The Hague, the Netherlands and Cape Town, South Africa, 27 January 2025 — Y+ Global is pleased to announce the appointment of Ikka Noviyanti (Indonesia) as its new Executive Director, effective April 2025, following a planned leadership transition within the organisation.
Ikka will fully assume the role of Executive Director as Maximina Jokonya concludes her tenure and supports the handover of responsibilities. This transition reflects Y+ Global’s commitment to strong institutional leadership, continuity, and due diligence.
Ikka Noviyanti is a well-established, widely respected leader with nearly a decade of experience advancing youth-led and community-driven responses across Asia and the Pacific, and beyond. She currently serves as the Regional Coordinator at Youth LEAD, where she has led regional programmes and operations, worked closely with Boards, civil society partners, and donors, and contributed to strengthening organisational governance and strategic direction.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Executive Director of Y+ Global. I have worked closely with Y+ Global since its early days through our joint initiatives, and it is deeply meaningful to step into this role as a young woman living with HIV. I look forward to building on the strong foundation and leadership that Maximina has established, and to working with the network to create positive and lasting change.”Ikka Noviyanti
incoming Executive Director
Ikka has represented youth-led networks in international forums and high-level policy dialogues and is widely recognised for her commitment to inclusive leadership, meaningful youth engagement, and rights-based approaches to health and development. As a young woman openly living with HIV, her leadership reflects Y+ Global’s core belief that those most affected by HIV must be at the centre of decision-making.
[From left to right: Ikka Noviyanti (Indonesia); Maximina Jokonya (Zimbabwe)]
Y+ Global also takes this moment to recognise and honour the exceptional leadership of Maximina Jokonya, who will officially transition out of the Executive Director role as Ikka Noviyanti assumes full leadership of the organisation in April.
During her tenure, Maximina led Y+ Global through a period of significant growth and consolidation. She strengthened the organisation institutionally as a global youth-led network, expanded the reach and impact of its programmes across regions, and positioned Y+ Global as a trusted voice in global HIV, SRHR, and human rights spaces.
“As I close this chapter, I do so with deep gratitude. Beginning my journey at Y+ Global as the HER Voice Fund Manager and later serving as Executive Director have been among the greatest privileges of my professional life. Leading this organisation, alongside and in service of young people living with HIV, has strengthened my belief in the power of youth-led movements. I am incredibly proud of what we have built together and confident in the future of Y+ Global under Ikka’s leadership.”Maximina Jokonya
outgoing Executive Director.
Maximina guided the organisation through a turbulent year marked by shifting and increasingly constrained funding landscapes, while safeguarding Y+ Global’s mission, political integrity, and commitment to youth leadership.
As the first Black woman to serve as Executive Director of Y+ Global, Maximina’s leadership was both historic and transformative, setting a powerful precedent for inclusive, principled, and values-driven leadership and leaving the organisation stronger and more resilient for the future.
“The Board is delighted to appoint Ikka Noviyanti as Executive Director of Y+ Global. Ikka brings strong leadership experience, deep alignment with our values, and long-standing relationships with the network. We are confident in her ability to build on Maximina’s legacy and lead Y+ Global into its next phase.”Kimberly Springer
Chair of the Board
To ensure continuity and stability, Y+ Global has established a structured transition period. Over the coming months, Ikka Noviyanti and Maximina Jokonya will work closely to support a smooth handover, including the gradual introduction of Ikka to donors, partners, and key stakeholders as she assumes the role of Executive Director.
For more information, please contact Maximina Jokonya at mjokonya@yplusglobal.org