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 2025-2026 GLOBAL GOALS AMBASSADORS:

Anjani Sharma is a University of Florida student double majoring in Psychology and Finance, passionate about equity and social impact. As Founder and Executive Director of Minds Without Borders, she leads mental health advocacy for underserved communities across the U.S. and India, reaching over 10,000 youth globally. Her work includes lobbying for mental health legislation in Florida’s Capitol and creating grassroots initiatives to break cycles of inequality.

Growing up witnessing poverty’s impact on education and well-being shaped her commitment to SDG 1: No Poverty. Anjani believes poverty is deeply interconnected with mental health, education, and opportunity, and she strives to design sustainable solutions that empower marginalized youth. She is a Global Student Prize Top 50 Finalist, Prudential Emerging Visionary, and an active voice in youth leadership spaces, determined to build systems where no young person’s potential is limited by their socioeconomic status.

Grace Magny-Fokam is an AI researcher and award-winning climate technologist dedicated to advancing sustainability and food security. She is the founder and executive director of Folia Technologies, a youth-led research organization empowering innovators to develop AI solutions to agricultural and environmental challenges. Their flagship invention, FoliaNet, is an AI-powered crop disease detection system designed to prevent yield loss and strengthen agrifood systems in rural communities. 

As an FAO World Food Forum Youth Representative, a National CS Hero, and as the youngest-ever UNCCD Land Hero, Grace champions tech-based strategies for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem resilience. Her work has been featured by the United Nations, USDA, MIT, and Girls Who Code, where she has shared insights on clean AI and tech for environmental justice. As a Computer Science student and Global Student Prize Finalist, Grace has secured over $1 million in scholarships and led initiatives mentoring BIPOC and under-resourced youth in technology.

For Sangeeta Sunny Chettiath, health is not just a clinical outcome – it’s a measure of justice.

As a Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 3, she aims to challenge misinformation, outdated delivery systems, and narrow definitions of well-being. She believes healthcare must shift from reactive treatment toward proactive prevention to deliver on the promises of health equity.

Sangeeta holds a Master of Public Health specializing in Epidemiology and has worked across strategy, diagnostics, and compliance at institutions such as HCA Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Northwestern Medicine, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. She has trained practitioners through the Illinois Public Health Association, served on the Executive Board of the American Public Health Association’s Cancer Forum, and actively supports its International Health section. Sangeeta writes about global health and conflict on her Substack and serves as Co-Director of the Chicago International Social Change Film Festival, curating films that amplify global justice movements.

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.

Caden Choi is a youth advocate and journalist dedicated to advancing educational access and equity. As a youth councilmember of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, she helps shape education policy in her state.

Caden champions media literacy and believes global news can equip students to become tomorrow’s informed leaders. She has partnered with school districts to introduce robust journalism programs into classrooms, enabling thousands of young people to engage critically with the world around them. Caden has had the privilege of sharing her vision with over one hundred superintendents of schools, as well as with the Chair of California’s State Senate Education Committee. Her work has been highlighted by the Small School District Association.

In addition to advocating for Quality Education, Caden is a dedicated member of UNA-Orange County. She is inspired by her fellow youth and chapter leaders who drive meaningful change in the community.

Cindy Chen is a high school activist and unapologetic feminist. She is the founder of the IgniteHER Project, a movement with 100+ chapters across 20 countries that empowers young women to reclaim their power and use their voice. Built by a diverse community and rooted in intersectional feminism, IgniteHER embraces global perspectives on feminism and strives to shape a future that is equitable for all.

Cindy has led campaigns on leadership training, social justice, and consent education, mobilizing hundreds of thousands through grassroots advocacy, community organizing, and digital outreach – her work has even been featured on live news. She also serves on the board of UNA-LA, where she plans events that integrate youth perspectives into global conversations on equity and human rights. As a Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 5, Cindy is committed to dismantling systemic barriers that silence women and girls, centering intersectional perspectives that reflect diverse lived realities.

