World Board

Sarah Govan-Sisk is a member of Girl Guides of Canada and has dedicated her Guiding journey to strengthening governance, empowering volunteers, and creating opportunities for girls and young women. She has served as Board Chair and International Commissioner of Girl Guides of Canada and, for more than a decade, as a WAGGGS Constitutions Coordinator, supporting Member Organisations around the world to strengthen governance, modernise structures, and build resilient organisations.

With extensive experience in governance, finance, fundraising, and strategic leadership, she brings a practical understanding of board decision-making, organisational sustainability, and regional empowerment. Her work across diverse cultural and linguistic contexts has strengthened her ability to build relationships, balance perspectives, and support collaborative solutions that advance both local and global priorities.

Alongside her governance experience, she remains closely connected to the everyday realities of Guiding as a local unit leader, engaging with more than 100 young people each week. This direct connection ensures her leadership remains grounded in the voices, aspirations, and experiences of girls and volunteers.

"I still remember walking into my first Girl Guide meeting unsure if I belonged. The welcome, encouragement, and sense of belonging I found that day shaped my entire Guiding journey. I believe every girl deserves the opportunity to discover her voice, realise her potential, and create positive change. Through strong governance, inclusive leadership, and meaningful youth engagement, we can ensure our Movement continues to empower girls and young women for generations to come."

July 2023 - Present

Fiona is a member of Eclaireuses Eclaireurs de France. As a university lecturer, her work centers on guiding students academically while supporting their personal growth. In her role as a researcher in modern languages, Fiona brings critical thinking, curiosity, and intercultural understanding to every aspect of her work.

From 2020 to 2022, Fiona served as Vice-Chair of the Eclaireuses Eclaireurs de France, where she gained in-depth knowledge in strategic oversight, risk management, human resources, and finance. During this time, she played a key role in staff restructuring and helped establish a new funding model for the organisation.

As an International Commissioner, Fiona built partnerships with over ten guiding and scouting associations around the world. Over her five years in this role, she helped shape an international educational programme focused on the Sustainable Development Goals and co-led a major funding project with the French Development Agency, highlighting the importance of non-formal education in global solidarity. This experience gave Fiona a deep understanding of how the international dimension of guiding and scouting can support global education efforts.

Beyond governance, Fiona has a strong background in education, having served as a leader, camp leader, and co-leader of the Educational Method Commission in her association. As a long-time WAGGGS volunteer, she has played a key role in coordinating volunteers and supporting governance at both regional and global levels.

World Board Member, July 2023 - Present

With a background in Political Communication and Management, Signe excels in navigating complex organisations and fostering teamwork among passionate volunteers. Her degree in organisational psychology supports her work in managing staff and volunteers, where she focuses on skill development and effective onboarding processes.

As a board member, Signe has played a vital role in strengthening finances and implementing sustainable budgeting practices to maintain opportunities for members. In this role she also co-chaired her organisation’s eight-year strategy development, engaging guides at all levels to set a clear direction for the future.

With a background in Political Communication and Management, Signe excels in navigating complex organisations and fostering teamwork among passionate volunteers. Her degree in organisational psychology supports her work in managing staff and volunteers, where she focuses on skill development and effective onboarding processes.

Fatima Al-Faylakawi is a member of the Kuwait Girl Guides Association and has dedicated more than three decades to the Girl Guiding Movement. Throughout her Guiding journey, she has contributed at both national and regional levels, focusing on leadership development, programme quality, and strengthening opportunities for meaningful participation. She has been particularly committed to promoting inclusive decision-making and creating environments where young women can develop their leadership skills and shape the future of the Movement.

In her professional capacity, Fatima serves in an executive leadership role within Kuwait’s national anti-doping framework. Working within a highly regulated international environment, she leads complex governance and operational processes that require independent judgment, policy development, stakeholder coordination, and adherence to global standards. Her experience in safeguarding integrity, ensuring accountability, and overseeing high-stakes systems has provided her with strong expertise in governance, strategic oversight, and organisational effectiveness.

