Yiannis Laouris, President
Yiannis led the efforts to revive and restructure the Global Agoras community and its Institute between 2024 and 2025. He was elected President of the Board in the Fall of 2025. He is also the 64th President of the International Society for the Systems Sciences and Lead Scientist of Future Worlds Center. He holds a medical degree (1985) and a PhD in Neurophysiology (1985, summa cum laude) from Germany, an MS in Systems and Industrial Engineering (1996, GPA 4.0) from the US, and a PhD in Systems Engineering (by publications) from the University of Portsmouth, UK (2023). He is a renowned peace activist recognized for his pioneering work in applying Structured Dialogic Design processes to foster collaboration among stakeholders with diverse and conflicting perspectives. His team develops systems that engage hundreds virtually, partly asynchronously, in meaningful, authentic conversations, accelerating positive societal change. He is co-author of the “ONLIFE Manifesto” (explores how ICT affects the human condition by altering our relationships with ourselves, others, and the world). He is also the principal author of the “Manifesto: Reinventing Democracy in the Digital Era.” Relevant books include “Masks of Demons,” “Democratic [R]evolution,” “Direct Democracy,” and “Navigating Systems and Cybernetics: A Conceptual Map of Disciplines in Dialogue with Complexity.” In the 90s, he founded CYBER Kids, an international chain of computer learning centers, which introduced IT in the lives of thousands of children 5-15 (in seven countries) using the patent-pending KnowledgePacket concept to develop a curriculum that blends educational themes, targeted mental and psycho- emotional development, social awareness and connection to real-life, suggested software to use, with IT skills that should be developed.
Marcus Hallside, Executive Vice President
Marcus Hallside, a retired Israeli IT entrepreneur, is an Associate Researcher at Future Worlds Center. Marcus applies structured dialogic design to complex socio-technical challenges, utilizing structured democratic dialogue, to engage people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives in meaningful conversations, thereby building consensual, normative visions of the future.
Valeriu Dragalin, Vice President for Education and Practice
Valeriu Dragalin is a passionate Moldovan youth leadership advocate and organizational development practitioner, who has held senior roles, including Vice-President of the Human Resources Department within ELSA Republic of Moldova and Chairperson of the National Youth Council of Moldova. He has worked to amplify the voices of young people in national policies and elections.
The United Nations in Moldova+3 He spearheaded the national campaign “Youth of Moldova for #GlobalGoals” in partnership with UNFPA Moldova and other UN agencies, mobilizing over 2,000 young people to monitor and promote the 2030 Agenda in Moldova.
In March 2015, he led motivational training workshops for ELSA Cahul, demonstrating his commitment to capacity-building and peer-led development. He continues to influence youth policy, inclusion, and civic engagement through his strategic leadership and mentoring across youth organizations.
Abel Mavura, Vice President for Communications and Membership
Abel Mavura is a Clutton-Brock Scholar at the University of Cambridge, pursuing an MPhil/PhD in Architecture and Urban Studies. Building on his first doctoral research in Development Studies (migration), his work connects systems thinking, design, and social innovation to explore how marginalized communities shape inclusive and resilient urban futures.
The first African recipient of the ISSS Margaret Mead Memorial Award, Abel brings over 13 years of experience in global development, advocacy, and participatory research. He has worked extensively with young people and marginalized communities across Africa to advance empowerment and collective resilience. Abel serves as Vice President for Communications and Membership at the Institute for 21st Century Agoras and founded the Marvel Act Youth Organization (MAYO) in Zimbabwe.
Rahab Wairimu, Vice President for Youth Engagement and Enlargement
Rahab Wairimu Gichuhi is a human resources professional and leadership trainer currently serving as Head of Learning and Development at Eclectics International, a leading technology solutions company operating across Africa. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and is pursuing a Master’s in Human Resource Management at Jomo Kenyatta University.
Rahab has facilitated numerous organizational training programs, fostering learning cultures and mentorship systems. A certified facilitator in the Structured Democratic Dialogue Process, she has co-authored chapters on participatory governance and currently serves as Vice President for Youth Engagement and Enlargement on the Board of the Institute for the 21st Century Agoras.
Gary Metcalf, Vice President for Research and Publications
Dr. Gary Metcalf is the President of InterConnections, LLC (https://interconnectionsllc.com/) and a leading thinker and practitioner in complex systems, organizational design, and systemic change. His consulting work spans governments, global corporations, and NGOs, where he helps leaders navigate complexity, improve organizational resilience, and align strategy with culture and structure.
In addition to his consulting practice, Dr. Metcalf maintains an active writing and speaking presence and international academic engagements. He has a long record of leadership in the systems science community.
Dr. Metcalf holds a Ph.D. in Human Science (Organizational Systems) from Saybrook University. He is widely respected for his ability to connect theory to practice, bridging the worlds of scholarship, strategy, and systemic leadership.
Thomas Flanagan, Treasurer
Tom Flanagan served as president of the Institute for 21st Century Agoras between 2007-2021. Currently, Tom serves as treasurer. He has authored multiple articles and books about the practice of SDD. His research, product development, and management career has spanned marine science, insect physiology, environmental engineering, biomedical products, and behavioral healthcare, He lives in Warren, Rhode Islan, USA with his wife Jenny and son Danniel and continues scholarly research on SDD and related practices of design dialogue. His local missions include enhancing connections between the arts and participatory journalism, philanthropic community building, and behavioral self-care through times of civic stress. Tom leads a local initiative for enhancing awareness and support for alternative and complementary self-care for grief, depression, loneliness and pre-clinical anxiety (www.BlueskiesRI.org). Tom holds a PhD in neuroscience from Wesleyan University and an MBA in technology management from MIT. In addition to his local service on boards and committees, Tom is an active member of the AGORAS, International Society for Systems Science, and the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation.