Through our Global Goals Ambassador Network, members can leverage their passion for issues within an SDG and engage local and national communities around programming and other activities. During this yearlong program, the Ambassadors receive training from UNA-USA and United Nations Foundation staff to help support their engagement plans, blog posts, workshops, speaking with various audiences, and all other efforts around their SDG. We encourage you to learn more about, and engage with, our new cohort of Ambassadors.

MEET OUR GLOBAL GOALS AMBASSADORS:

Rachel Svetanoff, UNA-USA Lead Global Goals Ambassador

Rachel Svetanoff is an award-winning youth activist and social entrepreneur with a history of supporting the SDGs by mobilizing resources for over 100 projects with 116 organizations across 37 countries. In her entrepreneurial pursuits, Rachel founded the SDG advocacy youth organization Global Futurist Initiative™, the community development consortium Project Energy for Life Cameroon, and her consulting practice where the SDGs are intrinsic to her operations. Through consulting, Rachel worked for institutions such as UNICEF USA, Johnson & Johnson, Sesame Workshop, Fashion Community Foundation, and Friends U.S. of the Global Fund to foster strategic partnerships for advancing their SDG objectives. Rachel has held appointments that have also enabled her to promote the Goals including the IMF, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, Foreign Policy for America, AFS Youth Assembly, and UN SDSN. Rachel holds a Visiting Associateship of Policy & Practice at the University of Notre Dame Pulte Institute for Global Development where she is conducting U.S. policy research on the SDGs. Born and raised in Indiana, Rachel received her BS in Chemistry and MBA from Purdue University and her MS in Global Health from Notre Dame.

2024-2025 Global Goals Ambassadors

Michael-Olivier Lungu is a dynamic advocate and changemaker currently pursuing a Master of Public & Nonprofit Management & Policy at NYU Wagner. With a deep commitment to social justice, he has made lasting impacts in education, activism, and global advocacy. As a Grade Team Leader, he organized a Native American Exhibition to educate scholars on reparations and the maltreatment of Indigenous peoples and transformed curricula to support Black and Brown scholars by incorporating social justice awareness and critical race theory. During his undergraduate studies, he taught English to formerly incarcerated individuals and immigrants, empowering them to have a second chance in life through the Black Male Initiative. As a Senior Scholars Specialist, he championed marginalized, differently-abled scholars, ensuring access to essential services.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a nation recognized as a conflict zone, Michael-Olivier experienced the harsh realities of conflict, poverty and food scarcity prior to arriving in the United States as a refugee. These experiences deeply impacted him and fueled his advocacy for human rights causes in the Congo, including support for orphanages and vulnerable communities. His dedication is also seen through campaigns to feed the homeless as well as to lead toy drives for children with disabilities at the Queens Centers For Progress. A proud NAACP member, he has spoken out against discriminatory practices in education, and his advocacy for his native Congo drives him to highlight the atrocities faced by marginalized communities, particularly orphans who are homeless. Fluent in English, French, and Lingala, with knowledge of Spanish and familiarity in Dutch, Michael-Olivier’s global perspective and dedication to human rights have made him a resounding voice for the underrepresented on both local and international stages.

Riz Khan is seasoned non-profit executive, community organizer with over two decades of experience in global markets- USA, UK, India, SouthAsia working with Billion Dollar Conglomerates.

Riz is President of Little Angels Foundation (LAF), non-profit based in STL MO, serving homeless, children, refugees by providing 200+ hotmeals every weekend. LAF mission is to Serve Anyone, No Questions Asked. Riz been highlighted in numerous local, national media outlets for his dedication to community outreach including Kelly Clarkson Show and earning him several accolades, awards, including Exceptional Neighbor, Ubuntu and award from President Bush’s foundation Points of Light. In his role on the Board of Directors for UNA-STL he has been instrumental in advancing SDG #2 Zero Hunger.

Riz is committed and devoted to making a positive impact as Global Goal Ambassador, utilizing his leadership skills. LAF is small but the work they do is massive. Since 2018 LAF served 168,954 people. He believes Food and Water is every Human BASIC RIGHT.

Jackie Schiffer

Jackie Schiffer is thrilled to be UNA-USA Global Goals Ambassador. She is a second year masters candidate in diplomacy/development studies at University for Peace/United Nations Institute of Training and Research.

As founder of NJ Hunger Heroes, she has travelled over 1,000 miles across the state of NJ to galvanize and learn from local food security organizations. Jackie has also served as the food security task force leader for the NJ Junior Leagues State and Public Affairs Committee.

Jackie is particularly interested in the connection between food security and climate change. Earlier this year, Jackie was a 10 Billion Strong US-Africa Green leader where she led the US delegation in an eco-entrepreneurship partnership with students in Kumasi, Ghana.

Edelyn Huijun Park is a global health advocate and PhD candidate in Molecular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. She holds a Master’s in Biotechnology from Brown University, where her research centered on malaria vaccine development, demonstrating her commitment to tackling critical healthcare challenges in developing nations. Edelyn’s professional background includes work at the United Nations in the ECOSOC Department, as well as with UNICEF, giving her valuable experience in navigating the complexities of healthcare access disparities and global vaccine distribution.

As a leader focused on advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, Edelyn has collaborated with global organizations like the WHO and the Gates Foundation to promote health equity. Her diverse expertise in scientific research, global health policy, and international advocacy positions her as a highly effective leader, dedicated to advancing healthcare innovations and ensuring equitable access to essential medical interventions worldwide.

María Barragán Ortiz is an award-winning dual language educator, instructional coach, and international speaker. Leveraging her extensive expertise in multilingual and multicultural education, she established her own consulting practice, through which she delivers seminars, workshops, and professional development on creating safe learning environments for hundreds of educators and stakeholders globally. With over a decade of experience as an educator in diverse educational settings, María possesses firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced in vulnerable learning environments. She has dedicated herself to fostering positive change by developing and implementing social-emotional wellness initiatives and programs that align with the UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development as well as SDG#4. María’s commitment to humanitarian efforts spans her entire career, highlighting her roles as Board Member and Director of Events and Activities at the United Nations Women Chicago Chapter and as Global Goals Ambassador for Quality Education at UNA-USA Chicago Chapter. María holds a BA in English Linguistics and Literature, a MA in TESOL, and a MA in Linguistics and Cultural Studies from the University of Seville, Spain. Currently, she is an International PhD Candidate in Psychology of Education at the University of Seville, while also completing Graduate Studies in Psychology at Harvard University.

Virgil Parker is a U.S. Fulbright Alum, community advocate and Howard University graduate with a degree in Journalism and minor in Afro-American studies. Virgil served as a White House HBCU Competitiveness Scholar for the White House Initiative on HBCUs.

Previously, Mr. Parker is a television producer for News10NBC (WHEC-TV). Mr. Parker has moderated and participated in national and regional conversations regarding a variety of topics such as The Future of HBCUs in the COVID-19 Era, Philanthropic Equity for Minority Serving Institutions, and Bringing Local Governments And HBCUs Together and more. Most recently, he executive produced two projects that commemorated the 45th Anniversary of Education and Sharing Day and the 60th Anniversary of The Equal Pay Act of 1963. His work has been included in media outlets such as Forbes, The Hill, iHeartRadio, Blavity, HBCU Buzz and Diverse Issues In Higher Education.

Alexa Dominique Pascual is a women’s rights advocate, international security researcher and a social media advocate. She specializes in European affairs, national security , gender  policy and security policy. She is from New York, lived in Montreal for five years to work as a circus performer and dancer, and now based in Washington DC. She is a youth delegate at The World Bank, where she represents the youth and the importance of the prevention of the false use of AI and misinformation on the media. She is passionate about advancing women’s empowerment, diversity in US politics, education, and human rights worldwide, and has negotiated policy with her international youth counterparts on these issues. Alexa is currently a graduate student at American University majoring in International Affairs: Global Governance, Politics and Security.

Riley Reed is the UNA-USA Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 5 (Gender Equality), bringing a dynamic background in LGBTQIA+ advocacy, gender equity, and gun violence prevention. As the Pride Affinity Group Chair at UNA-USA, Riley has led efforts to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices in global conversations, fostering inclusive spaces and ensuring that marginalized communities are represented in policymaking. Riley also served on the Drafting Committee for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by American Youth, contributing to groundbreaking articles on gender equity and LGBTQIA+ rights.

Riley’s commitment to justice extends beyond gender equity. As a member of a national council on gun violence prevention, Riley has played a critical role in shaping policy, advocating for safer communities, and amplifying the voices of those most affected by gun violence, including LGBTQIA+ youth. Additionally, Riley co-founded the U.S. Chapter of the World Food Forum, working in partnership with the FAO to integrate climate action into food systems and promote sustainable development.

