Meet the 2020 JCI International Officer Candidates

This year’s JCI candidates demonstrate the commitment and action needed in order to create positive change in more than 5000 communities around the globe.

At the 2019 JCI World Congress in Tallinn, Estonia, Chief Delegates and National Presidents from JCI Organizations from around the world will gather to elect the leaders of the international organization for 2020. Your chosen representatives will be selected from the following list of candidates, including the 2020 JCI Vice Presidents, 2020 JCI Executive Vice Presidents and the 2020 JCI President.

Discover the candidates’ bios and learn about their plans for the future of JCI in person at the 2019 JCI World Congress during the 2020 Vice President Candidates Presentation and Caucus and the 2020 Executive Vice President and President Candidates Presentation and Caucus.

The candidates appear in the order that their approved nomination was received by the JCI World Headquarters.

For the Office of JCI President:
Candidate: Itai Manyere
National Organization: JCI Zimbabwe
Born 20 February 1982, Manyere joined JCI Harare, Zimbabwe in 2004. He served on the Local Board and as JCI Harare Local President in 2006. In 2008, he later served on the JCI Zimbabwe National Board in various capacities, eventually becoming the 2014 JCI Zimbabwe National President.

At the international level, Manyere served as the 2015 JCI Vice President for Africa and the Middle East and was later appointed to the 2016 JCI Skills Development Committee, 2017 JCI Growth and Development Committee for Africa and the Middle East and the 2018 JCI Executive Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.

Currently, Manyere serves as the Chief Executive Assistant to the 2019 JCI President. He has participated in 12 JCI Area Conferences, eight JCI World Congresses and two JCI Global Partnership Summits. He graduated from the 26^th JCI Academy in Fukuyama, Japan and has been honored as JCI Senator No. 74629.


For the Office of JCI Executive Vice President:

Candidate: Asha Auckloo
National Organization: JCI Mauritius
Born 29 December 1981 in Mauritius, Africa, Auckloo holds a Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology. She works for the Prime Minister’s Office of Mauritius as a Forensic Scientist. She is also involved in training delivery to stakeholders such as Police and Crime Scene Managers in various aspects of Forensic Science. She resides in Mauritius, Africa with her family.

Auckloo joined JCI City Plus in 2011. She became Local President of JCI City Plus in 2014 and National President in 2017.

At the international level, she served as 2018 JCI Vice President and received the JCI Presidential Award for Most Outstanding Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. She has attended five JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congresses. She graduated from the 29th JCI Academy in Mito, Japan. She has been honored as JCI Senator No. 76757. She speaks English, French, Hindi and Mauritian Creole.

Candidate: Ryubun Kojima
National Organization: JCI Japan
Born on 2 January 1981, in Minoh, Japan, Kojima is an Administrator of Katsuo-ji Temple. He resides in Minoh, Japan.

Kojima joined JCI Osaka in 2012. He served as the JCI Chairperson for the Promoting Sincerity to the General Affairs Commission in 2017. This year, he is serving as the JCI Osaka President.

At the international level, he served as a 2018 JCI Vice President. He has attended five JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. He speaks English and Japanese.

Candidate: Marion De Groot
National Organization: JCI Netherlands
Born 5 May 1981 in Lieshout, the Netherlands, De Groot holds a Master of Industrial Design Engineering degree and a Master of Software Engineering degree. She works as a self-employed information analyst, system architect and Scrum Product Owner for a company in public security and identity. She resides in Maarn, the Netherlands, with her partner Peter Snel.

De Groot joined JCI Amsterdam International in 2008. She became Local President in 2010, National Executive Vice President for PR & Marketing in 2011 and the National Executive Vice President for Business in 2012.

At the international level, De Groot has served as the 2017 JCI Vice President. She has attended thirteen JCI Area Conferences and ten JCI World Congresses. She has been honored as JCI Senator No. 71795. She speaks Dutch, English, Thai, French, German, Mandarin, Chinese and some Japanese.

