The Multicultural Leadership Initiative Ltd is an ACNC registered charity in Australia. Its Board of Directors are:
Board Chair
LOUISE TRAN
Louise has spent over 15 years in the social impact space with a leading profile in the food security, agriculture and broader environmental sustainability sector. She is on the leadership team of OzHarvest, one of Australia’s largest and most well known charities. Co-founding VietHarvest in Vietnam in 2022, Louise is well regarded internationally as a champion of food waste reduction and working at the intersection between Social Entrepreneurship and NFP innovation. She is deeply passionate about the social enterprise model where business can create positive change when driven by ethical and social values. Louise has cultivated a solid track record as a specialist in a purpose-driven communications, marketing, brand building, advocacy and media relations. Louise has led strategy, branding and outreach for high recognition campaigns such as R U OK? Day as well as leading global institutions such as the United Nations. Holding degrees in Public Communications and International Studies from UTS, Louise also completed studies at the Télécom SudParis in France, a top tier engineering school producing leaders in economic, social, and environmental fields. Louise is a dedicated leader, supporting her community in Western Sydney through running the multicultural Children’s Festival and other community focused initiatives.
Treasurer
KAREN KANDUR
Karen is has spent over 20 years working in financial and business operations in the charity sector. As COO for Environmental Leadership Australia she has overseen and managed ELA’s exponential growth in the last 12 months. As Chief Operating Officer at ActionAid and former Chief Financial Officer at Opportunity International Australia, Karen played instrumental roles in fiscal and organisational compliance as well as marrying agile organisational processes to robust real world impact. Karen was also instrumental in developing Opportunity's volunteer and intern program and performance management system, recognised as one of the best in Australia's non-profit sector. Karen is also board Director and Treasurer at two other Australian nonprofits, Australian Progress and Democracy in Colour. She is a Chartered Accountant and has a Masters in International Development and an Executive Masters in Business Administration. As a first generation Indian-Australian Karen is passionate about creating spaces for climate impacted CALD communities in Australia and abroad.
Board Member
CORINNE HODSON
Corinne is a proud Ngunnawal Wiradjuri Aboriginal woman and has spent the last 25 years working in Indigenous Community capacity building, Health and Community practice, Aboriginal Land Rights, Environmental Protection and Government Relations. She is widely recognised for her skills in First Nations community engagement and empowerment, enabling the implementation of countless change processes towards increased public leadership presence of Indigenous peoples. Corinne is the Chair of the Ngiyang Wayama Aboriginal Regional Data Network and on the Board of Directors of Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Service. An alumni of the Jawun Emerging Leadership cohort and Stories of Female Leadership Network, Corinne has family links to the Riverina region of New South Wales, connection to the Pilbara region of Western Australia and an extensive work history across diverse Aboriginal regions all over Australia. Corinne undertook undergrad studies at the Sydney University and University of Western Sydney, completing further postgraduate studies in Indigenous Trauma and Recovery. Corinne was recently short listed for Pro-Bono Australia’s Impact 25 as one of Australia’s leading influential not-for-profit change agents.
Board Member
Rathana chea
Rathana has spent over 20 years working internationally strengthening people, building organisations and delivering impactful strategies. He has worked in the areas of environmental sustainability, climate change, human rights and technology. He has served on senior management and executive teams in Europe, Australia, Asia and globally for Greenpeace, Amnesty International, the Sunrise Project and other leading change agents. He has also served on countless boards, including as Vice Chair of ECC, a peak body for multicultural communities, as well as serving on the board of leading advocacy and campaign training institutes such as, New York based Mobilisation Lab and regionally-focused AktivAsia. Rathana has co-founded and successfully scaled up numerous social enterprise, not-for-profit and charity startups into fully-fledged impact-focused organisations across Asia and Australia. Rathana holds several qualifications across multiple disciplines from Oxford University, UNSW, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the University of Technology Sydney where he was awarded the Vice Chancellors’ Human Rights HC Award.