Eugenia Boateng is a Ghanaian-American advocate, researcher, and social entrepreneur dedicated to advancing gender equity, education, and sustainable development across Africa and the diaspora. She is the founder and host of The Aunty Eugenia Show, a storytelling platform that celebrates the beauty of immigration and culture through powerful diaspora stories told with food, entertainment, and unfiltered conversations. By harnessing media as a tool for advocacy, Eugenia highlights the richness of African and immigrant experiences while sparking global dialogue on creativity, culture, and identity.

Her work also centers on improving water and sanitation access to advance menstrual health, most notably through her research in Tanzania on the impact of water quality on women’s well-being. She has engaged with refugee communities in Kakuma, Kenya, to expand access to higher education, and has delivered keynote addresses on educational empowerment.

Eugenia’s voice extends to international platforms—speaking at the United Nations Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum to champion investments in STEM education for youth in the Global South. She bridges grassroots realities with global policy conversations, leveraging storytelling, research, and media to reimagine Africa’s future through creativity and culture. She also has spoken on investing in agrifood systems to empower women to build income as a way to combat structural poverty and hunger

Daniel Thomas is a high school student from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, passionate about environmental conservation and global equity. As the founder of Sustainability, Daniel has led projects that connect local action to global impact, removing over 42,000 pounds of plastics from waterways, protecting endangered species, and expanding access to clean water and education across six continents. Recognized with the UN Global Leadership Award, the EPA’s Presidential Environmental Youth Award, and the Texas Governor’s Texas Environmental Excellence Award, he advocates for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation by promoting sustainable practices and developing innovative STEM solutions to address pollution and water insecurity. Daniel also serves as a Youth Liaison on board of Keep Grapevine Beautiful, a National STEM Festival Ambassador, and a UNA Youth Leader. Through the Global Goals Ambassador program, he hopes to inspire young people to see clean water as a human right and act as changemakers in their communities.

Safia Behmen is a Global Goals Ambassador for SDG #7: Affordable and Clean Energy, combining her international experience as a NSLI-Y Arabic alumna with her leadership as President of Model United Nations and member of the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition. Passionate about sustainability and diplomacy, she advocates for equitable access to clean energy and climate solutions that uplift communities worldwide. Through her work, Safia bridges cultural and environmental initiatives to inspire action toward a more sustainable and interconnected world.

Jeffery Liu is a high school student attending Delbarton School in New Jersey. He founded New Jersey’s first ever Youth Council for Economic Education, and has been invited to speak at the CEE state conference as well as testify at the State Senate in fall 2025 to push for a financial literacy and economics education bill. He also is the COO of the Youth Economics Initiative, the largest youth-led financial literacy nonprofit, with over 5000+ registered and active student members. Jeffery was recognized through his work, becoming the youngest ever speaker at the national Annual Conference on Financial Education, researching behavioral economics with professor Krista Hill-Cummings at Babson College, and placed top ten in the Wharton Global Investment Competition out of 5000+ teams.

This year, Jeffery is beyond grateful and excited for the chance to represent SDG #8, Decent Work & Economic Growth.

Emmanuel Ikenna Ohiri is a global affairs professional and youth advocate committed to advancing inclusive economic growth and prosperous societies. He brings years of experience at the intersection of global diplomacy, policy design, and youth empowerment. Emmanuel currently engages across the UN system, analyzing geopolitical risks and contributing to international negotiations on development finance, governance reform, and human security. He also supports New York City government, co-leading youth equity initiatives that connect economic stability, housing, and mental health.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Emmanuel began advocating for socioeconomic opportunity at age 14 through his mayor’s advisory council. He is passionate about ensuring the most vulnerable can access dignified work, overcome structural barriers, and shape the future of prosperity as changemakers in their communities and beyond. As UNA-USA Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 8, Emmanuel aims to mobilize youth voices and champion pathways toward sustainable economic security for all.

