Social Impact of the Year 2000

Ajay Sawant belongs on the Future Minds Under 25 list for his leadership in ocean conservation, youth empowerment, and policy advocacy. As the president of ThinkOcean Society, a High Seas Youth Ambassador, and a Youth Ocean Action Toolkit curriculum developer for National Geographic Society and The Ocean Foundation, he has shaped initiatives that have directly impacted over thousands of young people, educators, and policymakers worldwide.  Impact Through ThinkOcean Society  As the leader of ThinkOcean Society, Ajay has built a global youth-led network for ocean conservation. Under his leadership, ThinkOcean has established chapters in multiple countries, focusing on marine restoration, ocean literacy, and advocacy training. His work has resulted in thousands of young people taking direct action—whether through coastal cleanups, ocean education, or policy engagement.  Over the last year ThinkOcean Society has impacted nearly 35000 people, carried out flagship ocean governance campaign in India, carried out several beach cleanup projects in Hong Kong and Uganda and planted 4000 mangroves in Cameroon.  Advocacy for the High Seas  As a High Seas Youth Ambassador, Ajay has played a critical role in raising youth voices in global ocean governance. His advocacy has focused on fast tracking the ratification of the BBNJ High Seas Treaty and ensuring that youth and indigenous perspectives are included in marine policy. He has led high-level dialogues, policy briefings, and educational campaigns, engaging decision-makers and the public on why protecting the high seas is essential for biodiversity and climate resilience. The campaign reach over 100 thousand people in India and impacted 5000 young people directly.  Generation Artivism: Shaping Environmental Storytelling  Ajay’s Generation Artivism initiative bridges the gap between art, storytelling, and conservation action. Through this programming, he has supported marginalized youth in using art as a tool for advocacy, helping them gain visibility and funding for their climate storytelling projects. His work has led to hundreds of young people showcasing their climate narratives on global platforms, turning personal experiences into powerful calls for action.  Curriculum Development at National Geographic Society & The Ocean Foundation  Ajay’s expertise in ocean education and curriculum development has been instrumental in creating educational resources for National Geographic Society and The Ocean Foundation. His work includes developing youth-friendly toolkits on marine conservation, and climate literacy, which are now used by educators and students worldwide. These resources demystify complex marine protected areas, making them accessible and actionable for the next generation of ocean leaders.  Why This Matters  For the young people, communities, and policymakers Ajay works with, his initiatives mean access to education, advocacy tools, and funding opportunities that enable them to take meaningful climate action. His work transforms young people from passive observers to active changemakers, ensuring that conservation efforts are led by those who will inherit the planet. Through ThinkOcean, his high seas advocacy, and his educational work, Ajay is shaping a future where youth are not just participants but leaders in ocean conservation and climate justice.

I have personally spoken in front of over 10,000 people in total via speaking events. Girls for Algorithmic Justice (GFAJ) has impacted an estimated 7,000 people--primarily young people of marginalized gender identities. GFAJ focuses on issues that disproportionately impact women and girls, including explicit deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and online harassment. Our #StopExplicitDeepfakes campaign has reached over 5,000 people on social media. We're leveraging grassroots policy advocacy and digital outreach to destigmatize explicit deepfakes and empower victims. Our goal is to help co-create a world where the online safety of women, girls, and all people of marginalized gender identities is non-negotiable. In terms of how the people we reach are supported, we provide myriad educational resources on the topic of gender equity in AI, including workshops, speaker events, and resources for victims. We are also working to create systems-based change through our advocacy for the DEFIANCE Act and the Take it Down Act to enshrine protections for victims of explicit deepfakes. Thus far, we have received over $7,000 in grant funding from sources like Cornell University's Contribution Project, Civics Unplugged, Mary Kay, Prudential, and more. We have received numerous recognitions, including being recognized by the Prudential Emerging Visionaries program, receiving the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award, and a letter of commendation from Governor Phil Murphy. It feels rather weird to be writing a self-nomination, but I believe I belong on the Future Minds Under 25 list because of my track record of amplifying the voices of young people and championing critical yet under-vocalized issues, like explicit deepfakes and online harassment.

