Honoree Details

Heela Yoon is a 26-year-old Afghan peacebuilder, climate activist, and mental health advocate recognized as a United Nations Young Leader for the SDGs. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Afghan Youth Ambassadors for Peace Organization (AYAPO), a grassroots initiative supporting youth-led peacebuilding and mental health across conflict zones. With over five years in strategic communications for leading INGOs, Heela also serves on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Gender Challenge Board. A Chevening and Fulbright Scholar, her work has impacted over 7,500 families and brought her to 22+ countries as a global speaker. She is a One Young World Ambassador and a member of UN Women’s Asia-Pacific 30 for 2030 network.