Meet the 2017 JCI International Officer Candidates

At the 2016 JCI World Congress in Québec City, Canada, Chief Delegates and National Presidents from JCI Organizations from around the world will gather to elect the leaders of the international organization for 2017. Your chosen representatives will be selected from the following list of candidates, including the 2017 JCI Vice Presidents, 2017 JCI Executive Vice Presidents and the 2017 JCI President.
 
Discover the candidates’ bios and learn about their plans for the future of JCI in person at the 2016 JCI World Congress during the 2017 Vice President Candidates Presentation and Caucus on October 31, 2016 and the 2017 Executive Vice President and President Candidates Presentation and Caucus on November 1, 2016.
 
The candidates appear in alphabetical order by last name and are sorted by the position for which they applied.
For the Office of JCI President: 

Candidate: Dawn Hetzel
National Organization: JCI USA

Born March 31, 1977 in Washington, D.C., USA, Dawn Hetzel holds a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor degree. She has worked as a lobbyist for the State of Indiana and most recently as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan. She resides in Lansing, Michigan, USA.

Hetzel joined JCI Indianapolis of JCI USA in 2002. She became Local President in 2005, State President in 2008 and National Vice President in 2012.

At the international level, Hetzel served as JCI General Legal Counsel in 2013, Executive Vice President assigned to the Americas in 2014 and Chief Executive Assistant to the President in 2015. She has attended 11 JCI Area Conferences and six JCI World Congresses. She has been honored as JCI Senator #68200. She speaks English.

 

For the Office of JCI Executive Vice President:
Four Candidates will be elected to serve as 2017 JCI Executive Vice Presidents, one each assigned to Africa and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, the Americas and Europe.

Canidate: Jonathan James Borg
National Organization: JCI Malta

Born February 15, 1981 in High Wycombe, UK, Jonathan James Borg holds a Master’s degree and owns three businesses in the fields of renewable energies, management consulting and manufacturing. He resides in Malta with his 6-year-old daughter Emilie.

Borg joined JCI La Vallette of JCI Malta in 2010. He became National Vice President in 2012, National President in 2013 and Immediate Past National President in 2014 and 2015.

At the international level, Borg served as JCI Vice President in 2015 where he was awarded the JCI Presidential Award for Most Outstanding Vice President for Europe. He currently serves as the 2016 Special Assistant for Sponsorship for Europe. He has attended six JCI Area Conferences and five JCI World Congresses. He has been honored as JCI Senator #75028. He speaks English, Maltese and Italian fluently and has basic knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic, German and Tagalog.

 

Candidate: Candice Mélanie Henriquez
National Organization: JCI Dutch Caribbean

Born on April 7, 1977 in Willemstad, Curaçao, Candice Henriquez holds a Master’s degree in economics. She resides in Willemstad, Curaçao and works as head of the research department of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. She is also a part-time lecturer on economics, money and banking at the Intercontinental University of Curaçao.

Henriquez joined JCI IOBA Curaçao in 2004. In 2009, she became Local President and National President of JCI Dutch Caribbean in 2011.

At the international level, Henriquez has attended 10 JCI Area Conferences, four JCI World Congresses and one JCI Academy in Japan. Henriquez was 2014 JCI Growth and Development Committee Member for the Americas and also 2015 JCI Vice President assigned to the Americas. Currently she is serving as JCI General Legal Counsel. Henriquez is a JCI Certified Local Trainer. She has been honored as JCI Senator #71280 and is also a JCI Foundation Phil Pugsley Patron. Henriquez speaks English, Spanish, Papiamentu and Dutch fluently and has a basic knowledge of French.

 

Candidate: Marc Brian Lim
National Organization: JCI Philippines

Born on December 26, 1978 in Dagupan City, Philippines, Marc Brian Lim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Operations & Strategic Management and Marketing; he received a Minor in Human Resources Management. Lim furthered his education at the Asian Institute of Management and finished three Executive Development Courses: Management of Family Corporations, Negotiations and Financial Management. Furthermore, Lim has a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB).