Candidate: Kevin Hinds
National Organization: JCI West Indies
Born 24 September 1980 in Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies, Hinds holds two degrees in computer science and management. He is also a certified business analyst. Kevin works as the regional manager, business performance, product and strategy implementation at one of the leading banking institutions in the Caribbean. He also leads the analytics team for the Corporate and Investment Banking division. He resides in Barbados.

Hinds joined JCI Barbados in December 2006. He became Local President in 2013 and National President in 2015. He was elected 2017 JCI Vice President and served on the 2018 JCI Partnership Committee. Kevin is currently serving on the 2019 Growth and Development Committee and is also the Director for the Americas Development Council (ADC).

At the international level, he has attended six JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. Hinds is a graduate of the 2014 JCI Japan Academy. Kevin has been honored as JCI Senator #75480 and is a Phil Pugsley Foundation patron. He speaks English.


For the Office of JCI Vice President: 
Candidate: Mark Smith
National Organization: JCI United Kingdom
Born on 20 April 1980 in Bath, United Kingdom, Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with counseling. He runs a training and consultancy company that works with businesses and NGOs. Smith also works for Healthwatch Sheffield and has worked with several NGOs in senior management positions as well as his local Chamber of Commerce. He resides in Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Smith joined JCI United Kingdom in 2012 and served as Local President in 2015. He joined the Yorkshire Regional Group Chair in 2017 and is currently serving as the JCI United Kingdom National President.

At the international level, Smith is a qualified JCI Trainer and was recognized in 2014 as the Most Outstanding JCI Member in 2014. He has attended six JCI Area Conferences, four JCI World Congresses and graduated from the 2014 European Academy as well as the 2018 JCI Academy in Japan. He has been honored as JCI Senator No. 76527. He speaks English.

Candidate: Fabio Mello Fagundes
National Organization: JCI Brazil
Born 27 September 1983 in Curitiba, Brazil, Fagundes holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is a Doctoral student. He works as the director of his own company in the educational field. He resides in Curitiba, Brazil with his wife, Marciele.

Fagundes joined JCI Curitiba in 2010. He became Local President in 2012, the National President 2018 and is currently involved with the 2019 Commissioner of American Development Council.

At the international level, Fagundes has attended the JCI Americas Leadership Academy and organized the event this year. He graduated from the JCI Academy in 2017, attended the 2018 and 2019 National Presidents Meeting and attended the 2018 Global Partnership Summit. He has been to five JCI Area Conferences and four World Congresses. He speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish.

Candidate: Ana Nikolova
National Organization: JCI Bulgaria
Born 12 November 1988 in Varna, Bulgaria, Nikolova holds a Master of Economics degree and is currently finishing a PhD in economics. She works as a managing director at a business consulting company and as a business development expert at an IT company. She is also an external expert evaluator for the programs of European Commission. She currently resides in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Nikolova joined JCI Varna in 2012. In 2013 she moved to Sofia, Bulgaria where she joined JCI Sofia. She was JCI Sofia Local President in 2015 and JCI Bulgaria National President in 2016.

At the international level, Nikolova was the Counselor for 12 countries while serving on the 2018 JCI European Development Council. In 2019, she served on the JCI Marketing Committee for Europe. She has attended four Area Conferences and two World Congresses. She has been honored as JCI Senator No. 77764. She speaks English and Bulgarian.

Candidate: Kota Aoki
National Organization: JCI Japan
Born 30 January 1983 in Handa, Japan, Aoki is the senior managing director of Taketoyoya Co., Ltd. He resides in Handa, Japan located in the Aichi Prefecture.

He joined JCI Handa in 2010. In 2017, he served as Local President. He served as 2018 JCI Vice President in the General Affairs Group. This year he is serving as JCI Vice President for the JCI Japan Organizational Evolution Group.

At the international level, Aoki served as the 2014 JCI Development Officer for Asia and the Pacific. He has attended JCI Area Conferences and JCI World Congresses. He speaks English and Japanese.

Candidate: Seongjae Glen Kim
National Organization: JCI Korea
Born 4 March 1980 in Seoul, South Korea, Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and owns a small hotel. He resides in Seoul, South Korea with his spouse, Suzy, and their daughter, Isabel.