Rida Karim is a first-year student at the University of Virginia, double majoring in Data Science and Public Policy & Leadership. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Technology Youth Empowerment (TYE), a nonprofit that has expanded STEM access to 48 schools and community centers across the Washington, DC region. Through hands-on workshops and partnerships with Amazon Web Services, she equips youth with tools to design and build solutions that strengthen local infrastructure and inspire innovation. Previously, as Student Representative on the Fairfax County School Board, the ninth largest district in the United States, she advocated for equitable access to technology, universal Chromebook distribution, and policy changes impacting 183,000 students. Rida has presented her work at the United Nations, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Brookings Institution, and the World Economic Forum. Her initiatives demonstrate how grassroots innovation can scale into resilient and inclusive systems, a vision central to SDG 9: building sustainable industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

Angela Zhong is an advocate at events including the World Economic Forum, World Bank Spring Meetings, SXSW, the past 5 UN Conference of Parties, the C40 Cities Summit, and many more. For her work, Angela was recognized as the G20 Indonesia 2022 Youth Sustainable and Livable Planet Champion and a Common Purpose 25 under 25. she earned her bachelors and economics and environmental science from Harvard University and is currently working at impact investing at TPG.

Shanaiya Miller is a youth leader and global affairs advocate dedicated to advancing SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. She has held impactful roles including Congressional Aide to Senator Tim Kaine, Chair of the Fairfax County Student Human Rights Commission, Teen President of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Burke-Fairfax Chapter, Delegate for the Madam Ambassadors International Career Exposure Program, and Teen Advocate in Fairfax County’s Teen Advocates Program. As a Goodwill Ambassador for the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA), she champions diversity, equity, and youth empowerment in international policy spaces. Shanaiya has collaborated with the U.S. Department of State on conflict prevention and youth engagement, and has advised a NATO Youth Summit advisor on youth perspectives in global security and international cooperation. With experience spanning diplomacy, policy research, and international advocacy, she is committed to amplifying marginalized voices and driving systemic change toward a more inclusive and equitable world.

Maddy Chang is an activist committed to SDG 10: Reduce Inequalities. As founder and chair of her city’s youth collective and a member of various youth advocacy programs, she has worked on initiatives to promote equity and amplify underrepresented voices in her community. Through projects such as the Youth in Session Legislative Fellowship with the California Highschool Democrats and district-wide literacy programs, she seeks to create opportunities for marginalized youth and address systemic barriers in education and civic engagement. Her involvement in local and state policy advocacy allows her to advance these efforts, generating tangible impact and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Alan Cavagnaro is a first-generation college graduate and public servant from the University of Connecticut. At 19, he was elected to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission in his hometown of South Windsor, CT. Since then, his advocacy has expanded across Connecticut and the country, helping co-organize YIMBYtown 2025 in New Haven, the nation’s largest pro-homes conference.

As Deputy Director at DesegregateCT, Alan coordinates a coalition of 80+ neighborhood and nonprofit groups, helps lead statewide educational events, and supports legislative campaigns such as Work Live Ride, which has mobilized thousands of residents and advanced zoning reform across Connecticut. He has also shared his perspective as a TEDx speaker and written about his experiences at COP29, reflecting on lessons on active travel and walkable communities.

His ultimate goal is to empower young people to see themselves as changemakers while building communities that are more abundant, accessible, and sustainable for all.

Magaret Chipassi is passionate about advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, with a focus on promoting inclusive urban spaces, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable lifestyles. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, equipping her with strong knowledge of policies and governance that shape urban development and sustainability practices. Magaret has completed sustainability-focused courses with Cambridge University (in collaboration with Cavendish College) and ADA University, deepening her expertise in environmental stewardship and global development. She enjoys traveling, exploring new cuisines, and creating educational digital content that shares practical sustainability tips and highlights the importance of sustainable living in cities. Through her work, Magaret is dedicated to inspiring communities to embrace eco-friendly choices and fostering conversations around building smarter, greener, and more inclusive cities for future generations.

Cailin Bohm is a high school student working to advance sustainability and conservation by combining research and community engagement. Through her research on the cognition of endangered Guatemalan Beaded Lizards, she has deepened her perspective on biodiversity and the role humans play on protecting fragile ecosystems. She has contributed over 450 volunteer hours to environmental education as a Zoo Atlanta Volunteen and has also represented the Southeast on the National High School Ethics Bowl Student Advisory Council, where she promotes dialogue on ethical and social issues.

Cailin is passionate about SDG 12 and hopes to use her research, environmental advocacy, and community leadership to help reshape patterns of consumption and production for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Jennifer Laurantius is a fashion designer, content creator, and human rights advocate committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, with a main focus on SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.