Lim became a member of JCI Philippines in 2008 and was elected as JCI Dagupan Bangus President in 2013—the same year in which JCI Dagupan Bangus was awarded the Most Outstanding Local Organization in the Philippines.  In 2014, he was elected as Area Vice President, honored as JCI Senator No. 73006, awarded as the country’s Most Outstanding Area Vice President and elected to serve as National President in 2015.

 

At the international level, Lim served as Vice President for Asia and the Pacific in 2016. Lim has attended three JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congresses. He is fluent in English.

 

Candidate: Andrés Alejandro Gutiérrez Díaz
National Organization: JCI Colombia

Born June 10, 1979, in Duitama, Boyacá, Colombia, Andrés Gutiérrez holds a college degree in industrial design. He is a partner of Autobuses Aga de Colombia, a family-owned business that builds buses where he was also a board member from 2010–2015. Since 2005, he has worked as managing director at his own design and innovation company Studio Libido. He resides in Bogotá, Colombia with his wife Liliana.

 

Gutiérrez is a founding member of JCI Acción Duitama, created in 2006, where he also served as Local President in 2007. In 2013, he served as National President. Currently, he is a member of JCI Bogotá.

 

At the international level, Gutiérrez served as 2014 JCI Vice President for the Americas. He has attended seven JCI Area Conferences, three JCI Global Partnership Summits and five JCI World Congresses. He has been honored as JCI Senator #70010 and is a Phil Pugsley JCI Foundation Patron. Gutiérrez speaks English and Spanish.

 

Candidate: Kone Marc-Arnaud Fangatougo
National Organization: JCI Côte d’Ivoire

 

Born April 18, 1981 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Marc-Arnaud Kone holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and works as head of mission of a service company. He resides in Abidjan with his fiancé.

 

Kone joined JCI Abidjan in 2006. He became Local President in 2010, State President in 2012 and National President in 2014.

 

At the international level, Kone has served as 2015 JCI Vice President for Europe and 2016 JCI Peace is Possible Committee Member. He has attended six JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congresses. He was honored as JCI Senator #72369. He speaks French and English.

 

 

For the Office of JCI Vice President: 

Seventeen 2017 Vice Presidents will be elected, four assigned to Africa and the Middle East, four assigned to Asia and the Pacific, four assigned to the Americas and five assigned to Europe.

 

Candidate: Kolawole Osinowo
National Organization: JCI Nigeria

Born December 20, 1980 in Lagos, Nigeria, Kolawole Osinowo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering. He works at Microsoft as Senior Business Manager for West Central Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. He resides in Lagos with his wife Titilola, their son Faisal and daughter Yasmeen.
In 2004, Kolawole joined JCI Lagos State University. He was appointed National Director of Training in 2006, JCI Lagos City President in 2007, National Vice President in 2015 and National Executive Vice President in 2016.

At the international level, Kolawole served as 2008 JCI Training Coordinator for Africa and the Middle East, 2009 JCI Special Assistant on Sponsorship for Africa and the Middle East and 2011 JCI Training Committee Member for Africa and the Middle East. He has attended 11 JCI Area Conferences and seven JCI World Congresses. He is a Phil Pugsley JCI Foundation Patron. Kolawole speaks English.

 

Candidate: Chris Curtola 

National Organization: JCI Canada

 

Born April 3, 1977 in Edmonton, Canada, Chris Curtola is a businessman who works in real estate, marketing and management.

Curtola joined JCI Edmonton in 2002 and became Local President in 2011. He was appointed as Regional Vice President in 2014 and JCI Canada President in 2016.

At the international level, Curtola has attended three JCI Area Conferences and seven JCI World Congresses. He was honored as JCI Senator #73145. Curtola speaks fluent English.

