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About Global Voices
Youth Led, Non-Partisan, Not-For-Profit
Global Voices is a youth-led Australian not-for-profit committed to developing the next generation of leaders by providing practical experience in policymaking, international relations, and diplomacy.
We are a non-partisan and non-advocacy organisation committed to providing opportunities for young people to understand the mechanics of domestic and global decision-making
Since our founding in 2011, we have supported hundreds of young people to participate in our Fellowship Program and attend dozens of international summits, including at the United Nations, OECD, World Bank, IMF and Y20.
Our Fellowship Program has become an integral part of student enrichment and outward mobility programs for dozens of universities and philanthropic groups across Australia.
Our Executive Team
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Elly Hanrahan
Chief Executive Officer
Passionate about all things environment and social justice, Elly graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Environment) with honours in Global Challenges in 2018.
Elly has been a passionate advocate for the environment since she was a teen, with experience leading the Victorian branch of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, completing internships with Solar Citizens, the North Queensland Conservation Council, and Gecko Environment during her university days.
She now works at the Victorian Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action as a Policy Advisor and holds an active response role as a forest firefighter.
Elly was a COP27 Fellow and loved it so much she decided to join the Global Voices team as a staff member!
Riley Glacken
Finance and Operations Manager
Passionate about diplomacy, policy and advocacy, Riley studied a Master of International Business (2020 - 2021) and completed a double degree, Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) & Bachelor of Journalism (2015 - 2018) from Monash University.
Outside of his GV role, Riley is an experienced Insurance/Financial Services professional.
Lucy Skelton
Communications Manager
At 22, Lucy Skelton is a passionate advocate for change, known for her TEDx talk and leadership at FORE - a new public policy-focused social enterprise. Currently studying Public Policy and International Relations at ANU, Lucy has also ventured into politics, running in the 2022 Victorian State Election. Her activism began at a young age with a long history of championing causes like climate change and gender equality, earning recognition such as being Highly Commended for the City of Yarra Local Hero Award and top rankings in the UN SDG Challenge.
Outside of her work, Lucy enjoys learning Mandarin and Auslan, trying to keep the plants in her room alive and knitting.
Mary Pilkinton
Delegations Manager
Mary has spent the last 3 years working with the non-profit Little Dreamers, supporting young people who are in a caring role. Having grown up as a Young Carer, Mary is passionate about applying her lived experience in her work. Mary has a strong passion for sustainability and wildlife conservation and is a long-standing volunteer at the Jane Goodall Institute Australia. Mary studied a Bachelor of Science (Human Geography) at the University of Wollongong, and graduated in early 2022. She brought together her passions in her honours thesis, which explored the wellbeing benefits of nature spaces for young people with intellectual disabilities.
Mary enjoys travel, urban bird-watching, and singing in community choirs.
Kelsey McGowan
Delegations Manager
Kelsey (she/her) holds a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) and a Masters of Human Rights Law. She is currently the Senior Human Rights Advocate at Youth Disability Advocacy Service, a core agency of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, and previous Board Director and Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at UN Youth Australia. Kelsey has varied experience across youth and human rights sectors, including in legal, education, international affairs, disability and mental health.
As a Social Worker and Human Rights Advocate, Kelsey is passionate about empowering young people with the opportunities and resources to learn about and lead in the solutions to both local and global issues affecting their lives. In particular Kelsey believes in the power of diverse voices and lived experience in decision making and advocacy.
Our Board