Glen joined JCI Eunpyeong in 2012. He became Local President in 2017 and has served on the International Planning and Marketing and International Affairs Committee Chairperson.

At the international level, Kim is serving as a JCI Foundation Committee Member. He has attended six JCI Area Conferences and one JCI World Congress. He speaks Korean and English.

Candidate: Paolo Bellotti
National Organization: JCI Italy
Born 28 November 1983 in Busto Arsizio, Italy, Bellotti holds a high school diploma for computer technology. In 2004, he founded an information technology company that provides assistance, consultancy, software, websites and digital development to his costumers. In 2019, Paolo founded a second company selling online products.

Bellotti joined JCI Varese in 2012. He became Local President in 2015, National President in 2017 and COC Director of JCI International PR & Media Academy in 2018 and 2019.

At the international level, he served as the 2018 JCI Alumni Relations Committee Member for Europe. He has attended five JCI Area Conferences, three JCI Area Presidents Meeting and three JCI World Congresses.

Candidate: Juliana Marcela Trejos Arismendy
National Organization: JCI Colombia
Born on 1 March 1987 in Armenia, Colombia, Arismendy studied social communication and journalism. She is currently working as a communications leader for the Mayor's Office in Armenia. She resides in Armenia, Colombia with her parents.

She joined JCI Quindío in 2009. In 2013, she was Local President and in 2018, she was elected National President of JCI Colombia. She is the commissioner of the 2019 JCI Marketing Committee for the Americas.

At the intational level, she has participated in nine area conferences, three World congresses and participated in the 2011 Leadership Academy of the Americas. She graduated from the 2014 Leadership Academy of the Americas in Medellin, Colombia as well as the 2017 JCI Academy in Japan. She speaks Spanish and English.

Candidate: Sonehekpon Achille Segbegnon
National Organization: JCI Benin
Born 12 May 1985 in Cotonou, Benin, Segbegnon holds a Master of Civil Engineering, Management and International Trade degree. He is currently the manager for Sonic Corporate Sarl. He resides in Cotonou, Benin with his wife, Marie Ange, and their two children.

Segbegnon joined JCI Cotonou Océan in 2006. He became JCI Cotonou Saphir Local President in 2014. He also served as JCI National Vice President in 2015, JCI National Treasurer in 2017 and as the 2018 JCI Executive Vice President. He is currently the assistant to the JCI National President for Africa and the Middle East.

At the international level, he has attended seven JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. He participated in the 2014 JCI Partnership Summit. He was awarded the Most Outstanding Member of JCI at the 2013 JCI World Congress. He is a certified JCI Trainer. He speaks French and English.

Candidate: Silvetty De La Paz
National Organization: JCI Dutch Caribbean
Born on 7 April 1986, De La Paz holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in business administration. She is currently working as Head of the Billing & Collection Department for the Curacao Oil Products Distributor, CUROIL.

Silvetty joined JCI United Citizens of Curacao in 2012 and became the Local President in 2015. She was recognized as the Most Outstanding Local President of JCI Dutch Caribbean. She served as the 2018 JCI Dutch Caribbean President of JCI, leaving with the achievement of the 100% Efficiency Program.

Silvetty graduated from the 2017 Leadership Academy of the Americas and attended the International Peace Summit in Sarawak, Kuching. As team Captain of JCI Dutch Caribbean debating team, she won the JCI Debating Championship award during the 2017 Conference of the Americas. Silvetty attended the 2016 - 2018 JCI Dutch Caribbean Leadership & Development Academy. She has attended four JCi Area Conferences and three JCI World Congress. She speaks English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu.

Candidate: Andy Erinyes Lau
National Organization: JCI Malaysia
Born 15 December 1981 in Melaka, Malaysia, Lau holds a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing management. He works as the managing director of a chain linked budget hotel. He resides in Butterworth, Malaysia, with his wife, Vynndy, and their infant son, Ashton.

Andy joined JCI Alor Setar in 2009 and he chartered JCI Butterworth City in 2011. At the national level, Andy served as the 2012 National Vice President, the 2016 National Executive Vice President, 2017 National Deputy President, severed on the 2018 National General Legal Counsel and is the 2019 Malaysia National President.

