Bojana Ilić is a dedicated human rights advocate and international project manager with the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With more than 20 years of experience leading regional and international initiatives, she specializes in advancing human rights, gender equality, and crisis response through advocacy, research, and capacity-building. She has collaborated with leading organizations such as UNDP, the Swiss Red Cross, the Nordic Institute, and other international NGOs, integrating gender perspectives into disaster risk reduction and humanitarian projects across Europe. Bojana holds a master’s degree in international leadership from the University of Stavanger in Norway and a specialization in Development Management for INGOs from the International People’s College in Denmark. Her work bridges partnerships with UN agencies, EU institutions, and civil society organizations to promote inclusive policies and strengthen community-based approaches. As a consultant, she has supported international development agencies in advancing women’s empowerment. During the Humphrey Fellowship, Ilić aims to deepen her expertise in advocating for women’s participation in decision-making and humanitarian efforts.

Jie Liu is a distinguished legal practitioner and leading expert in environmental law in China. She holds a master’s degree in Environment and Law from Lancaster University in the UK. With more than a decade of experience spanning top-tier law firms and prominent NGOs, she has spearheaded groundbreaking national and international programs by critically examining the intersection of environmental law, climate change policy, and the evolving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) landscape, advising corporations and financial institutions on credible sustainability implementation. Her expertise is particularly sought after in combating corporate greenwashing, where she leverages her deep legal knowledge to help clients navigate disclosure regulations, mitigate litigation risk, and develop authentic, verifiable ESG strategies. As a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, she will dedicate her research to advancing climate change law, with specific emphasis on developing robust legal frameworks to hold corporations accountable for misleading ESG and sustainability claims.

Marlon Jay G. Moneva serves as Presiding Judge of the RTC Branch 74 in Cebu City, where he is recognized for leadership and innovation in modernizing court systems and fostering collaboration across justice sector institutions. As Convenor of the Cebu City Justice Zone, which is a pioneering coordination platform, he has strengthened partnerships among courts, prosecution, public defense, law enforcement, and civil society, improving local legal processes. Previously, he served as MTC Judge for 10 years. As President of the Philippine Trial Judges League, he led efforts resulting in the passage of R.A. No. 10709 which grants annual 30-day leave privileges to first-level court judges. As a two-term Executive Judge of RTC Cebu City, he guided key operational reforms, streamlined case management, and acted against fraudulent notarial practices. As a CPA, Judge Moneva taught accounting while pursuing his law degree. He now teaches law and lectures for the MCLE. He holds both a Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees and is a lifetime member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. As a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, he focuses on judicial leadership, international exchange, and strengthening justice sector programs in the Philippines.

Chilombo Mukena has more than seven years of diverse experience in both private and public law practice. She specializes in human rights advocacy and strategic public interest litigation, particularly in the areas of digital rights and freedom of expression. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Zambia and a Master of Laws in International Human Rights Law and Public Policy (First Class Honors) from University College Cork. She is also an Advocate of the Superior Courts of Zambia and an alumna of the Ireland Africa Fellowship Program. Chilombo has led multiple public interest litigation efforts addressing human rights concerns at both the national and regional levels, including work before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. She has also directed several programs in collaboration with development partners and stakeholders, ensuring rights-centered programming in shrinking civic spaces and designing capacity-strengthening initiatives for civil society partners. She is proficient in human rights monitoring and reporting, legislative analysis, and policy development. As a Humphrey Fellow, she will focus on strategic litigation and policy development in the fields of cybersecurity and internet regulation, advancing her research on contextually appropriate, human-rights-based approaches to technology regulation.

Muhammad Wajid Munir is a distinguished lawyer and civil servant from Pakistan. He holds an LL.B. (Hons) and an LL.M. in Corporate Law from the International Islamic University, Islamabad. He currently serves as Deputy District Public Prosecutor in the Federal Criminal Prosecution Service, representing the state in criminal cases before the Islamabad High Court. He has also practiced law with several firms in Islamabad, representing clients in matters involving environmental law and regulatory compliance. At the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department, he drafted legislation and rules on a wide range of issues, including environmental protection and minority rights. His scholarly contributions include academic papers, conference presentations, and a book chapter on climate change and public interest environmental litigation. As a Humphrey Fellow, Wajid seeks to deepen his expertise in international environmental law, with a particular focus on climate-related loss and damage issues affecting developing countries.

