GEM Staff
Wayne Jacoby
Alexander Groce
Wayne Jacoby
Wayne co-founded GEM in 1981 while working as a high school social studies teacher in the Springfield School District in Springfield, PA. He has served as President of GEM since its creation and in 1995 took early retirement to focus on it full time. Working out of GEM’s headquarters at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Wayne leads
Wayne co-founded GEM in 1981 while working as a high school social studies teacher in the Springfield School District in Springfield, PA. He has served as President of GEM since its creation and in 1995 took early retirement to focus on it full time. Working out of GEM’s headquarters at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Wayne leads the organization with his vision, programming expertise, and passion for empowering youth.
Jawaria Ali
Alexander Groce
Wayne Jacoby
Jawaria Ali is a graduate with a bachelor’s in psychology and a concentration in clinical psychology who has been working with GEM since her undergraduate years. She is very passionate about mental health and education, and working towards aligning the sustainable development goals in local and global scenarios.
Alexander Groce
Alexander Groce
Alexander Groce
Alexander Groce works in the planning and execution of SCoPA-based programs and events. He also serves as the lead for expansion of schools in GEM programs and is a UN Youth Representative. He graduated from Chestnut Hill College in Global Affairs and Spanish and minored both in Political Science and European Union Studies.
Huan Zhang
Hajrah Najam
Edmond Mbadu
Huan is the U.S. Director of GEM’s work in China. She found GEM while a graduate student at Chestnut Hill College and has been associated with the organization ever since. Her areas of involvement with GEM are SCoPA and SLCD. Currently a mental health clinician at Child Guidance Resource Center in Philadelphia, Huan has a special focus
Huan is the U.S. Director of GEM’s work in China. She found GEM while a graduate student at Chestnut Hill College and has been associated with the organization ever since. Her areas of involvement with GEM are SCoPA and SLCD. Currently a mental health clinician at Child Guidance Resource Center in Philadelphia, Huan has a special focus on youth and international students’ mental health awareness and action.
Edmond Mbadu
Hajrah Najam
Edmond Mbadu
Edmond graduated from Chestnut Hill College in Math and Computer Science. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he has been involved in many extracurricular activities in his community with the Kuvuna Foundation Academy from a very early age. In addition to managing the website, Edmond works with GEM on various projects and activities which involve empowering youth in today's world.
Hajrah Najam
Hajrah Najam
Hajrah Najam
Hajrah Najam graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and minored in Global Affairs and Religion & Philosophy. Najam is GEM’s key spokesperson and manages its social media accounts. She is also involved as a Youth Representative at the United Nations.
Michelle Asim
Michelle Asim is a United Nations youth representative who recently graduated with a BS in Psychology, BA in International Relations and Spanish from CCNY. She started working with GEM when she was in high school. Since then, Michelle trains students from NYC, Philadelphia, and other areas for the SLCD@UN every year.