Jeevan Thondaman among World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders Class of 2024

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced its latest cohort of Young Global Leaders Community: The Class of 2024, a distinguished group of nearly 90 individuals recognised for their exceptional contributions to shaping the future and driving positive change worldwide. 

Among them is Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Kumaravel Thondaman, who is listed under the Public Figures category.

The Class of 2024 represents a diverse array of rising stars hailing from various sectors including politics, business, civil society, the arts and academia. These change makers share a common commitment to leaving a lasting impact on their communities, organisations and beyond, and are united in their dedication to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

For two decades, the Forum of Young Global Leaders has been at the forefront of cultivating a unique community of leaders who are dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing problems head-on. 

This community has served as an example of the impact that collective action can have - whether it is pioneering ground-breaking initiatives in public health and economic development or driving cutting-edge innovations in technology and sustainability, over the years. 

“As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Forum of Young Global Leaders, we are thrilled to welcome our newest cohort of young global leaders. They represent the future of leadership, and we are confident that their perspectives and innovative ideas will contribute significantly to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Young Global Leaders Forum Head Ida Jeng Christensen.

Young Global Leaders have made invaluable contributions to shaping policies and improving communities worldwide. Notable community members include Netflix Executive Producer Peace Hyde, Vogue China’s Former Editor-in-Chief Margaret Zhang, Olympian Lewis Pugh, disability activist Sinéad Burke, Peace Activist Victor Ochen, and singer-songwriter will.i.am.

As the Forum of Young Global Leaders celebrates its 20th anniversary, it remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders who are passionate about creating positive change. Over the years, the YGL Community has launched numerous impactful projects. From Global Dignity, which supports dignity-cantered leaders in over 80 countries, to TABLE FOR TWO, which has provided 1 million meals to school children in developing countries, to the Clean Air Fund, which has rallied 17 multinational businesses to take action on air pollution, YGLs have consistently collaborated to drive positive change on a global scale.

As part of the three-year leadership development program, the Class of 2024 will have access to a range of executive education courses, learning journeys and opportunities to collaborate with trusted peers to support them in accelerating their impact. “For two decades, we have sought out and nurtured young leaders dedicated to improving the state of the world, and today, we are proud to welcome the latest cohort of Young Global Leaders. The Forum of Young Global Leaders remains steadfast in its mission to foster collaboration and responsible leadership,” said Young Global Leaders Forum Board Member Nicole Schwab.

Meet the 2024 YGL Class

Academia/Think-tank

Anna Schrimpf, Director of Innovation, J-PAL Global, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), United Kingdom

Fadel Adib, Associate Professor and Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA

Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor (Practice), Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University, Australia

Nino Enukidze, Rector of Business and Technology University, Professor, Business and Technology University, Georgia

Thomas Roulet, Professor of Leadership, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Arts, Culture and Sports

Ahmad Joudeh, Artistic Director and Dancer, Dance or Die Foundation, Netherlands

Bhumi Pednekar, Actress, Independent, India

Birgit Skarstein, Paralympic Athlete, International Paralympic Committee, Norway

Cong Han, Figure Skater, Chinese Figure Skating National Team, People’s Republic of China

He Sen Liu, Owner and Chef, Ling Long, People’s Republic of China

Refik Anadol, Founder and Director, Refik Anadol Studio, USA

Business

Abdulrahman Tarabzouni, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Technology Ventures, Saudi Arabia

Adi Sariaatmadja, Chief Executive Officer, PT Kreatif Media Karya, Indonesia

Adwaita Nayar, Chief Executive Officer, FSN E-Commerce Ventures Pvt. Ltd (NYKAA), India

Ahmed Sobhy, Chief Investment Officer, Banque Misr S.A.E., Egypt

Ali Mukhtar, Director of Strategy and Business Development, Fatima Fertiliser Company Ltd, Pakistan

Arjun Bhartia, Director, Jubilant Group, India

Azeeza Aziz Khan, Director, Summit Corporation Ltd, Bangladesh

Camille François, Chief Innovation Officer, Graphika, USA

Chinwe Egwim, Chief Economist and Head Economic Research and Intelligence, Coronation Merchant Bank, Nigeria

Christian Jolck, Co-Founder and Partner, 2150, Denmark

Christoph Pietsch, Chief Growth Officer DACH & Member of the Executive Board, Publicis Groupe Germany, Germany

Cristobal della Maggiora, Co-Founder and President, Betterfly, Chile

Eva McLellan, General Manager Roche Pharma, La Roche Pharma Slovenia, Slovenia

Haikal Siregar, Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group, Indonesia

Hector Mujica, Head of Economic Opportunity and Inclusive Technology, Google.org, USA

Ian Glasner, Group Head of Venture Investment, Innovation and Digital Partnerships, HSBC Holdings PLC, United Kingdom

