Noa "Pepper" is a disabled and neurodivergent community organizer and activist. Her pronouns are she/her.

She is the Founder of the Neurodivergent Network. The Neurodivergent Network works to spotlight neurodivergent lived experiences and advocate for essential accommodations in society and workplaces. She is also a consultant for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) specializing in the field of youth and climate action, for the Asia Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) in organizing the Asia Gender Network of gender-focused philanthropists, for The Humane League (THL) in lobbying for animal rights and welfare, and for L'Oreal Philippines in championing sustainable beauty through the brand Kiehl's.

Throughout her career in impact, Noa has organized more than 600 community events, formal programs, and impact campaigns across Asia, amassing a robust community of over 23,000 dedicated individuals driving positive change. She is always open to collaboration, to speaking engagements, and to continous learning.

Artist-Designer, storyteller, and nationally awarded environment youth leader. Lester is a Bicol-grown Artivist who uses fashion as a platform for environmental education and climate action. His works revolve around capacity training, art workshops, social experiments, and field immersions that allow his learners and audience to experience the environment technically. Lester is the founder of CICCADA, a brand movement that started as a small advocacy brand that has since championed a fashion waste-free environment by producing wearable art pieces that are recycled and upcycled.

Gabrielle is an intersectional youth activist from the Philippines. As Global Operations Manager for the Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) Movement for 4 years, she developed BFFP’s systems for internal processes and communication efforts; ensuring global solidarity, activists’ wellbeing and resilience, and intersectional impact-making. Over her 8-year career as a volunteer and activist, Gabrielle has helped different movements create impact through communications and organizational development; encompassing the sectors Disaster Risk Reduction, reproductive health of women in urban poor communities, and children's rights. She was a Co-Committee Head for Metro Manila Pride (the task force behind the LGBTQ+ Pride March and Festival in Metro Manila) which she was a part of for 3 years. She holds a degree in Organizational Communication from De La Salle University (Manila, Philippines) and is pursuing a Masters of Science degree on Social Justice and Community Action in the University of Edinburgh (Scotland, United Kingdom).

Monal (she/her) is an educator and the Managing Director at Canopy Nepal, where she works to promote interactive learning and accessibility of education in Nepali schools, which has impacted over 13000 students in around 200 schools. She is also the Nepal Country Coordinator of ISLearning., an NGO based in the USA that connects differently-abled students globally through cultural exchange. Monal is an awardee of UN Women Asia and Pacific's 30 for 2030 Network.

Pursuing a double degree in Law from Nepal, Rose is a social-impact practitioner who has worked to facilitate period-equity and transitional justice with regional and international stakeholders. Her passion lies in attaining gender justice, which she does by combining menstrual literacy with the skill development of post-conflict female victims. Rose also has experience as a journalist and has extensively researched the socio-legal intricacies present in Nepal. Her primary focus is to foster accountability towards marginalized communities in Nepal. To achieve her goals, Rose advocates for period-positivity by enhancing access to pads in local schools and prisons, grassroots advocacy, and destigmatizing the taboos surrounding menstruation. Additionally, she works to empower post-conflict women victims to take up decision-making roles by equipping them with journalistic skills and fostering their agency through non-extractive story-telling mechanisms. She also represented Nepal at FORA's Global Summit on Gender Equality and held spaces at the UN Women Asia Pacific event as a Speaker.

Kha (Khanh Ha) Le, born in Nha Trang and brewed in Saigon, Vietnam, is the founder of BAO, an organization advocating for gender diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) . As a non-binary transgender, their focus as a researcher and a policy advocator is gender DEI, particularly in higher education in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Kha's experience and expertise focus on human rights advocacy, gender equity, gender diversity, and gender inclusivity. Their work also involves sustainability, plastic circularity, and circular economy.

Beside being an alumnus of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Fellowship and a scholar of the CIMB ASEAN full-ride Scholarship, Kha is a Youth Leader of the US - Vietnam Leadership Cohort sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace and the Fulbright University Vietnam. Kha is also a poet who muses on alienation, estrangement, and loss.

Phatsaline is a mental health advocate, an active volunteer in the Global Shapers community under the World Economic Forum, and a co-founder of Gamlangchai, a community-based mental health initiative run by young people for young people in Laos, founded in 2020. We aim to promote mental health awareness, build the capacity of the non-mental health specialised workforce, deliver peer support programmes, and advocate for youth involvement in a systematic change for the mental health landscape in Laos.

Qiyun is a Singaporean climate activist, science communicator and creative storyteller with a passion to make climate science understandable. She is best known for her work with The Weird and Wild, an Instagram page that produces visual environmental content to advocate, educate and engage communities on climate change. She uses comics, videos and social media to make scientific concepts, policy, and information accessible to a digital audience. Her work has gained traction, and got her recognised on major news media outlets like VOGUE, WWD, BBC and local media such as The Straits Times and Channel News Asia. She's also recently named a National Geographic Young Explorer.

Ty is a proud descendent of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa with ancestral ties to Taputimu, Nofoali'i, Ngāti Maru ki Hauraki, and Fiji.

Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Ty is passionate about youth advocacy, sustainable development, racial justice, and civic education. During the pandemic Ty had the additional challenge of dealing with neurosurgery and during recovery, she discovered her calling for global change-making. She has been dedicated to empowering and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, particularly Māori and Pasifika youth, as she believes that fostering and activating indigenous knowledge is the key to achieving a better world.

Ty has taken her passion across the world, driven to open doors for Māori & Pasifika in the global discourse on sustainable development and to be a role model for her younger sisters, Blayke and Ridley, so they feel confident navigating through life as powerful Pacific women.

Niyati Sharma is the Founder and Executive Director of Pratisandhi Foundation, a youth-led non- profit organisation working to eliminate the shame and stigma surrounding sexual health through transformative educational interventions. Her team has positively impacted over 60,000 individuals through direct and indirect educational interventions and have been covered on various media platforms such as Forbes India, Indian Express, NDTV, The Quint, among others. Niyati is a certified sexuality educator, Diana Award 2021 winner, and holds a double-major in Psychology and International Relations from The University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Niyati recently authored and published her book “Under The Carpet: The Sex Ed Everyone Needs.

Vishal, Founder of Humanity Centred Designs, is an award-winning multi-disciplinary designer and global fashion ambassador for ethical and sustainable practices. With an unwavering commitment to reshaping the fashion industry, pioneered circular recycling technology and positive fashion that empowers over 150 marginalized Micro-Small Enterprises (MSEs) in India to transform textile waste and responsible materials to create planet positive fashion. As a staunch advocate for conscious consumerism and ethical fashion, he champions sustainable development and supports communities lacking resources for sustainable development.

Hadiqa Bashir, a dedicated Pakistani activist and founder of ""Girls United for Human Rights,"" stands at the forefront of advancing girls' rights and gender equality. Her initiatives, spanning early marriages, sexual health, education, poverty alleviation, and climate change, reflect a fervent commitment to sustainable development. Hadiqa champions gender equality in tribal regions, emphasising education's transformative power for young girls.

As a young leader for SDGs and a Global Fellow for gender equality at CSW, she holds the title of Women Deliver Young Leader. Notably, Hadiqa has received the Asian Girls Ambassador Award, and Acumen Fellow, and has been honoured with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award. Through a dynamic blend of leadership and advocacy, she continues to make significant contributions to social justice and sustainable development in Pakistan, embodying the spirit of positive change.

Brigitta Gunawan is a National Geographic Young Explorer, winner of the Ocean Awards Young Initiative by Blue Marine Foundation and BOATInternational, and an EE 30 Under 30 by the North American Association for Environmental Education. As an ocean advocate, she leads innovative environmental education initiatives to foster meaningful ocean protection in Indonesia and beyond. In 2021, she launched 30x30 Indonesia – a campaign igniting community engagement to advance marine protected areas in her country and support the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30). In 2022, she launched the 30x30 Coral Garden, restoring local reefs in Bali. Her mission is to connect communities with the fragile beauty of our ocean through science, education, and storytelling.

Tamara is CEO of Liberty Society, a social enterprise that manufactures and sells eco-friendly B2B merchandise to fund the upskilling of marginalized women in Indonesia. Liberty Society empowers refugee women with skills and fashion education. Since its launch, Liberty Society has provided 200 women with opportunities through its tailoring and entrepreneurship training. Liberty Society has also worked over 100 companies over the years, including Samsung, Ikea and H&M. In 2021, Liberty Society received UN Women Indonesia’s Women Empowerment Principles Award and was top four in the World’s Youth Ecopreneur Award. Tamara is an active mentor to various non-governmental organizations in South-East Asia, working on community development and social entrepreneurship.

