International Youth Volunteers

Our international youth volunteers are proud alumni of the Young People Travel Global Edge program. Having experienced transformative travel, cultural immersion, and leadership development firsthand, they now serve as global ambassadors—giving back through service, mentoring, and international advocacy. These dedicated young leaders continue to embody the mission of YPT by promoting cross-cultural understanding, inspiring future participants, and making a lasting impact in communities.

Our students participate in several programs, including our International Scholars Program, our 8-Week Learning Journeys, our Young Ambassador Program, and other local, regional, international and virtual opportunities.

Some of our international scholars complete multiple-week virtual internships where they discuss topics like the Northern Triangle, climate change, Black Lives Matter, diplomacy and ambassadorship, natural disasters and preparedness, and human rights with teens their age from around the U.S. and from several countries, including Kosovo, Mexico and El Salvador. They also work on special teams focusing on Social Media & Marketing, Research, Fundraising & Sponsorship, and organizational operations.

Meet some of our scholars below.

Jordyn

Suffolk University

Lindsay

Spellman College

Taylor

Delaware State University

Ravawn

Georgia State University

Kendall

Hampton University

All the students above are now alumni and serve as university mentors.

Board Members

Sanya Weston

Founder

Sanya Tyson Weston is CEO of Your Premier Travel Service, the oldest African-American owned travel agency in Detroit, and founder of Young People Travel Global Edge, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving inner-city youth in Detroit. Weston has more than 30 years of experience planning and organizing travel excursions. A third-generation business owner, Sanya has been an entrepreneur and community leader in her beloved Detroit community for over half of her life.

Janel Johnson

Board Member

Janel F. Johnson is a young adult with a passion for travel and a wanderlust spirit. She believes that travel should expose a visitor to the true nature of a foreign locale. When in a new country, Janel can be found traversing local public transportation or becoming a regular at a local bakery. She loves to travel to experience how others live and to expand her view of the world. She is the definition of actively working to “expand your horizons.”

Tanya Duncan

Board Member

Tanya is a Financial Services Senior Officer with 17+ years of experience at the Massachusetts Bankers Association (one of the largest state banking trade associations nationwide) and in-depth banking industry knowledge and expertise. She is also skilled at advancing legislative and regulatory policies that stimulate economic growth.

Debra Brown

Board Member

Debra Hines Brown is the CEO and Founder of SmartBird World Travel and SB World Luxe Travel. A former U.S. Army Officer and executive in commercial risk management, she now curates bespoke, culturally immersive luxury travel experiences across the globe. Based in Atlanta, she also mentors new travel advisors and has served on advisory boards including Global Travel Market and the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority.

Melissa Halpin

Board Member

As CEO & Principal of Memora, Melissa is an executive with a deep background in the creation and management of compelling experiences for museums, foundations, and Fortune 1000 brands. Collaborative leader of multi-disciplinary teams able to deliver across exhibit, event, print, and digital interactives. Co-Founder of several digital product start-ups including ScreenFuture, Tonechaser and The Kindling Project.

Onnie Jacque

Board Member

Onnie B. Jacque is a distinguished professional based in the Detroit Metropolitan Area, renowned for her unwavering commitment to empowering young women through mentorship, advocacy, and leadership.

Her active participation in professional circles and consistent support for peers highlight her role as a connector and advocate for inclusive leadership. Onnie’s career is marked by a blend of strategic insight and heartfelt service, making her a respected figure in both corporate and community spheres.

Tongi Leonce

Board Member

Tongie is Founder and CEO of Pivot Solutions Group, LLC in Dallas, Texas where she helps small businesses and individuals “shift” for success.

Tongie has a proven track record of developing leaders and responsible servants in the workforce. She also volunteers her time to mentor young people and provide guidance on pursuing their career goals.

Her unique skillset as an Engineer and HR Leader brings a level of strategic focus to attract, develop, engage and connect all Stakeholders for positive outcomes.

Brenda O'Neale

Board Member

Brenda O’Neale is the owner of With This Ring Destination Weddings and Honeymoons, a leading agency with over 30 years of experience. A recognized expert in celebratory travel across the Caribbean and Mexico, she serves as Sales Director for MarryCaribbean.com and chairs the Antigua and Barbuda Travel Agent Advisory Board. Brenda is also a Cruise World Board Member, a published writer, and a sought-after speaker in the travel industry.

Brittany Ray

Board Member

Brittany Ray is Director of Change Management at KPMG US, where she leads initiatives across communications, training, leadership coaching, and adoption strategy. With a focus on digital enablement and transformation, she drives enterprise-wide change through inclusive leadership and measurable outcomes. Brittany is also a doctoral student and a passionate advocate for equity and innovation in the workplace.

Tiana Walden Hogue

Board Member

Rhonda Patton

Board Member

Shannon Steel

Trustee

Shannon Steel is the co-owner of the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Hotel in Southfield, becoming the youngest Black woman in the country to own a hotel, when the property was purchased in 2019. Steel and her partners put more than $3 million into renovating the 9-story, 239-room hotel, formerly branded as the Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel.

Shannon was raised in Detroit, where she played basketball at Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School for the legendary William Winfield. Steel earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Houston where she hooped and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. She is also a graduate of Harvard Business School Online, earning a certificate of finance.

Advisors

Destiney Finch

Advisor

Destiney is a former collegiate scholar-athlete, a Kentucky State University alum. Destiney has 15+ years in athletics as a player, coach and mentor. She is the Founder of “The Pink Laces Foundation” a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization geared toward bringing awareness to female high-school athletes of color and urban areas to earn athletic scholarships. Destiney enjoys working with youth, developing their confidence and communication skills, and traveling around the world.

Margaret Mutumba

Advisor

Margaret Mutumba is a passionate public health researcher with over 10 years of experience in maternal and reproductive health, particularly focused on affordable infertility care in Sub-Saharan Africa. Margaret is the founder of Infertility Voices, an advocacy platform that seeks to increase awareness, broaden access, and improve the affordability of fertility care in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Our Partners

We would like to personally thank all of our YPT Global Edge Sponsors and Partners. We appreciate your generosity and are very grateful for your support. Commitments like yours give us hope that lives will be changed, one student at a time! If you’re interested in becoming a Sponsor, complete our sponsorship interest form. You can also make a donation.