Meet the 2025 Youth Steering Committee
Adelina Toufanpur, 18 California
Adelina is a graduating senior and a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and human rights. She plans to attend University of California Santa Cruz, majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Political Science, to pursue a career in environmental legislation and policy reform. A dedicated vegan for nearly five years and the Co-President of her school's environmental club, Adelina led a district-wide campaign to implement plant-based lunches in her district’s high school cafeterias—an achievement that earned her multiple honors in recognition of her advocacy for animal welfare and food justice. Beyond environmental advocacy, she has been deeply involved in global human rights movements, particularly the Women, Life, Freedom campaign for Iranian women's rights. Adelina is eager to bring her leadership, advocacy experience, and unwavering commitment to systemic change to the Youth Steering Committee, where she hopes to collaborate with like-minded peers to create a more equitable and sustainable future. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the beach, and playing with her dogs.
Ava Nnochiri, 16 Vermont
Ava is an upcoming junior in high school who aspires to work in the legal or economic field. She is passionate about improving the school system by advocating for more allergy-friendly options through plant-based foods. By promoting plant-based meals, she believes students with allergies to animal products can access a safer path to food security and health. Ava has experience organizing and volunteering as a Student Representative on her town’s Parks and Recreation Committee. She also brings strong leadership skills as the President of her school’s Mock Trial team and Model United Nations. During her time on the Youth Steering Committee, she plans to work toward creating a more allergy-aware school system by implementing inclusive plant-based food options.
Chloe Pendergrast, 21 Georgia
Chloe is a student at Mercer University majoring in Public Health and minoring in Sociology, with aspirations of becoming a community health worker or epidemiologist. She is passionate about improving school food systems and believes that every student deserves access to healthy, sustainable meals that support their well-being. Chloe is inspired by the idea that small, local changes—like better school food—can lead to major improvements in public health and environmental sustainability. She has served as a page for the Georgia House of Representatives through the Georgia Pager Program and has volunteered as a community health advocate at a health center in Macon, Georgia, where she promoted heart health awareness and public health education. Through this committee, she looks forward to strengthening her communication and leadership skills while learning more about grassroots organizing and policy engagement.
Emily Giron, 17
New York
Emily is deeply passionate about improving school food, shaped by her firsthand experiences with unhealthy and sometimes unsafe school meals. After encountering moldy food and witnessing peers fall ill from school lunches, Emily became determined to advocate for healthier, more nutritious meals, especially for students from low-income families like hers who rely on school food as a primary source of nourishment. She believes that all students deserve access to meals that support their well-being and help them thrive. Emily has completed over 300 hours of community service, participates in Model United Nations, and even won third place in an app development class. Outside of her advocacy work, Emily enjoys acting, building high-power rockets, spending time in nature, and baking treats for her family. As a member of the Youth Steering Committee, she looks forward to connecting with like-minded peers, building lasting relationships, and working together to achieve access to plant-based school meals for all students.
Emily Lin, 16 California
Emily is a rising high school senior from Southern California. She is passionate about advancing plant-based options, especially coming from a low-income area where food diversity is limited. At school, she is involved in numerous clubs, most notably as the founder of her school’s UNICEF club, an advocacy-based club that promotes children's rights, and as the president of Key Club, a service-based organization through which she supports her home, school, and community. Through her internship with TreePeople- Southern California's oldest and largest environmental nonprofit organization- Emily began exploring the importance of environmental preservation, particularly in relation to animal consumption. Joining the Youth Steering Committee will allow her to further advocate for plant-based meals in educational settings. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, reading, and hiking!
Joshua Thomas, 14 Maryland
Joshua is a rising sophomore in high school who is passionate about leadership, advocacy, and building stronger communities. He believes in the power and the right to make informed school food choices and that through plant-based foods, students can have the opportunity to choose healthier options that provide them with more energy. With a vision of becoming a business owner after college, Joshua is committed to utilizing his talents to drive positive change, promote equity, and create opportunities for others. An accomplished young advocate, Joshua has successfully engaged with local commissioners and state delegates on key community issues. Joshua’s passion for community health, food equity, and environmental stewardship leads him to the Youth Steering Committee, reflecting his belief in the importance of doing good and building a better future.
Neel Gonugunta, 16 Wisconsin
Neel Gonugunta is an advocate for sustainable food systems, with a focus on plant-based school food and environmental impact. He is an active member of his school’s Team Earth club, where he helps organize community initiatives such as clothing drives and petitions for climate-friendly legislation. As the winner of the Congressional App Challenge for his WasteWise Global Food Loss and Waste predictor, Neel is dedicated to using technology to address food waste and promote sustainability. He also serves as a state teen consultant, advocating for healthcare and education policies that support young people. Through their experience in the Youth Steering Committee, Neel hopes to make a rippling impact in food system sustainability and social justice. In the future, Neel aims to pursue a career at the intersection of artificial intelligence and environmental science, developing solutions that benefit both people and the planet. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and reading books on environmental issues.