She is the founder of JVLAURNT, a purpose-driven brand centered on slow fashion, ethical practices, and circular design, guided by the belief that every creation should serve with intention. She also launched JVLAURNT / UPCYCLED, an initiative recognized by the United Nations platform for its contribution to sustainable design solutions. Beyond design, Jennifer’s work spans content creation, community engagement, and advocacy, each project driven by the vision to contribute positive impact and leave her community better than she found it.

Certified in human rights education, she actively advocates for the SDGs and is passionate about reshaping industry standards and amplifying conscious practices. She is committed to empowering communities, elevating ethical storytelling, and advancing SDG 12 by ensuring consumption and production align with dignity, responsibility, and sustainability.

Siyeon Joo is a first-generation Korean immigrant and youth advocate based in Louisiana. As a Youth Advisor for EarthEcho International and NOAA, she amplifies youth voices in global policy decisions while representing Gulf communities. Siyeon’s impact extends beyond advocacy, as an internationally recognized researcher at the University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Louisiana, with a focus on algal sustainability and the environmental impacts that influence cancer diagnoses. From publishing Climate Toolkits to organizing lobbying calls for ocean conservation, Siyeon actively fosters community resilience to dismantle power structures that perpetuate injustices. As a Girl Up USA Youth Advisor and South Coalition Leader, she has hosted multiple national and international events to engage youth activists at the nexus of climate and gender justice. Siyeon’s international recognition includes the Climate Initiative Changemakers Award and publications in The New York Times and Associated Press. A dedicated advocate for justice, equity, and sustainability, she continues to inspire action for systemic change. 

Tarun Batchu, from Columbus, Ohio, is a youth climate leader whose work spans innovation, community action, policy, and global advocacy. Recognized as the 2024 IPOEFF Top Student Inventor, he created Trident, a system to convert plastic and sewage sludge into biofuels, and has worked with nonprofits abroad on pyrolysis strategies. Locally, he leads a $20,000 Bloomberg Climate Youth Action Fund project reducing energy burdens in underserved communities, while also advancing light pollution reduction as Regional Lead of the Dark Sky Initiative. As president of his city youth council (Carnegie Young Leaders Program), he has organized invasive honeysuckle pulls, advocated for green spaces, and designed a national model for student-led climate ordinances. Nationally, Tarun co-leads Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Youth Action Team, training 300+ peers and helping pass “Electrify Everything” school resolutions. Internationally, he contributes to UN Youth Chemicals & Waste briefings and co-founded two ICAN chapters improving medical waste practices.

Robin Happel is an environmental lawyer and certified Marine Mammal Observer. In addition to volunteering with UNA, she has previously worked with Earth Law Center’s Ocean Rights Initiative, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and many other environmental non-profits. Her favorite ocean animal is a clownfish,

Ava Havidic is a Robert W. Woodruff Scholar at Emory University, who is a global changemaker in environmental policy and law. Her lifelong commitment to ocean advocacy began at age 5, shaped by a childhood spent largely overseas. She founded SEAS Connections, an initiative supported by the United Nations and White House. Ava was one of 60 nationally selected for the UN Ocean Decade U.S. Youth Advisory Council and one of 40 internationally for the FXB Climate Advocates Program. As a NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador, her work has reached over 70,000 readers. She drafted the National Youth Statement on Climate as one of 150 delegates at LCOY USA. Ava is the founder of the Broward County chapter of Fridays for Future USA and a national organizer, mobilizing a network of 65,000+ activists. Ava’s leadership continues to shape the future of public service, inspiring women globally.

Dr. Emily Geest is an ecologist whose research focuses on how human-driven land-use change impacts insect biodiversity, particularly butterflies. She holds degrees from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, the University of Nebraska Omaha, and Oklahoma State University, where she earned her PhD in Integrative Biology studying grassland butterflies. At the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, an AZA- and BGCI-accredited institution, Emily is a conservation scientist working at the intersection of conservation, education, and science. Beyond her research, she volunteers nationally and regionally to expand STEM opportunities, mentor young scientists, and promote data-driven approaches to conservation. As a Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 15: Life on Land, Emily will highlight the critical role zoos and botanical gardens have in supporting biodiversity, through habitat restoration, pollinator conservation, species recovery, and inspiring local action for global impact.

