We are excited to announce our new Youth Board for 2026-2027! These passionate young activists will help our UN team to advocate for more sustainable, plant-rich food systems at international events around the world, both in their own advocacy and through their work with ProVeg.
We are also thrilled that the 20 amazing members of the board have an even bigger opportunity to shine, as their mandate has been extended to two years until late 2027 – this will build a stronger community, provide space for deeper engagement and amplify our board’s impact! They will be joining forces with ProVeg’s UN team, bringing their energy to projects and boosting the preparation for events like the Bonn Climate Conferences in June, the World Food Forum flagship events in October, and upcoming COPs, including COP31 in Antalya and COP32 in Ethiopia. We are ready to celebrate and elevate youth engagement across these spaces, ensuring their voices and demands are heard.
You’ll get to hear from our new members in the coming months, but, for the moment, check them out on their socials and have a look at their amazing work.
Aashay Mody, 18, USA
Aashay adopted a vegan diet at 12, driven by his love for animals and concern over the role of animal agriculture in perpetuating nearly all environmental issues. He has since published a novel connecting animal farming to Amazon Rainforest destruction, presented to hundreds of peers and community members about unsustainable agriculture, and advocated for plant-based diets through environmental organizations in his hometown. Now, Aashay studies Environment and Sustainability at Cornell University. He is also the Deputy Director for Climate Education at Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate nonprofit, and has earned recognition in multiple environmental initiatives, including the inaugural Global Sustainability Challenge.
Connect with Aashay on LinkedIn
Brunna Sachs, 16, Brazil
Brunna decided to go vegan at the age of four, recognizing at a young age that animals shouldn’t have to suffer for the benefit of humans. She started giving public speeches about veganism when she was eight, and now, at just 16, she’s a teen ambassador for Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira, Animal Hero Kids, Plant Based Treaty, and GenV. She is also the organizer of Youth Climate Save Brazil, and a Youth Pro Animal Awards silver prize winner. Brunna advocates for veganism, animal rights, and climate action on her social media platforms as well as on YouTube as a Vegflix Channel team member.
Follow Brunna on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter/X
Chelsea Velez, 27, USA
Chelsea is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach, where she earned a BA in International Studies. She recently served as Youth Program Coordinator for the Plant Powered School Meals Coalition’s Youth Fellowship, advocating for plant-based options in K–12 school meals through federal policy and local campaigns. She supported national efforts leading to 100+ meetings with Congress, USDA, EPA, and the Executive Office of the President. Through education, policy advocacy, and campaigning, she centers youth voices, advancing an equitable and just plant-based food system that benefits humans, animals, and the Earth.
Connect with Chelsea on LinkedIn, Instagram
Chloe Thompson, 28, UK
Chloe is a climate communications and policy specialist based in London, and as a vegan of thirteen years, she is passionate about the transition to more just, compassionate and climate-resilient food systems. Chloe’s everyday work at Greenhouse involves working with global climate and food systems NGOs, and government coalitions, to shift mindsets and influence policy through strategic communications. Chloe is also a member of the Conscious Food Systems Alliance and the UK’s Vegan Society, recently leading communications on the ground at COP30 for the Action on Food Hub.
Connect with Chloe on LinkedIn
Dom Altomari, 25, USA
Dom is a food systems advocate and communicator who began their career in professional kitchens, focusing on creating plant-based options. They graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in Sustainability Sciences with a minor in Biology, where they led award-recognized projects tackling food insecurity, waste, and air quality, including a hydroponics project. Now the Content Specialist at Animal Advocacy Careers, and a National Climate Fellow with Change the Chamber, Dom offers a unique blend of hands-on and policy-minded expertise to advance fairer plant-based food systems. A published writer on agriculture and food policy, they emphasize the intersectionality of climate-resilient infrastructure and ending animal suffering, believing all living beings deserve a just food system.
Connect with Dom on LinkedIn, Instagram
Earl Ackon Cromwell, 23, Ghana
Earl, a final-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, roots his work in Effective Altruism, with a strong focus on farmed animal advocacy and alternative proteins. He currently facilitates EA KNUST, volunteers globally, and works towards establishing a new animal advocacy organization in Ghana. Looking ahead, he plans to pursue postgraduate research in alternative proteins to help transition our global food systems away from industrial farming and toward a more sustainable, plant-based, compassionate future.
