OUR EXECUTIVE

Sarah is an established youth leader in the not-for-profit and education sector. She has recently become the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute at the University of Melbourne.

 

In her spare time, she is also involved with, NEXUS Australia, UNICEF Child Rights Taskforce and The Centre of Youth
Policy and Education Practice at Monash University and is Co-Founder of KOS Magazine, a platform that aims to capture the stories of how everyday people positively impact their local and wider communities to create change.

 

She holds a Master of Marketing and Communications from Monash University, the AICD Governance NFP Directors course, is a TEDx speaker and is a 2023 McKinsey Rising Young Leader.

 

With a passion for empowering the next generation of leaders, Sarah’s goal is to become a global leader and
enact sustainable change for youth around the world.

Bethan is the Careers Director at YAIA, overseeing the careers portfolio and fostering opportunities for young professionals in international affairs. She first joined YAIA as a Careers Officer in early 2024 and is interested in national security and peacebuilding through international dialogue and collaboration.

 

She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Melbourne, specialising in Politics and International Studies and Asian Studies. During her studies, Bethan has completed a year abroad in South Korea, volunteering with North Korean refugees and gaining insight into geopolitical dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region, and interned at HSBC in London, exposing herself to global financial systems.

Bethan strives to make careers in international affairs more accessible and equitable and is excited to empower the next generation of leaders in the field.

Emily is the Chief People Officer at YAIA and is passionate about leveraging her experience to help and empower young Australians to make their impact and have a voice in international affairs.

 

She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Relations with a minor in German from the University of Adelaide. Whilst completing her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice to become an admitted legal practitioner in South Australia, she is working as a Law Graduate at a boutique law firm.

 

She is particularly passionate about comparing domestic and international law and policy approaches to human rights issues to explore what each jurisdiction could inherit or learn. Currently, she is drawing on her experiences abroad, particularly in the UK and Ireland, in her role as a Research Assistant for the South Australian Law Reform Institute.

 

Emily has co-authored an article analysing the United States’ geopolitical interest in the Pacific Islands,  published by the journal Geopolitics.

Riley is the Publications Director at Young Australians in International Affairs, responsible for leading a team to manage YAIA’s Fellowship Program, Policy Lab, and Insights blog.  She first joined YAIA in late 2022 as a Brisbane Events Officer.

 

She is passionate about engaging youth in international affairs and elevating their voices and experiences. Through this role, Riley is eager to expand YAIA’s publications audience and number of young contributors.

 

Riley currently works as an undergraduate tutor at the University of Queensland.  She holds a Bachelor of International Studies degree specialising in International Relations and French, and has just completed a Master of International Relations, which included a thesis on youth and climate-related mobility in the Pacific Islands.

Chloe is an experienced contributor to youth engagement in international affairs, education, and sport. With experience developing events and programs, Chloe aims to ensure all Australians have equal access to opportunities where they can excel.

 

A recent Global Studies and Law graduate, Chloe is passionate about establishing robust, purposeful partnerships in her role as Partnerships Director at Young Australians in International Affairs. 

Emma Baillie is the Chief Financial Officer at YAIA. Her experience lies at the intersection between youth leadership and international affairs, especially pertaining to financial management.

Emma has a Bachelor of Business and Commerce with Distinction in Finance and International Business from the University of Southern Queensland. She is currently studying for a Master of Financial Technology at UNSW. During her undergraduate studies, she served on the university’s Board of Directors, was Treasurer of the Student Representative Committee and was part of the Students as Partners Working Group, which established UniSQ’s Student Senate.

 

Outside of her studies, Emma is a Youth Observer on Amnesty International’s International Issues Committee. Until recently, Emma was on the U.S. Consulate Brisbane Youth Advisory Council and was a Finance Analyst at the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership. Emma is also an active community volunteer, volunteering for the Yes23 Campaign during the recent referendum and for community events such as Vinnie’s Sleepout.

 

Emma has worked in the university sector and was briefly an Assistant Electorate Officer for the Leader of the Opposition. She lives in Toowoomba, QLD and is keen to continue living in regional QLD whilst pursuing a varied career that combines her interest in humanitarianism, public policy, academia and finance.

Henry is the COO overseeing in internal operations of YAIA. Henry first joined YAIA as the Pacific Fellow in 2020. He works in policy and intergovernmental relations in the public service.

 

Henry is passionate about international affairs in the Pacific, with a particular interest in Pacific security policy, subregional relations, sovereignty issues, and cultural diplomacy. He is a Young Pacific Leaders alumni and is active in Pacific initiatives and advocating for Pacific agency.

 

Henry also has a special interest in US politics and has completed a Congressional internship in Washington D.C. as a participant in the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme. Henry holds a Bachelor of International Studies from the University of Wollongong and is currently studying a Masters of Politics and Policy at Deakin University.

Kris is the Chief Events Officer and Lead Melbourne Events Officer at Young Australians in International Affairs (YAIA). He joined YAIA as a Melbourne Events Officer in late November 2022 and is passionate about youth engagement in international affairs and the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Kris started his international affairs journey at Monash University where he undertook Indonesian studies, linguistics and politics. Ending up at La Trobe University, Kris completed an Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies Virtual Professional Practicum in 2022 which included intensive Indonesian language study at Atma Jaya University and an internship at Indonesian non-government organisation, Aptintlaw.

 

During his time with YAIA, Kris has proudly been involved in a range of events including the Future23 National Conference where he helped to secure a number of Heads of Missions for intimate sessions with conference delegates. Currently he leads events teams across Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and online.

 

Kris holds a Bachelor of International Relations from La Trobe University and is currently a graduate in the Victorian public service. He sees himself making a positive impact in the world through policy-related initiatives.