Suzanna Schofield (she/any) is a 2024 Wellesley College honour’s graduate in Environmental Studies and Peace and Justice Studies. In fall 2025, she will begin an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Nature Recovery at the University of Oxford. She focuses on sustainable development, water, agriculture, energy and food sovereignty, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation with a One Health approach – using conservation to address climate change and improve public health. A Rachel Carson Council National Environmental Leadership Fellow, Albright Institute Fellow, Ministrare Peer Mentor at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Center for Democracy, Youth Action Council Member for The Climate Initiative, 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Representative, and founder of SHIRA Foundation, her work spans climate justice, mental health advocacy, and global civic engagement. Suzanna’s lived experiences with Lyme disease, chronic illness, and her sister’s mental disabilities inspires her commitment to healing relationships between people, animals, and ecosystems.

Michael Lihanda is Founder & Executive Director of Whitestone Legislative Advocacy, a youth-led NGO advancing young people to shape governance beyond litigation or electoral politics. Recognized as a United Nations Civil Society organization, Whitestone holds a distinct focus on political and economic corruption policy. Developing legislative briefs and reform strategies strengthening institutional accountability, particularly through Congressional and Multilateral engagement. Anchored in SDG16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, it positions youth not as observers but as architects of systemic integrity. Lihanda also serves as Director of Public Affairs for UNA-USA Northern New Jersey, Observer Office Representative for the DMUN Foundation, Federal Consultant with the Centre for Voters Initiative & Action (CVIA), and Researcher at the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work & Descent (GFoD). He has represented youth at the United Nations, contributed to outcome documents on sustainable finance, and continues to advance youth-led strategies to address contemporary governance challenges.

Alexa Dominique Pascual is a youth consultant specializing in international tax policy, economic governance, and security, and serves as an SDG 16 Global Goals Ambassador with the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Originally from New York City and based in Washington, DC, she leads the U.S. Office of the DMUN Foundation as Head Observer to the UN, World Bank, and IMF, coordinating youth delegations and advancing projects on global economic governance, tax cooperation, and sustainable development. She represents the UN Major Group for Children and Youth and Children and Youth International at the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Tax as the committee’s youth representative.

Alexa is pursuing a Master of Arts in International Affairs at American University’s School of International Service, focusing on sustainable development. sustainable finance, economics, energy partnerships, AI governance, European relations, and security policy. She previously interned at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, where she worked on U.S.–Central Asia energy and critical mineral partnerships, peacekeeping research, public-private partnerships and stabilization policy.

Through DMUN Foundation and in collaboration with UN DESA and UN MGCY, she has delivered policy interventions on tax governance, debt sustainability, and financial transparency, and co-authored recommendations on AI governance, digital harms, and public–private partnerships. She has engaged with  NATO, UN Member State missions, and multilateral institutions like the World Bank and IMF, and is a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award (2023).

Sean Schrader is a 2024 graduate of the University of South Florida with his MBA, and prior to that his bachelor’s degree in business management. Throughout his life, Sean has been fortunate to serve in a number of exciting roles such as District Office Manager for now former US Congressman Charlie Crist, President of the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students, and a US Youth Ambassador at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Sean’s advocacy has allowed him to engage with stakeholders at the United Nations, World Bank, and Conference of the Parties. He believes strongly in the power of local action to advance work in achieving the SDGs, and is fortunate to be a returning Global Goals Ambassador for UNA-USA. Passionate about partnership in service and local impact, Sean aspires to serve as a JAG officer in the Air Force, with an ultimate goal of further service

Li Zhang is an Associate Economic Affairs Officer with the Financing for Sustainable Development Office at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. With over a decade of experience in communications, journalism, social media, and multimedia production, she previously worked with the United Nations Department of Global Communications, supporting global outreach and strategic messaging.

Born and raised in China, Li considers New York City her second home, having lived and studied there for more than ten years. She is a strong advocate for Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing its vital role in mobilizing resources and strengthening collaboration to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As an Ambassador for Goal 17, she is committed to promoting global partnerships, public-private collaboration, and financial innovation to build trust, solidarity, and collective action for sustainable development.