Impacted over 300 youth in the past.・Launched and expanded programs connecting Japanese youth with global talent, fostering a global mindset and cross-cultural understanding. Recognized by Tsinghua University, GYLD in China, STEMbotix(India’s education company) for its impact in Asia. ・Successfully co-hosted the Youth Global Summer Exchange Program with 3 organizations and 2 Japanese high schools, attracting 150 participants from Japan and India, and facilitated exchanges with Japanese high schools to inspire future global leaders.

Rhea Werner is not just a youth advocate—she’s a systems thinker who, at just 18, has influenced national and international policy, changed education frameworks, and created platforms that empower other young people to lead. Her impact is measurable: over $55 million in federal funding catalysed for eating disorder prevention and culturally inclusive mental health services, and more than 1 million children impacted through education, advocacy, and reform. Her work has reached students in Australia, India, Malaysia, and across ten U.S. states. Rhea founded the Embrace Collective Youth Initiative after witnessing her peers suffer from eating disorders during Melbourne’s 262-day lockdown. Realising existing systems were reactive and underfunded, she focused on prevention. She created Australia’s first youth-designed, culturally relevant eating disorder education module—now part of Western Australia’s curriculum. She led the "Bye Bye BMI" campaign, which successfully pushed for the removal of BMI screenings from schools nationally. She collaborated with the Victorian Curriculum and the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority to update teaching guidelines around body image. With Harvard’s STRIPED initiative, Rhea contributed to lobbying efforts that led to legislative changes in 10 U.S. states banning the sale of diet pills to minors. She has spoken at the United Nations ECOSOC Forum, representing youth perspectives in front of 40,000 international delegates. Further, her $6.2 million federal grant win supported the expansion of youth mental health services across Australia. She has also supported fundraising efforts across her programs and co-authored two youth-led research publications. Rhea launched the Changemaker Project to empower other young people to lead their own initiatives. One standout case is Annabelle, a 15-year-old from rural Victoria. After her school introduced mandatory weigh-ins during PE class, Annabelle felt distressed and unsure of how to respond. She attended the Embrace Youth Summit on scholarship, where Rhea mentored her one-on-one—offering strategy, research resources, and emotional support. Annabelle launched a student-led campaign, including an open letter and peer organizing. Within two months, the school reversed its policy. Annabelle now serves on Embrace’s Youth Committee, mentoring others and advocating for inclusive health education. The people Rhea works with—students, educators, and young leaders—are supported through hands-on mentorship, culturally sensitive educational tools, and opportunities to take part in tangible policy change. Her work means safer classrooms, informed educators, and students who feel seen, supported, and capable of change. Rhea’s work is research-driven, culturally aware, and youth-powered. She belongs on the Future Minds Under 25 list not just because of what she’s done, but because she’s created structures that will outlast her, and empowered others to do the same.

