Jules Lynch, Founder & CEO (she/her)

Over the past twenty five years, Jules Lynch has worked as a Community Social Worker and Therapist in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. Jules has also spent extensive time working throughout many countries in the Global South as the Founder and CEO of Global Girl Project. Jules is the innovative developer of all of our programming and she works in partnership with NGOs and schools globally to implement and run leadership programs and initiatives for girls. Jules runs the day-t0-day operations of GGP from the United Kingdom. And as a role model to our scholars, Jules speaks to businesses and organizations globally about how to be a change-maker in one’s own life, world and work.

Manasa Ram Raj, Programme Manager

Manasa is a feminist practitioner and community organiser dedicated to centring girls' leadership in global development. As Programme Manager at Global Girl Project, she builds participatory systems that amplify marginalised girls' voices for social change across diverse contexts. With over a decade of experience working with communities from the Global Majority, and a Master’s in Human Rights and Gender Studies, Manasa creates tools that make impact visible on communities’ own terms.

From creating safety mapping initiatives for children, documenting the lived experiences of grassroots leaders to influence policy reforms, and leading digital programmes for a network of global changemakers, Manasa believes true transformation happens when development work answers to communities first. This principle guides her leadership of GGP's Global Girl Leadership Initiative and Graduates Connect network. When Manasa’s not working, you’ll find her rescuing wilting bougainvillea plants, hunting for the perfect coffee blend, or buried in books about rebellious women throughout history.

Rita Kihembo, Regional Programme Coordinator, Africa and Latin America

Rita has over 10 years of experience working in programme development, gender equity, and youth engagement. She serves as the Global Youth Mobilisation Programme Coordinator and previously as the Youth Participation and Girl Led Advocacy Lead at the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, where she supports girls in taking on issues such as climate change and substance abuse.

Rita has facilitated collaborations between government bodies and girl guide groups across 113 districts in Uganda. Through these partnerships, girls have been mobilised to advocate for pressing issues like climate change, substance abuse prevention, early marriages, teenage pregnancies, female genital mutilation (FGM), and promoting access to education through gender equality streamlining.

Rita has extensive experience working in countries across Africa, including Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, the Gambia, and Kenya. There, she collaborates on social entrepreneurship projects that educate and train young women to develop impactful solutions within their communities.

Mallika Goel, Regional Programme Coordinator - Middle East and Asia

Mallika brings over 5 years of experience in programme coordination, communications, and advocacy, with a strong focus on refugee rights, youth empowerment, and gender equity. She has worked with leading international organisations, including the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, where she honed her expertise in managing diverse partnerships, implementing impactful projects, and driving cross-cultural collaboration.Mallika holds a Master's degree in International Affairs, and is fluent in English, French, Hindi, and Urdu.

Edith Mecha, External Relations and Outreach Coordinator

Edith brings over a decade of experience working with local and international NGOs across the Global South, Europe, and the US. Her career has been dedicated to addressing critical issues such as gender equality, humanitarian aid, open governance, gender-based violence, disability rights, and health.

She has extensive expertise in strategic communication and advocacy, stakeholder engagement, digital communication, graphics design and community building.

Through her work, Edith strives to foster an environment where young women are inspired and equipped to take on challenges, advocate for justice, and lead with courage and vision.