Ghofrane Ben Hamed, originaire de Tunisie, est une leader passionnée dont le parcours dans le guidisme a commencé dès l'enfance et s'est transformé en un engagement à vie pour l'autonomisation des filles et des jeunes femmes. Ayant grandi dans une famille de scouts, elle est passée de fleurette à Routière avant d'accéder à des fonctions de direction, devenant la plus jeune membre du Conseil national et du Conseil suprême des scouts tunisiens, où elle a contribué à la réforme constitutionnelle et renforcé la participation des jeunes à la gouvernance. Sur le plan professionnel, elle est architecte de solutions et chef d'équipe dans une entreprise technologique internationale, où elle met à profit son sens technique, son esprit analytique et ses solides compétences en matière de facilitation. Au sein de l'AMGE, elle a été facilitatrice au séminaire Juliette Low, membre de l'équipe de mission principale et vice-présidente de la 22e Conférence régionale arabe. Plus récemment, elle a siégé au Comité régional arabe, où elle a mené des initiatives dans les domaines du leadership des jeunes, de la communication et du renforcement des capacités régionales, avant d'être élue présidente de la région arabe.

Caroline est originaire du Peak District, une région rurale du Royaume-Uni. Elle a rejoint les Girlguiding à l'âge de 7 ans en tant que Brownie et n'a jamais regardé en arrière. Le guidisme a façonné sa façon de diriger dans tous les domaines de sa vie, lui a donné confiance en elle et lui a permis de nouer des amitiés durables et d'acquérir de nouvelles perspectives. Elle a occupé plusieurs postes bénévoles au sein de Girlguiding UK, notamment celui de bénévole principale pour GOLD, où elle a travaillé avec des organisations membres à travers l'Europe et au-delà afin de mettre en place des partenariats équitables et un apprentissage entre pairs significatif. Sur le plan professionnel, elle dirige une entreprise d'accueil accessible au Royaume-Uni et a précédemment travaillé dans des musées, où elle a dirigé des projets créatifs et défendu l'inclusion. Elle apporte son expérience en matière de stratégie, de communication, d'évaluation et de partage d'impact. Elle est ravie de travailler avec l'ensemble du comité pour favoriser le développement d'une région où les organisations membres se sentent plus connectées et où encore plus de filles et de jeunes femmes ont la chance de découvrir leurs capacités.

Elizabeth Chatuwa est membre active de l'Association des guides du Malawi depuis 2008, où elle a commencé son parcours en tant que jeune leader. Au fil des ans, elle a occupé divers postes de direction, notamment ceux de commissaire régionale à la jeunesse, de commissaire nationale à la jeunesse et de membre du conseil d'administration responsable de la formation nationale. Actuellement, en tant que présidente de la région Afrique, elle est également formatrice internationale certifiée par l'AMGE et se passionne pour le renforcement des capacités de leadership des autres grâce à une formation de qualité. Elizabeth trouve un grand sens à son travail dans le soutien au développement des jeunes et la création d'espaces inclusifs pour les filles et les jeunes femmes. Dans sa vie personnelle, elle accorde de l'importance au service, à l'apprentissage et à l'impact qu'elle peut avoir dans chaque espace qu'elle occupe.

Sur le plan professionnel, elle travaille à la NBS Bank en tant que responsable des technologies de l'information et de la communication, chargée des systèmes bancaires numériques.

Marina De Mattey Derosa est originaire de Mar del Plata, en Argentine. Elle fait partie du mouvement des guides depuis plus de 28 ans, ayant débuté comme enfant bénéficiaire avant de devenir commissaire internationale de l'Asociación Guías Argentinas. Sur le plan professionnel, elle dirige deux entreprises et collabore avec la Fondation de la Bolsa de Comercio de sa ville, qui promeut des alliances multisectorielles pour le développement communautaire. Elle s'engage en faveur d'un leadership collaboratif, de l'équité régionale et veille à ce que chaque fille et jeune femme de la région se sente considérée, soutenue et autonomisée. Elle est ravie de travailler avec cette équipe et les organisations membres afin de renforcer ensemble l'impact de l'AMGE.

World Board Member, July 2023 – Present

Monika is a member of Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego (ZHP) and joined Guiding when she was 11 years old. She has held many roles within Guiding including unit leader, trainer, regional international adviser, International commissioner and WAGGGS regional volunteer, (MO support and Capacity Building).