Jaime Alfonso Antonio Zabel de Ayala, Chief Executive Officer, AC Motors, Ayala Corporation, Philippines

Katharina Amann, Chief Executive Officer, Volkswagen Autoversicherung, Allianz SE, Germany

Lokesh Todi, Chairman, Avasar Equity Limited, Nepal

Marte Jerkø, Chief Financial Officer, Yara Europe, Yara International ASA, Norway

Masao Koyama, Head of Carbon Dioxide Removal, Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan

May Habib, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Writer, Inc., USA/Lebanon

Melvyn Lubega, Founder and Chairman, Baobab Capital, Uganda/South Africa

Nathan Shabot, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, LIP Ventures, Mexico

Néné Maïga, Chief Executive Officer, Orange, Botswana/Mali

Petra Ehmann, Group Chief Innovation and AI Officer, Ringier, and Member of the Board of Directors, Bossard, Ringier AG, Switzerland

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Limited, India

Alicia Chong Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer, Bloomer Health Tech, USA

Roshan Ahmad, Global Head of Sovereign Advisory, JPMorgan Chase & Co., USA

Sebastian Monroy, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Zubale, Brazil

Shi Zhe, Chief Digital Officer, Foxconn Technology Group (Hon Hai Precision), People’s Republic of China

Shuyin Tang, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Beacon Fund, Viet Nam

Sultan Olayan, Director, The Olayan Group, Saudi Arabia

Temi Marcella Awogboro, Founding Partner, Alcent Capital, Nigeria

Vidhya Ganesan, Managing Partner, McKinsey and Company, Malaysia/Sri Lanka

Wesley Spindler, Managing Director, Global Sustainability Leadership Team, Accenture, USA

Wemimo Abbey, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Esusu, USA/Nigeria

Yalda Aoukar, Founder and Managing Partner, Bracket Capital, Lebanon 

Civil Society

Angela Oduor Lungati, Executive Director, Ushahidi Inc., Kenya

Ding Dang, Executive Director, Green Rose Social Work Service Center, People’s Republic of China

Judy Sikuza, Chief Executive Officer, The Mandela Rhodes Foundation, South Africa

Julia Luscombe, Vice-President Strategic Planning and Portfolio Management, Feeding America, USA

Natasha Latiff, Founder & Legal Director, Strategic Advocacy for Human Rights Inc., Singapore

Raylene Whitford, Director, Canadian Sustainability Standards Board, Canada

Rebecca Darwent, Co-Founder and Board Member, Rebecca Darwent Global Inc., Canada

Vera Oliveira, Founder and Executive Director, Instituto C – Criança, Cuidado and Cidadão, Brazil

Veda Sunassee, Chief Executive Officer, African Leadership University, Mauritius 

Media

Omayra Issa, News Anchor, CPAC, Canada

Muriel Thabile Ngwato, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Newzroom Afrika, South Africa

Sophie Schmidt, Founder and Publisher, Rest of World, USA

Yurina Takiguchi, Economic and Business Anchor, Globe Eight Inc., Japan 

Public Figures

Alexander Rodnyansky, Economic Advisor to the President, Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukraine

Alice Usanase, Head, Country Relations and Equity Mobilisation, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Rwanda

Anielle Franco, Minister of Racial Equality, Federal Government Brazil, Brazil

Daniel Noboa, President-elect of Ecuador, Government of Ecuador, Ecuador

Diego Schalper, Member of the Chamber of Deputies and General-Secretary, Renovacion Nacional party, Chile

Lelise Neme Sori, Director-General, Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopia

Naym-Osor Uchral, Minister of Digital Development and Communications, Government of Mongolia, Mongolia

Jeevan Kumaravel Thondam, Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, Government of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka

Liang Pei, Deputy Director, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, People’s Republic of China

Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas, Mayor, City of Monterrey, Mexico

Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda, Governor of the State of Baja California, Government of the State of Baja California, Mexico

Nadia Ahmad Samdin, Counsel and Associate Director, Member of Parliament, Tri-Sector Associates, Singapore

Natalia Bayona, Executive Director, UN World Tourism Organisation, Colombia

Rahul Rekhi, Counselor for International Affairs, US Department of the Treasury, USA

Parit Wacharasindhu, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson, Move Forward Party, Thailand

Social Entrepreneurs

Nicolás Wertheimer, Chief Sustainability Officer, Waterplan, Uruguay

Oluwatosin Olaseinde, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Money Africa, Nigeria

Rina Akimoto, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vivid Garden Inc., Japan

Sayaka Tanaka, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Waffle.org, Japan

Sharad Vivek Sagar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dexterity Global, India

Toshiki Abe, Chief Executive Officer, Ridilover Co., Ltd, Japan

Alloysius Attah, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Farmerline, Ghana