Malavika grew up in India and now lives on Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne. She began her career in dentistry before moving into public health and currently works in the genetic and rare disease space. Her work focuses on improving how health information is communicated, with a strong emphasis on clarity, cultural inclusivity, and accessibility. She is passionate about making systems more welcoming and easier to navigate for multicultural communities and is committed to advancing equity and representation in health and public engagement spaces.

My name is Masoma Nabawi, and I am an Afghan refugee, Australian healthcare professional, Operating Theatre Technician, and Business Analytics student at Deakin University. I hold a Diploma of Business (Management Accounting & Business) and an Operating Theatre Technician qualification from Box Hill Institute. I work as an Operating Theatre Technician at Ramsay
Health Care’s Victorian Day Procedure Centre, supporting surgical teams and delivering safe, high-quality patient care. Having rebuilt my life in Australia from zero as a refugee without family connections or an established support system, I bring resilience, empathy, and determination to everything I do. I am passionate about caring for people, supporting diverse communities, and
making a positive impact in healthcare through compassion, service, and
advocacy.

Akash Merai is an emerging Economics professional specialising in social policy within the public sector. He drives progress by innovating policy design through rigorous research analysis to build practical government solutions that promote well-being. Experienced in civic engagement, Akash ensures a lasting benefit for the community and the architects of change within it. He is dedicated to dissecting diverse perspectives, drawing out strategic insights to shape public policy and community development. 

Beyond policy, Akash is literary-minded, with interests in surrealist and science fiction. Outdoors, he enjoys rock-skipping and keeping fit.

Sara Abu Asbeh is a Politics, Philosophy and Economics student at Monash University with a strong interest in energy transition, immigration policy, and inclusive political representation. Alongside her studies, she has been involved in leadership and advocacy initiatives, including completing a policy fellowship with FORE, volunteering with Climate for Change, and participating in Model ASEAN and international debating initiatives. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and live music.

Divya is a passionate advocate and former international student who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Throughout her journey, she has taken on various advocacy roles, notably supporting the Victorian pandemic workforce while pursuing her studies.Her work has been recognized through achievements, including International Student of the Year at Holmesglen, Study Melbourne’s International Student of the Year in the Higher Education category, and the Premier’s Award (2021-22). In 2024, she was named a Global Citizen Youth Leader.
Transitioning from clinical nursing, Divya now serves as a Project Officer dedicated to supporting international students. She is also the founder of Unwind Desi Minds, an online community committed to destigmatizing mental health within the South Asian community by sharing relatable stories and expanding support networks across South Asians living in Australia.

When not at work, Divya can be found exploring cafes in Melbourne or thrifting books and home decor at local markets. 

Mira is a recent graduate from the University of Sydney, where she studied Philosophy, International Relations, and Spanish. Her Honours thesis in Philosophy evaluated the role of political emotions, specifically anger, in liberal democracies. She has previous experience in policy research and development, as well as project management. In her free time, she enjoys reading literary fiction, baking, and exploring as much of Sydney as she can.

My name is Barsha Rai, a social work graduate and now a staunch unionist, originally from Nepal. I don’t come from a political background (a question I get a lot) but after reading Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed during my Bachelors and embracing that the ‘Personal is Political, I developed a strong interest in politics. I’m passionate about genuine CALD and POC representation in Australian politics and the parliament, and empowering young people to become community leaders. When I’m not being political, you’ll find me swimming or learning to play the drums.

Hi everyone! My name’s Christian and I’m excited to join COMPELL’s Multicultural Youth Fellowship. I’m a recent graduate specialising in classical studies but I have a passion for all things historical and have dabbled in other humanities and social science subjects throughout my academic years. Admittedly I still only have a cursory understanding of all things multicultural but I’m eager to show everyone what I’ve learned and connect with other like-minded fellows.

Kaitlyn Farquhar is a social-justice legal leader specialising in governance, policy and program design for youth and community organisations. As Head of Legal at EveryLeader and Head of Education at Youth Decide, she develops safe, scalable frameworks, compliance systems and civic education programs that expand participation and protect vulnerable participants. Kaitlyn founded ‘What Does This Mean?’ and ‘Between Lives’, a domestic-violence initiative, and has delivered legislative research and policy development across multiple government and non-government organisations. Her strategic priorities include domestic violence, housing stability, building climate resilience in communities, and advancing education equity through inclusive program design and evidence-based advocacy.

Hymns (he/him) is a dynamic community advocate who leverages creative and academic disciplines to drive meaningful social impact. Currently pursuing a master’s program at Griffith University, Hymns focuses his artistic passion on guiding and supporting newcomer artists navigating the creative industries. Alongside his academic and artistic pursuits, he serves as a dedicated member of a prominent co-design and lived experience carer research organization. In this role, he collaborates closely with researchers, patients, and carers, beautifully balancing his performance background with a commitment to collaborative, community-led research.

Samama Alam is a lived experience advocate currently developing SpeakForMe, a peer-informed mental health platform concept focused on improving support and access for CALD women. As a Muslim woman from a Bangladeshi background, she is passionate about understanding how the experiences of CALD communities intersect with policy, mental health, and access to support. She actively contributes to the mental health and lived experience sector through advocacy and community initiatives informed by her own lived experience. Outside of this, she is an avid bookworm and enjoys spending time with her Pomeranian.

Menna Abu Marzouq is a university-ready Bridging Course student who has been living in Australia for the past year and a half. She is passionate about personal growth, community engagement, and developing her leadership and communication skills. Menna hopes to pursue a degree in Marketing in the future and is particularly interested in volunteering, multicultural communities, and building meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds. In 2025, she participated in a Youth Leadership Retreat in Sydney, which inspired her to become more involved in leadership opportunities and community initiatives. Through the Multicultural Youth Fellowship, she looks forward to expanding her knowledge, strengthening her English skills, and contributing to a more inclusive and connected Australian society.

Ridmi is a community leader, researcher, and advocate committed to advancing gender equity, social inclusion, and community-led change. She is the co-founded Women Rising Together Inc., where she provided strategic leadership to initiatives supporting refugee and migrant women of colour. Ridmi brings experience across the higher education, healthcare, government, and not-for-profit sectors, with expertise in stakeholder engagement, project coordination, community development, and policy advocacy. Currently undertaking a Master of Public Health specialising in sexual health and gender, her research focuses on menstrual health in adolescents. Ridmi is passionate about strengthening governance, amplifying lived experience perspectives, and contributing to equitable systems that empower diverse communities.

Mahnoor is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws (honours) and Global Studies at Monash University. She’s passionate about intersectionality and social justice within both public policy and private legal practice. Outside of working as a tutor and community volunteering, when she isn’t drowning in assigned readings, you can find her at the library (drowning in readings of her choice, instead).