 

Candidate: Alexandrine Codjovi 

National Organization: JCI Benin

 

Born February 11, 1978 in Cotonou, Benin, Corinne Alexandrine Sènanmin Codjovi holds a Master of Economics degree in Marketing, a Master of Audit and Control of Finance as well as Master of Project Management. For 15 years, she served in nongovernmental international organizations and is currently employed at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) Benin, as National Director of Finance and Administration. She lives in Cotonou with her two children Chrys Armand Omonni and Auxanne Norya Wouraola.

 

Codjovi joined JCI Local Sun in 2006 and was appointed Local President in 2012. She was also National Vice President of Region 5 in 2013, National General Treasurer in 2014, National Executive Vice-President in 2015 and JCI Benin President in 2016.

 

She has attended four JCI Area Conferences and one JCI World Congress. She has been honored as JCI Senator #73513. She speaks French and English.

 

Candidate: Leung Kwok Chu Anthony 

National Organization: JCI Hong Kong

 

Born June 18, 1978 in Hong Kong, Anthony Leung holds a Master’s degree of Information Management, Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, and is also a Research Team Lead of Computer Science Lab in Tsinghua University Beijing, China. Leung is co-founder of China People Creative group and its subsidy companies in IT, marketing, training and consulting industries in China, the US, Spain and Southeast Asia. Leung resides in Hong Kong with his wife Midco and their son Kinsey.

 

In 2006, Leung joined JCI City and became Local President in 2011. During his term, JCI City won two best local project awards at the 2011 JCI World Congress in Brussels, Belgium. He was appointed National President in 2015.

 

At the international level, Anthony has been honored as JCI Senator #72579 and also as a JCI Foundation Patron. In 2011, he served as JCI Appointee of Executive Assistant to the President for Asia and the Pacific. Leung has attended nine JCI Area Conferences and six JCI World Congresses. He speaks English.

 

Candidate: Maria Leonie Martine de Groot 

National Organization: JCI Netherlands

 

Born May 5, 1981 in Lieshout, the Netherlands, Marion de Groot holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Design Engineering, and works as an independent requirements engineer and information analyst for several large and small companies. She is currently in the graduation phase of a master’s degree in software engineering. She resides in Amsterdam, the Netherlands with her partner Peter Snel.

 

De Groot joined JCI Amsterdam International in 2008. She became Local President in 2010 and Executive Vice President for the National Board in 2011 and 2012. In 2016, she fulfilled the position of JCI Training and Skills Development Committee member for Europe.

 

She has attended eight JCI Area Conferences and seven JCI World Congresses. She was honored as JCI Senator #71795. She speaks Dutch, English, Thai, French, German, Chinese and Japanese (in descending order of fluency).

 

Candidate: MHD Omar Alkhiami 

National Organization: JCI Syria

 

Born June 23, 1986 in Damascus, Syria, Omar Alkhiami holds three degrees in public relations, marketing and international relations, and works as a consultant with many businesses and international NGOs in Syria and Lebanon. He resides in Damascus, Syria.

 

Alkhiami joined JCI Damascus in 2009. He became a Local Director in 2009 and a JCI Syria Ambassador in 2009. He was awarded Best Member of JCI Damascus in 2011, Best Member of JCI Syria in 2011 and Best Local Member at the 2012 JCI Africa and the Middle East Conference. He became Local President in 2013, National Vice President in 2013 and 2014 and National President in 2016.

 

At the international level, Alkhiami has attended three JCI Area Conferences and seven JCI World Congresses. He has been honored as JCI Senator #75375. He speaks Arabic, English and French.

 

Candidate: Nezha Labyed 

National Organization: JCI Morocco

Born August 1, 1984 in Casablanca, Morocco, Nezha Labyed holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Controlling and works as a Finance Controlling Manager of a multinational company. She resides in Casablanca, Morocco with her family.

 

Labyed joined JCI Casablanca in 2009. She became Local President in 2012, National Vice President in 2013 and 2015, and State President in 2016.

 

At the international level, Labyed has attended four JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congresses. She speaks English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

 

Candidate: Kevin Hinds 

National Organization: JCI West Indies

 

Born September 24, 1980 in Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies, Kevin Hinds holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Management and works as Regional Manager of business performance, product and strategy implementation at one of the leading banking institutions in the Caribbean. He resides in Barbados, with his wife Natalie.