Murshidul Alam Bhuiyan is the founder and director of Team Bertho, a world-recognised youth organization that bonds the whole world beyond borders through individually crafted human life stories. Founded in 2016, Team Bertho works on documenting the life experiences gathered from of all race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and sexuality; striving to ensure global peace through inclusivity and connectivity. Team Bertho circulates stories, morals, and experiences in hopes that the audience benefits by learning the ever-flowing yet true nature of life and reality, along with applying the learnings to their own lives. With the power of curiosity, empathy, and compassion—Team Bertho created an inclusive universal dais where people can come together with their own valuable contributions to the world and its people. To date, Team Bertho has impacted 650,000 people across 81 countries.  Through the works of Team Bertho, Murshidul aims to build a community of empathetic human beings who live, learn and share in order to make meaningful psycho-social and emotional contributions to themselves, and the society.  At the heart of Team Bertho's efforts lies the concept of cross-pollination in education. They meticulously document insightful observations and current societal advancements, conventions, and reformations. By compiling and sharing the experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, they provide readers with immense inspiration. In addition to their projects, Team Bertho actively engages in philanthropic work to make an immediate impact. They organize activities and fundraising campaigns to support underserved communities, provide essential supplies during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and bring joy to those in need.  Through the establishment of such a wide-reaching and successful foundation, Murshidul reveals his excellent leadership qualities, which has earned him many accolades. The noteworthy ones being—The Diana Award, Asia's Top 10 Young Talents, Bloom’s 30 Under 30, Global Youth Awards for Educational Innovation, Top 50 Coolest South Asians Of 2022, The Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll, 50 Leading Lights Asia Pacific, Fellowship at The Queen's Commonwealth Trust, and UNICEF Meena Media Award.  Team Bertho’s largest project called ‘Human Heroes' exhibits experiences from regular people around the globe, as well as allows them to share their learnings from life. The audio version of the life lesson exhibition “Life Tales” is broadcasted in Team Bertho’s audio station Berthodoler Caravan. Through these projects, Murshidul hopes to lend underprivileged people a platform to raise their voices.  Murshidul is conscious about the cause of the trans community, which is why he undertook another noteworthy project called “Project Unfurl.” Here, Team Bertho documented the untold stories and lessons from members of the third gender community of Bangladesh (Eunuchs, inter-sex and transgender people are called “Hijra” in the Indian subcontinent and are regarded as the “Third Gender” through legislation as well).  Consciousness of mental health is another issue Murshidul is set on establishing, especially amidst youths. This is reflected in Team Bertho’s live web-conferencing series, “Ichi-go Ichi-e”, which was rendered possible by the participation of speakers all over the world.   In order to further his community goal, Murshidul and Team Bertho physically conduct workshops using an eclectic mix of theatre, storytelling, creative writing, poetry, and many other forms of entertainment and art. Their efforts are aimed towards personal development, enhanced communication skills and public speaking, but mostly towards exploring one’s full potential.  Team Bertho’s ventures circumfers the Sustainable development goals of “Good Health & Wellbeing” for their work in raising various point of discussion regarding mental health and wellbeing issues, “Quality Education” for their approach of cross-pollination of education and wisdom, and “Sustainable Cities & Communities” as their work creates significant empathetic connections amongst people around the world crafting a sustainable global community. However Team Bertho’s structure and methodology cover the goals “Gender Equality” and “Reduced Inequalities” as there is no barrier in Team Bertho’s policy of recruitment as well as their initiative of representation. Their projects promote peace and justice as well as initiating strong institutions through conscientious people - which can be referred toward the goal of “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”.  Murshidul’s convictions are a mix of philanthropy, appreciation for arts, and the vision of a greater future. He hopes to undertake many more projects to advocate for mental health, reduce discrimination and inequalities, and create an education system that aids in cultivating wise and resourceful humans.  Murshidul's imaginative mind hopes to create an empathic community and plans to grow his network in the future to establish a global platform where people can interact through common experiences.

I belong on the Future Minds Under 25 list because of the impact I’ve made through Create Happy Media, where I’ve had the privilege of directly supporting over 120 young journalists. Since founding Create Happy in 2022, we’ve published over 350 articles, offering a platform where youth voices can be amplified. This platform has empowered young people to tell their stories and has provided them with real-world experience in writing, editing, and media production.  Through Create Happy, I’ve been able to nurture a community of passionate, driven young people who are working to reshape how youth are represented in media. We’ve built a network where these journalists feel supported, not just as contributors, but as creative thinkers and leaders. One of the courses we run each year is our Compassionate Journalism Course, where participants get the chance to join the Young Writers Collective. The Collective has been a key project in empowering young people to tell their own stories. Through this program, I’ve mentored over 50 aspiring writers, giving them the opportunity to develop their skills in a supportive, hands-on environment.  The Young Writers Collective focuses on youth-led storytelling. It’s a space where young people can explore their creativity, write about topics that matter to them, and share their experiences. The collective is about building confidence, developing leadership skills, and enabling a sense of belonging in the media world. Each writer is given personal guidance on how to craft their stories, edit their work, and connect with their audience. The program encourages collaboration, where writers bounce ideas off each other, share feedback, and grow together.  The outcomes of these initiatives speak for themselves: young people are gaining skills, building their portfolios, and becoming leaders in the media landscape. Through Create Happy, they are discovering the power of their own voices, and they’re using those voices to shape the future of media and advocacy.