The Multicultural Leadership Initiative Inc is a not-for-profit registered under the laws governing the State of New York in the United States. Its Board of Directors are:
Board President
Viv benjamin
Viv has spent the last 20 years working in international campaigning, advocacy and philanthropy. As experienced facilitator she is also founder of Global & Collective a women and people of colour led international social impact collective. Viv was previously CEO of Oaktree, and has co-created people-powered campaigns with UNICEF, Purpose, MTV, United for Global Mental Health, Tearfund, and more, to mobilise people for social, environmental and economic justice across 20 countries around the world. Viv serves on the Mobilisation Lab Collective Board. Viv trained as a lawyer and graduated with honours from Monash University before completing college of law at the Australian National University. Viv is based in New York City.
Board Member
Rathana chea
Rathana has spent over 20 years working internationally strengthening people, building organisations and delivering impactful strategies. He has worked in the areas of environmental sustainability, climate change, human rights and technology. He has served on senior management and executive teams in Europe, Australia, Asia and globally for Greenpeace, Amnesty International, the Sunrise Project and other leading change agents. He has also served on countless boards, including as Vice Chair of ECC, a peak body for multicultural communities, as well as serving on the board of leading advocacy and campaign training institutes such as, New York based Mobilisation Lab and regionally-focused AktivAsia. Rathana has co-founded and successfully scaled up numerous social enterprise, not-for-profit and charity startups into fully-fledged impact-focused organisations across Asia and Australia. Rathana holds several qualifications across multiple disciplines from Oxford University, UNSW, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the University of Technology Sydney where he was awarded the Vice Chancellors’ Human Rights HC Award.
Board Member
SHIN RENN
Shin has spent over 20 years in campaigning and community organising. Shin has worked extensively in the global HIV/AIDS, refugee and immigrant rights, LGBTQ justice and climate movements. Shin has worked extensively with grassroots organisers on corporate campaigns advocating for access to essential medicines and equitable and safe workplace practices. Shin is an experienced negotiator, having led collective bargaining teams for workers’ rights within the nonprofit sector, as well as leading training in corporate and industry based negotiation. Shin also specialises in operations strategy, with extensive experience in organisational and business reporting, policy and compliance. Shin is well versed in in-person and virtual facilitation, receiving regular praise from clients and partners. As a trainer, Shin is passionate about co-creating justice-centred practices rooted in anti-oppression. Shin is based in Taipei.
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The Multicultural Leadership Initiative Strategy Council is a global team of leaders with expertise in racial and cultural diversity, climate change as well as governemnt and industry policy. The Strategy Council provide advice and guidance on the strategic direction of the Multicultural Leadership Initiative.
Council Member
RICHIE MERZIAN
Richie is a former Australian Government representative to COP (the UN climate change conference) and has worked for around a decade on international and domestic climate policy. He is now the International Director at the Smart Energy Council. While at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Richie served for two years as the Manager for the Council for Australia-Arab Relations. Richie helped co-found the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) in 2006 and trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2007 with former Vice President Al Gore. Richie is currently on the Advisory Group for the Climate Solutions Centre at the Australian Museum and part of the 100 Climate Conversations now showing at the Powerhouse Museum. Richie has degrees in Law and Economics from Sydney University. Richie Merzian was also the inaugural Climate & Energy Program Director at Canberra-based think tank, The Australia Institute. Richie oversaw a wide-ranging policy research program covering electricity, transport, markets, mining, impacts and diplomacy. The role also included delivering Australia's longest running attitudinal research report on the issue, the Climate of the Nation.
Council Member
Michelle lin
Michelle is a Management Consultant at KPMG and CEO of her family foundation, Vermilion Foundation; a Next Gen led foundation which supports the areas of Diversity and Inclusion, Mental Health and Climate Action. She is very passionate about Next Gen philanthropy and shifting capital towards purpose, and sits on Philanthropy Australia's New Gen committee. A champion for diversity from a gender and cultural lens, she has many passions including multicultural youth empowerment, increasing representation of women of colour in leadership roles and youth mental health.
