Today, TGEU welcomes Ymania Brown (she/her) as our new Executive Director. Based at our headquarters in Berlin, Ymania will lead and strengthen the organisation, focusing on organisational development, fundraising, and the professional development of TGEU staff.
Ymania Brown is a prominent human rights advocate and is a proud trans fa’afafine woman from Samoa. Ymania brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished track record in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and globally. She has worked with The Gruden Group in Australia and in the LGBTQIA+ sector with Equality Australia. Ymania is committed to advocacy and leadership as a volunteer. She is the current Co-Secretary General of ILGA World, former Co-Chair of International Trans Fund, and former Co-Chair of the Global Interfaith Network (GIN-SSOGIE). She has provided critical leadership through multiple crises, ensuring funding stability and programmatic progress.
Ymania passionately advocates for LGBTI rights, focusing on the intersectionality of indigenous, trans, interfaith, environmental, and economic justice issues.
Ymania has an MBA from the Australian Institute of Management, a Master of Laws in Applied Law (In-house Practice) from the College of Law, Sydney, and a Master of Intellectual Property Law from the University of Technology Sydney.
“I’m honoured to join TGEU as Executive Director, bringing with me a deep commitment to advancing the rights of trans and gender diverse people not only in Europe and Central Asia but globally as well. My own journey from Samoa and Australia to the global stage has been driven by my resilience and my absolute belief that we not only deserve to live in a world where we are free and equal citizens, but that we are deserving of the same chances as everyone else to be a part of, and contribute to as members of our equally diverse communities. Together at TGEU, we will continue the work to end violence and discrimination and create a world where we, as trans and gender-diverse people, can thrive.
Ymania Brown, Executive Director, TGEU
“My personal mission is to champion the rights and dignity of my trans and gender diverse family. I am committed to, and will do everything I can to leverage my extensive experience in legal and compliance, finance and human resources operations to amplify and strengthen TGEU’s work and impact. I know that in accepting this role, I’m joining a great team that has years of experience and success in advocacy through confronting and dismantling systemic violence and discrimination against trans and gender-diverse people. I am ready to lead the team, build on past successes, and take the challenge of uniting our community head-on. Together, we will build a more inclusive and just world for our trans and gender-diverse family”.
At TGEU, we believe Ymania’s profound expertise and visionary leadership will drive us forward. We warmly welcome Ymania as our new Executive Director and look forward to the remarkable contributions that will follow.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ymania to our leadership team. Her profound understanding and respect for indigenous cultures from the Pacific and knowledge about UN lobbying infuse our organisation with invaluable knowledge and perspectives. Angela Davis once said: ‘We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating society.’ Ymania embodies this principle, bringing both wisdom and an unwavering commitment to our values.
Dinah Bons, TGEU Co-Chair
“Ymania’s strengths and skills significantly enhance our organisational ethos, championing inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Her leadership will inspire and fortify the movement both regionally and globally, fostering solidarity and mutual respect. For our membership and staff, Ymania’s presence is transformative. Janet Mock reminds us that: “The most powerful thing you can do is to speak your truth”, and Ymania’s truth, deeply rooted in the Pacific’s rich traditions, will undoubtedly empower and elevate our entire community.”
Ymania joins us ahead of the 2024 TGEU European and Central Asian Trans Council this November in Malta. She will meet the diverse trans activists from our regions in person to enhance our work together.