Mitchel, Akinyi Awiti is a 3rd-year Nursing student at Chuka University with a passion for healthcare innovation, community engagement, and student advocacy. She serves as the Media Team Director of the Chuka University Nursing Students Association, where she leads in health education initiatives. She is an active member of the ROTARACT Club of Chuka University, also holds the role of Secretary General in the Special Projects Committee of the Kenya Student and Novice Nurses Chapter, contributing to student empowerment. She aspires to be a Community Health Nurse and researcher, dedicated to driving impactful change in healthcare.

Ogunyinka, Benedicta Oluwafisayomi is passionate about research, student advocacy, and healthcare innovation. She serves as the Deputy Speaker of the Faculty Student Representative Council and leads the Academic and Mentorship Committee of the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students Association, University of Ibadan Chapter, where she drives academic support and mentorship initiatives. Her research interests focus on female reproductive health, and she was a co-author and second runner-up in a YOHAN Africa mini-research project on malaria prevention. As a registered nurse and certified family planner, she actively participates in community health outreaches and campus-based health initiatives.

My nursing journey has been shaped by international advocacy and frontline experience.
Beginning in Zimbabwe, I led community health education campaigns and founded the Federation of African Nursing Students Organisation, where I served as Co-Chair of the Challenger's Committee. In these roles, I advocated for early career nurses across Africa, pushing for greater representation and investment in nursing leadership. I also helped launch Nursing Now Zimbabwe with the Ministry of Health’s support, working to elevate nursing’s profile and influence at a national level. These experiences showed me the power of nurses
when they are equipped, supported, and included in decision-making at every level.
Since moving to the UK, I have continued to build on this foundation. I served as the Global Nursing Now Young Nurse Representative and past Chairperson of the Nursing Now Challenge, leading global initiatives to empower early-career nurses and amplify their voices in health policy. I currently work as a Clinical Educator, supporting nurses—particularly those early in their careers—to develop essential skills and build confidence. This role places me at the heart of workforce development, giving me daily insight into the challenges nurses face, from wellbeing and retention to the need for clear career pathways. I am also proud to be an alum of the Florence Nightingale Foundation Windrush Leadership Program, which has strengthened my leadership skills and deepened my commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion within nursing. I am currently in the process of completing my Master’s in Global Health Policy.

Andrés de Juan Ortega is a Registered Nurse at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, one of Europe’s leading healthcare institutions, where he combines clinical practice with research. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Medicine and Translational Research at the University of Barcelona, focusing on healthcare workforce management and health system sustainability.
His research interest emerged early during his nursing studies, when he became involved in palliative care and bioethics. He co-founded and coordinated monthly bioethics sessions for a young students’ group called SAFOR Clínic, promoting dialogue between students, early-career professionals, and experts in healthcare ethics.
In 2022, Andrés was appointed as the European Regional Lead for the Nursing Now Challenge, an international initiative supporting the empowerment and leadership of young nurses and midwives. In this capacity, he participated in the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva (2023), contributing to discussions on global health policy and the nursing workforce. Since then, he has collaborated with academic institutions, the Catalan Health
Department, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) among other national and international institutions.
His current work and research focus on developing strategies to attract, retain, and support healthcare professionals, as well as advancing evidence-based policies that promote sustainability and resilience in health systems. He is also deeply interested in bioethics and the well-being of the healthcare workforce, exploring how ethical decision-making and supportive environments can improve both professional satisfaction and patient outcomes.
Driven by a strong commitment to leadership and advocacy, Andrés works to promote youth engagement and strengthen nursing leadership in research and policy spaces. His mission is to bridge the gap between research, policy, and clinical practice, contributing to more equitable, sustainable, and human-centered healthcare systems, while inspiring the next generation of health professionals to take an active role in shaping the future of healthcare.

Clinical Nurse Manager of an Orthopedic/Vascular Medical-Surgical unit at New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYP)/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Co-Chair of the Nursing Now Challenge, Challengers’ Committee
Amy Staley is the Clinical Nurse Manager of an Orthopedic/Vascular Medical-Surgical unit at New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYP)/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Co-Chair of the Nursing Now Challengers’ Committee. In 2023, Amy graduated with her Master’s Degree in Advanced Clinical Management and Leadership from Columbia University. In 2021, she was the recipient of the Nursing Clinical Excellence Award: Rising Star at NYP/Weill Cornell. Outside of the workplace, Amy leads others through influencing both vaccine and health equity throughout the United States and beyond. Some of her notable work has taken place in collaboration with the World Health Organization, Johnson & Johnson, and at the 77th United Nations General Assembly. She is a proud advocate for nurses around the globe and pregnant teens in foster care.

Violla Anggiani, S.Kep., Ners. is an ICU nurse from Indonesia and the founder of Save Our Heart Indonesia, a grassroots initiative that empowers families of children with congenital heart disease through education and community engagement.
With a background in critical care nursing, Violla is passionate about advancing health literacy and showcasing the vital role of nurses beyond hospital walls. She has represented her hospital at an international nursing conference and continues to contribute to nursing education through writing and digital health advocacy.
Deeply inspired by her patients’ resilience, Violla believes that even the smallest act of care can create meaningful change — and that every nurse has the power to lead from the heart.