 

Hinds joined JCI Barbados in December 2007. He became Local President in 2013 and National President in 2015.

 

At the international level, he has attended three JCI Area Conferences and one JCI World Congress. Hinds is also a graduate of the 2014 JCI Japan Academy. He speaks English fluently and is actively seeking to improve his Spanish.

 

Candidate: Maidalyz Toro Vega 

National Organization: JCI Puerto Rico

 

Born on March 13, 1983 in Yauco, Puerto Rico, Maidalyz Toro Vega has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology; Master’s in Clinical Social Work and serves as Coordinator Customer Service at Mayagüez Medical Center Hospital. She resides with her family in the city of San Germán, Puerto Rico.

 

She joined JCI Mayagüez in 2001. She was appointed Local President in 2011. At the national level, she served as National Secretary in 2009, National Vice President in 2012, Legal Adviser in 2013 and National President of JCI Puerto Rico in 2014.

 

She has attended six JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congresses. She graduated from the Leadership Academy of the Americas (ALA) in 2011. She has been honored with JCI Senator #73503. She speaks Spanish and English.

 

Candidate: Sandra Veronica Salgueiro Almanza 

National Organization: JCI Bolivia

 

Born January 1, 1979 in Cochabamba, Bolivia, Sandra Salgueiro has a graduate degree in Social Communication and a Master’s degree in Communication, Organization and International Protocol. Salgueiro launched her own company, which specializes in event management, public relations and corporate image. She also teaches postgraduate programs at three universities.

 

Salguerio joined JCI Femenino Cochabamba in 2006. She also served as the Conference Organizing Committee Director of the 2015 JCI Conference of the Americas in Cochabamba.

 

At the international level, Salgueiro graduated from the 2012 JCI American Leadership Academy (ALA), became a JCI Foundation Patron and was honored as a JCI Senator. She has attended nine JCI Area Conferences, three JCI World Congresses and one JCI Global Partnership Summit. She has also attended all JCI courses. She speaks English.

 

Candidate: Mathew Blessing Mutavayi 

National Organization: JCI Zimbabwe

 

Born December 15, 1979 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Mathew Blessing Mutavayi holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Risk Management and works as managing director of Alsfeld Trading. He resides in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe with his wife Otillia.

 

Mutavayi joined JCI Bulawayo in 2002. He became Local President in 2007 and National President in 2015.

 

At the international level, Mutavayi has served as JCI Africa and the Middle East Development Councilor in 2016. He has attended four JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. He has been honored as JCI Senator #74699. He is a graduate of the 27thJCI Academy. He speaks English.

 

Candidate: Céline Bleher 

National Organization: JCI France

 

Born July 22, 1981 in Saint Mande, France, Céline Bléher holds a Masters in Human Resources as well as a business school degree. She works as an HR manager at a wine and spirits company. She resides in Angers, France with her spouse Alexis.

 

Bléher joined JCI Angoulême–Cognac in 2008, before joining JCI Saumur in 2011. She became Local President in 2010, Regional Vice President in 2011 and National President in 2015.

 

At an international level, Bléher has attended three JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. She speaks English and German.

 

Candidate: Daniel Guarderas Donoso 

National Organization: JCI Ecuador

 

Born on September 4, 1980 in Quito, Ecuador, Daniel Guarderas Donoso has a degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing and Sales. Guarderas serves as the Commercial Manager for Business Group Mosquera Aulestia. Additionally, he is a consultant for several companies at the national and international level. Guarderas resides in Quito with his wife and children Gabriela, Camila and Juan Jose.

 

Guarderas joined JCI Quito in 2000, where he was Local President in 2009, National Vice President in 2010 and National Executive Vice President in 2015. Currently, he serves as 2016 National President.

