Read about the Westminster Alumni Award finalists in this category and vote for who you think deserves to win. Voting closes at 11.59pm BST on Monday 20 July.
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Finalists
Alexander Kamadu
MBA, 2011
Alexander Kamadu has dedicated his career to improving the lives of underserved communities through disability inclusion, rehabilitation and public health initiatives over the past 25 years. As an occupational therapist in the United Kingdom, Alexander supported people with disabilities and helped improve NHS service delivery.
After returning to South Africa in 2016, Alexander led programmes addressing HIV, tuberculosis and gender-based violence across Africa. These initiatives improved service quality, safety and long-term outcomes while supporting sustainable, locally led systems and capacity building.
Since 2023, he has served as Executive Director of the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals, leading global efforts to strengthen wheelchair service provision, particularly in less resourced and humanitarian settings. He has co-authored research in this field and actively engages with international stakeholders to promote equitable access to wheelchair services and advance disability rights and social justice worldwide.
Francesca Zoppi
International Liaison and Communication MA, 2010
Francesca Zoppi is an international development professional advancing sustainable development, gender equality, youth empowerment, sustainable finance and strategic partnerships across the United Nations system and global initiatives. She serves as a strategic advisor, leading efforts in resource mobilization, diplomacy, policy engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Her work focuses on Africa, Asia and Latin America, where she has gained extensive field experience, ensuring that global strategies translate into tangible local impact. She has contributed to high-level international processes, supporting governments, development institutions, businesses, philanthropists and international organisations in driving inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
She is the Founder and CEO of VEA, under FZ Global Legacy LLC, with a presence in New York and London. VEA advances sustainability through strategy, projects, partnerships, sustainable finance, innovation and tailored advisory services, with the vision of making it understandable, accessible and achievable in everyday life for everyone.
Trevor Gomes
Business Management BA, 2018
As the founder and CEO of RISE Coaching & Mentoring, Trevor works with local authorities across the UK to design and deliver mentoring and coaching programmes for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), those at risk of disengaging from education and young people known to Youth Justice Services. His work focuses on early intervention, prevention strategies and practical support that helps young people rebuild confidence and purpose.
Trevor also founded the ELEVATE Youth Mentoring Programme, supporting young people from under-served and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) communities. ELEVATE provides mentoring that helps young people to navigate education, employment and life with the right guidance. ELEVATE has supported over 25,000 young people across the UK.
Trevor extends this mission internationally through education partnerships in Uganda, supporting access to school meals, digital learning, regenerative farming training and sustainable food storage solutions. He has received multiple prestigious awards in recognition of his work.
Wasim Bahja
Diplomatic Studies MA, 2004
Wasim Bahja is an international humanitarian leader. After completing his MA, he pursued senior leadership roles within major international humanitarian organisations, working across conflict affected contexts in the Middle East and beyond.
Since 2017, Wasim has served as country director for International Medical Corps in Yemen, providing strategic leadership to large-scale humanitarian and health programmes in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Under his direction, multisectoral programmes have delivered lifesaving healthcare, nutrition, protection, water and sanitation services to millions of people, including internally displaced families, women and children. His leadership has strengthened national systems, expanded access to quality services in hard to reach areas and ensured principled, accountable humanitarian response.
Throughout his career, Wasim has also prioritised local capacity building, leading training initiatives in humanitarian standards, child protection and programme management, and mentoring national professionals into leadership roles.