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Arnold is a writer and researcher whose work moves across poetry, psychoanalysis, the political humanities, and social justice. He is an MFA candidate in Writing at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, and holds an MPhil with a Dissertation Distinction in Multi Disciplinary Gender Studies from the University of Cambridge and dual bachelor’s degrees from Sciences Po Paris and UC Berkeley in political science and human rights.
Throughout his academic journey and professional involvements, Arnold has developed extensive research experience on gender-based violence, sex trafficking, migration and exile, international arbitration, criminal justice reform, and the defense of free speech. He has worked as a researcher and investigator for the Human Rights Center at the UC Berkeley School of Law and Amnesty International’s Digital Verification Corps at Cambridge, authenticating human rights violations across the globe. As a PEN America Free Expression Leadership Fellow, he contributed to research and advocacy on online abuse and digital safety for writers, journalists, and activists. He has also curated exhibitions, translated historical non-fiction, and published poetry — most recently with the Tarab NYC Anti-Violence Awareness Campaign. With an upbringing across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, Arnold speaks French, English, German, Arabic, Italian, and Spanish.
Youth Underground was among the earliest spaces where Arnold understood research as a form of solidarity, anchored in the lives it seeks to serve. Within Youth Underground Through Youth Underground, he came to understand that this work is not only about statistics — it is about insisting on the humanity and complexity of people the world has made easy to ignore. He brings to the Advisory Board a researcher’s rigor, a writer’s attentiveness to the lives behind data, and a long-standing commitment to centering some of the most overlooked voices in anti-trafficking work: LGBTQ+ youth, refugees, and migrants.
Lauren has always had a strong commitment to social impact, driven by a deep desire to advocate for marginalized and vulnerable communities. This passion led her to Occidental College, where she studied Diplomacy and World Affairs with a minor in Gender Studies, building a foundational understanding of global human rights of global human rights inequalities and intersectional advocacy. To apply these insights on the global stage, Lauren interned with UNRWA at the United Nations, gaining firsthand experience in complex humanitarian relief and international advocacy. Recognizing that lasting systemic change requires both mission-driven heart and operational excellence, Lauren went on to earn a Master of Science in Management from Georgetown University.
The totality of Lauren’s background is precisely what draws her to Youth Underground. Deeply believing in their mission, she is excited to channel this unique blend of experience into empowering the next generation and work to build sustainable pathways to freedom, dignity, and justice for survivors[
Alexandra brings a long-standing commitment to philanthropy and mission-driven work to her board service. She is a board member of Hamlin Fistula International, an organisation she is deeply passionate about for its work restoring health and dignity to women affected by obstetric fistula. This philanthropic grounding shapes how she approaches questions of ethics and accountability across her professional work.
Her connection to Youth Underground goes back to her teenage years, when she took part in her first campaign with the organisation. The campaign invited young people to speak to their generation’s stance on human trafficking, and participants were photographed in Youth Underground merch, their answers displayed alongside them on Geneva’s TPG buses. Her response was “ne touchez pas à mon innocence.” That conviction has stayed with her. She believes that protecting children’s innocence from those who would exploit it is among the most important responsibilities we hold, and that the way forward lies in education and in giving young people a voice, so that a generation learns by listening to itself. It is what continues to draw her to Youth Underground’s work today.
She is Chief of Staff at Thrad, an AI-native advertising platform she joined as its first hire, where her focus is on reshaping digital advertising around contextual rather than behavioural targeting: an approach grounded in user privacy, informational integrity, and the ethics of how commercial messages enter conversational AI. Her path began in international security at Chatham House, followed by asset management at Pictet. Alex holds a degree in Politics & Security from UCL and has recently completed an MSc in Digital Humanities at UCL, Distinction Dissertation and academic work on ontological security, contextual integrity in conversational AI.
