Board of Directors

Sang Kwon Jung

President for Social and Economic Development
​Republic of Korea

Jackson Jonathan 'Kofi' Nyarko

President for Advocacy
​Ghana

Anwei Skinsnes Law

President for Heritage and Education
USA

Myungwoong Park

Zoica Bakirtzief

Chair
Brazil
​

Jayashree Parasheril Kunju

Vice-Chair
India

Michael Chen

Treasurer
China

Maryse Legault

Director
​Republic of Korea​

Yohanna Abdou

Director
​Niger

Director
​Canada

Staff 

Kati Swinney

Executive Director
​USA

Kati Swinney brings a well-rounded background in nonprofit leadership, finance, and community-building to her role as Executive Director of IDEA. She’s spent her career supporting mission-driven work focused on advocacy, education, and connection - and she’s passionate about helping people feel seen, valued, and empowered.
Kati leads with integrity, care, and collaboration, and loves bringing people together to create lasting, positive change. She’s especially skilled at building strong partnerships and helping organizations grow in thoughtful, sustainable ways.
When she’s not working, Kati is likely singing, running, hiking, or exploring new places with her family.

Amar Bahador Timalsina

Global Network Coordinator
​Nepal

Amar is the first individual in this role. During his brief tenure, has strengthened the international network of individuals who have experienced Hansen’s disease, which now includes representation from 32 countries and 32 organizations of individuals with personal experience. Amar also facilitates IDEA’s Gatherings/Knowledge Sharing series, held every two weeks for individuals who have had the disease.

Originally from rural Nepal, Amar was diagnosed at age 10 with Hansen’s disease. This resulted in ostracism and discrimination by his classmates and school administrators, leading Amar to contemplate suicide. His parents, who had little money, initially took him to faith healers.
When that was unsuccessful, he was sent to Anandaban Hospital near Kathmandu for treatment, and was ultimately cured. Even after he was cured, Amar continued to experience discrimination. When he first married and his wife’s family learned he had at one time had leprosy, he was forced to divorce her.

Because of his childhood experience, Amar’s goal was to ensure that other children did not experience similar discrimination. He then founded a school in Kathmandu in 2007, which currently serves 400 children from Play Group to Grade 10.

As a young adult, Amar joined IDEA Nepal, later becoming General Secretary and eventually President. Recognized for his wisdom and leadership, he has been tapped to serve in several international advisory capacities including: IDEA Representative, Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team; Board Member, The Leprosy Mission International; and Member, Advisory Panel of Women and Men Affected by Leprosy, International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations.

Amar is married to Mim Kumari and they are the proud parents of Jenny and Bibek.