Alanna Sethi is 20 years old and already making waves in the mental health landscape, both locally and internationally. She has spoken out about the importance of youth work and lived experience in developing mental health programming for youth. Aside from being the founder of HOPE (Helping Our Planet Earth), she is also a student at the University of Toronto, the Head of Wellness and Human Capital Manager of Open Heart by Arise Asia Ltd. and certified yoga instructor. 

Influenced by Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts in Yin Yoga, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, and mindfulness from western science, Alanna is pursuing research at University of Toronto on student mental health and wellbeing strategies. She values empowerment, accessibility, and community, and works with young people to develop and share accessible self-help tools, provide peer support, and improve existing mental health services and resources for increased efficacy. Alanna is also the Head of Wellness and Human Capital Manager for the online therapy platform focusing on accessibility and clinical fit, Open Heart by Arise Asia Limited. 

Alanna’s contributions to her community have been recognized by UWCSEA with the Alumni Values in Action 2021 Award, and by Liv Magazine in 2022 and 2023 with the Women of Wellness: Changemakers Award and Youth Wellness Mentor of the Year Award. Her work is a testament to her commitment to mental health advocacy and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

Shah Rafayat Chowdhury is an award winning environmentalist and social entrepreneur from Bangladesh. Shah is the Co-Founder & President of Footsteps, a next generation organization currently empowering over 500,000 people across Bangladesh with safe water and sanitation access, disaster resilience, improved public health services, and livelihood enhancement programs, especially for the marginalized communities. As of today, the organisation has empowered over 591,565 people in 37 districts across Bangladesh, addressing all majority of the 17 goals simultaneously through holistic and community driven solutions.

Raeed Ali is a results-driven professional with six years of experience in grassroots, regional, and international initiatives, specializing in campaign management, sustainable development, and climate advocacy. As the founder of Precious Plastic Fiji, Fiji's first youth-led social enterprise tackling plastic pollution and co-founder of The Alliance for Future Generations, Fiji's largest youth-led movement focused on sustainable development, he has empowered young people to contribute to the Pacific climate movement through educational programs and hands-on experience. Raeed has engaged volunteers in clean-up campaigns, successfully lobbied for a law banning single-use plastic in Fiji, and educated over 580 youths. His expertise in program coordination, business development, and project management has led to the successful execution of impactful projects. Raeed is committed to fostering equitable and sustainable development in the Pacific, actively contributing to the growth of the green and blue entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Auspiced by Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia, Minh is currently leading digital media campaigns for Youth Pride Network, a peak body for LGBTIQA+ youths to have a voice in the state's decision-making through systemic advocacy targeting policy-makers, elected officials, education sector, and youths themselves. 

Previously for the past three years, Minh has coordinated high-impact programs for Murdoch University Launchpad to bridge the gap between tertiary education and innovation sector: From providing a co-creation platform for purpose-driven, early-stage entrepreneurs to win $10,000 in seed funding to organising prestigious panel discussions with top industry experts in tech, leadership, and startups. Minh's commitment to youth innovation is also evident in driving promotional campaign for the biggest showcase of entrepreneurs under 18 in Western Australia; fostering regional innovation and investment as a delegate for ASEAN-Australia Youth Strategic Partnership 'Digital Dialogue'; and working on a selection of different disruptive ideas that were accepted to 'Giants' program by Blackbird - the biggest venture capital firm in Australia & New Zealand, and Catalysr's fellowship for founders from migrant background, which was endorsed by Prince Harry. 

As the consolidation of these experiences, in 2024 and the leading up the Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne, Minh is focusing on launching a series of investigative editorials that dissect the ethical development of AI and digital tech. Most importantly, to place an emphasis on young people as digital natives at the forefront to ensure justice, social cohesion, and accountable institutions in the Digital Revolution.