As a Biotechnologist quality expert, she is curious, creative and solution-oriented. In her role as a member of the World Board, she aims to utilise her skills in making informed and risk-based decisions, drawing from her experience working in a global organisation.

Being a member of a female unit in a Scout and Guide National Association, Monika recognises the importance of WAGGGS in both girl-only and co-educational settings and plans to continue to share this value with others. Through attending conferences and global events, Monika has developed strong connections with Member Organisations and International Commissioners, which she hopes to strengthen and use to further the development of the Movement.

Lydia Fang is a member of the Girl Scouts of Taiwan. Since attending her first World Conference in 2014 as a national delegate, she has taken on a variety of international leadership roles within the Movement, including Mentor Team Lead for the Juliette Low Seminar, where she supported 55 mentors across 32 countries, and Head of Delegation at NGO CSW69, representing the voice of Girl Scouts of Taiwan on the global stage. Through more than twelve years in Guiding and Scouting, she has championed youth leadership, global citizenship, and meaningful girl participation in decision-making.

In her professional capacity, Lydia serves as Teaching Training and Government Relations Account Manager at Junyi Academy, Taiwan’s leading EdTech NGO. Her work focuses on AI literacy, government relations, and large-scale educator training, helping public institutions translate digital transformation into equitable and practical outcomes. She also brings experience in environmental advocacy from Greenpeace East Asia, alongside project management roles across the civil society and corporate sectors.

Dr Natasha Montesalvo is an active volunteer and leader within the Guiding and Scouting movement, with experience contributing to purpose-driven organisations focused on sustainability, international collaboration, and youth development. Through her work across regions and sectors, she has developed expertise in governance, strategic planning, risk management, and organisational leadership, bringing a strong commitment to evidence-informed and accountable decision making.

In her professional and volunteer roles, she has worked in complex operating environments, supporting organisations to align their mission and values with practical outcomes and long-term sustainability. She has experience in board-level decision making, financial oversight, policy development, and performance monitoring, and is passionate about fostering transparency, inclusion, and effective governance.

"What inspires me most about WAGGGS is its unique ability to combine grassroots community action with global advocacy. Through its Member Organisations, WAGGGS empowers girls and young women with the skills, confidence, and sense of responsibility needed to create positive change. I am particularly motivated by WAGGGS' commitment to leadership development, climate action, and inclusion, and the role that strong governance plays in helping achieve these goals."

World Board Member, July 2023 - Present

Helga is an active member of Tanzania Girl Guide Association, currently volunteering as a Training Commissioner, supporting several WAGGGS Programmes implementation and WAGGGS Leadership Model training. She is also part of WAGGGS Core mission and Volunteering Pool and Stop the Violence Global Facilitator.

As a member of the National Executive Board of my Associationshe has been involved reviewing the budget and financial reports, and providing advice on strategic planning. In this role she works together with other volunteers, guide the staff by providing ideas as well as incorporate new ways shared by experts in the association.

Through WAGGGS Helga has had an opportunity to volunteer and collaborate with people of different cultures and nationalities in different countries. She was a programme volunteer at Our Cabaña in 2017 for five months, and facilitated Juliette Low Seminar in 2019 at Sangam World Centre. She also represented my Chief Commissioner at the African Region Conference in Rwanda and led the delegation in pitching to host the next African Conference (2022) which they won.

World Board Member, July 2023 - Present

An architect by profession, Josephine is a strategic thinker with a passion for driving change and finding innovative solutions to complex problems. Additionally, she also holds skills in program development, financial management and community engagement.

During her 20+ years of experience in Girl Guiding, she has held various leadership positions including, National Young Leaders’ leader, team leader- Plastic Tide Turners Project and currently serving as the Assistant Chief Commissioner, chair of the Membership Sub-Committee of the Executive Committee. As a member of the Technical Advisory Sub-Committee of the national board in Kenya, Josephine managed the development of programmes and initiatives including the new Kenya Girl Guides programme books, launched in 2022.

In her role a member of the World Board Josephine is committed to dedicating her time, energy, skills and knowledge to help WAGGGS achieve its goals and make a positive difference in the lives of girls and young women around the world.