Anjani Sharma is not just a leader—she is a movement. As the Founder and Executive Director of Minds Without Borders, Anjani has mobilized over 2,000 youth across 10+ countries, from the slums of Mumbai and Nairobi to underserved classrooms in the United States, equipping them with the tools to advocate for their mental health, access equitable education, and lead sustainable change within their own communities.  Through a blend of grassroots action and high-level policy advocacy, Anjani has built a global youth-led ecosystem focused on dismantling the stigma around mental health and closing the access gap for marginalized populations. Her nonprofit has raised over $27,000 to fund multilingual educational toolkits, trauma-informed peer support systems, and capacity-building programs for young leaders in under-resourced areas.  In the slums of Dharavi, India, Anjani launched a chapter of Minds Without Borders that brought trauma-informed curriculum and safe space programming to over 300 children—many of whom had never had access to mental health education before. By partnering with local schools and community leaders, she ensured cultural relevance and long-term sustainability. Youth in these areas didn’t just receive help—they became trained peer educators, sparking a domino effect of advocacy and empowerment.  Anjani’s work is not confined to the grassroots. She has lobbied for mental health and healthcare equity bills in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., helping author and advocate for legislative initiatives aimed at increasing access to mental health resources in schools and communities. She’s met with members of Congress and state lawmakers, bringing real stories from her international work to the policy table. Her advocacy directly contributed to statewide dialogue around youth crisis services and culturally competent care in Florida.  As a University of Florida Student Senator, representing over 50,000 students, Anjani successfully campaigned for increased funding for mental health programs on campus and helped launch initiatives focused on minority and immigrant student wellness. She’s also trained dozens of young advocates through workshops, digital fellowships, and storytelling campaigns—scaling her impact by empowering others to lead.  Case Study: In Nigeria, Anjani collaborated with local educators in Abuja to deliver mental health literacy programs to over 150 students. One participant, a 16-year-old boy dealing with the loss of his mother and navigating PTSD, later became a peer educator through Anjani’s mentorship. He now runs monthly mental health meetups in his school and recently presented at a regional youth forum—demonstrating how Anjani’s model turns beneficiaries into changemakers.  Her work represents a future where youth-led, culturally rooted, and policy-informed solutions are the norm—not the exception. Anjani Sharma belongs on the Future Minds Under 25 list because she is not waiting for permission to change the world. She already is.

How many people were impacted? And who were they? Through his work with The Legacy Project, he has supported over 1,000 students each year from low socio-economic backgrounds — many of whom are first-generation university applicants or come from communities historically underrepresented in higher education and professional careers. These students are ambitious, capable, and full of potential — they simply need access to the guidance, opportunities, and networks that others often take for granted.  How were they supported? He founded The Legacy Project during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, initially offering virtual advice clinics, application support, and mentoring to students facing uncertainty. Since then, the programme has grown into a comprehensive, year-round initiative offering:  One-to-one mentoring  Personal statement and university application guidance  Academic and skills-based workshops  University and corporate insight visits  Partnerships with schools for in-depth, long-term support  Crucially, all services are provided completely free of charge, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of opportunity.  How much money did he raise? In the early stages, he raised over £10,000 through crowdfunding, all of which was directly reinvested into student-facing initiatives. As the project grew, he went on to secure grant funding that has allowed the organisation to expand its reach, scale its enrichment programmes, and build new partnerships with schools and employers — while keeping every service free for students and schools.  What does this mean for the people he works with? The outcomes speak for themselves: hundreds of students have gone on to secure places at Russell Group universities, competitive apprenticeships, and meaningful employment. But the true impact runs deeper.  Many of the young people supported by The Legacy Project come from difficult or unstable backgrounds, where aspirations are often limited by circumstance. The project doesn't just offer opportunities — it builds belief. It helps students develop the confidence, mindset, and resilience to see their potential and go after it.  For many, it’s a transformative experience. And the cycle doesn’t stop there — a growing number of alumni return to volunteer with the organisation, mentoring the next generation and creating a powerful ripple effect of aspiration and support.  Case study In its early years, he launched a year-long enrichment programme in partnership with local schools. The programme offered ongoing mentoring, skills development workshops, and access to universities and professional environments.  The pilot cohort saw exceptional results:  100% of participants said they would recommend the programme  All reported that it significantly influenced their post-college decisions and outcomes  Many progressed to top universities, apprenticeships, or early careers — and some returned as mentors  The success of this pilot has shaped the programme's ongoing structure and affirmed the power of consistent, long-term intervention for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.  Recognition As someone from a similar background to the students he supports, he brings authenticity, empathy, and lived experience to the work. In recognition of his impact, he has been awarded both the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award and The Diana Award (2023) — honours that reflect not only the reach of his work, but the meaningful, lasting difference it has made in the lives of young people across the UK.