Julian is a composer, music producer, and multidisciplinary artist whose work spans film, exhibitions, live performance, advertising, and interactive media. Working across both visual and independent artistic contexts, he explores the relationship between songwriting, sound, and image through a blend of acoustic and electronic instruments, creating immersive musical worlds that bridge the physical and digital. He is currently composing the soundtrack for his first video game alongside an ongoing practice of independent releases. Alongside his artistic work, Julian is a chef, catering private and community events, reflecting a broader commitment to bringing people together through shared experiences. He holds a degree in Philosophy from King’s College London, specialising in Ethics and Philosophy of Science, disciplines that continue to inform both his creative practice and his engagement with questions of society, responsibility, and human nature.
Julian was drawn to Youth Underground by its commitment to meaningful civic engagement and its ambition to translate ideas into practice. He values asking thoughtful questions, listening carefully, and contributing where his skills can be of service. This commitment led him to participate in the inaugural partnership CNN–Youth Underground #MyFreedomDay campaign, exploring the meaning of freedom through creative advocacy. He believes empathy and dialogue are essential foundations for meaningful action.
Maya was raised on values of community and integrity. With a bachelor’s degree in comparative law from IE University in Spain, she is currently a trainee advocate specializing in litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution. The diversity of Maya’s experiences culminates in cultural sensitivity and exposure to distinct yet interconnected struggles. Through her research as an intern with the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) in Amsterdam, she monitored the repression of Palestinian rights advocates in Europe and investigated the complicity of multinational corporations in human rights violations and land expropriation in the West Bank. She also developed a database to support Sawiyan, a grassroots organization in Amman, Jordan, in recording Sudanese asylum seekers’ cases with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She is actively involved in the production of cultural programs centering on heritage, art and identity. Most recently, she launched an exhibition in Barcelona showcasing traditional Palestinian dress and embroidery as a form of resistance to cultural erasure and appropriation.
Youth Underground sparked an interest in Maya to explore how human trafficking manifests within her region. Her study focused on the abuse of foreign migrant workers, poverty‐driven child trafficking and the legal frameworks established to protect vulnerable groups in Jordan and Lebanon. For Maya, Youth Underground represents an opportunity to engage with leaders in society who are driven by their values, recognizing the integral role of youth in decision-making and shaping the future.
A Trailblazer in Combatting Human Trafficking and Public Health Advocacy
Dr. Aleya Hammad (19 October 1936 – 15 November 2023) is a global leader who played a pivotal role in raising awareness about human trafficking, particularly the involvement of the private sector. As one of the co-founders of End Human Trafficking Now! (EHTN), the first global initiative to engage businesses in anti-trafficking efforts, she was instrumental in driving policies to combat human trafficking as a serious criminal activity. Dr. Hammad also served as Executive Vice-President of the EHTN Board, where she championed the need for corporate responsibility in eradicating this heinous trade.
In recognition of her efforts, Dr. Hammad was elected Chair of the Board for the United Nations Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking and Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council for the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT). Her dedication was further acknowledged in 2009 when the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) appointed her as Goodwill Advisor on Business Community Action to Combat Human Trafficking. Deeply concerned by the global rise in violence, conflict, and war, and their devastating impact on women and children, Dr. Hammad has committed herself to peace-building and fostering a culture of peace through various initiatives.
Dr. Hammad’s leadership extends beyond human trafficking. She has served on prestigious boards, including the New York Academy of Medicine and the Advisory Board of the Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF). Her remarkable career spans over 30 years at the World Health Organization (WHO), where she served as Executive Director/Assistant Director General, focusing on improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
She is also recognized for her academic contributions as Chair of the International Advisory Board at Wagner School of Public Service and as a Visiting Professor at both New York University and George Washington University. Dr. Hammad’s contributions to public health and social justice have earned her numerous accolades, including the Gold Medal of Honour for services rendered by the President of Egypt in 1986.
Dr. Hammad holds a Ph.D. in Education and an M.Sc. in Public Health from Boston University, along with a B.Sc. in Nursing from the University of Alexandria, Egypt.
It is thanks to Dr. Hammad that many of us came to learn about the issue of human trafficking. And it is her passion and inspiration to fight this illicit trade that we, at Youth Underground, would like to acknowledge!
