A Year of Growth: Reflections from the Fifth Cohort of JA Worldwide Fellows

January 15, 2025

A year ago, we introduced the fifth cohort of the JA Worldwide Fellows Program, a global staff development initiative designed to cultivate leadership, strategic thinking, and collaboration among some of the most promising leaders within the JA network. Now, as we reflect on their year-long journey, we celebrate their achievements, the skills they’ve honed, and the ways they’ve strengthened JA Worldwide’s mission.

The JA Worldwide Fellows Program offers a transformative experience to high-potential leaders from JA’s more than 340 offices worldwide. Through virtual leadership sessions, in-person development opportunities, and one-on-one coaching, Fellows deepen their understanding of servant-based leadership while building essential skills in fundraising, program management, communications, and more.

This year’s cohort included . . .

  • Noura Aljurdi, Manager of Entrepreneurship Programs, INJAZ Qatar

  • Vira Druhova, Program Manager, JA Ukraine

  • Sheila Farrell, Senior Program Manager, Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis (USA)

  • Israa Janahi, Program Manager, INJAZ Bahrain

  • Bonga Love Khumalo, National Programmes Manager, JA South Africa

  • Aline Neglia, Executive Director, JA Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)

  • Dinu Raheja, Executive Director LEAD, tGELF/JA India

  • Roshaan Suren, Senior JA Executive, Programs, JA Malaysia

  • Geofrey Wakhakunyu, Programs Director, JA Uganda

The nine Fellows worked all year in virtual sessions with leadership coach Jeff Hittner, who facilitates the program for JA Worldwide, and then culminated their year-long fellowship by attending the World Schools Summit in Dubai. Jeff reflected on the initiative: “The JA Worldwide Fellows Program is designed to lift the heads of our most promising leaders, to help them realize that they are part of a global network. They discover solutions, gain support, and connect with peers worldwide to tackle their local challenges with a global perspective.”

Learning and Growing Together

This year’s Fellows came from diverse backgrounds and represented nine countries. Over the course of the program, they worked on strategic projects, received intensive coaching, and built a sense of community that transcended borders.

For Vira Druhova of JA Ukraine, the program came at a particularly challenging time. “When the war in Ukraine began, it showed me how life can change in an instant. The JA Worldwide Fellows Program gave me the tools and confidence to face those challenges, to rebuild, and to work strategically with my team.” Vira noted that the program not only helped her identify areas for professional growth but also connected her with other Fellows who shared their experiences and solutions for overcoming adversity.

Bonga Love Khumalo of JA South Africa emphasized how the program fundamentally shifted his leadership style. “It changed the way I think about coaching and managing people. The Fellows Program taught me to take a step back, reflect, and lead strategically. I’ve gained insights into how other countries navigate challenges, and those lessons have strengthened us as an organization.”

Global Collaboration in Action

While skill-building and leadership development are central to the program, another highlight is the opportunity to collaborate across borders. Fellows shared their experiences tackling crises, from natural disasters in Brazil to the ongoing war in Ukraine, finding common ground and mutual support in their shared mission.

One example of this collaboration was when Vira Druhova (JA Ukraine) and Aline Neglia (JA JA Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) connected to discuss how the local JA office in Brazil could continue operations during times of crisis. “Aline reached out during the floods in Brazil because she wanted to learn how we kept programs running during the war,” Vira recalled. “It was a reminder that while our challenges may differ, the solutions and support we offer one another are universal.”

A Transformative Experience

The JA Worldwide Fellows Program isn’t only about addressing immediate challenges; it’s about equipping participants with tools they can use for years to come. “We learn to do more with less,” Jeff said. “By embracing servant-based leadership, Fellows empower their teams, create psychological safety, and improve communication—all while growing as individuals and professionals.” 

For Dinu Raheja of tGELF/JA India, the program offered both professional and personal growth. “I’ve gained coaching skills, effective feedback techniques, and strategies to help my team feel comfortable assessing their own performance,” Dinu explained. “The program is a give-and-take relationship. You learn from others, share your ideas, and grow as a person.”

Looking Ahead

As this cohort of Fellows concludes their journey, the impact of their experience is already evident. They’ve not only enhanced their own leadership skills but also strengthened the global JA network by sharing best practices, innovative ideas, and mutual support.

“The friendships and connections we’ve built will last a lifetime,” Dinu said. “But more importantly, the skills we’ve gained will help us drive change in our organizations and communities for years to come. 

The JA Worldwide Fellows Program exemplifies the power of investing in people. By equipping our high-potential leaders with the tools they need to succeed, we’re not only supporting their growth but also advancing JA’s mission to inspire and prepare young people for a global economy. To learn more about how you can become part of this transformative journey, come work at any of our JA offices in 118 countries. Together, we’re growing, collaborating, and creating a brighter future for young people around the world.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the sixth JA Worldwide Fellows cohort next month.

2025January, FeaturedJA Worldwide