Leadership Collective 2018
Every year the Leadership Collective focuses on a unique theme relating to global connectivity and leadership. In 2018, we are focused on the theme of Adaptive Resilience in a Changing World. By visiting communities in India that are creating solutions to modern global challenges, we saw people adapting to climate change, to poverty, to social and political trends, and to a world that is changing faster than it ever has. Students reflected on how their own ability to adapt while traveling relates to their ability to contribute to their own community’s current and future resilience.
Over five months, with four months of pre-departure engagement and one month of in-country experiential learning, 33 students worked together to build a holistic understanding of Adaptive Resilience. The in-country experience took place from South India on up to the Himalayas. 2018 also brought two new exciting components for the Leadership Collective. For one, the 2018 program opened students from around the world and saw expansion with South African and Nepali students.We also introduced a virtual Classroom to increase access, learning outcomes, and collaboration through technology.
This year’s Leadership Collective had 33 learners from the US, South Africa, India, and Nepal! Get to know the learners below, and follow along on their Leadership Collective journey as they share their reflections.
Student Profiles
The Leadership Collective 2024 is currently cultivating a new generation of conservation leaders. This groundbreaking program transcends borders and conventional learning, offering a transformative journey through India, a land teeming with diverse ecosystems, rich cultural heritage, and over 1.3 billion people.
This year’s cohort of 26 participants hails from seven different countries: India, South Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, the United States, Lebanon, and Nepal. Inspired by the success story of India’s Bengal Tiger population, these participants are delving into the complexities of conservation. Through a dynamic blend of virtual engagement and immersive travel, they are gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle environmental challenges head-on.
Ritika Gaur
Ritika, a 12th standard student at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Delhi, is passionate about traveling, exploring new places, and meeting people from different cultures. She is excited to be an active participant in the Leadership Collective, where she hopes to learn about conservation and contribute to group learning.
Kendriya Vidyalaya
New Delhi, India
Nisha Kumari
Nisha is a 12th grade soccer player and workshop facilitator. She is sociable and enjoys exploring new places.
YUWA School
Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
Thomas Walters
Thomas from the United States is a senior at Natrona County High School aspiring to be a lawyer. He runs cross country and loves cooking and trying new foods.
Natrona County High School
Casper, Wyoming, United States
Pratik Shrestha
Pratik, a 12th-grade student, is passionate about nature, arts, sports, and games. He enjoys watching the Premier League, drawing anime, and is open to new experiences.
Naaya Aayam Multi-Disciplinary Institute
Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal
Ishika Gupta
Ishika Gupta from India is pursuing a BSc in Medical. She is skilled at making new connections and is always welcoming.
Dronacharya Government College
Gurugram, Haryana, India
Rebecca Raphasha
Rebecca Raphasha from Alexandra, South Africa, is a coach with Grassroot Soccer. She is passionate about learning and teaching, hoping to become a teacher one day.
East Bank high School
Alexandra, South Africa
Nathaniel Carper-Young
Nathaniel from the US is a rising junior at Marblehead High, interested in film and literature.
Marblehead High School
Marblehead, Massachusetts, United States
Sukriti Bhatt
Sukriti from Himachal Pradesh, India, is pursuing a Diploma in Software Engineering in Pune. She loves traveling, exploring nature, and dancing, and looks forward to making new connections and experiencing various cultures.
Pune
Maharashtra (India)
Zephaniah Karriem
Zephaniah is a compassionate and introspective person with a love for poetry. He is an old soul who loves experiencing new things.
Cape Town,
South Africa
Khoumbaré Semega
Khoumbaré, a Mauritanian-American born and raised in Philadelphia, loves art and nature. They value kind, reflective, and open-minded people, along with good food and vibes.
George Washington Carver High School
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Andoniaina Faliherisoa Laurence Rabenarivo
Adoniaina is a student at the National Institue of Accounting Sciences and Business Administration of Madagascar. She is an enthusiastic and dedicated traveller.
Institut Supérieur en Sciences Comptables et Administration d’Entreprise
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Emmanuella Adjei
Emmanuella, is a rising junior in high school from California. She is interested in dance, drawing, and singing, and looks forward to exploring Indian culture, food, and history.
Eastside College Preparatory School
Palo Alto, California, United States
Isabel Xie
Isabel is a rising high school senior from Chicago. She is fond of ice skating, dancing, reading and arts & craft..
Whitney Young High School
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Om Shinde
Om Shinde from India is an enthusiast of nature, culture, and language, always eager to explore new places. He excels in painting and enjoys trying new cuisines.
Rajiv Gandhi Academy
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Vassidy Allen
Vassidy, a rising junior in high school from California, enjoys writing, basketball, and music. She is excited to learn about Indian culture, try new foods, and explore new places.
Eastside College Preparatory
Palo Alto, California, United States
Pavithra BC
Pavithra, from India, has just completed 12th grade and is set to join college. An avid reader of various genres, she enjoys playing basketball and football, singing, and playing chess for its complexity. Pavithra has high team spirit and loves socializing in large crowds.
The Samhita Academy
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Luke Benjamin
Luke Benjamin, a 16-year-old in grade 10, is a music lover and dancer. He enjoys nature, animals, exploring, and is a dedicated track and field athlete who volunteers at his church in his free time.
Beacon Hill High School
Cape Town, South Africa
Bharti Borrmann
Bharti originally from Maharashtra, grew up in San Rafael and San Francisco, actively participating in high school clubs and the site council to improve her classmates’ experiences. With a GPA of 3.39 and an honor roll certificate, Bharti hopes to use her experiences to help others in her Indian community explore their potential and achieve their goals.
John O’Connell Vocational High School
San Francisco, USA
Manasa T
Manasa T, from Bangalore in India, has recently graduated from school and is planning to study Mathematics and Computer Science. She is interested in learning about different cultures, enjoys singing, and is excited to meet new people and try different foods.
Shree Siddaganga College
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Ashwini MA
Chardane Arries, from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is a first-year BA student in Community Development and works for the non-profit organization WAVES FOR CHANGE. She enjoys swimming, hockey, and making TikTok videos.
St. Anne’s Degree College For Women
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Rami Amirdhammal M
Rami enjoys painting, drawing, music, and reading, and loves spending time with nature, family, friends, and pets. She is also athletic and curious about different cultures.
Tamil Nadu
India