Originally from Milwaukee/Chicago and now based in Washington, DC, Riley’s unique perspective drives a deep understanding of regional and national challenges, and a strong desire to advance equity and inclusion on a global scale. In this role as UNA-USA Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 5, Riley is dedicated to building alliances, driving intersectional policy change, and advancing the fight for gender equality worldwide.

Savitri Grover passionately advocates for Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), focusing on clean water and sanitation. Her commitment stems from childhood experiences with inadequate water and access to safe sanitation, highlighting health and safety issues, particularly for women. Following her Ph.D., Savitri has focused on raising awareness about these challenges, emphasizing their global relevance amidst climate change, migration, and geopolitical unrest.

As a self-taught artist, she incorporates visual art to spark conversations and deepen public understanding of water and sanitation issues. Savitri collaborates with various groups and stakeholders to enhance impact through collective action. Her work integrates data analysis, artistic expression, and advocacy to drive meaningful progress toward universal clean water and sanitation access.

Samuel T Sherman, a resident of Maryland. I work as a Mediator for the Howard County Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center, Inc. (MCRC), practicing Conflict Resolution addressing poverty in America through Restorative Justice initiatives, and reducing recidivism in Maryland. He is a Clean Energy Consultant (Solar), for Freedom Forever Solar in Maryland providing affordable and clean energy to residents in Maryland, and across America operating in 34 states where the state legislature passed legislation that forces all utility companies to produce 50% clean energy by 2030 addressing energy poverty through green initiatives reducing dependency on fossil fuel use.

He has also been working on an initiative to address climate’s devastating impact globally. He founded EMERALDS 12-9, a sustainable solution to address inequalities. This initiative is a solar farm project in Liberia, West Africa where we are securing a couple of hundred acres of land to develop a clean and renewable energy source that will provide power to local communities. His goal is to create renewable energy sources and to empower people by creating job opportunities and providing access to sustainable energy.

Panav Mhatre is a high school student attending Lebanon Trail High School in Frisco, Texas. He is the winner of the 2024 Apple Swift Student Challenge for building an app that tackles climate change in rural locations. His work got him recognized by NBC and was invited and recognized at the 2024 World Wide Developer Conference at Apple Park. He is also a Machine Learning Researcher at Stanford University. He works on making energy grids accessible and sustainable on a larger scale. He is also a Researcher at the Giesel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, working on making ALS detection accessible. Lastly, Panav run a nonprofit that helps rural kicds learn about STEM. He has worked in schools locally in the US and Asia.

Payal Patel is a strategic communications leader, crisis management expert, and multilingual public speaker with 15+ years of experience across diverse industries. As a business owner, Payal is committed to empowering fellow entrepreneurs by providing access to essential tools, resources and support. Her efforts aim to ensure the success and sustainability of small businesses, thereby contributing to the growth and resilience of local economies. A passionate advocate for girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment, Payal devoutly supports philanthropic efforts for Room to Read and Dress for Success. She has also served on the board for UN Women Chicago, where she led campaigns to drive public awareness and support for issues impacting women and girls—ranging from health, education and safety, to economic and financial freedom and inclusion.

Payal currently serves as a guest lecturer at Northwestern University and co-chair of its MSC Career Communities program, providing career guidance and mentorship to students as they prepare for the workforce. She holds a Master of Science in Communication – Crisis Management from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations, and Spanish Language and Literature from Marquette University.

Saheb Gulati is a high school student and youth advocate for climate action, responsible technology, and safe AI. As co-director of the Center for Youth and AI, he works on efforts to represent, prepare and protect young people for the upcoming AI revolution. Saheb founded Pivotal, an international essay contest with $35,000+ in prizes for students to think critically about tackling societal challenges. In partnership with Oxford University’s Global Priorities Institute, Pivotal attracted thousands of entries from over 140 countries. Saheb is also the Vice Chair and youngest member of Sacramento’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force, where he co-authored the city’s high-level carbon neutrality and climate response plan. Additionally, Saheb serves as a youth advisor for Project Liberty’s People’s Bid for TikTok and sat on the drafting committee for UNA-USA’s Declaration of Human Rights by American Youth

Sanskriti Deva is a visionary computer engineer who became the youngest elected official in UNA-USA at just 17. As Chair of the Global Engagement Summit and Vice Chair of Nominations, she has played a pivotal role in mobilizing global efforts toward innovation and development. With a strong background in technology, particularly quantum computing, Sanskriti is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge solutions for global good. As a Global Goals Ambassador focused on SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, she champions the development of sustainable, resilient infrastructure and the application of advanced technologies to address pressing societal challenges, bridging the gap between technology and social impact.