 

At the international level, he has attended six JCI Area Conferences and one JCI World Congress. He is a graduate of 2010 Leadership Academy of the Americas and 2015 JCI Academy. He was honored as JCI Senator #73981. He speaks Spanish and English.

 

Candidate: Horst Wenske 

National Organization: JCI Germany

 

Born August 1, 1978 in Hamburg, Germany, Horst Wenske holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and an International Executive Master of Business Administration degree. He works as managing director of an IT, consulting and software development company. He resides in Karlsruhe, Germany.

 

Wenske joined JCI Karlsruhe in 2010. He became a JCI Karlsruhe Board Member in 2012, JCI Germany Training Director in 2013, JCI Germany Executive Vice President of International Affairs in 2014, JCI Germany Deputy National President in 2015 and JCI Germany National President in 2016.

 

He has attended all JCI World Congresses since 2010, and was awarded with a JCI Grand Slam Award for attending all JCI Area Conferences that year as well as the JCI World Congress in 2014. He has also attended one JCI Global Partnership Summit. He has been honored as JCI Senator #74645 and as a JCI Foundation Phil Pugsley Patron. He speaks German and English.

 

Candidate: Kazuki Tsuba 

National Organization: JCI Japan

 

Born December 26, 1981 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, Kazuki Tsuba works as Director of a traditional Japanese restaurant. He resides in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.
Tsuba joined JCI Kanazawa in 2011. He became Vice President for the General Affairs Department in 2015 and Chairperson of the JCI Affairs Commission in 2016.

 

At the international level, Tsuba served as 2014–2015 JCI APDC Treasurer. He has attended four JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. He was honored as JCI Senator #73184. He speaks English and Japanese.

 

Candidate: Kongjoo Kim 

National Organization: JCI Korea

 

Born November 26, 1977 in Busan, South Korea, Kongjoo Kim has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and runs a restaurant in Busan. Kim resides in Busan with her father and mother.

 

Kim joined JCI Busan Gangseo in 1996 and became Local President in 2006, National Vice President in 2009 and 2016.

 

Kim has attended eight JCI Area Conferences and seven JCI World Congresses. Kim was honored as JCI Senator #67064. She speaks English and Korean.

 

Candidate: Leonardo Manuel Perez Arias 

National Organization: JCI Colombia

 

Born on March 9, 1977 in Barranquilla (Atlantic), Colombia, Leonardo Perez received a Law degree, majoring in Administrative Law. He serves as Departmental Coordinator of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Colombia, assigned to the Department of La Guajira. He lives in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Perez joined JCI Santa Marta in 1995. He held the positions of Local President in 2005 and JCI Colombia National President in 2014.

At the international level, Perez served as a member of the UN Affairs and External Relations Committee for the Americas in 2015. Perez has attended five JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congresses. He speaks Spanish.

 

Candidate: Maharo E.F. Isenia 

National Organization: JCI Dutch Caribbean

 

Born on May 30, 1979 in Willemstad, Curaçao, Maharo Isenia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, is a Certified REISS Motivational Profile (RMP) practitioner and is pending his thesis for the bachelor’s degree in business engineering. He works as the Policy & Communication Adviser to the Minister in charge of Traffic, Transport (Aviation and Maritime) and Urban Planning of Curaçao. He resides in Curaçao.

 

Isenia joined JCI IOBA Curaçao in 2010. He became Local President in 2012 and JCI Dutch Caribbean National President in 2015.

 

At the international level, he is a graduate of the 2014 JCI Japan Academy. Isenia has attended seven JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congresses. Isenia has been honored as JCI Senator #74074 and is also a JCI Foundation Phil Pugsley Patron. He speaks English, Spanish, Papiamento and Dutch fluently.

 

Candidate: Oumar Ouedraogo 

National Organization: JCI Burkina Faso

 

Born January 2, 1982 in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, Oumar Ouedraogo holds a Master’s degree in Transport Logistics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. He works as an accountant for an insurance company and resides in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with his wife Diaratou and their son Abraham.

 

Ouedraogo joined JCI Ouaga Golden in 2005. He became Local President in 2013 and National President in 2016.

 

At the international level, Ouedraogo participated in three JCI Area Conferences and one JCI Academy in Japan. He was honored as JCI Senator #74530 and is a member of the JCI Foundation. He speaks French.

 

Candidate: Rajshree Bhaje 

National Organization: JCI India

 

Born December 25, 1978 in Berhampore, Mursidabad, Maharashtra, India. Rajshree Bhaje holds a Bachelor’s degree and a LLA degree and is also a practicing interior designer. She resides in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, with her husband and their daughter Manvi.

 

Bhaje joined JCI Nagpur Orient in 2005. She became Local President in 2006, Zone Vice President in 2011, Zone President in 2012 and National Executive Vice President in 2015.

 

At the international level, she has attended two JCI Area Conferences and two JCI World Congresses. She has been honored as JCI Senator #73716. She speaks English and Hindi.

 

Candidate: Reem Ghazai Shafiq Abdel-Hadi 

National Organization: JCI Jordan

 

Reem Abdel-Hadi has a degree in Industrial Engineering. She is currently a Community of Practice and Communications Specialist at USAID Takamol project focusing on gender. She resides in Amman.

 

Abdel-Hadi was a founding member of JCI Jordan where she served as the first Local President of the first established Local Organization JCI Amman in 2010. She continued to serve as National President in 2012.

 

At the international level, Abdel-Hadi served as 2013 JCI Special Assistant for Sponsorship and Finance for Africa and the Middle East. She has attended two JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. She speaks Arabic.

 

Candidate: Viktor Omarsson 

National Organization: JCI Iceland

 

Born June 17, 1983 in Borgarnes, Iceland, Viktor Omarsson studied political science, business administration, auditing and accounting and currently works as a business consultant and coach. He lives in Reykjavik, Iceland with his partner Elizes Low Zin Rui.

 

Omarsson joined JCI Reykjavík in 2010, became Local President in 2011 and National President of JCI Iceland in 2012.

 

At the international level, Omarsson serves as the current JCI European Development Council Chairperson. He has attended eight JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. He has been honored as JCI Senator #73511. He speaks English and Icelandic.

 

Candidate: Vitaliv Carrasco Lopez 

National Organization: JCI Peru

 

Vitaliv Carrasco was born on January 4, 1977 in Lima, Peru. She received a Master’s degree in Tax Policy and Administration. She is currently a tax advisor serving an institution for the Peruvian State. She resides in Lima.

 

Carrasco joined JCI Lima in 2002. She held the offices of Local President in 2013 and National President in 2015.

 

She has attended six JCI Area Conferences and four JCI World Congresses. She was honored as JCI Senate #74867. She speaks English and Spanish.

 

Candidate: Zoe Aphamis 

Naitonal Organization: JCI Cyprus

 

Born July 2, 1978 in Limassol, Cyprus, Zoe Aphamis holds an Associate Higher Diploma in Business Studies (Marketing) and owns a conference and events management business. She resides in Mesa Yitonia, Limassol, Cyprus.

 

Aphamis joined JCI Cyprus in 2008. She became Local President in 2012 and National President in 2016.

 

She has attended four JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congresses. She has been honored as JCI Senator #73062. She speaks Greek, English and a little French.

 

Candidate: Yosuke Seito
National Organization: JCI Japan

Born June 2, 1978  in Hirosaki City, Aomori, Japan, Yosuke Seito works as Executive Vice President for Hirosaki Koueki Co., Ltd. Seito currently resides in Hirosaki City, Aomori, Japan.

Seito joined JCI Hirosaki in 2005. He served as Vice President from 2009 to 2012, President in 2013 and Advisor in 2015.

At the international level, in 2016 Seito served as a Sponsorship Committee Member for Asia and the Pacific. He has attended three JCI Area Conferences and three JCI World Congresses. He speaks English and Japanese.

Take part in witnessing the exciting elections by registering today for the 2016 JCI World Congress in Québec City, Canada.

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