Urška Erklavec is commited to public health advocacy since 2008. In 2024, she assumed the role of Head of the newly established Service for NGOs at the National Institute of Public Health in Slovenia. Prior to this position, starting from 2020, she worked at the Slovenian Ministry of Health, focusing on various health initiatives during Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2021, and later shifting her focus to child and youth health at the Public Health Directorate. Since 2020, she has been an active member of the Young Gasteiners, and from 2022 to 2024, she served as a dedicated Task Force member. Previously, she served as President of the Slovenian NCD Alliance and President of No Excuse Slovenia. With an educational background in pharmacy, Urška Erklavec brings a diverse range of skills and experiences to her work at the YHO.
Board and MC
Contact: info@yho.network
President
Sanja Šišović
Sanja Šišović is a dedicated public health advocate and activist with over a decade of experience in the health sector.
Her journey began as a young volunteer in Montenegro, where she engaged in peer health education. Since then, she has coordinated numerous national and international health programs focused on the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, mental health, reproductive health, and non-communicable diseases. Sanja has been an integral part of the International Youth Health Organization since its inception. Over the years, she has served as a board member, regional coordinator, and vice president. Her efforts are centered on meaningful youth engagement in health, with a strong emphasis on empowering and involving youth with fewer opportunities, as well as young professionals, to drive change. Sanja resides in Montenegro, where she is the Program Director of the Montenegrin NGO CAZAS, an organization specialized in public health. Her extensive experience in global health and youth policy, combined with her leadership skills and international work, makes her mission to improve youth health and well-being more attainable for the International
Youth Health Organization.
Vice-President
Urška Erklavec
Regional Coordinator – South and South-Eastern Europe
Laura Plešnar
Laura’s accolades include the Rectors Award for her contribution to the public health project “Lov na Tihog Ubojicu.” A dynamic trainer at international events like IFMSA Egypt Cleopatrain and CroMSIC Croatia Adria Train, she contributes significantly to mental health and disaster medicine education. Her diverse background and global health passion make her a valuable addition to the Youth Health Organization, aligning with the organization’s mission of promoting youth health and well-being.
Regional Coordinator – Central and Eastern Europe
Mădălina Mihaela Antoci
As a graduate of the ,,Raisa Pacalo” Center of Excellence in Medicine and Pharmacy, Madalina -Mihaela Antoci brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. She has participated in national and institutional medical conferences, publishing two major scientific articles in obstetrics and gynecology. Her dedication to youth health is evident through her work on mental health initiatives for young people in Moldova and refugees in need of support. As a Board Member of the National Youth Council of Moldova (CNTM), Madalina is spearheading efforts to establish a consultative chamber under the Ministry of Health, fostering stronger communication between young people and state institutions. Her role as President of Erasmus Student Network Moldova has further amplified her impact, contributing to national and international initiatives. Madalina’s humanitarian work extends to ERASMUS+ projects and specialized training programs, promoting mental health and medical education among youth. Her diverse background, passion for global health, and leadership skills make her a driving force within the Youth Health International Organization, where she works to advance youth well-being and foster cross-regional collaboration for a healthier future.
Free Board Member
Ani Beraia is a Public Health specialist from Georgia. She is a CEO and co-founder of the youth organization -Youth for Public Health and a young researcher at the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, where she works for the Cancer Screening Program and the Cancer Registry development. She is an invited lecturer at the University of Georgia for the Health promotion course. She has been working for youth health and health prevention since 2014. She also has volunteer experience in youth health and health prevention nationally and internationally. Currently, she is a Ph.D. candidate from the UiT-The Arctic University of Norway. Her Ph.D. project is on cancer incidence in Georgia.
Free Board Member
Ülkü İlayda Mercimekci
Free Board Member
Berina Bulatović
Berina has also been active in creating ways to engage and educate young people about their rights, using innovative and participatory approaches to amplify their involvement. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Psychology, she combines her academic expertise with practical experience to empower and support younger generations.
Free Board Member
Matthew Baldacchino
Matthew Baldacchino (he/him) has worked in health spaces since 2010, first serving on the board of the Malta Medical Students’ Association as National Public Health Officer, as well as a brief period with the IFMSA as a Regional Assistant for Europe within the Standing Committee for Public Health. He graduated as a medical doctor in 2015 and shifted career paths in 2017 on obtaining his medical license, deviating into digital media and journalism, before diving into volunteering and activist work in youth, health and climate spaces. He currently serves as the Commissioner for the Youth Community with the National Youth Council of Malta (KNŻ Malta) as well as an EU Climate Pact Ambassador for Malta and Gozo 2024/2025. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Global Health at the University of Glasgow, where he also serves as a Student Ambassador and Cultural Ambassador to the School of Social and Political Sciences. His dissertation will be focused around sexual and reproductive health rights and access in the Maltese islands.
Monitoring Commitee
Member
Member
