AFS Intercultural Programs is pleased to announce the strategic expansion of its AFS Youth Assembly Global Leadership Council with the appointment of three distinguished global leaders: Nicki Auret, Chief People Officer at ICBC Standard Bank; Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education in Sierra Leone; and Christoph Selig, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship at DHL Group.
The Global Leadership Council helps accelerate the development of the AFS Youth Assembly into a global movement of thousands of young leaders, ensuring that they are empowered to take action and create positive impact in communities worldwide. Council members contribute to the programming of the AFS Youth Assembly, provide networking or mentorship opportunities that help young people drive impact in their local communities, and advance the mission of the AFS Youth Assembly within their networks.
About the Global Leadership Council
With these new appointments, the Council includes leaders bringing multidisciplinary expertise from across business, public policy, sustainability, and global leadership development:
- Dr. Helmut Schuster (Chair): An impact investor, author, and former AFS Trustee who co-founded the sustainable fashion brand Chirimoya and previously served on the Executive Committee of bp.
- Nicki Auret: The Chief People Officer at ICBC Standard Bank, who brings over 30 years of international experience shaping corporate talent strategies and championing inclusive, people-centered workplaces.
- Chernor Bah: The Minister of Information and Civic Education in Sierra Leone, a lifelong global advocate for youth participation who has led major education and rights initiatives with the United Nations and civil society.
- Dr. Jackie Chimhanzi: The Regional Director for Southern Africa at the Tony Blair Institute, who leverages over two decades of strategy experience to drive sustainable development and leadership across Africa.
- Kerry Dryburgh: The Executive Vice President of People, Culture and Communications at bp, who leads organizational transformation while publicly advocating for social mobility, diversity, and education.
- Daniel Obst: The President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs, who drives transformative global strategies to develop active global citizens and expand access to intercultural learning.
- Christoph Selig: The Vice President of global Corporate Citizenship at DHL Group, who possesses three decades of experience at the intersection of politics, business, and civil society.
- Anand Verma: A digital visionary and the Founder and CEO of Expect AI, a pioneering impact company focused on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises to reduce carbon emissions profitably.
Find out more about all Council members.
In addition to the Global Leadership Council, the AFS Youth Assembly is guided by its Youth Advisory Council. Comprising young leaders dedicated to sustainable development, this Council ensures that youth perspectives shape conference planning, agenda setting, and strategies for youth-driven global impact.
The AFS Youth Assembly extends a warm welcome to its new members. Their diverse perspectives will strengthen the council’s capacity to guide, mentor, and elevate the next generation of global changemakers.
The 31st Session of the AFS Youth Assembly, held in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), will take place at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland from August 12-14, 2026. The AFS Youth Assembly will bring together more than 500 dynamic young people from more than 100 countries. Since its launch in 2004, this event has been one of the foremost global gatherings of young changemakers, social entrepreneurs, activists, and champions of sustainable development providing the opportunity for exchange, education, action and impact.