Draft:Hermina Johnny

Saint Lucian humanitarian leader, philanthropist and educator From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hermina Johnny (born 30 December 1982) is a Saint Lucian humanitarian, business leader, educator and nonprofit executive.[1][2] She is the founder and executive director of the Aspire Artemis Foundation,[3] a nonprofit organization that promotes science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education, youth development, and digital access initiatives.[4][5]



Born (1982-12-30) December 30, 1982 (age 43)
Saint Lucia
AlmamaterConnecticut College; University of Kent; Pomilio Blum; Vrije Universiteit Brussels
OccupationsHumanitarian, business strategist, educator
KnownforFounder and Executive Director of Aspire Artemis Foundation
Quick facts Hermina Johnny, Born ...
Hermina Johnny
Born (1982-12-30) December 30, 1982 (age 43)
Saint Lucia
Alma materConnecticut College; University of Kent; Pomilio Blum; Vrije Universiteit Brussels
OccupationsHumanitarian, business strategist, educator
Known forFounder and Executive Director of Aspire Artemis Foundation
Close

Early life and education

Hermina Johnny was born in Saint Lucia. She has lived and worked in several countries, including the United States and multiple European States.[6] A former United Nations expert in partnerships, climate change, human rights, sustainable development and gender equality, Johnny built her career navigating complex institutions.[7][8] She convenes actors across the United Nations, civil society, and global leadership—including royalty and heads of state—leveraging multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance inclusive development for the world’s most vulnerable communities.[9][10]

She earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, Economics, and Anthropology from Connecticut College, an LL.M. in International Law and International Relations with Honors from the University of Kent’s Brussels School of International Studies, a TESOL (Teaching English to Students of Other Languages) degree from Trinity College, and a MasterClass Degree in International Communications from Pomilio Blum. She has also undertaken postgraduate research in Fundamental Rights and Constitutionalism at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.[11]

Career

Aspire Artemis Foundation

Hermina Johnny founded the Aspire Artemis Foundation, a New York city based global nonprofit organization focused on STEAM education, digital literacy, and youth leadership development.[12] The organization develops workshops, training programs, and partnership to support youth participation in technology-related fields,[13] including initiatives aimed at increasing participation among women and underrepresented groups.[14] The organization works with governments, public and private sector partners on educational and community-based initiatives.[15]

The foundation has organized conferences, programs and events addressing innovation, inclusion, and technology education, including programming held in connection with international development fora at the United Nations and related venues.[16]

She has partnered and collaborated with governments, UN agencies, civil society, private sector leaders, and royalty to implement multi-stakeholder development projects.[6]

United Nations and international engagement

In addition to her nonprofit work, Hermina has professional experience in business strategy and legal advisory contexts, including corporate and intellectual property matters.

She has taught English for professional and academic purposes at institutions including John Cabot University and the American University of Rome, and has developed educational materials for language learners.[17]

Hermina has worked in various capacities within the United Nations system and specialized agencies, penning reports, guidance notes, and outcome documents for high-level conferences. She has served as a focal point for drafting UN Secretary-General reports and supporting inter-agency coordination on sustainable development, climate change policy and coordination, gender equality, human rights, and youth development. She has advised governments on development policy issues and has been involved in partnership building around the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.[6]

Hermina contributed research for the United Nations Chief Executives Board for Coordination and it's High Level Committee on Programmes, helping examine key areas for consideration in the global sustainable development agenda. The work focused on identifying long-term priorities and structural challenges that would shape international policy discussions.[18]

She also worked with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs on initiatives that emphasized the importance of including private-sector stakeholders and local communities in global development conversations.[19]

That work became particularly relevant during the preparations for United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro.[20]

Following up on her work with the Chief Executives Board for Coordination, Johnny was involved in developing frameworks that encouraged the United Nations to engage directly with businesses, civil society organizations, and local populations through initiatives such as the Rio Dialogues and discussions around the Water Conference at Rio+20 working with one of the Chief Executives Board for Coordination's High Level Committee on Programme's functional Networks which include UN-Water, UN-Energy and UN-Oceans.[21][22]

As Programme Expert, she would eventually contribute to the global policy discussions that led to the creation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through the Post 2015 development framework—the international development framework designed to follow the Millennium Development Goals.[23]

She has collaborated with the European Parliament, the International Organization for Migration, and other international organizations to advance strategic partnerships, policy development, and multi-stakeholder programming.[6]

Hermina has spoken and participated in framing fora related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and has contributed to discussions on sustainable development, gender equality, and youth engagement. She has taken part and spoken in high level meetings associated with the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Science, Technology and Innovation Forum.[24] She has also spoken as a distinguished leader at the United Nations Global Compact's Leaders Summit for Leaders from all industries and governments from across the world.[25]

In 2024, she participated in discussions during the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).[26]

Private sector and education

In addition to her nonprofit work, Hermina has professional experience in business strategy and legal advisory contexts, including corporate and intellectual property matters.[27]

She has taught English for professional and academic purposes at institutions including John Cabot University and the American University of Rome, and has developed educational materials for language learners as well as to diplomats, corporate executives, and professionals in the financial and pharmaceutical sectors.[28] She has authored educational materials, including English language textbooks, intensive programs, and learning media.[27]

Global leadership and public engagement

In the last five years, Hermina has participated in select capacity as a speaker and panelist at major international forums notably:

  • January 2020: Introductory speaker at Inclusion, Art & Accessibility, hosted by Aspire Artemis Foundation at Microsoft New York.[29]
  • September 2021: UN Global Compact Leaders Summit[30]
  • September 2022: Hosted a meeting during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, focused on STEAM education and youth empowerment, attended by the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew.[31]
  • 2023: Panelist at the UN ECOSOC Science, Technology and Innovation Forum, discussing digital literacy, gender equity in technology, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.[32]
  • May 2024: Discussant at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua, focusing on universal and meaningful digital connectivity.[33]
  • July 2024: Education Speaker at the Digital With Purpose Global Summit in Cascais, Portugal.[34]
  • May 2025: Lead Speaker at United Nations Barbados on Female Leadership within the United Nations System and beyond.[35]

She has led global innovation and digital transformation symposia, training over 2,000 educators and facilitators worldwide, creating lasting community impact. Johnny emphasizes holistic education, integrating arts and culture into STEM learning to enhance career and life skills for youth.[36]

Advocacy and humanitarian work

Hermina’s advocacy focuses on gender equality, human rights, youth development, and improving opportunities for marginalized groups. She volunteers in community service, mentorship programs, leadership development, and public speaking on social justice and women’s empowerment.[37]

Hermina’s work focuses on youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and gender representation in science and technology fields. Through the Aspire Artemis Foundation, she has created and supported programs aimed at increasing access to educational and professional development opportunities. She focuses not just on access, but on shaping education as infrastructure, necessary to foster the next generation of leaders.[38]

Through the Aspire Artemis Foundation, she has spearheaded initiatives to increase female participation in STEM careers, develop life skills, and enhance access to educational resources, digital skills, and mentorship opportunities worldwide, enabling a multiplier effect where she trained trainers who can in turn educate and support communities in areas like digital skills, mentorship and youth empowerment. This has created a "spillover" impact that reaches far beyond the initial program participants.[39]

Recognition and impact

Hermina is recognized for her leadership in sustainable development, STEAM education, digital inclusion, and multi-stakeholder partnerships, bridging public, private, and civil society sectors to address social, economic, and technological challenges.[6]

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI