Announcing ISYPO's New Executive Team

AI Modified Portraits of New Executive Team* (the ISYPO website is not on a private protected domain and we would not like to share unfiltered identifying images on a public domain URL in order to prioritise the digital safety of our members)

As ISYPO continues its ambitious journey of nurturing globally engaged, intellectually rigorous, and ethically grounded youth leadership, we are proud to announce a historic milestone: the appointment of our second Executive Team. This moment marks the first generational transition in ISYPO’s leadership, as our co-founders prepare to graduate and expand the organization’s mission from their respective universities around the world.

Over the past 2 years, ISYPO’s co-founders and initial executive team (Aryav Bhesania, Axel Descond, Astrid Karlsson, Imal Kouakou, Erik Holm, Saksham Tankala, Park Ji-Seok) laid the groundwork for a pioneering platform at the intersection of international affairs, political theory, STEM, and youth-led policy innovation. Their vision established 7 focus groups, launched global initiatives such as the Collaborative Focus Group Discussions, cross-global science and policy exchange, built relationships with experts across disciplines, and convened hundreds of young changemakers from over 36 countries. As the co-founders prepare to enter prestigious universities (including Princeton University, Brown University, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and more), it is time for a new group of leaders to carry that momentum forward.

Meet the New Executive Leadership Team

After an extensive internal selection process involving interviews, vision presentations, and advisory consultations with the co-founders, research heads, and faculty advisors, the following youth leaders have been appointed to lead ISYPO through its next phase:

• President: Kathryn Isaiah Weeks

• Deputy President & Director of Administration: Nathanial Zimmerman

• Deputy President & Head of Global Outreach/Communications: Hannah Cluroe

• Director of Political Engagement: Paule Vayssar Schmidt

• Director of Personnel: Eriyan Goto

• Head of Research & Publications & Head of Academics/Affiliations: Vernon Payne

• Head of Members' Affairs & Foreign Representative: Evie Fitzpatrick

  
  

This new team reflects the diversity and interdisciplinary spirit of ISYPO itself. Their schools span four continents. Their interests range from artificial intelligence and public health to diplomacy, law, and feminist theory. They bring with them not only the intellectual depth expected of ISYPO members, but a shared commitment to democratic values, critical discourse, and collaborative leadership.

A Thoughtful Transition

The co-founders of ISYPO will remain closely involved in the organization’s next steps. Over the coming months, they will serve in a mentoring and advisory capacity to help the new team consolidate internal systems, manage international operations, and represent ISYPO on the global stage. This dual structure ensures institutional memory is preserved, while also creating space for new voices to shape ISYPO’s evolving mission.

With this transition, ISYPO enters its next chapter with bold ambitions:

• Further expansion of the CFGD Initiative and new focus group research topics.

• Launch of a Policy Lab to synthesize member-led reports into international campaigns.

• Increased engagement with university researchers, professors, NGOs, and intergovernmental bodies.

• Greater regional representation and inclusive project design

The new Executive Team is already working on their strategic manifestos, and we look forward to publishing their visions for the future in the coming weeks. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the founding team for their leadership and to our global community for your continued support. The work of nurturing principled youth leadership never stops; and with this new team, ISYPO is more prepared than ever to meet the moment.

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- ISYPO Publications