Joe Wong’s passion lies deeply in fostering movement building and increasing resources for transgender groups, particularly those in their early stages or of moderate size. With a background in setting up trans-led research, initiatives, and participatory grant-making, Joe’s advocacy for social justice and the rights of transgender individuals is inspired by the many giants’ shoulders that have supported him in this work. Among his activism highlights was the inception and presence of the Asia Pacific Transgender Network – a regional trans-led organization that works to advance the rights of trans and gender-diverse people across the region through research, policy, and advocacy. Joe is on a personal journey of discovery, embracing mindfulness, and prioritizing well-being. When not on solid ground, Joe can be found immersed in deep waters, contributing his time to conservation projects or capturing captivating moments through his photography, particularly focusing on small sea creatures.

Liberty Matthyse (Treasurer)

Liberty Matthyse is the Executive Director of Gender Dynamix, the oldest registered trans-specific human rights organisation in Africa. Identifying as a trans non-binary person, she/they hold a master’s degree in Law (cum laude) focused on non-discrimination and marriage equality for transgender persons. Liberty has also completed courses on Project Management, Leadership, Financial Management, Strategic Business Management and Coaching. She/They can be defined as a community-centred and intersectional feminist, and human rights and social justice activist whose passion in fighting for dignity, equality and freedom for trans and gender diverse persons drives their/her dedication to achieving positive change. In her/their free time she/they enjoy painting, playing tennis and spending time with her loved ones in her hometown of Darling.

 

Mikee Inton-Campbell (Co-Chair)

Dr. Mikee Inton-Campbell is professor of Trans and Queer of Color Studies at California State University San Marcos. She is originally from the Philippines and previously served on the Board of Trustees of the Society of Trans Women of the Philippines (STRAP), and as co-chair of the Trans Steering Committee at ILGA World (2014-2019). She was also previously part of the Grant Making Panel at the ITF. As a transfeminist scholar, her research and teaching are focused on issues of Sexuality and Pleasure, decolonizing transness, global histories of trans and queer social movements, and Sex Work.

 

 Natasha Jiménez

Natasha is a Costa Rican trans/intersex activist for more than 30 years. She began her work in the area of information and prevention of HIV / AIDS and other STIs, including care of terminally ill people in different State hospitals. She declares herself a feminist and has participated in different feminist and women’s movement initiatives. She has been involved in some publications, such as: “What is the meaning of the revolution if we can’t dance” by Jane Barry and Jelena Dordevic, “Interdictions” by Mauro Cabral, or “INTER / Human Intersex Experience in a world of two sexes” by Elisa Barth , Ben Bӧttger, Dan Chistian Ghattas and Ina Shneider. She has been engaged in different spaces of the OAS (Organization of American States), where she has a Consultative Status, as well as in the UN (Organization of the United Nations), doing political advocacy work and denouncing violations of rights against trans and intersex populations in Latin America and other regions. She is a Consultant in trans and intersex issues and General Coordinator at Mulabi / Latin American Sexualities and Rights Area, which is based in Costa Rica, but develops projects and initiatives in the region.

 

Raine Cortes

Raine is a trans and gender diversity advocate from the Philippines. She is currently based in Switzerland working with the Community, Rights and Gender (CRG) Department of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. She supports community responses and systems strengthening (CRSS) interventions, and is engaged in the organization’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) working group, advocating for gender-responsive and SOGIESC-inclusive programs and policies. She has more than 12 years of experience in program, M&E and grants management of HIV-related community systems strengthening (CSS) grants in the Philippines and Asia Pacific region, focused on supporting trans-led and inclusive organizations and communities, and other key and vulnerable groups. Prior to joining the Global Fund, she has served in various roles with the Asia Pacific Transgender Network, ISEAN-Hivos, PNGOC and TLF SHARE.

 

Sara R Phillips

Sara Phillips is a trans activist working globally. She is Co-Chair of Transgender Europe, in Berlin, and a Board member of the National Women’s Council of Ireland. Sara has been involved in trans activism for over 30 years. She has represented the trans community on governmental bodies, and at international conferences. She has been an activist across many intersectional campaigns across the past 40 years. She is the founder, researcher and archivist of the Irish Trans Archive. She was Chair of Ireland’s National Trans Organisation, Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) for over 10 years. She is a recipient of the prestigious James Joyce Historical and Literary Award from Universal College Dublin (UCD). Sara is also the National Manager for multinational construction materials manufacturer, Tremco CPG.

 

Sylvester Kazibwe

Sylvester is a Trans man. He serves as the Trans Rights programme Officer of IRANTI before that he was the Deputy Director of Tranz Network Uganda. Sylvester has great background in LGBTIQ+ advocacy, he is a researcher and has contributed to LGBTIQ+ focused research initiatives in Uganda and South Africa. He is a social justice activist with a Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratization. Sylvester is currently the secretary of the International Advisory Committee of the power of Pride Alliance, he also serves on the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice International Fund Advisory Board. He has a great aspiration for amplifying the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ+ rights.