Rory Mondshein is a human rights advocate with a decade of experience in people-centered policymaking, design, and communications at local, national, and international levels. She holds a BA in Political Science from Bard College and an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Rory is dedicated to “thinking globally and acting locally,” exemplified by her work in localizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through technology, policy advising, and community engagement.

Nationally, she has advised Congress on intersectional issues, supported accessible voter outreach, and represented American youth at the G20 Youth Summit, where she developed Youth Innovation Hubs. Globally, Rory has advanced sustainable development and people-centered multilateralism through roles with the UN, OECD, and other international organizations. She continues to connect the public to the UN’s work through her involvement with the Coalition for the UN We Need and other key initiatives.

Cathleen Jeanty is the Deputy International Affairs Officer at the Young Democrats of America, a Peace Ambassador at The Institute for Economics & Peace, and a Policy Researcher at Haiti Policy House, where she focuses on key issues impacting Haiti’s development and governance. Previously, she was one of five global youth selected for Student Energy’s inaugural Youth Energy Narratives Council, where she developed a research-driven narrative on youth engagement in the climate and energy sectors, providing recommendations to international climate philanthropists on involving young leaders.

As a former Innovation Fellow at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Cathleen collaborated with staff and stakeholders to enhance operational frameworks, addressing critical challenges faced by displaced communities and humanitarian actors. She has authored policy papers for key stakeholders, including The White House, the U.S. Department of State, and the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., and contributed to drafting America’s Youth Declaration on Human Rights and America’s National Youth Statement on Climate.

In 2024, Cathleen won the Women’s Foreign Policy Group’s international essay contest. Her work has been featured in Devex and The Atlantic Forum.

Sean Schrader is a recent graduate of the University of South Florida (USF) with his masters degree in business administration, and prior to that his undergraduate degree in business management. Throughout his life, Sean has been fortunate to be afforded opportunities to get involved in his community of Tampa Bay, FL, seeing first-hand the tangible impacts that come from working to create positive change at the local level. Specifically, Sean has served as the District Office Manager for now-former US Congressman Charlie Crist, the Campus Governor at the USF St. Petersburg campus, and as a Millennium Fellow, all experiences that have strengthened his knowledge of this work. Although Sean does not have an environmental background, he’s passionate about SDG 11 because it requires every person working together, regardless of their field of study to leverage their talents, and form critical partnerships in order to make a difference

Jennifer Borrero is an award-winning, first-generation, Latina entrepreneur. Her work as a United Nations Ambassador has allowed her to lead projects around the world; from opening a public health clinic in Nicaragua to developing affordable housing communities in the US. She has run programs in the private and public sectors that focus on creating social change.

Jennifer has been recognized as an emerging Hispanic Executive receiving the “30 Under 30” award for her work as the founder of Youth Housing Coalition, an organization that aims to empower young people to solve some of the country’s most pressing problems. Her work has been featured on multiple TEDx stages. She is currently a Global Goals Ambassador for the United Nations Association.

Her work sits at the intersection of Sustainability and Social Justice. Jennifer’s ultimate goal is to highlight innovative solutions to global problems while building community across cultures.

Angelica Bidlack is a dedicated student based in Boston. After learning about it for a school project, she began advocating against fast fashion in 2020. Angelica initiated clothing swaps at her school and community as an alternative to fast fashion consumption and waste. Her vision expanded globally when she co-founded the Global Fashion Exchange Youth Program (GFXYP). This groundbreaking platform facilitates collaboration among young individuals to drive transformative changes in the fashion industry. GFXYP now hosts swaps across five continents and supports around 20 global youth ambassadors. Extending passions beyond fashion, Angelica seeks to empower youth voice in political occurrences and media outlets. In light of this, she founded Themis Magazine, a free online magazine publishing articles written by and for youths. Passionate about empowering young minds, Angelica’s mission is to create accessible opportunities for youth to enact meaningful change in their fields and advocate for social justice and equity

Sophie Kim is a passionate environmental activist based in California. Growing up by the coast for much of her life, she has witnessed firsthand both the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the devastating impacts of human activity. Sophie is the founder of The Clean & Green Initiative, a nonprofit environmental organization with 670+ members spanning 30+ countries, as well as a dedicated team of 20+ volunteers. Rooted in her transformative experience as a MUN delegate exploring and researching solutions to global issues, she is a strong supporter of the work of the United Nations, and she has served as an advisor to the United Nations Ocean Decade.

