer, Andrew has pursued his passions in public speaking and worked to make debate more accessible locally. In his first year of competing, he taught himself debate from the foundations and won the Alberta Debate Provincial Championship without a coach. Since then, he has worked to jumpstart his school’s debate program, won awards at many other debate tournaments, and branched out his public speaking skills into Speech competitions and Model UN conferences across Canada. He loves to teach and is looking forward to mentoring younger debaters to become the best speakers they can be!
YDL Kilifi
Damaris Mukuhi
Damaris Mukuhi, hailing from the picturesque town of Murang’a in upcountry Kenya, embodies a dynamic blend of passion and purpose. From an early age, Damaris showcased an exceptional talent for public speaking, captivating audiences and engaging with diverse individuals, which laid the foundation for her future endeavor Though she nurtured a deep-seated aspiration for journalism, fate steered her towards the world of technology, leading her to earn a degree in computer science. This unconventional path opened doors to a thriving career in sales and marketing, where she flourished within multinational corporations in the beverage sector. Her exemplary performance and entrepreneurial spirit earned her accolades, including an esteemed award for exemplifying ownership and accountability in her work.
YDL Johannesburg East
Thandolwenkosi Nkosi
​Thandolwenkosi Nkosi is a South African children's rights advocate for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. She's also part of the Intergenerational Advisory Committee as a child rights advisor for the International and Canadian Child Rights Partnership. In her free time, she also volunteers in giving menstrual hygiene workshops to adolescent girls and young women. She was recognised by the South African Youth And Development Agency as last year's Trailblazer for the hard work she does for her community
YDL Victoria
Leah Wang
Leah Wang joined YDL in 2024. She is an enthusiastic student at Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS) who has a deep passion for public speaking and the arts. Leah actively engages in French-speaking competitions, such as the Concours d'Art Oratoire, and debates with the Lower Mainland Debate Society (LMDS). As the Branch Head for YDL Victoria, she is dedicated to empowering her peers and enhancing their debating skills. Leah is also an avid artist, enjoying drawing and playing various musical instruments in her spare time. In addition to her artistic pursuits, she participates in curling, demonstrating her commitment to both individual and team sports. Leah is involved with the WithME Foundation, where she advocates for menstrual education and works to create awareness around important social issues.
YDL Turkey
Ibtihel Trabelsi
Ibtihel is an architecture student with a passion for public speaking and leadership. With experience in construction, UX design, and content creation, she excels at blending technical knowledge with clear, persuasive communication. As a committed advocate for sustainability and social causes, Ibtihel brings her skills in critical thinking and storytelling to lead and inspire through debate, aiming to foster meaningful discussions and drive change.
YDL Pretoria
Lesedi Rakgole​​
Martha Lesedi Rakgole is a 27 year old passionate community and Education enthusiast currently serving and enhancing her skills at Dipeu Tsa Tshwane as a Educational Programmes Leader in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. She graduated at the University of Pretoria in 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Public Management and International Relations and has recieved a certificate in researcher training and a TEFL Level 5 Diploma. Her love and appreciation for education has led her to the youth centred organisation aimed at uplifting current and future generations to heights that seemed unattainable. The former 60Decibels research assistant is currently an editor and works with learners of all grades in proofreading and editing academic papers and assignments.
YDL Abuja B
Ilia-Daniel D. Gashinbaki​
Ilia-Daniel Gashinbaki is the founder of the Africa Space Foundation (ASF) and a dedicated advocate for space science education, particularly among youth across Africa. With over nine years of experience in technical and outreach initiatives, he has championed the integration of space science and technology into educational curricula. Gashinbaki has engaged with government officials, including members of the Nigerian National Assembly, to push for increased investment in space research. His work with the Nigerian National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and other organizations highlights his commitment to advancing Africa’s role in space science through educational outreach and regional collaboration.
YDL Ethiopia
​Yeabsira Hairu
​Yeabsira Hairu is a law student at Haramaya University, Ethiopia, where she serves as head of partnerships for the Haramaya Law Students Association. She also holds the position of country director for the Lawrit Journal of Law Ethiopia Directorate and is branch head of the Young Debate League, promoting critical thinking among youth. Passionate about writing, Yeabsira contributes articles on various legal topics and volunteers in her community. In her downtime, she enjoys watching movies and reading books.
YDL Abuja A
Hillary Greno
Hillary Greno is a passionate advocate for global security, education and development. With a B.sc( Hons) in Political Science and International Relations, she has actively contributed to discussions on conflict, gender parity and human rights. As a contributing author for the Human and Social Sustainability Network Africa, she is committed to promoting sustainable solutions to societal challenges across Africa. Hillary is dedicated to using her knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the global stage.
YDL Egypt
Mazen Kamel
Hello! I am Mazen Kamel. I am a resourceful and dedicated high school student alongisde a scholarship advisor. I am passionate about medicine especially gynecology and dentistry.
I strive to deliver excellent leadership skill and a committment to service, debate, and volunteering.
YDL Islamabad South
Tayyab Khan
My name is M.Tayyab Khan, I am from ol'evels 1 and I am the branch head of Islamabad South!
YDL Lusaka Northeast
Tendai Musendo
My name is Tendai Musendo, a first year student majoring in International Relations. I’m passionate about gender equality and inclusivity in leadership. My hobby is playing the guitar.