Council Member
VIOLET ROUMELIOTIS
Violet is the CEO of Settlement Services International, a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other vulnerable individuals to achieve their full potential. She was awarded as Member of the Order of Australia as well as 2017 Telstra Business Woman of the Year and national winner of the For Purpose and Social Enterprise category, 2018 AFR 100 Women of Influence, 2018 InStyle Women of Style Community Champion. Violet Roumeliotis AM is a social entrepreneur who champions the strengths of our diverse communities and is committed to take a leadership and pioneering role to elevate reconciliation. Through her C-suite and board roles, Violet uses innovation and collective impact to promote social justice and inclusion. During her ten years as CEO, Violet has taken SSI from a Sydney-based organisation with 68 staff to a 900-plus workforce that supports more than 52,000 people nationally each year.
Council Member
LILLE MADDEN
Lille is a proud Arrernte, Bundjalung and Kalkadoon woman from Gadigal Country in Sydney. She is a passionate conservationist, storyteller, and young climate leader. Lille was the presenter and co-writer for a 3 part documentary produced by ABC Indigenous called Healing Country, where she travels around Australia talking to young Traditional Owners. She is currently a member of the Board of Common Ground, a First Nations-led not-for-profit amplifying knowledge, cultures and stories. Lille has a deep sense of responsibility and love for the protection and preservation of our natural and cultural heritage for a just and sustainable future. Lille has worked across multiple fields in conservation from being a keeper at Taronga Conservation Society on the Australian Fauna Precinct to studying in Conservation and Land Management. For the past 3 years she has volunteered with Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network to build a movement of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people standing up for climate justice.
Council Member
RANDA KATTAN
Randa has spent the last 30 years working in community leadership roles, the latter part of this period as CEO of Arab Council Australia. Randa has been the key driver behind the ongoing success of the Arab Council Australia. Taking up its leadership during an immensely tumultuous and complex phase, she has transformed the organisation into a high achieving institution that attracts critical talent and that makes key contributions across the policy dialogue in Australia and abroad. Randa has served on numerous boards and committees. This includes the Premier’s Council for Women, Premier’s Crime Prevention Council, the NSW Anti-Poverty Week Facilitating Group. She also sits on the NSW State Library Cultural and Linguistic Advisory Board, the Western Sydney Community Forum Board and is a Jury Member of the Sydney Peace Prize. Randa was the Founding Chairperson of the Sydney Alliance and in 2014 was awarded as part of the top 25 people in Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 List of the most influential people in Australia’s not-for-profit sector. Randa holds several qualifications including social science, management, leadership, training & executive coaching.
Council Member
chris gambian
Chris has spent the last 25 years working in organising, campaigning and training social movements focused on working people and environmental protection. His dedication to equality, justice and sustainability through collective action stands out in a career that spans broad subject matter expertise representing working people in the banking and insurance industry, public sector and construction industry. He has worked in multiple senior management and executive roles, including as CEO of Nature Conservation Council. He has served on multiple local and national boards including GetUp!, Bankstown Youth Development Service, Inner Southwest Community Development organisation and the Evatt Foundation. He holds a Master of Labour Law and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney.
Council Member
CAT-THAO NGUYEN
Cat-Thao has spent over 20 years working across the Asia Pacific, North America and Europe in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Cultural Intelligence work with various clients from Fortune 500 and ASX listed companies to the Australian and Canadian governments. Having experience as a corporate lawyer, senior executive in private equity, CEO and board member, Cat-Thao brings a depth of private sector executive experience to her inclusion work. Cat-Thao is the co-founder and Board Chair of the Australia Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue, former Managing Head of Ernst & Young Law Vietnam, member of the Australian NGO delegation to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, former Advisory Board Chair Loreto Vietnam education charity. Cat-Thao is the founder of Global-Ready LLC and a Limina Learning Partner. She is also the former UN Youth Ambassador for Australia.
Council Member
JOEL LAZAR
Joel is CEO of the Jewish Climate Network and a long-standing active member of the Melbourne Jewish community. His work driving social change at the community level spans educational program design, youth leadership and facilitation. After a stint on Collins Street as a commercial litigator, Joel was Head of Operations at The Man Cave, an organisation that develops the emotional intelligence and mental health of boys to enable them to become healthy and respectful young men. His commitment to addressing the impacts of our rapidly changing climate has intensified over the last decade, culminating in his joining the Jewish Climate Network as its first CEO in 2020. Through JCN, Joel is driven to unlock the strengths, networks and creativity of the Australian Jewish community, to become a leader in climate solutions and advocacy. His commitment to positive social change in a Jewish context culminated in his receiving the Ron Castan Young Humanitarian Award in 2019, and “Top 36 under the age of 36” Jewish Changemakers in Australia in 2023.
