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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.

How many people impacted? And who were they? Christopher O. Fallah has directly impacted over 3,000 MSMEs across Africa, including small business owners, rural entrepreneurs, digital startups, and merchants in the informal sector. These businesses, once hindered by limited access to digital tools, unreliable financial services, high transaction fees, and logistical challenges, now benefit from Annita's services, enabling them to operate more efficiently, access wider markets, and scale beyond local economies.  How were they supported? Christopher’s approach has been holistic, addressing several pain points through Annita’s unified digital platform. By combining e-commerce, fintech, logistics, AI-powered business tools, and marketing solutions into a single ecosystem, MSMEs have been empowered with:  Seamless Digital Payments – Businesses can accept a variety of transactions, such as mobile money, bank transfers, and card payments, facilitating smooth and secure financial operations.  Market Access & Visibility – Entrepreneurs have gained access to a larger customer base through Annita’s marketplace, digital marketing tools, and social networking features, enhancing their ability to grow.  Logistics & Fulfillment – Small businesses, particularly in rural areas, have access to affordable, reliable delivery solutions, overcoming transportation challenges.  AI-Driven Insights – Businesses can use predictive analytics to enhance sales strategies, optimize pricing, and better engage customers.  Financial Inclusion – Many MSMEs, previously excluded from formal banking systems, now have access to digital wallets and financial management tools that help them scale and grow.  How much money did you raise? Although Annita has not conducted an official fundraising round yet, Christopher has successfully secured over $3,500 in grants from competitive entrepreneurship support programs, which have recognized Annita’s potential and impact. Additionally, Annita has generated nearly $100,000 in revenue, which showcases strong market demand and validation for the platform's offerings. This revenue reflects the success of Annita’s ability to help businesses run efficiently, transact smoothly, and grow sustainably.  What does this mean for the people you work with? For MSMEs, Christopher’s work is more than just providing business tools; it is about economic empowerment and sustainability. By addressing issues like financial exclusion, inefficient processes, and market barriers, Annita has given entrepreneurs the ability to:  Increase revenue and scale operations by breaking down technological barriers and connecting them to a broader market.  Reduce operational costs by eliminating the need for multiple platforms and offering affordable, bundled services.  Access credit and financial services that were previously unavailable, enabling businesses to expand and invest in their future.  Create jobs and opportunities within local communities, as businesses can now grow and generate demand for services and employment.  Explain a case study. A fashion entrepreneur in Liberia provides a great example of how Annita can make a difference. She initially struggled with limited customer reach and payment collection issues, relying on social media and cash-based transactions. This made it hard to scale her business.  After integrating her operations with Annita’s digital marketplace and fintech solutions, she experienced impressive growth:  Sales increased by over 150% within six months, as she gained access to a more diverse and wider customer base.  Seamless payment processing allowed her to accept mobile money and card payments, solving her previous cash flow issues and streamlining her transaction process.  AI-powered marketing tools helped her optimize her pricing strategies and personalize promotions, leading to higher customer retention.  Improved logistics solutions enabled her to expand her reach beyond Liberia, fulfilling orders across multiple African countries.  This case study illustrates how Annita can help entrepreneurs transform their businesses, improve financial stability, and thrive in a competitive digital economy. While MSMEs are already benefiting from our e-commerce, marketing, and logistics services, we are actively working on launching the full Annita Ecosystem, which will provide comprehensive solutions for business growth, including our fintech platform launching this year.

Clancy Lester is a passionate advocate for native bee conservation and biodiversity, using his platform BeesandBlossoms to educate a broad audience of over 20,000 followers  on pollinator conservation, the threats they face, and how individuals can take action. His work goes beyond millions of views and awareness, he actively engages students, youth, and communities in hands-on conservation, empowering them through bee hotel building, pollinator-friendly gardening, and habitat protection. Clancy also fosters the integration Indigenous knowledge, encouraging the sharing and learning of First Nations perspectives on climate and the environment to highlight the importance of traditional ecological knowledge in conservation. As a STEM role model for regional youth, he inspires country students to see science as an accessible and exciting career path, sharing his journey from a small-town upbringing to scientific research. Recognized as an emerging leader, Clancy has participated in prestigious programs such as the Wattle Fellowship and the ABC Heywire Trailblazers Program, further amplifying his impact in science education and advocacy.

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.

Steve W. Collins, a climate justice activist from Liberia and founder of the Youth Action for Transformation Network (YATN), is a powerful advocate for environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, and social transformation. His work has directly impacted over 5,000 young people, women, and marginalized communities through climate education, advocacy, and grassroots initiatives.  Through YATN, Steve has led projects focused on climate resilience, reforestation, and sustainable development. One of his most impactful initiatives is the Green Future Project, which has planted over 10,000 trees across deforested regions in Liberia. This initiative not only restores ecosystems but also provides economic opportunities for local communities through agroforestry. Additionally, his work has empowered youth through climate justice workshops, equipping them with the skills to advocate for policy changes and environmental conservation.  Steve has successfully mobilized over $20,000 in funding from local and international partners to support climate education programs and community-based conservation efforts. His leadership has transformed the lives of young activists, enabling them to launch their own sustainability projects and influence policy dialogues.  A case study of impact is the Coastal Resilience Project in West Point, Monrovia, where Steve led efforts to raise awareness about rising sea levels and initiated mangrove restoration efforts. This intervention helped protect local fisheries, ensuring food security and economic stability for hundreds of families.  Steve’s vision for climate justice and youth-led transformation makes him a deserving nominee for the Future Minds Under 25 list. His work is not only changing lives in Liberia but also inspiring a new generation of climate leaders across Africa.

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.