Meet Madeira’s Global Youth Leadership Board

Student leadership, global learning, and community impact in action

by Lina Yu ’27

On Monday evenings at Madeira, while much of campus begins to wind down, a group of 11th and 12th-grade students gathers with a shared intention to lead thoughtfully in a global context. The Global Youth Leadership Board, often called GYLB, is led by History teacher and Global Education Coordinator Ms. Sundberg.

At its core, the program serves as both a learning and a working space. During the start of each meeting, students gather as a full group to engage with Haitian history and culture in immersive, reflective ways, whether by listening to Haitian music or exploring cultural traditions. These experiences are paired with leadership workshops that challenge students to think critically through frameworks such as global feminist leadership. At the center of these discussions is a shared principle: effective leadership begins with meeting people where they are and responding to the needs of the community. Students are encouraged to connect these ideas to their own experiences, reflecting through “soul stories” that articulate their purpose in leading and the experiences that have shaped it.

Beyond these shared sessions, much of the work of the Global Youth Leadership Board happens in smaller initiative teams focused on education, nutrition, or feminism. Each group focuses on a specific project, guided by 12th grade TAs and supported by Ms. Sundberg, with all efforts connected through developing RIISE, a Madeira nonprofit focused on empowering communities in Haiti.

The Nutrition Team, for example, focuses on addressing food insecurity and raising awareness about sustainable solutions. Their current work includes creating educational content for social media. Posts explore topics such as the impact of rising fuel costs on food access, the role of small-scale farmers in rural Haiti, and how products like Plumpy Nut, an easily digestible, paste-like nutrition bar, help combat acute malnutrition. Through this work, the team not only raises awareness but also translates complex issues into accessible information for a broader audience.

Photo by Andy Lehto

The Learning for Justice Team centers its efforts on education and advocacy, particularly around gender and cultural preservation. In preparation for an upcoming screening of the documentary Madan Sara, the team is coordinating logistics, from reserving spaces to crafting invitations and announcements for an in-person fundraiser at Madeira. The event, scheduled for May 16th and aligned with themes of International Women’s Day, will highlight the essential role women play in preserving culture and community in Haiti. Alongside event planning, the team is also curating blog content that amplifies women’s voices and experiences.

Across all teams, there is a shared emphasis on outreach and connection. Students are encouraged to share the RIISE website and ongoing initiatives with people beyond the Madeira community, not only to raise funds but also to gather feedback, build awareness, and expand the reach of their work.

As the board looks ahead, planning is already underway for next year’s cohort, with an application process designed to bring in students who are eager to engage deeply and contribute meaningfully. In a world where global challenges can often feel distant or overwhelming, the Global Youth Leadership Board offers a different approach. It invites students to work independently while also collaborating, to take initiative while remaining open to guidance, and to lead out of a genuine commitment to creating change.

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