Takia Sultana Nova belongs on the Future Minds Under 25 list because she has created transformative impact in the lives of over 1,500 women in Bangladesh through her social enterprise, RoadBook BD, a women-led riding school and transport initiative. Her work directly supports women—especially students, entrepreneurs, and working mothers—who face barriers in accessing safe, independent, and affordable transportation.  People Impacted: Her initiative has empowered over 1,500 women with motorbike riding skills, many of whom are now able to travel safely, start delivery jobs, or transport their children to school. The majority of these women are from Chittagong and surrounding areas and come from middle to lower-middle-income families.  Support Provided: Takia provided hands-on riding training, mentorship, confidence-building sessions, and technical support through a growing mobile app. In addition, she is building a “Women-led Tourism & Transport Hub” in Cox’s Bazar to expand opportunities for local women in tourism, guiding, and vehicle rentals.  Funding Raised: Through competitions and partnerships, Takia raised over 3,500 USD in seed funding, including support from local events and programs like PULSE Cox’s Bazar, along with in-kind support from mentors and partners.  Meaning for the Community: For the women she works with, this initiative is more than just learning to ride—it’s about independence, mobility, and dignity. For many, it’s their first step toward employment or entrepreneurship. The initiative also addresses gender-based violence in public transport by offering safe, women-centric alternatives.  Case Study: One notable story is Rabeya Akter, a 33-year-old entrepreneur from Agrabad who struggled daily with transportation challenges. After training with RoadBook BD, she gained the confidence to travel alone, reduce her commute costs, and expand her business reach. Today, Rabeya uses her motorbike for personal mobility and is also helping train other women in her neighborhood—creating a ripple effect.

Vishal Parkash is the founder of REM and Company at Bard College Berlin — a student-driven consulting initiative that has provided pro bono strategic support to over 200 people, including small business owners, grassroots NGOs, and social entrepreneurs from Berlin to Palestine and Pakistan. REM began as a pandemic response effort offering free consulting to struggling small businesses, and under Vishal’s leadership, it has grown into a thriving digital community and knowledge-sharing hub for mission-driven ventures. One standout case study includes REM’s work with REDI School of Digital Integration, an organization supporting refugees and migrants. Vishal led a team that revamped REDI’s entire online presence, streamlined their communications strategy, and supported their fundraising and partnership efforts — significantly advising on how to enhance their children’s program visibility and capacity to reach donors and supporters. Through work like this, REM doesn’t just consult — it transforms how social enterprises communicate, fundraise, and grow. At REM, we’re on a mission to keep doors open and dreams alive. Our teams help small businesses and nonprofits identify their challenges, co-design innovative strategies, and build long-term capacity. Our work is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and a belief in the power of youth-led change. But Vishal is not just REM. Since the age of 14, Vishal has embodied civic engagement and social impact, working across sectors and continents. His experience spans: Advocating for minority rights and youth civic participation in South Asia and Europe, leading movements of 1000s of people Delivering 50 financial literacy and entrepreneurial workshops and promoting women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment in underserved communities Founding two social impact ventures that have provided monthly employment to hundreds of people Speaking at global forums like Salzburg Global Seminar, Creative Bureaucracy Festival, TEDx and the Diversify Nordics Summit on AI, democracy, and inclusive economies Whether it’s building entrepreneurial ecosystems through the NextGen Launchpad or leading financial education programs for immigrants through Emprende Berlin and RUBAN, Vishal’s work is about scaling inclusion, opportunity, and hope. He doesn’t just start projects — he builds sustainable platforms that empower others to lead. Vishal Parkash is a Future Mind in every sense of the word — entrepreneurial in spirit, civic in heart, and global in impact.