“As shocking as the figures are, one glimmer of hope is the amazing role the youth are taking to win over a future without human trafficking.”
Georges is the Board Treasurer of Youth Underground. Georges has a successful track record of developing European SME knowledge companies into successful, healthy and perennial businesses, based on a recipe of strong values and clear strategy. He was the Founder & CEO of LaserCom SA, a successful European consultancy and software company, which quickly developed into a leading solutions and services company in the field of document management (document production). LaserCom remains a reference for customer proximity, to this day. Georges was Executive Board Member of Edotech, a large services operation – generating revenues of over 120 million Euros – and Managing Director of Astron’s European operations. He also held non-executive Board positions and early stage investor roles in a range of SME enterprises. Georges currently provides consultancy services to SME enterprises, typically in turn-around situations, acts as an early stage investor for start-up projects, and provides investment and business development advice to Boards. Georges holds a BSC in Business Management and Computing, from Geneva University, Switzerland. He currently lives in Greece and created a sustainable agricultural project called MaziFarm. He is no longer confined to an office now that he has happily chosen to be out of the corporate world, but you will occasionally find Georges on a motorbike racing circuit somewhere in the world!
“How can we build a civilized society when we tolerate human trafficking?”
Nicholas is the Board Secretary of Youth Underground. Nichоlas established MYWAY, an audiоvisuаl prоduсtiоn firm lосatеd in Genеvа, drawing upоn mоre than twо dеcаdes оf eхpеrtisе in mеdia and соntent strategy, during which hе hаs оvеrsеen thе соmplеtiоn оf оver 400 prоductiоns. His prоfessiоnal trajectоry has shifted frоm a primarily service-оriented rоlе tо that оf а stratеgic partnеr in media, where he engagеs аt thе initial stages оf narrative dеvеlоpment, pоsitiоning, and impact assеssmеnt. Currently, hе plays a significant rоle in Yоuth Undеrgrоund, whеre he is immersed in thе strаtеgic оrganizatiоn, оperаtiоnаl implеmentatiоn, аnd fundrаising initiatives аimed at safeguаrding yоung individuals frоm abuse.
“Experience only matters when it serves what truly matters.”
Rasha is the Board President, and the Founder & CEO of Youth Underground. Prior to this position, she was Senior Advocacy & Communications Manager at End Human Trafficking Now (EHTN), responsible for EHTN’s and media relations, and co-founding and directing EHTN’s youth programs, namely the Youth Against Human Trafficking network whose followers she expanded over four-fold in a year. From 2001 to 2004, Rasha was Speech Writer & Policy Adviser to the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in Geneva. Following this position, she continued in the field of Public Relations and Communications, working first as Director of Communication & Advocacy for the Association François-Xavier Bagnoud, and later as Senior Communications Consultant for various companies. From 2009 to 2010, she was a Board Member of Libertà association & helpline, the first hotline for victims of human trafficking in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Rasha has a BA in International Studies and Business Management (Honors) from Webster University, Geneva, Switzerland, and was awarded a fellowship for her MA in Mass Communication, emphasis on Journalism, from the American University in Cairo, Egypt. She has published articles on a variety of topics in many sources over the last 20 years, namely for the Harvard Series on Population and International Health, USA, as well as the Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change, Wiley ed., UK. She is a recipient of the Together for Peace Award by Mariapia Fanfani, Rome, Italy, to testify women’s contribution to a culture of peace and the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) Certificate of Recognition as Speaker at Webinar Series, 2023. Rasha is a member of The Worldwide Association of Female Professionals as well as the Worldwide Who’s Who for having demonstrated excellence, maintained perseverance, and ascended the summit of professional accomplishment. Rasha is at her best when she is not behind a desk—and derives her positive outlook from listening to, and trusting the youth, encouraging them to “speak without a filter!”
“We do our best to guide the youth, but at the end of the day, they also guide us. This is what Youth Underground is all about.”