Chicago Council on Global Affairs: Next Generation Changemakers
I am deeply honored and grateful to be named among the inaugural cohort of Next Generation Changemakers. This recognition is more than a title—it’s an affirmation of the collective work so many of us are doing to build more resilient, just, and innovative futures.
From the very start of my career, whether building food technology solutions with Journey Foods, navigating science and supply chain innovation, or advocating for equity in entrepreneurship, I’ve believed in the power of young voices to shape systems. This recognition reminds me that none of us create change alone—we thrive because of collaboration, courage, and shared vision.
Why This Matters
The Council’s commitment to amplifying diverse young voices signals something powerful: the acknowledgment that global challenges—from climate to health, from equity to innovation—require fresh leadership and bold, inclusive approaches.
By bringing together thinkers, builders, and advocates from across disciplines, the Next Generation Changemakers initiative is creating a platform for learning, inspiration, and action. Each member represents both lived experience and forward-looking expertise, and together, we form a network that can guide meaningful impact.
Inspired By My Peers
I am particularly moved to stand alongside leaders whose work I have long admired:
- Anoka Primrose Abeyrathne, for her groundbreaking advocacy in mangrove conservation and regenerative agriculture.
- Christina Adane, whose food equity campaigns in the UK have reshaped conversations about youth leadership and food justice.
- Komal Ahmad, a true visionary turning food waste into millions of meals through Copia.
- Wawa Gatheru, founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, who is redefining environmental leadership for this generation and beyond.
- Sophia Kianni, whose global nonprofit Climate Cardinals is making climate education accessible in over 100 languages.
- Cherrie Atilano, whose inclusive agri-business models are lifting up Filipino farmers.
- Jamira Burley, for her enduring fight for human rights across more than 30 countries.
- Mitzi Jonelle Tan, whose voice on climate justice reminds us of the urgency of action for the most affected communities.
And so many more who are tirelessly advancing climate justice, health equity, human rights, innovation, and cultural transformation. Reading through the stories of this cohort, I am reminded that the future is not only in capable hands—it is already being reimagined and rebuilt every single day.
My Gratitude and Commitment
To be included here is both humbling and motivating. I carry with me gratitude for my family, my community, and every partner who has walked this journey with me. I also carry responsibility: to use this platform to push harder for innovative solutions in food, science, and supply chains, and to advocate for underrepresented voices in the spaces I enter.
This moment is not just recognition—it’s an invitation to dream bigger, to collaborate more deeply, and to ensure our collective impact reaches the communities that need it most.