Leadership

Zoica Bakirtzief
Chair
Brazil

Jayashree Parasheril Kunju
Vice-Chair
India

Michael Chen
Treasurer
China

Yohanna Abdou
Director
Niger

Mangala Dhondge
Director
India

Narendra Fagami
Director
Nepal/Qatar

Peter Iorkighir
Director
Nigeria

Sang Kwon Jung
Director
Republic of Korea

Maryse Legault
Director
Canada

Jackson Jonathan 'Kofi' Nyarko
Director
Ghana

Faustino Pinto
Director
Brazil

Maya Ranavare
Director
India

Robert Rund
Director
USA
Kati Swinney
Executive Director
Kati Swinney brings a well-rounded background in nonprofit leadership, finance, and community-building to her role as Executive Director of IDEA. She’s spent her career supporting mission-driven work focused on advocacy, education, and connection – and she’s passionate about helping people feel seen, valued, and empowered.
Kati leads with integrity, care, and collaboration, and loves bringing people together to create lasting, positive change. She’s especially skilled at building strong partnerships and helping organizations grow in thoughtful, sustainable ways. When she’s not working, Kati is likely singing, running, hiking, or exploring new places with her family.
Amar Bahadur Timalsina
Global Network Coordinator
Born in rural Nepal and diagnosed at age 10, Amar experienced deep stigma and discrimination, shaping his lifelong commitment to ensure others do not suffer the same. He went on to found a school in Kathmandu serving hundreds of children, and has held leadership roles with IDEA Nepal, the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy, The Leprosy Mission International, and ILEP.