Antonia is a multifaceted individual. A licensed physiotherapist and a Purple Scouts member of the World Scouting Organization, she is actively involved in outreach programs aimed at providing healthcare access to underserved communities. Her projects span a range of initiatives, including a newsletter that reaches over 1,000 people, empowering the public to make knowledge-based decisions in their healthcare practices.  She has a rich leadership background, having served as the former Chief Administrator of Physiomentalis, a community for young student physiotherapists. In 2019, she became the first female physiotherapist to be named a Millennium Fellowship Alumni, and she is currently an associate founder of Herphysio.As a social advocate , she has actively contributed to planning programmes, raising funds for advocacy work and donations.Her advocacy has united Physiotherapist across the globe, inspire minds, transform leadership approaches in future healthcare workers, especially within healthcare.  As an AI ethicist, Antonia contributes to Open Ethics, an organization dedicated to developing policy frameworks for the ethical application of AI. Her commitment to healthcare accessibility is further demonstrated through her ongoing project, Doc-ish. This LLM-based initiative aims to integrate ethical and responsible AI into healthcare systems, making medical resources more accessible to those in need.  Her goal is to advocate for accessible healthcare through technology for social advocacy.

Millicent Wenlock is a visionary leader whose work spans education, social justice, climate action, and systemic reform, creating measurable and transformative change for marginalised communities. Through initiatives like the All of Us Employment Group, she has directly supported over 1,100 care-experienced and estranged students across the UK, offering career workshops, mentorship, and advocacy to dismantle barriers in education and employment. Her policy influence extends to high-level forums, such as advising and contributing to the policy paper by the House of Lords on improving employment transitions for disabled and neurodivergent youth, ensuring their voices shape inclusive policies. She has also co-produced the Period Equity Toolkit, a groundbreaking resource to improve menstrual hygiene access for 35% of students facing period poverty, while her carbon assessments for 22 universities have driven sustainability strategies aligned with global climate goals.      Millicent’s innovative approaches tackle systemic inequities head-on. As co-designer of the Joined Up Institute, she developed a cross-sector professional program for 10,000 youth workers, bridging gaps between government, NGOs, and educators. Her leadership in the Walking the Talk Campaign saw her lobby over 40 MPs and host international conferences to advance gender equity and climate resilience, while her neurodiversity hiring training for organisations like the 10,000 Interns Foundation has opened pathways for disabled talent. She also champions circular economy solutions, exploring projects like anaerobic digesters to boost local, sustainable job growth by 15%.    Central to her work is uplifting underrepresented voices. As co-chair of the Care Experienced Movement, she amplified outreach by 40%, securing lifelong rights for care-leavers and collaborating with policymakers like the Department for Education and Josh MacAlister. Her advocacy has reached national platforms, including features in The i Paper and the BBC Fightback podcast, where she highlighted homelessness and systemic barriers care-experienced youth face. She advised and was interviewed for a documentary by the Scottish Human Rights Commission on ending the institutionalisation of individuals with learning disabilities, impacting 500+ stakeholders, and led accessibility training at The Conservation Volunteers, increasing staff with access needs by 5%. Globally, as a UNICEF Youth Foresight Delegate, she shaped policies affecting 1.5 billion young people, prioritising inclusive governance and climate action.     An example of her impact is the All of Us Employment Group, which empowers care-experienced students through peer-to-peer support and partnerships with employers. This initiative has provided tangible resources and fostered community resilience, with members reporting increased confidence and career readiness. Millicent’s intersectional approach, connecting lived experience with policy advocacy, embodies the Future Minds mission, proving that age is no barrier to driving systemic change. Her work inspires a future where equity and opportunity are accessible to all.