WILPF Announces Appointment of New International Board Members
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – the world’s longest-standing feminist peace organisation – is thrilled to announce its next International Board. The organisation is also announcing the appointment of Sylvie Ndongmo of WILPF Cameroon as its reelected International President.
The new members include:
- Sylvie Ndongmo of WILPF Cameroon as International President – re-elected
- Desiree Sterner of WILPF Sweden as Vice President
- Diana Salcedo of WILPF Colombia as Vice President
- Janette McLeod of WILPF Australia as International Treasurer – re-appointed
Regional representatives:
- Mabinty Soumah for Regional Representative for Africa
- Mercy Osei Konadu as Alternate Regional Representative for Africa
- Barbara Harley for Regional Representative for Asia Pacific
- Megan Hutchin as Alternate Regional Representative for Asia Pacific
- Sameena Nazir for Regional Representative for South Asia
- Negina Yari as Alternate Regional Representative for South Asia
- Rosa Logar for Regional Representative for Europe
- Hanne Peterson as Alternate Regional Representative for Europe
- Halal Kilani for Regional Representative for SWANA
- Ola Alagabari as Alternate Regional Representative for SWANA
The Americas representative will be elected at a future extraordinary session
Sylvie Ndongmo, is a Cameroonian peacebuilder, feminist leader, civil society actor and Women, Peace and Security expert with over 30 years of experience in peacebuilding, mediation, and gender equality advocacy. She serves as International President of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and Executive Secretary of Women Peace Initiatives. She coordinates the Women and Youth Early Warning Monitoring Room in Cameroon and was recently appointed to the African Union Advisory Panel on Democratic Elections and Governance in Africa. Her work focuses on advancing women’s leadership, conflict prevention, and sustainable peace through feminist, inclusive, and intergenerational approaches.
“Leadership is collective. No challenge is greater than the strength of a movement united by a common purpose, guided by feminist values, and committed to building a just and lasting peace. This is my vision for WILPF: a movement united in purpose, courageous in action, and unwavering in its commitment to feminist peace, justice, and freedom for all.” — Sylvie Ndongmo
Desirée Sterner currently serves as President of the Swedish Section (IKFF), a role she has held since 2023. Her engagement with WILPF began at the grassroots level through the local branch in Lund/Malmö during her university years. Desirée brings a deep substantive understanding of WILPF’s core issues, rooted in academic training in gender, peace and security (LSE), war studies (Swedish Defence University), peace and conflict studies, and human rights (Lund University), combined with several years of practical advocacy, movement-building and organisational leadership work in Swedish civil society.
“To be part of WILPF is to be part of history. I understand, both personally and politically, what it means to grow up as a young woman within WILPF: to find one’s voice, build confidence, and take on responsibility. We need all of the different perspectives of our vast, beautiful movement, and I am proud and humbled to shoulder this immense responsibility given by Congress to implement our international program, strengthen our organisation, and ensure that all voices are heard, respected and validated. We are stronger together, and together we make history.” — Desirée Sterner
Diana María Salcedo López holds a degree in Political Science from the National University of Colombia, a Master’s degree in Women’s, Gender and Citizenship Studies from the University of Barcelona, and a Master’s degree in Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Democratisation from the University of Alcalá de Henares in Madrid. A feminist and anti-militarist, she has a solid track record spanning two decades working as a consultant for non-governmental organisations, international cooperation agencies, the United Nations and state bodies in Colombia.
Her work has focused on safeguarding women’s rights, incorporating a gender and intersectional perspective into public policy, strengthening the social fabric amongst women who are victims of the armed conflict, and consolidating local peace-building processes.
She currently serves as director of the Colombian section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (LIMPAL Colombia), where she leads initiatives on issues such as feminist approaches to the energy transition, the protection of women human rights defenders, the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and advocacy in international forums. She also represents the organisation on the Special Women’s Body for Monitoring the Peace Agreement and on the Intersectoral Commission on Security Guarantees for Women Human Rights Defenders and Women Leaders in Colombia.
“Drawing on the wisdom of the memories of the women who came before us and the strength of those of us who continue to resist today, I offer, from my heart and with my voice, my whole being to keep the flame of anti-militarist feminism alive, weaving together with my sisters other possible worlds, where it is possible to live with dignity.” — Diana María Salcedo López
Janette McLeod has commenced her second term as International Treasurer. Prior to that she was the Alternate Regional Representative for the Asia Pacific region. She has been an active WILPF member for more than 20 years in Australia. Before retiring, she was a public servant.
“I look forward to continuing to work for WILPF’s goal of a sustainable feminist peace.” — Janette McLeod
The appointments were approved at WILPF’s 34th International Congress, which took place from 18 to 20 July. Meeting every three years, Congress is the highest decision-making body of WILPF.
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