Nicole Josue, 18 Kentucky
Nicole Josue is an incoming sophomore at Morehead State University, where she is studying Computer Information Systems. As a passionate community organizer, she spearheaded Justice Fest, a rally against the removal of buses for magnet schools in Kentucky. Nicole has also organized events focused on raising awareness about gun violence in her community and has completed over 350 hours of community service for low-income housing projects. At Morehead State University, she is an active member of multiple clubs, including the Black Student Union. This summer, she’s excited to work with the Youth Steering Committee to promote healthier eating habits among students and ensure all students have access to school lunches that cater to diverse dietary preferences and restrictions.
Nkechinyere Okwuwasi, 16 Michigan
Nkechinyere Okwuwasi is a rising high school senior committed to community activism. She is passionate about climate action and youth advocacy. Witnessing environmental disparities in her city has inspired her to become an advocate for change. Nkechinyere is an active voice in her community. She serves on the S.A.L.T. (Student Association for Leadership and Transformation) youth board, where she collaborates with other high school students to drive meaningful change in public schools. She also works with Camp A.R.Y.V. (Always Raise Youth Voices) as a young leader, educating students across Grand Rapids on how to take charge and advocate for the issues they care about. As a recipient of the 2024 Community Leadership Award, Nkechinyere continues to work diligently to uplift and improve her Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. In her free time, she enjoys watching rom-coms, listening to Frank Ocean, and creating art. In the future, Nkechinyere dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon.
Quincy Alberhasky, 18 Missouri
Quincy is a student at Brown University studying environmental science. She is closely involved with environmental and science organizations, including the Sunrise Movement, Food Recovery Network, and Brown Science Prep. In the past, she has also worked as the first Director of Communications of Climate Cardinals, a youth-led organization that seeks to expand the accessibility of climate information globally. Additionally, she has interned under the American Fisheries Society as a Hutton Fisheries Scholar, gaining hands-on experience with local conservation management and invasive species control. Currently, she is interested in advocacy and policy work within the environmental movement, particularly related to issues that pertain to environmental justice, food systems, and education. She hopes to contribute to the expansion of education accessibility and increase student interest, especially in the sciences. In her free time, Quincy enjoys writing, pencil sketching and reading Maya Angelou, Mary Oliver, and many others.
Sohan Nelakudity, 17
Connecticut
Sohan is a passionate advocate for social justice, cultural inclusivity, and equitable access to resources. As president of the Asian Student Union and a leader in the Social Justice Council, he works to promote cultural awareness and foster an inclusive school environment. He has organized community events that celebrate diversity and is looking forward to advocating for plant-based food options to help create healthier and more sustainable environments. Sohan is also dedicated to exploring how financial systems impact communities, with a particular focus on helping small businesses thrive. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career in business analytics or finance, where he can combine data-driven decision-making with social impact. In his free time, Sohan enjoys playing tennis, watching sports, and volunteering in his community.
Tanay Anantasagar, 17
Texas
Tanay is a junior in high school and the founder of HorizonsForHope, an initiative that connects high school mentors with underserved youth to provide free enrichment courses in ethics and STEM. He has also interned with multiple startups supporting protein diversification and innovation. At school, Tanay founded and leads both the Plant-Based Eating Club and the Philosophy Club, where he facilitates dialogue on dietary justice and morality. In addition, he volunteers weekly at local shelters and organizes animal rights activism in his community.
Vienna Dschung, 16 Massachusetts
Vienna is a high school junior and deeply passionate about advancing the educational experience for marginalized communities. She is interested in pursuing a career in finance and public policy. With her experiences as a CARE Leadership Next Gen Fellow, Miss China International, founder of Empower Initiative, and lobbying with the Massachusetts Youth Climate Coalition, Vienna plans to continue advocating for causes she deeply believes in, such as education, immigration, and climate change. Currently, Vienna is continuing her work with Empower Initiative to bring more transparency and educational opportunities for students in the Greater Boston area, organizing a youth conference and researching for the Gateway Communities survey with the Commonwealth Seminar, and volunteering at senior homes as a (fun fact!) certified cybersecurity practitioner. With the Youth Steering Committee, Vienna hopes to contribute to this cause and bring more sustainable meal options to her school district and other students across the country.
Yandel Ramirez, 18
New York
Yandel Ramirez is a high school junior enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. He is passionate about promoting equitable food access, advocating for environmental sustainability, and uplifting youth through education and policy. Yandel has served as a field researcher at the Bronx Zoo through Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology), where he conducted ecological studies on American eels. He enjoys helping out in his community and has testified at City Hall in support of increased funding for youth internships and environmental programs, such as those offered by the Wildlife Conservation Society. He also volunteers as a Discovery Guide, helping children learn about science and nature through hands-on activities. Yandel loves conducting research and is working to publish a paper on the connection between pollution and academic performance across New York City, with mentorship from professors at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.