At the international level, Andy served as a 2014 JCI Development Officer. He has attended five JCI Area Conferences and one JCI World Congress. He has been honored as JCI Senator No. 75759. He speaks English, Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia.

Candidate: Mohammad Hijazi
National Organization: JCI Lebanon
Born 11 June 1989 in Saida, Lebanon, Hijazi holds dual degrees in marketing communication and biology from the American University of Beirut. He is a lead communications consultant, trainer and digital strategist. He was one of the earliest strategists to educate businesses on the importance of digital innovation in Lebanon.

Hijazi joined JCI Beirut in 2014, becoming the Local Director for Communication in 2015 and the 2016 National Director. In 2017, he assisted the National Vice President for Recruitment and Outreach. He graduated from the 30th JCI Academy in Kumamoto, Japan. In 2018, he served as JCI Lebanon National President where he was awarded two international awards at the 2018 JCI Africa and the Middle East Conference in Cotonou. Hijazi is passionate about working on Global Goal #4: Quality Education and Global Goal #8: Decent Work & Economic Growth.

At the international level, Hijazi currently serves on the 2019 JCI Skills Development Committee Member for Africa and the Middle East. He has attended four Area Conferences, four World Congresses, countless National and Regional events in all four areas. Hijazi speaks English and Arabic.

Candidate: Sidy Mamadou Mouctar Diallo
National Organization: JCI Guinea
Born 21 March 1982 in Abidjan, Cote d'ivoire, Diallo holds a master’s degree in audit and management control. He works for a Telecom Company as a financial controller. He resides in Conakry with his wife, Aissatou, and three daughters, Mariam Bailo, Safiatou and Fatoumata Diaraye.

Diallo joined JCI Conakry Excellence in 2008, became Local President in 2015 and was National President by 2018.

At the International level, Diallo is currently serving as the Africa and Middle East Development Councilor. He has attended three JCI Area Conferences, one JCI Global Partnership Summit and one JCI World Congress. He graduated from the JCI Academy in Kumamoto, Japan in 2017 as well as the 2014 Africa and the Middle East Active Citizen Academy.

Candidate: Unotida Nyoni
National Organization: JCI South Africa
Born 19 February 1985 in Mberengwa, Zimbabwe, Nyoni holds a Master of Business Administration and is a finance manager for the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. He’s also an author, speaker and founder of Grand Scale Motivation, a private management consultancy and training company. He resides in Cape Town, South Africa with his wife, Ellen.

Nyoni joined JCI Harare in 2004. He became the Local President of JCI City Zimbabwe in 2012. In 2013, Nyoni moved to Cape Town, South Africa and served as the 2018 National President.

At the international level, Nyoni currently serves as an Africa and the Middle East Council member. He has attended five JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congress. He speaks English.

Candidate: Hardik Kapadia
National Organization: JCI India
Born 23 April 1980 in Kalol, India, Kapadia holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and is currently the managing director for a trading company. He resides in Kalol, India with his wife, Hiral, their son, Het and daughter, Kashvi.

Hardik joined JCI Kalol in 2005. He became Local President in 2010 and National Executive Vice President in 2016.  

At the international level, Hardik has served as Member of Sponsorship Committee in 2017. He has attended two JCI Area Conference and two JCI World Congresses. He has been honored as JCI Senator No 75196. He speaks English and Hindi.

Candidate: Jenni Ahlstedt
National Organization: JCI Sweden
Born 11 January 1982, in Gislaved, Sweden, Ahlstedt holds a Vocational Qualification in Business and Administration and works as a radio show host, anti-money laundry project leader and event organizer for her own company. She resides in Stockholm, Sweden with her partner, Per, and their daughter, Amanda.

In 2008, Ahlstedt joined JCI Ylöjärvi in Finland. She became Local President of JCI Pirkanmaa in 2011 and JCI Sweden National President in 2015.