Council Member
KIM LOO
Dr Kim Loo is the Chair of Asian-Australians for Climate Solutions and former Chair of Doctors for the Enviornment (NSW). She is also a Council Member of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Member of Hills4Climate Action, Member Australian Parents for Climate Action, Member Climate and Health Alliance, Member of Healthy Futures. The child of Buddhist parents, Kim Loo learned early to tread lightly on the earth. Now, in addition to working with patients in communities in Western Sydney, she actively advocates for a sustainable future through her work on the Council of the AMA (NSW), as Chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia (NSW), and her many other involvements. Kim is directing her efforts towards a cohesive, positive narrative which inspires people to reimagine what the future could be, one in which all sections of society can step ahead into the next phase with hope. To achieve this vision, Kim believes we need credible emissions targets and policy that actively supports the transition to a sustainable, clean-energy economy and society. Graduated from Sydney University in 1989. Started General Practice in 1993. Work has always been in Western Sydney. I started actively participating in the climate movement in 2015. Lobbying politicians , corporations and community club since then . Connections with all major parties and independents ( teals as well as others) . I understand the lay of the land at the political level . Kim currently holds the following positions: NSW AMA Council and General Practice Council, NSW Chair Doctors for the Environment Australia, Chair Hills Doctors Association, General Practice Leader Western Sydney Primary Healthcare Network.
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The Multicultural Leadership Initiative Youth Council works to identify and develop young leaders (15-25) who want to work on solving climate change. All staff and Board Menbers over the age of 18 have undergone a Working with Children's Check and a Police background check.
Co-Chair
RATAJ ABDULLAH
Rataj is an Eritrean 16 year old and moved to Australia 10 years ago as a refugee. In the past couple of years, she has organised locally and nationally on climate and racial justice campaigns. She is actively involved within the youth climate movement in Australia, primarily organising with School strike 4 climate, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition & Tomorrow Movement. She was involved in building and participating in campaigns such as the ‘Fund Our Future Not Gas’, ‘Don’t NAB Our Future’, and the ‘Climate Jobs Guarantee’ campaigns. As well as politician outreach, national strategy planning, running relevant events, mentoring, and social media and comms. She also is involved with the Youth Action Collective that developed a local initiative - All One Under the Sun. AOUTS is a youth-led anti-racism initiative that uses the arts to promote inclusion & diversity. Within this initiative she was involved in the creation of a documentary, forum theatre & and has written poetry for advertisements. Rataj is based in Coffs Harbour.
Co-Chair
JAHIN TANVIR
Jahin was 2021's Young Canberra Citizen of the Year and a 2022 Young Australian of the Year finalist as well as receiving the in Individual Community Service as well as receiving the Zest Awards Outstanding Youth Leader of the year for 2021 for his work in assisting multicultural communities in Western Sydney. An established strategist and youth empowerment specialist, when Jahin is not leading MLI's youth strategies he also works as the CEO of the Australian School of Entrepreneurship. An established media commentator Jahin is a regular on ABC’s The Drum, ABC News and Channel 10 and Channel 9, he also founded Breath., an EdTech social enterprise providing public speaking education and coaching to young people, and marginalised communities around Australia. Breathe. has impacted over 16,000 individuals from diverse communities since its inception and was recently acquired by the ASE Group. Jahin is based in Sydney.