This year, Sophie is beyond grateful and excited for the chance to represent SDG #14, Life Below Water, and work towards safeguarding our one water system for future generations to enjoy.

Eliza Lynch is a grassroots activist from Fullerton, CA studying Environmental Studies and Peace and Justice Studies at Wellesley College. She has been involved in environmental activism her whole life, advocating for water quality, plastics, and marine health policies in Los Angeles County, calling for climate education in classrooms, and participating in weekly Fridays for Future protests. At Wellesley, she is president of EnAct, the campus environmental action organization, and a founding member of the Boston Colleges Climate Coalition. At the core of her activism, she is dedicated to taking action towards environmental justice. Eliza also researches the impact of toxic metals on urban agriculture, food sovereignty, and community health at Wellesley and UCLA. She believes in unifying scientific research, community engagement, and policy action to bring justice and health to communities and ecosystems. She is thrilled to be a Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 15, Life on Land!

Caren Yap is an award-winning AAPI community organizer, long-time Las Vegan, and proud Pinay passionate about building democracy and voting rights, particularly through the lens of film, in the US and around the Asia-Pacific.

Most recently, Caren has concluded her time as Michael S. Dukakis Governors’ Fellow for Hawai`i and previously served as the Executive Secretary for the Nevada Assembly Judiciary Committee, moving forward bills that implement jail-based voting plans in Nevada. Caren has also expanded civic engagement at New American Leaders’s Digital Engagement Team, where she served as 1 of 20 youth speakers in the Webby-award winning United States’ Young People Address the Nation event in direct response to the President’s  2023 State of the Union engaging 55,000+ young people and adult allies. Currently, at the Harvard Kennedy School, Caren is pursuing a Masters degree in Public Policy conducting research at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance Nonviolent Action Lab and recently built advocacy plans for 100% Democracy under the William Monroe Trotter Collaborative for Social Justice.

La Trese Annette Monden is a Sociologist and proud 3rd generation Chicagoan, born in Bronzeville and raised in Lake View. As a successful first-gen social scientist and educator, Latrese has 15+ years experience in qualitative research and ethnography.

Her interests intersect in the areas of technology, medical sociology, social policy, family, culture, sociology of food, power and authority. As a first generation scholar and complex trauma survivor, she provided direct services to youth from 3-17 years old who were experiencing layers of trauma and suicidal ideations in a Missouri Correctional Facility. La Trese also was a first responder during the 2020 pandemic, supporting the active COVID Shelter for displaced residents of Missouri with case management and daily clinical care.

As a former Global Goals Ambassador for Zero Hunger, La Trese is passionate about connecting tech corporations with food insecure minority neighborhoods, rural communities, low income/first-gen university students, and disabled seniors living below the poverty level to help fund feeding programs.

La Trese is active in her Filipino community supporting AFIRE, working as a Citizen Application Preparer and is the lead virtual tech host for the American Red Cross Resilience Workshops for military families. She sits on her Loyola GOLD Alumni Board, Co-Chair of Programming & Events for the Loyola University Latino Alumni Board, Chicago Scholars Associate Board, and the Black Doctoral Network Conference Planning Committee. In her downtime, she is an avid reader, Sip & Savor Coffee drinker, and devotes quiet time listening to the UNA-USA Women’s Podcast.

Cristina Martinez is a seasoned expert in Corporate Social Responsibility, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement, with over 20 years of experience driving social impact and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently in her full time role with Humana-MarketPoint, she has led successful collaborations with over 54 nonprofit organizations, professional groups, and businesses, creating more than 200 community impact opportunities. Her strategic partnerships have impacted over 1,000 individuals annually through initiatives addressing social determinants of health. Some of her key partnerships include working with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County and the Salvation Army of Broward County.

Volunteering as President of the United Nations Association of Broward County, Cristina has increased the Chapter’s public awareness by 89% through digital campaigns and fostering effective nonprofit governance. Her early academic research on differences in media treatment about public-private partnerships in Spain vs. in Puerto Rico, solidified her passion for collaborations, a concept that continues to be reflected in her professional journey.

In her free time she enjoys outdoor activities, reading and attending cultural festivals with her son, family and friends.