Our Executive

Cassius Hynam

President

Cassius is a young economist with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne who brings extensive experience in volunteer positions and youth organisations to YDS. He first joined the Young Diplomats Society in 2020 as the Regional Correspondent for Sub-Saharan Africa. Nowadays, he works as an economic analyst for Victoria’s Department of Treasury and Finance in International Investment Strategy and previously interned at the Grattan Institute in Budget Policy. He is very passionate about providing a voice for youth. This led to a nine-month stint as Co-Chair of the Youth Advisory Committee to Peter Khalil MP, Federal Member for Wills.

He is very excited to continue YDS’ work of providing a solid platform for young people to launch their careers in international relations.

George Moody

Treasurer

George is a Monash University graduate with Bachelors of Arts and Business, majoring in International Relations and Banking & Finance. He has a range of experience in youth organisations, sitting for two years on the student council of the Monash Caulfield Student Union and serving as President of the Caulfield Arts Society, and currently works as a consultant at the Victorian Teacher’s Mutual Bank. George is passionate about the influence youth participation has in creating sustainable and responsible changes in policy decisions across the finance sector and in government.

George is excited to strengthen YDS’ financial position, creating value for our members and supporting YDS to continue growing into the future.

Alex Delvaen

Secretary

Alex is a graduate of the Australian National University with a Bachelor Degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) and a Graduate Certificate of Diplomacy. Currently she is working in the Engagement team at Standards Australia. Alex is passionate about youth involvement in international affairs, and has been a Facilitator at UN Youth for several years. Her main interests are Middle Eastern geopolitics and development diplomacy. Alex is keen to support the executive team in growing the YDS platform.

Deeksha Patil

Marketing and Communications Director

Deeksha is a Bachelor of Arts/Law student at Deakin University, currently majoring in International Relations and a minoring in Criminology. She is a current paralegal volunteer at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, which stems from her combined interests of refugee rights and immigration law. She is also a current project officer at Generation Politics where she works to encourage and equip young people with the knowledge necessary to understand public policy and how it is made.

Deeksha is excited to expand YDS' audience and reach so that it strengthens our events, publications and podcast portfolios and allows as many young people as possible to be involved with our organisation.

Shantelle O'Riordan

Editor-In-Chief of Publications

Shantelle is undertaking her Masters of International Relations at the University of Melbourne. With an undergraduate degree in public communication, Shantelle is passionate about connecting young people through world affairs and empowering them to use their voices to create change. She previously held the position as UN Youth Australia Chairperson of the National Communications Committee. She has a keen interest in human rights and sustainable food production and policy, particularly in the EU, Latin America and domestic politics.

Shantelle is excited to grow YDS’s publications portfolio and provide a space for young people to have their voices recognised.

Mijica Lus

Events Director

Mijica is a graduate from the University of Canberra, majoring in Human Resource Management and currently working as a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Advisor with Careers UC at the University of Canberra. She is passionate about Career Development and Workforce planning and through her role as Events Director, she hopes to create opportunities for Young people to realise, build and strengthen their potential in International Relations and related subject areas to empower tomorrow.