Dublin, Ireland — September 2026: The Council for Global Affairs and Development (CGAD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Vivian Jonathan as a member of the CGAD Global Youth Advisory Board for the 2026–2027 term, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), youth empowerment, technology, skills development and inclusive opportunities.
Vivian Jonathan is a technology professional, entrepreneur, programme leader and social impact advocate working at the intersection of technology, people and opportunity. Through her work across technology, business, entrepreneurship and marketing, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to creating pathways through which young people can develop skills, access opportunities and translate their potential into meaningful impact.As a co-founder of multiple technology ventures, including Preplink.ai and Resk.ai, Vivian has contributed to building innovative technology initiatives from strategy through execution. She is also the Founder of Career Connect Ireland, a workforce and career development initiative focused on expanding access to skills, professional networks and career opportunities, as well as the Tech-Girl Foundation, which works to strengthen access, representation and opportunities for girls and young women in technology.
At the Global Youth Impact Summit 2026 in Porto, Portugal, Vivian served as an international speaker and workshop facilitator, bringing her expertise in technology, leadership, skills development and the future of work to an international audience of young leaders and changemakers.
She facilitated the international workshop “From Skills to Impact: Preparing Young People for the Future of Work,” engaging participants in discussions on skills, employability, innovation and preparing young people for a rapidly changing global economy.
She also co-facilitated the Porto Youth Declaration Innovation Lab, contributing to the development of the Global Youth Impact Summit – GYIS Youth Leaders Statement and youth commitments aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Her active role at GYIS Porto reflected her ability to connect ideas with action and global perspectives with practical youth-led solutions, further demonstrating her growing role as an international voice on youth development, technology and inclusive opportunities.
Through her professional and social-impact work, Vivian has demonstrated the qualities of a new generation of global leaders — combining technology, entrepreneurship, youth leadership and purpose-driven innovation to address challenges facing young people in an increasingly changing world.
The CGAD Global Youth Advisory Board brings together emerging leaders, changemakers, entrepreneurs, academics, professionals and youth advocates from different regions and fields. Members provide strategic perspectives and contribute to shaping CGAD’s future programmes, initiatives and global youth engagements.
CGAD recognises Vivian Jonathan as a rising global youth leader whose work reflects the spirit of innovation, inclusion and purpose-driven leadership required to advance the SDGs. Her experience across technology, entrepreneurship, workforce development and youth engagement brings valuable perspectives to the Advisory Board.
Vivian’s leadership is driven by a simple but powerful belief: talent and potential are everywhere, but access, visibility and opportunity are not. Her work seeks to close that gap and create an environment where young people — particularly those traditionally underrepresented in technology and the future of work — can transform potential into lasting impact.
Her appointment to the CGAD Global Youth Advisory Board for 2026–2027 represents both recognition of her contributions to date and an invitation to play a greater role in shaping the next generation of global youth initiatives.
CGAD warmly congratulates Vivian Jonathan on her appointment and looks forward to her leadership, expertise and continued contribution to advancing the SDGs, youth empowerment and meaningful youth participation in global development.
