Leadership Collective 2023
Climate and You: Mobilizing, Mitigating and Adapting
Climate researchers are in agreement that our planet is facing an unprecedented shift in temperature and weather patterns. As per reports, August of 2023 was earth’s hottest month on record. As temperatures rise, natural disasters will be exacerbated and people are forced to adapt to a challenging new environment. Youth have risen up internationally to take the lead on fighting and preparing for this dramatic change. Our online course and in-person travel focussed on the scientific and social basics of climate change and the crisis we are facing. It also prepared students with knowledge about India, and provided a platform for building a community of learners. On our journey to India, we met with people that are experiencing climate-related challenges and those that are creating solutions.
This is a reboot for the year 2020 – which could not happen because of the pandemic. We re-ignited the program in 2023 with the 2020 cohort. We welcomed learners from five different countries — the United States, South Africa, Jordan, Cuba and India. The students travelled to India and covered Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Mysore and Hampi from July 7 through July 24. Get to know them below!
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