Ross Parkash is a committed development professional and minority rights activist in Pakistan, dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities. Until July 2025, he served as Program Coordinator with a regional NGO. Heholds an MBA, an M.A. in International Relations, and an LL.B. Ross volunteers with two major government bodies: the Minority Rights Committee of the Sindh Human Rights Commission and the National Commission on the Rights of Child’s Working Group of Minorities. He also contributes to the Interfaith Harmony Committee formed by the Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad and the Peace Committee under the DIG Police Hyderabad, promoting religious tolerance and civic cooperation. From 2017 to 2020, he served as an elected member of the Executive Council of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. His efforts span human rights advocacy, peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and policy development, including advocacy for the Hindu Marriage Act. In 2010, he received the National Youth Award from the Government of Pakistan for his community service. He is also an alumnus of several think tanks focused on democracy and human rights. As a Humphrey Fellow, Ross will focus on deepening his expertise in international instruments and advocacy to advance minority rights.

Yvonne Doh Penkwang is a Court Registry Administrator at the Constitutional Council of Cameroon, where she plays an important role in advancing constitutional justice. She holds a master’s degree in law and is a graduate of the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM). With a decade of experience in the justice sector, she has worked in criminal investigations, civil and commercial litigation, and judicial administration. As a pioneer staff member since the Council’s inception in 2018, she has also earned a certificate in judgment execution from the 9th Summer School of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts. Yvonne is deeply committed to access to justice, human rights, and peacebuilding in conflict-affected areas. She leads the Women of Hope Association, which supports widows and vulnerable children in the aftermath of the Anglophone crisis. Believing in the power of collective action, Penkwang, as a Humphrey Fellow, will focus on deepening her expertise in legal reform and transitional justice.

Gospodin Tonev serves as a judge at the Sofia District Court, the largest court in Bulgaria. He holds a Master of Laws from Sofia University and an LL.M. in Global Business Law and Regulation from Central European University in Austria. As a first-instance judge, he presides over civil and commercial cases. Tonev is also a Ph.D. candidate at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, where his research focuses on the private enforcement of the Digital Markets Act. His professional interests include civil, commercial, and competition law, as well as the intersection of law and technology. He has actively participated in numerous trainings and conferences in Bulgaria and abroad, both as a speaker and an attendee, contributing to the ongoing discourse in these fields. A dedicated advocate for the rule of law and judicial independence, Tonev will, as a Humphrey Fellow, focus on exploring how the judiciary can become more transparent, accountable, and fair—while also strengthening democratic values and public trust in legal institutions.

Dorina Zhupa has more than 17 years of experience as a lawyer in both public and private practice. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Tirana, Albania, and an LL.M. from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Most recently, Albania has undergone a comprehensive justice reform aimed at combating corruption, particularly within the judiciary. Zhupa has served as a National Legal Advisor for this reform. She has also worked as a Legal Expert for the European Union and other international projects, focusing on areas such as the integrity of elected officials and post-legislative scrutiny. Believing that knowledge is one of the most important tools for empowering citizens, she also dedicates herself to providing free legal advice to people from less privileged backgrounds. As a Humphrey Fellow, Zhupa aims to focus on the challenges of anti-corruption legal frameworks and practices and how technology can assist them.

Maryia Zhurava is a legal and public policy professional specializing in sports governance and athlete advocacy. She is the Co-founder and Secretary General of the FREE SPOrT Foundation in Warsaw, where she leads policy initiatives supporting athletes’ rights across Europe. She has worked with international institutions including the OSCE, national Ministries of Sport, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, managing more than 40 government negotiations and 29 legal cases related to athlete protection. Maryia holds a master’s degree in law from Belarusian State University and a diploma in Diplomacy from the University of Warsaw. She has also served as a Disciplinary Officer at Rugby Europe and as a Special Commissioner at Poland’s Ministry of Sport. As a Humphrey Fellow, she aims to explore global athlete protection systems, ethical sports governance, and U.S. public policy mechanisms to strengthen advocacy for vulnerable groups in international sport.