Meet Our Team
Dedicated individuals driving change across continents
Our team brings together expertise from education, policy, activism, and research. United by a shared vision of sustainable development, we work across Africa, Europe, USA and Asia to empower the next generation of changemakers.
Hillary Abindabyamu
Project Lead
Uganda and Germany
Background
Abindabyamu is Ugandan German based sustainable civil engineer and systems thinker transforming how the world approaches SDG education and youth leadership.
As the Project Lead of Rolfes SDG Academy Hillary leads a global movement proving that youth aren’t just the future, they’re the solution NOW.
His background spans years across sustainable infrastructure design (EU Taxonomy, Level(s), Cradle to Cradle frameworks), youth leadership development, UN systems work (UNICEF, UNDP, UNV Volunteer assignments), and deliberative democracy. He serves as Research & Development Lead for RIBA Europe’s Sustainability Working Group, Working Group Member for COST Action European research networks, and Methodology Advisor for globally representative democratic models with Harvard, Oxford, and EUI experts.
Expertise
Civil engineering, climate adaptation, sustainable construction, SDG advocacy, education for sustainable development and Public speaking.
Connect
Email: abindabyamu.hillary@rolfessdgacademy.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abindabyamu-hillary-sustainable/
Yuno Rolfes
Academic Lead & Co-Founder
Germany
Background
Yuno is a PhD scholar with interdisciplinary expertise in chemistry, philosophy, and sustainability. As RSA’s Academic Lead, Yuno designs curriculum, ensures academic rigor, and leads research collaborations.
Expertise
Sustainability science, systems thinking, natural and social sciences, pedagogy, curriculum development
Connect
yuno@rolfessdgacademy.org
Lena Herz
UN Strategic Advisor & Co-Founder
Germany
Background
Lena brings deep UN expertise and strategic guidance to RSA, connecting our work to international frameworks and multilateral partnerships. With experience across UNDP, UNESCO, and climate governance, Lena ensures RSA aligns with global best practices.
Expertise
UN systems, international policy, climate governance, SDG implementation, strategic partnerships
Nicholas Omonuk
Community Engagement Lead
International
Background
Nicholas Omonuk is a Ugandan climate justice activist and systems thinker dedicated
to building equitable transitions away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable development in Africa. Founder of End Fossil Occupy Uganda, a climate justice movement advocating for fossil fuel phase-out and just transitions that center equity and fairness for communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.
With a degree in Land Economics from Kyambogo University, Nicholas has become a leading voice in global climate advocacy, representing Most Affected People and Areas (MAPA) at UNFCCC conferences (COP27,28 29 and 30), and co-organizing the Agape Earth Coalition, a united force of youth climate activists, NGOs, and grassroots movements. His work spans international policy advocacy (UNFCCC climate negotiations), community-level climate action (tree planting in 100+ schools),forest protection campaigns (Bugoma & Mabira forests), and opposition to extractive projects threatening African communities (East African Crude Oil Pipeline). Nicholas has participated in major international forums including the European Forum Alpbach and multiple UN climate conferences, bringing Global South perspectives to climate policy discussions.
He is now Community Engagement Lead of Rolfes SDG Academy, leading global youth-led climate educationand systems change initiatives. Nicholas leads community recruitment, ground truth, and ensures RSA stays connected to frontline realities.
Expertise
Grassroots organizing, climate activism, community engagement, African development, youth mobilization
Abigail Kwarteng
Operations and Partnerships Coordinator
International
Background
Abigail Kwarteng is a Ghanaian development professional and operations specialist
dedicated to building collaborative ecosystems that accelerate youth-led climate
action and sustainable development across Africa and globally.
As Operations & Partnerships Coordinator for Rolfes SDG Academy, Abigail manages the operational infrastructure and institutional partnerships that enable RSA’s mission of democratising climate education and systems thinking for young leaders (18-35) worldwide.
Her work involves coordinating across university partners, managing relationships with
NGOs and climate justice organisations, overseeing program logistics for RSA’s flagship
initiatives (Solar Cohort, Global Youth Parliament, Expert Lecture Series), and ensuring
seamless collaboration among RSA’s distributed international team. Based in Ghana and Germany with global reach, Abigail brings deep expertise in African development contexts, community
engagement, institutional change management, and partnership development.
Her background spans non-profit operations, youth empowerment initiatives, and social impact coordination across West Africa, where she has worked with organizations focused on sustainable development, climate action, and youth leadership. Abigail is committed to ensuring thatRSA’s operations center equity, sustainability, and authentic partnership models, rejecting
extractive practices and championing collaborative approaches that honor the leadership
and knowledge of Global South institutions and communities. She ensures that RSA’s
institutional partnerships are built on mutual benefit, shared power, and genuine
commitment to youth-led systems change.
Academic Advisory Council
Our Academic Advisory Council comprises 8–15 senior scholars and sector leaders who guide our curriculum, research, and strategic direction. Advisors include experts in:
- Climate Science & Adaptation
- Education & Systems Change
- Policy & Governance
- African Development & Equity
- Youth & Community Engagement
- Funding & Institutional Partnerships
- Biodiversity & Conservation
- Sustainable Development Economics
- Indigenous Knowledge & Environmental Justice
- Technology & Innovation for Sustainability
[Full Advisory Council member bios coming soon – currently recruiting]
Global Ambassadors
Across Africa, Asia, America and Europe, our Global Ambassadors are redesigning SDG education from the ground up.
Each ambassador is a systems thinker someone who understands that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a justice issue. They lead recruitment, facilitate learning, build bridges between universities and communities, and document evidence that youth-led approaches work.
They represent 25+ countries, 3 continents, and one unified belief: youth should co-architect solutions, not be trained to execute them.
OUR AMBASSADORS LEAD IN FIVE KEY AREAS:
REGIONAL STRATEGY
- Develop and execute regional plans for youth recruitment, institutional partnerships, and program adaptation. Ambassadors design what success looks like in their context.
PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT
- Recruit 15-25 youth per cohort for RSA’s flagship programs (Solar Cohort,
- Parliamentary Debates, Lecture Series). Build community awareness and momentum.
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
- Secure partnerships with universities, ministries, NGOs, and community organizations.
- Position RSA as a trusted partner for youth-inclusive development.
CURRICULUM FEEDBACK
- Provide ongoing feedback on curriculum relevance, accessibility, and cultural fit.
- Ensure our materials are grounded in local context.
STORYTELLING & ADVOCACY
- Document and amplify stories of change. Share lessons learned. Build media coverage and narrative around youth leadership in your region.
TIME COMMITMENT: 3-5 hours per month (flexible based on regional capacity)
Want to Join Our Team?
We’re always looking for passionate individuals to contribute to our mission.