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There are 4 seats newly opened. Email: info@mli.earth for more details
If you are interested in working with the Multicultural Leadership Initiative, we are always keen to have a conversation whether we have positions advertised or not. We firmly believe in hiring people not functions and nurturing talent not just doing tasks. Take a read of our team member's bios, if you think you've got what it takes then reach out via info@mli.earth
Chief Executive Officer
Rathana Chea
Rathana has spent over 20 years working internationally strengthening people, building organisations and delivering impactful strategies. He has worked in the areas of environmental sustainability, climate change, human rights and technology. He has served on senior management and executive teams in Europe, Australia, Asia and globally for Greenpeace, Amnesty International, the Sunrise Project and other leading change agents. He has also served on countless boards, including as Vice Chair of ECC, a peak body for multicultural communities, as well as serving on the board of leading advocacy and campaign training institutes such as, New York based Mobilisation Lab and regionally-focused AktivAsia. Rathana has co-founded and successfully scaled up numerous social enterprise, not-for-profit and charity startups into fully-fledged impact-focused organisations across Asia and Australia. Rathana holds several qualifications across multiple disciplines from Oxford University, UNSW, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the University of Technology Sydney where he was awarded the Vice Chancellors’ Human Rights HC Award.
Managing Director
Wesa Chau
Wesa has worked for over 20 years in the multiculturalism and cultural diversity advocacy space and is recognised as thought leader on multicultural policy. Acknowledged through numerous awards including 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian Awards, the Victorian Women's Honour Roll, 2010 Young Victorian of the Year among many others. Wesa has solid track record in policy advocacy that applies an intersectional lenses in areas such as international relations, gender equity, disability services, international education, family violence and more. Having served in a number of board director roles for multicultural community groups, Wesa is passionate about politics and civic engagement. Wesa has dedicated many years in bringing multicultural communities together and creating pathways for individuals from multicultural and culturally diverse backgrounds to find their voice in public life. Wesa holds qualifications across multiple disciplines, including engineering, law, climate solutions, business and politics from the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Swinburne University and the University of Cambridge UK. Wesa is based in Melbourne.
Director of Operations & Africa Partnerships
YEMI AGBENIYI
Oluwayemisi, or Yemi for short, has a background in business and operations management in the health and social impact sector. As a qualified Pharmacists, Yemi is a detail-oriented leader who approaches her work with a highly analytical and evidence based approach. This mindset led her to become concerned about the connection between human health and climate change. This led her to work for an international consultancy group where she worked on the project management and business operations side of projects for Greenpeace, Rights and Resources Initiative as well as other innovative change-makers. Leaning into growing her strategy skills Yemi's role has been recently expanded to cover scoping for potential partnerships in the African region. Yemi holds qualifications in Pharmacy from Obafemi Awolowo University and in Administration and Management from University of Cape Town, South Africa. Yemi is based in Lagos.
Director of Community Organising
LOSENa FUKO
Losena has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 25 years 20 in which she worked specifically in supporting new settlers to feel secure, safe and relevant in their quest to prosper physically mentally and spiritually in their new society. As an experienced facilitator and mentor, she brings extensive experience in engaging with and implementing programs that empower culturally and linguistically diverse communities. She has accrued experience in managing large teams in Settlement Services and in her watch, she had overseen the seeding and implementation of community capacity building strategies that included the likes of - pathways to employment programs; early intervention crime prevention and youth engagement; social enterprise and skills enhancement; citizenship test support; and early intervention parenting practices support programs. Losena has skills and experience in the Targeted Early Intervention sphere – supporting families with children aged 0-18 – as well as managing food support programs and engaging people in their elder years, in events and well-being activities such as community gardens and Men’s Shed programs. Losena holds qualifications in Community Management, Climate Solutions, Training And Assessment and Pastoral Care.
Director of Community Education
Dr. THELMA RAMAN
Thelma has spent over 30 years in education and training across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. She has held several academic and managerial roles across various institutions and organisations. Thelma has extensive experience in developing and presenting education and training programs for diverse audiences in a range of areas including climate change, sustainability and business. Thelma’s fervent belief in the power that education has to inspire change led her to complete a PhD in Education for Sustainable Development in 2017. Since then, she has been actively working to engage individuals, organisations, and communities to take action towards creating a safer and more sustainable world. Thelma holds qualifications across multiple disciplines including education, business, history, politics and geography from RMIT University, University of New South Wales, Deakin University, University of Auckland and the University of the South Pacific. She is also a Fellow with the Higher Education Academy, United Kingdom.
