Diversifying the world of sustainable development with innovative perspectives
by helping young people become valued thought partners
while engaging the global movements of our generation.
We’re South-North Scholars.
Founded at Duke University — the only university in the
American South with a sister institution in the Global South,
Duke Kunshan University — we’re a global team of young professionals and students across 4 continents.
Together, we’re paying forward mentorship from leading scholars and executives in sustainable development. Their message is clear: cultivating the next generation of global problem solvers is the key to addressing humanity’s toughest challenges.
To foster this, we collaborate with experts at institutions like the United Nations, NGOs, and multinational corporations to develop innovative research and career development programs that put the perspectives and growth priorities of young people first.
Join us in championing innovative knowledge and inspiring our generation to re-imagine our careers toward global impact.
Meet Our Team
Our leadership team is deeply privileged to collaborate and innovate with our fellow young leaders in 130+ countries.
Do you have ideas for expanding the impact of South-North Scholars, or want to collaborate? Please get in touch below.
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Charlie Zong
Founding Executive Director and South-North Scholars Co-Director
United States of America
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Nino Nadirashvili
Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief of Nexus, and South-North Scholars Co-Director
Georgia
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Terry Uranbold
Lead, Global Pathways 2024 and Advisor, Global Program Strategy
Mongolia
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Courtney Yribarren
Lead, South-North Scholars at Duke and Lead, Room for Peace
United States of America
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Nicolás Velasco
Co-Founder, South-North Scholars at Duke Kunshan University
Colombia
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Faith Ho
Co-Lead, Room for Peace
Malaysia
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Amanda Niza Gonzalez Mejia
Editorial Board, Nexus
Venezuela & United States of America
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Cody Schmidt
Editorial Board, Nexus
United States of America
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Michelle Schultze
Editorial Board, Nexus
United States of America
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Aisha Shen
Co-Lead for Publicity and External Relations, Global Pathways 2024
Kazakhstan
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Liam Roj Curaming
Organizing Team, Global Pathways 2024
The Philippines
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Iveel Tengis
Organizing Team, Global Pathways 2024
Mongolia
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Maxwell Simbuwa
Editorial Board, Nexus (Issue I)
Zambia
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Tianyi Ma
Organizing Team, Global Pathways 2024
China
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Joshua Suh
Global Strategy and Editorial Board, Nexus (Issue I)
United States of America
Former team members
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Elias Guedira
Former Member
United States of America
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Jonathan Nguyen
Former Member
Vietnam
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Durga Sreenivasan
Former Member
United States of America
Our Impact
3,500+
130+
students reached worldwide
countries represented (across all inhabited continents)
100+
scholars and professionals serving as
advisors and speakers
17
UN Sustainable Development Goals discussed in our events
120
multicultural teams of young leaders in Solving for Humanity
8
undergraduate research disciplines
published in our Nexus journal
15
youth-led network partners around the world
12
30+
global events this year
industries and academic fields
reflected in events and resources