Connect with Earl on LinkedIn, Instagram
Greta Scott, 26, UK, based in Belgium
Greta is an animal rights activist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from SciencesPo Paris and an Erasmus Mundus master’s degree in European politics. Greta currently works at the European Parliament in Brussels and is undertaking a professional development course at the University of Edinburgh on International Animal Welfare, Ethics, and Law. In her free time, she volunteers for the NGO Crustacean Compassion and writes articles for her website on the environment and animal welfare. Some of her articles have been published by The Brussels Times. Greta is also the founder of a European politics podcast.
Connect with Greta on LinkedIn
Heloisa Rigolon, 25, Brazil, based in Portugal
Heloísa is a Brazilian plant-based chef with more than four years’ experience in professional vegan kitchens across South America and Europe. Passionate about both fine dining and comfort food, Heloísa advocates for more sustainable food systems through NGOs, giving workshops on cuisine, and participating in UN events. By showing the deliciousness of this approach, along with the world of possibilities it unlocks, she is helping to raise awareness about the importance of a global diet shift towards more plant-powered diets.
Connect with Heloísa on LinkedIn and Instagram
Juan David Amaya, 19, Colombia
Juan David is a Colombian activist and social entrepreneur focused on climate action, democracy, and strategic communication. He is the founder and CEO of Life of Pachamama, where he mobilizes the next generation of leaders toward decision-making. In recent months, he has promoted a more plant-focused diet as a key tool in addressing the climate crisis, linking everyday consumption with environmental impact. He has been recognized among the 100 most influential Latinos in climate action and selected for Forbes 30 Under 30 Latin America, positioning himself as one of the most prominent young voices on climate issues in Colombia.
Connect with Juan on LinkedIn, Instagram
Kenedy Erick Lyatuu, 22, United Republic of Tanzania
Kenedy Erick is a Tanzanian youth leader, Monitoring and Evaluation Lead at Tanzania Youth Alliance for Food Systems, and Founder of KilimoNova. He is passionate about transforming food systems and advancing climate resilience through youth-led action. Kenedy has facilitated initiatives empowering young people to design and implement community-based solutions, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, data-driven impact, and inclusive participation. His work bridges policy and grassroots realities, while amplifying the voices of smallholder farmers and indigenous communities to drive equitable and resilient food systems.
Connect with Kenedy on LinkedIn, Instagram
Leena Joshi, 25, India
Leena is an award-winning social entrepreneur, author, and the founder and executive director of Climate Conservancy, an international nonprofit with 9,000 volunteers in 70 countries. She is also the CEO and Chair of the Board at EcoVita, Inc. Leena’s work has been profiled by international media, the World Bank Group, and the United Nations. A UN-published researcher, she has served as a research advisor to Imperial College London, authoring papers on climate anxiety. Leena is a prolific public speaker, addressing universities worldwide including Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge, and is a TEDx Speaker. She is also an award-winning poet and environmental artist, intersecting art and climate justice. She has authored the books Ethereal and The Climate Awakening.
Connect with Leena on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter
Marybeth Ubanwa, 25, Nigeria, based in Kenya
Marybeth is a food systems researcher, sustainable development strategist, and entrepreneur committed to transforming how Africa produces, understands, and consumes food. She is an MSc candidate in Global Food Security and Nutrition at the University of Edinburgh and works as a research manager at Tailored Food. Over the past seven years, she has worked as a food system consultant with ProVeg International, UNICEF and NUTRISET for regional food system analyzes, market research and product development. Aligning with Taylor Quinn’s vision, Marybeth believes a sustainable food system must be local, tasty, affordable, and nutritious.