Niumath apporte plusieurs décennies d'expérience dans le guidisme, qui remontent à la création même de l'Association des guides des Maldives en 1983, lorsqu'elle a été formée comme responsable adulte à l'âge de 16 ans seulement. Son parcours a commencé comme guide à l'âge de 11 ans et, depuis lors, elle a été une pionnière exemplaire dans l'adoption et la mise en œuvre du cadre stratégique, l'élaboration de programmes et le renforcement des capacités au sein de son organisation membre. Au fil des ans, elle a occupé de nombreux postes de direction au sein de la AEM, notamment ceux de secrétaire nationale et de commissaire en chef adjointe, avant d'être nommée commissaire en chef pour la période 2015-2025. Pour l'avenir, Niumath est profondément engagée à aider les organisations membres à adopter les meilleures pratiques, à favoriser une collaboration fructueuse et à créer un environnement inclusif, diversifié et solidaire où les bénévoles et les membres se sentent valorisés et connectés.

World Board Member, July 2023 - Present

At the age of nine, Sharrada started her journey as a brownie. Through guiding, she began her first advocacy in setting up a community library to eradicate social isolation, then I led national campaigns pushing for change at national, regional and international levels on wellbeing, discussing policies surrounding child marriage with local politicians, lobbying for youth representation in national boards and finally setting up the first youth led NGO guided by professionals in Malaysia, Mind Matters Network all while completing a double degree in medicine and medical sciences.

Further leveraging her experience as a founder and director of a national youth led NGO, She believes as a member of the World Board I will be able to engage with stakeholders to further garner strategic partnerships for the organisation, provide a fresh perspective as a young women in governance and maximise the potential of using social media as a tool for change.

While the years of experience you receive from the nominees today may be equivalent to her willing to learn young woman in the room representing the voices of hundreds and thousands of girls hoping to be given a seat at the table so that many other young women can see that they too have a place in governance. After all, decisions about us should most definitely include us. It would be an honour to be a part of an organisation that empowers girls and gives them the confidence that the world wants to hear what they have to say despite their age, ethnicity and background--there is an inclusive safe space for all.

Tricia Tilford is a member of Girl Scouts of the USA and brings extensive experience in governance, finance, and organisational leadership. She currently serves as a member of the WAGGGS Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and as Chair of the WAGGGS Investment Subcommittee, providing strategic oversight and insight into the financial opportunities and challenges facing the Movement. She has also shared her governance expertise internationally, leading the design and delivery of the WAGGGS Asia Pacific Governance Workshop in 2024, supporting Member Organisations to strengthen governance practices and develop practical improvement plans.

Professionally, Ricia is a Certified Public Accountant with financial and management experience gained through a global accounting firm and a multinational corporation. She served for six years as Board Chair of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, a member organisation serving 48,000 members. During her service, she successfully guided the organisation through multiple CEO transitions and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening her skills in governance, strategic leadership, and organisational resilience.

Dr Hina Velji is a member of the Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting Movement and has dedicated nearly two decades to expanding opportunities for girls and young women through leadership, programme development, and volunteer engagement. From 2015 to 2023, she served as National Guides Commissioner for Ismaili Guides in Pakistan, providing leadership to a programme serving approximately 30,000 girls nationwide. Under her leadership, membership grew significantly while maintaining high programme standards and national recognition. She has also led international youth engagement initiatives through Global Encounters camps and internships, promoting cross-cultural understanding and collaboration among young people from diverse backgrounds.

Professionally and as a volunteer leader, Dr Velji brings extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, and youth development. She has served as Honorary Secretary of the Aga Khan Youth & Sports Board, contributing to the planning and oversight of national initiatives across sports, arts, and leadership development. Her leadership experience includes building sustainable volunteer systems, supporting organisational growth, and ensuring inclusive participation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when she led national efforts to maintain Guiding engagement through both virtual and offline programmes.

"I still remember walking into my first Girl Guide meeting unsure if I belonged. The welcome, encouragement, and sense of belonging I found there shaped my lifelong commitment to Guiding. In a world facing increasing uncertainty, I believe WAGGGS has a vital role in empowering girls and young women to lead with courage, compassion, and purpose. Through strong governance, inclusive leadership, and meaningful youth engagement, we can ensure our Movement continues to thrive and create positive change for generations to come."