About WHYI

Who We Are

An international organization dedicated to advancing the next generation of global public health leaders through education, diplomacy, and collective action.

Our Mission

Built for the next generation of health diplomats

The World Health Youth Institute convenes emerging professionals aged 18–35 through UN delegations, a flagship speaker series, structured networking, pop-up city events, and an annual summit - equipping them with the diplomatic skills, global networks, and policy tools to shape public health at the highest levels.

We believe the most pressing health challenges of our time - from climate and health to pandemic preparedness to mental health policy - demand fresh leadership. WHYI exists to make sure the next generation isn't just at the table: they're shaping the agenda.

From Toronto to Geneva, New York to the World Health Assembly floor - WHYI builds the pathway for Canadian and international emerging leaders to step into global health decision-making with confidence, credentials, and community.

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Mareyba Fawad, MPH

Mareyba Fawad, MPH

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Mareyba is a Canadian public health leader, policy professional, and award-winning advocate working across health equity, government, gender equity, and systems change. She holds an MPH from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and has consulted for UN Women, interned in public health law at the CDC, led a Canada-based research team published in Nature Human Behaviour, and served as Head Delegate to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

A Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and Lead Research Analyst at Acumen LLC, Mareyba's federal health projects have impacted over 11 offices within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She is a member of the Canadian Association for Global Health.

She founded WHYI to put Canadian and international emerging professionals at the center of global health decision-making.

Full bio on Board page →
What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Health Equity

We center equity in every program, ensuring diverse voices - particularly those from underrepresented regions and communities - lead the global health conversation.

Diplomatic Excellence

We train emerging leaders in the language and tools of global diplomacy, because effective advocacy requires both technical expertise and political fluency.

Collective Action

No single leader changes global health systems alone. WHYI builds cohorts, networks, and bilateral connections designed for sustained, collective impact.

Youth at the Center

Young professionals aren't the future of global health - they're the present. WHYI exists to make sure institutions reflect that reality.

UN Alignment

Anchored to SDG 3

Every WHYI program is designed in direct alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being - the global commitment to healthy lives for all at all ages.

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UN Sustainable Development Goal Good Health & Well-Being
Canada & US

Coming to a City Near You

Beyond digital programming, WHYI hosts pop-up events in cities across Canada and the United States - building world health bilateral discussions and in-person community for emerging global health leaders.

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Your Seat at the Table Starts Here

Founding members join free. Be first in line for every program, delegation, and event we launch.

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