Connect with Marybeth on LinkedIn
Narhari Gupta, 28, India
Narhari is a dedicated advocate for plant-based foods, with over six years of experience driving the movement in India as an entrepreneur, trainer, activist, and consultant. He currently serves as the National Coordinator & Culinary Transformation Program Manager at the Animal Climate & Health Save Foundation, advancing plant-based culinary innovation, and as Program Director at the Luma Institute, leading sustainability education for chefs and hospitality professionals. Previously, he was an Innovation Specialist at the Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA). Narhari holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from IHM, Mumbai, and specialized training in Environment & Sustainability from MAD Academy, Copenhagen. As the Founder of Snill Foods, he introduced a sustainable, tech-driven Cloud Kitchen model. His culinary expertise spans fine dining and Michelin-starred kitchens in India and Denmark, championing sustainable practices and innovation.
Connect with Narhari on LinkedIn
Ronald Reagan Kiggundu, 26, Uganda
Ronald Reagan is team lead for Action for Veganism and Climate Uganda, a think tank advancing sustainable foods systems, farmed animal advocacy, and climate action. He volunteers as a facilitator for the Effective Altruism Introductory program at Effective Altruism South Africa and Effective Altruism Kampala. He is also a member of the Effective Animal Researchers Network (EARN) Africa, the first continent wide network focused on increasing the collective impact of animal advocacy research in Africa.
Follow Ronald on LinkedIn, X, Facebook
Saharsh Oswal, 26, India, based in Germany
Saharsh is originally from India and is currently based in Berlin, Germany. He is an engineer working at the intersection of sustainability, food systems, and consumer behavior. He is completing his Master’s in Global Production Engineering at Technische Universität Berlin, aiming to apply systems thinking to more sustainable food supply chains. Saharsh has co-founded a food decision-support app that enables users to identify and choose better food products based on their diets, values, and preferences. He envisions a world where food choices are not driven by habit or default, but by informed, accessible, and sustainable decision-making.
Connect with Saharsh on LinkedIn
Sharon Gakii, 28, Kenya
Sharon is a climate and food systems advocate and the founder of Plant Power Africa, a youth-led initiative advancing plant-forward solutions across African universities. Her work focuses on promoting sustainable, healthy diets while addressing the climate crisis, public health, and biodiversity loss. Through student engagement and advocacy, she is building a growing movement of young leaders championing plant-based food systems in Africa. Sharon is passionate about youth empowerment and driving systemic change through education and collaboration.
Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn
Shimoi Kalra, 16, Canada
Shimoi is a Toronto-based student working at the intersection of sustainable food systems, public health, and science communication. She has led communications at From Fauna since the age of 11, driving global awareness of cultivated meat through content that has reached over 2 million viewers. She is a contributing author to the Oxford-published Modern Meat and has spoken to industry leaders on the future of food. Shimoi also contributes to legislative advocacy with Harvard STRIPED, advancing policy to protect youth health. She focuses on using storytelling and policy to accelerate a more sustainable and equitable global food system
Connect with Shimoi on LinkedIn
Urgesa Jemal Debase, 23, Ethiopia
Urgesa is an Agricultural Economics student at Haramaya University and a youth leader from Ethiopia. He serves as a Youth Ambassador with the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the World Literacy Foundation, and the Safe Light Initiative.
Connect with Urgesa on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Viola Pizzuto, 21, Italy
Viola is a Global Humanities student at Sapienza University, specializing in the intersection of climate change, food insecurity, and animal ethics. From researching the link between plant-based eating and food insecurity, to studying permaculture in Portugal, her work extends to grassroots animal rights activism with Anonymous for the Voiceless and volunteering for FAO initiatives. She began advocating for ethical food systems at 17, when she transitioned to veganism. Since then, her personal conviction evolved into a professional mission: to lead agri-food system transformation toward a plant-based future—for the planet, for the animals and for all people.
Connect with Viola on LinkedIn
Vivian Chen, 24, Taiwan, based in Denmark
Vivian holds an MSc in Integrated Food Studies from the University of Copenhagen and a BA in Political Science and Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health from the University of Washington. Across her studies and community work, she has engaged in food systems initiatives spanning campus food security, indigenous food sovereignty, environmental justice on an urban farm, and cross-country research on dietary patterns and food culture. A passionate communicator, she aims to bridge science and public understanding around plant-rich, nutritious eating in everyday life. Vivian is committed to advocating for sustainable diets and behavioral change as a voice of her generation.
Connect with Vivian on LinkedIn and check out her recipes portfolio