Director of Communications
ANGELINA LIZAR
Angelina is a digital and cross-cultural communications expert having led multiple online campaigns, marketing, advocacy, fundraising and branding projects. Following her cultural ties to Indonesia, she volunteers for Asia Justice and Rights as well as The Orangutan Project, both of which work extensively in Indonesia and other countries across Asia to alleviate injustice through social programs, community aid, education, and advocacy. Angelina currently coaches a suite of NGO/NFP leaders across the world on digital media impact on mindsets and behaviours of culturally diverse audiences. With an academic background specialisation in political science, climate solutions, social science and communications from the University of Technology, Sydney and the University of Cambridge UK, Angelina is a leader in applying both the theory and practice of change making through communications. Angelina is based in Sydney.
Director of US & Americas Partnerships
VIV BENJAMIN
Viv has spent the last 20 years working in international campaigning, advocacy and philanthropy. As experienced facilitator she is also founder of Global & Collective a women and people of colour led international social impact collective. Viv was previously CEO of Oaktree, and has co-created people-powered campaigns with UNICEF, Purpose, MTV, United for Global Mental Health, Tearfund, and more, to mobilise people for social, environmental and economic justice across 20 countries around the world. Viv serves on the Mobilisation Lab Collective Board. Viv trained as a lawyer and graduated with honours from Monash University before completing college of law at the Australian National University. Viv is based in New York City.
Director of Asia & Pacific Partnerships
SHIN RENN
Shin has spent over 20 years in campaigning and community organising. Shin has worked extensively in the global HIV/AIDS, refugee and immigrant rights, LGBTQ justice and climate movements. Shin has worked extensively with grassroots organisers on corporate campaigns advocating for access to essential medicines and equitable and safe workplace practices. Shin is an experienced negotiator, having led collective bargaining teams for workers’ rights within the nonprofit sector, as well as leading training in corporate and industry based negotiation. Shin also specialises in operations strategy, with extensive experience in organisational and business reporting, policy and compliance. Shin is well versed in in-person and virtual facilitation, receiving regular praise from clients and partners. As a trainer, Shin is passionate about co-creating justice-centred practices rooted in anti-oppression. Shin is based in Taipei.
Co-Director of Youth Leadership
JAHIN TANVIR
Jahin was 2021's Young Canberra Citizen of the Year and a 2022 Young Australian of the Year finalist as well as receiving the in Individual Community Service as well as receiving the Zest Awards Outstanding Youth Leader of the year for 2021 for his work in assisting multicultural communities in Western Sydney. An established strategist and youth empowerment specialist, when Jahin is not leading MLI's youth strategies he also works as the CEO of the Australian School of Entrepreneurship. An established media commentator Jahin is a regular on ABC’s The Drum, ABC News and Channel 10 and Channel 9, he also founded Breath., an EdTech social enterprise providing public speaking education and coaching to young people, and marginalised communities around Australia. Breathe. has impacted over 16,000 individuals from diverse communities since its inception and was recently acquired by the ASE Group. Jahin is based in Sydney.
Co-Director of Youth Leadership
Rataj ABDULLAH
Rataj is an Eritrean 16 year old and moved to Australia 10 years ago as a refugee. In the past couple of years, she has organised locally and nationally on climate and racial justice campaigns. She is actively involved within the youth climate movement in Australia, primarily organising with School strike 4 climate, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition & Tomorrow Movement. She was involved in building and participating in campaigns such as the ‘Fund Our Future Not Gas’, ‘Don’t NAB Our Future’, and the ‘Climate Jobs Guarantee’ campaigns. As well as politician outreach, national strategy planning, running relevant events, mentoring, and social media and comms. She also is involved with the Youth Action Collective that developed a local initiative - All One Under the Sun. AOUTS is a youth-led anti-racism initiative that uses the arts to promote inclusion & diversity. Within this initiative she was involved in the creation of a documentary, forum theatre & and has written poetry for advertisements. Rataj is based in Coffs Harbour.
Connect
Multicultural Leadership Initiative LTD is an Australian ACNC registered charity ABN: 68661886808. Multicultural Leadership Initiative Inc. is a registered US not-for-profit registered in the state of New York. Copyright 2023.