Derrick Bahandagira is a passionate Registered Nurse with over four years of clinical and community health experience in Uganda. He currently serves as a clinical and research Associate at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital and leads the NEEDS Program which is a comprehensive diabetes self-management initiative focusing on Nutrition, Education, Exercise, Drugs, and Self-care for people living with diabetes

With specialised expertise in wound management, Derrick is a published author of “Frugal Innovation in Wound Management within a Low-Resource Inpatient Setting,” demonstrating his commitment to cost-effective, evidence-based care solutions. He is also an ICCHNR Scholar, a member of the Nursing Now Challengers Committee, and an ICFP Abstract Reviewer contributing to global health dialogue and advancing nursing leadership.

Beyond clinical care, Derrick is passionate about environmental health and actively participates in Uganda’s One Million Tree Planting Campaign supporting health with sustainability.

Tsung-Po is a nurse researcher whose work integrates nursing science, gender studies, and the medical humanities to examine how human experience and embodiment shape understandings of illness, recovery, and care. His research explores cancer survivorship and the psychosocial reconstruction of self through qualitative and arts-based approaches. Educated in Taiwan and Scotland, and now preparing for doctoral study, Tsung-Po approaches nursing as a deeply human practice that extends beyond clinical intervention, attentive to the meanings people attach to health, suffering, healing, and identity. He serves as the Western Pacific Regional Hub Lead for the Nursing Now Challenge, supporting nursing students and early-career nurses in cultivating reflective professional identities.

Darcie is a passionate third-year nursing student from Australia and is dedicated to fostering a positive and sustainable nursing profession. Currently undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies) at the University of Sydney as a recipient of the prestigious Susan Wakil Scholarship, she is committed to strengthening professional identity and advocacy within the nursing community. As Treasurer of the Sydney University Nursing Society and a student representative for Sydney Nursing School, she actively engages in initiatives that support nursing students' transition into the profession.

With hands-on experience as an Undergraduate Nursing Assistant at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Darcie understands the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare system. She is particularly interested in professional well-being, career development, and creating a culture where nurses feel valued and empowered. As a co-lead of the Sydney Nursing School Green Team, she also explores the intersection of sustainability and healthcare, advocating for responsible nursing practices that benefit both patients and the profession.

Through leadership, advocacy, and research, Darcie aims to contribute to a resilient and empowered nursing profession, ensuring that professional identity and workplace culture remain central to the future of nursing.

Lucy Osborn is a PhD candidate at Federation University, researching nursing competence assessment in clinical practice. She is passionate about advancing the profession through education, research, and advocacy, particularly supporting early-career nurses and Next Gen leadership. Lucy is an active contributor to the Australian College of Nursing, championing initiatives that embed young nurse voices in governance, policy, and workforce development. She is currently working as a Clinical Nurse Educator at Mercy Health services Emergency department (paediatrics) and Teaches Paeditatric Post graduate nursing at Federation University.

I have always been a very striving person and the same on my academic performance as well as on my professional aspect.

I have really high hopes for myself as well as for the organisation to achieve impressive milestones and help the people in every way possible, contribute to the greater good.

Andrea is a registered Nurse and MSc in Research from Spain.

Sana is a registered nurse and a postgraduate midwifery student at University of Birmingham. Sana has been the Challengers' Committee Eastern Mediterranean Hub Lead since 2021 and will now serve as the Co-Chair until 2026.

Sana is also a representative for Royal College of Nursing for Sandwell and West Birmingham branch.

Sana is a early career nurse and is passionate about advocating for better working conditions for nurses and midwives, she is a particularly strong supporter for leadership development of early-career professionals like herself.

Mohammad is a Clinical Instructor at SMC Hospital in Riyadh with a passion for advancing nursing education, patient safety, and quality improvement. Holding a BSN from LAU and an MSN in Nursing Administration & Management from AUB, I am also a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a U.S.-licensed Registered Nurse. As a proud member of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Hub of Nursing Now, I contribute to strengthening nursing leadership and practice across the region.

Zipporah Iregi is a Registered Nurse with five years of experience in advocacy and communication geared towards Health Workforce and System Strengthening. She is currently working with AfyaReach to coordinate and support the training of Community Health Promoters in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.
Over the past 5 years, Zipporah has been at the forefront of advocating for the Healthcare Worker and Universal Health Coverage. She has spoken at several Nursing and Global Health Events including the White House Covid-19 Summit, Switchpoint Exchange, and World Hospital Congress, utilizing her platform to speak on supporting healthcare workers to get fair pay, adequate PPE, and the investment in training, recruiting, and research. She was awarded the Global Nursing Now Challenge Advocacy and Communication award in 2022 for her work and efforts.
Following her passion for nursing leadership and mentorship, she was one of the founding members of the Kenya Students and Novice Nurses (KESNNUR), a leadership training, and professional development program for student and novice nurses in Kenya. The program has now grown to reach over 3,000 nursing students in over 15 institutions around Kenya.