At the international level, Ahlstedt served as the 2017 JCI Sponsorship Committee Member and as the 2018 JCI European Academy Director. She has attended twelve JCI Area Conferences and eight JCI World Congresses. She has been honored as JCI Senator No. 76500. She speaks Finnish, Swedish, English and some German.

Candidate: Ellimaija Ahonen
National Organization: JCI Finland
Born 11 March 1982 in Finland, Ahonen holds a Master of Social Sciences degree and works as the CEO of private companies operating in the field of global education. She is an experienced professional in the fields of education and training. She resides in Kangasala, Finland with her daughter and partner.

Ahonen joined JCI Pirkanmaa in 2011. She became Local President in 2014, Regional Vice President in 2016 and JCI Finland National President in 2019. She has been awarded several times on an international level for her projects and leadership skills.

At the international level, she has attended eight JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. She has been honored as JCI Senator #76914. Ahonen speaks Finnish, English, Swedish, some German and Russian.

Candidate: Tetiwe Nzimah
National Organization: JCI Zambia
Born 29 November 1984 in Mufulira, Zambia, Nzimah holds an Executive Master of Business Administration in Leadership and Wealth Creation. She works as a sales executive and clothing stylist. She resides in Lusaka, Zambia.

Nzimah joined JCI Lusaka in 2013. She became Local President in 2015, National President in 2016 and is currently serving as a Counselor for the Africa and the Middle East Development Council.

She has attended three JCI Area Conferences and two JCI World Congresses. She speaks English.

Candidate: Heather Vardell
National Organization: JCI USA
Born 13 November 1981 in Columbia, SC, USA, Vardell holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a focus in public administration. She works as a workers’ compensation manager for the national staffing company, Defender Services. She resides in Columbia, SC, USA with her puppy, Rufus.

Vardell joined JCI Cayce-West Columbia in 2009. She served as the Individual Development Vice President in 2010, Local President in 2011 and 2012, and the Chair of Local Chapter Presidents for JCI South Carolina. She became the 2013 JCI South Carolina President and the Civic Leadership Certification Program Manager for JCI USA in 2014. She was the National Vice President in 2015, National Membership Director in 2016 and National President in 2017.

At the international level, Vardell served on the Training Task Force in 2014. Currently, she is the 2019 Chief Executive Assistant for the JCI President and assigned to the Americas and the Digital Transform Committee. She has attended three JCI World Congresses and two JCI Area Conferences. She has been honored as JCI Senator No. 74132. She speaks English.

Candidate: Saleh Al-Hanash
National Organization: JCI Jordan
Born 11 November 1987 in Amman, Jordan, Al-Hanash has a master’s in accounting and organizational behavior from the Edinburgh Business School. He is a Pharmapreneur.

He has founded the Agonist Consult for training & consultation, the Just Start Innovation organization and the Al-Hanash Drug Store for medical equipment in Palestine. Al-Hanash was the 2019 TEDx speaker in Muscat Oman and has been the regional speaker at many universities and organizations. He was the 2019 Young Entrepreneurs of the Circular Economy winner for their pitching competition during the Africa and the Middle West Conference in Balaclava, Mauritius. He was also the 2017 winner of the Jordanian Social Entrepreneur & Fellowship award.

He severed as the Local President in 2014 for JCI Amman and the National President in 2017 for JCI Jordan. He has also served as a 2018 Africa and the Middle East Committee member and is currently a JCI Civil Society Counsel member for Africa and the Middle East.

Candidate: Shenella Govia
National Organization: JCI West Indies
Born 9 February 1990 in Antigua, West Indies. Govia holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and was appointed in 2014 as a Government Senator. She also works as the Executive Assistant to the Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda. Her primary focus within the government has been about youth development. She resides in Antigua with her parents.

Govia joined JCI Antigua in 2013. She served as Local President of JCI Antigua in 2015 and National President of JCI West Indies in 2018. She has attended three JCI Area Conferences, one JCI Global Partnership Summit and three JCI World Congresses. Govia has been honored as a JCI Senator #76808 and is a JCI Phil Pugsley Patron. She speaks English fluently.


Take part in witnessing the exciting elections by registering today for the 2019 JCI World Congress in Tallinn, Estonia.