Dr. Lim is the founder of Future Forte, a not-for-profit organisation empowering female and gender-diverse international students in Australia that has welcomed more than 2,500 global citizens. She currently works at MindTribes as a Senior DEI Manager and Consultant. She served as the National President '20/21 of the Council of International Students Australia, advocating for international students during the COVID-19 pandemic, engaging with policymakers and representing diverse youth. With a Ph.D. in cancer genetics, her research focuses on the genetic causes of breast cancer in women's health. Dr. Lim is a ’23 Fellow at Schmidt Futures’ International Strategy Forum. Her leadership, research, and advocacy, makes her a valuable asset in creating positive change.

Nathaniel is the founder & CEO of Future Minds Network, a social enterprise that empowers marginalised youth with the future-ready skills to enter employment, and even create their own jobs. Students have launched 3D-printing businesses, led charities uplifting 10,000 elderly residents, and even discovered their dream careers in social change. To date, Future Minds has partnered with governments worldwide to deliver over 30,000 hours of employment training and support, with students reporting significant improvements in job-readiness and confidence.

In 2023, they unveiled Gen Z Labs - a new strategic insights and consulting firm. It enables institutions to unlock the unique workforce talent of Gen Z, bridge intergenerational gaps and adapt to the future of work. Their efforts have provided invaluable support to C-level executives, governments and UN agencies across Thailand, South Korea, India, China, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

Noor Azizah, a resilient Rohingya refugee, has triumphed over adversity to become a dedicated advocate and educator. Resettled in Sydney at age 8 after escaping the Rohingya genocide, her early life was marked by homelessness and statelessness. Noor is now the co-founder and director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, a women-led, refugee-led and Rohingya-led organisation addressing Rohingya human rights issues. 

With a Bachelor's in Education and a Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Sydney, Noor has earned recognition for her global impact. Awarded as one of YAIA's Young Women to Watch in International Affairs and winner of the 2023 Stellar South Asian Women Awards, she serves as an advocate on esteemed panels with figures like Cate Blanchett and Craig Foster. As a refugee delegate at the UN, Noor actively champions Rohingya women, contributing to global discussions on GBV, Education, and Statelessness. She has been appointed to Australia's inaugural Refugee Advisory Panel.

Registered Nurse at Epworth Emergency Department, Victorian International Student of The Year 2022. 

Passionate about mental health, Divya promotes importance of mental health within South Asian communities via her podcast. Divya is active within the international student community and can be found at events supporting new international students arriving to Melbourne. When not at work or events, Divya can be found sipping coffee in one of many cafés in Melbourne!

Devni is an award winning content creator; activist, writer and speaker. She has built a multi pronged activism portfolio, collaborating with global media giants like CNN on anti-racism and raising over $35,000 for Sri Lanka's economic crisis through community fundraising. Her work centres on closing societal divides, especially those faced by marginalized women and youth. She is dedicated to creating a more just world through gender equality and fostering inclusive workplaces. Devni's change-making has made a meaningful impact, from building a community of over 12,000 individuals to conducting workshops with over 200 participants on social justice issues in high schools and universities, contributing to a more informed and compassionate society.

Devni has completed Bachelor of Arts in International Politics and Gender Studies and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne. She is currently a Law Graduate at Australian law firm, Johnson Winter Slattery.  

Devni is a 2023 winner of the Australian South Asian Centre Stellar Woman Award.

Described by Forbes Magazine as a “youthful visionary”, Ashleigh Streeter-Jones has worked in youth advocacy and campaigns for over 10 years. Ashleigh is the founder & CEO of Raise Our Voice Australia, a social enterprise mobilising young women & gender diverse people through campaigns, community and education to create equitable democracy. ROVA has trained over 100 young women and gender diverse people in politics and policy with 71% starting roles in the fields, and the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign has seen politicians amplifying the voices of nearly 300 young people in federal parliament. She is also Pacific Community Champion for the Global Shapers Community, a member of the UN Women 30 for 2030, and part of Australia's delegation to this year's W20.

Ahmad works as a Fellowship Facilitator for Orygen Global and have founded an initiative called Changemaker, that tends to push the narrative around mental health. Our mission is to cater to the immediate needs of individuals through a meaningful, and context-sensitive approach. Our efforts bolster personal capacities while integrating mental-health considerations to promote productivity and well-being. My past leadership experiences also revolves around research, reporting, facilitation, youth engagement, authorship, in roles I’ve had over 5 years for Empower Peace (Reporter), Research assistant for Orygen, Author (Publication on Equitable Youth engagement/Co-leadership), Youth Advisor (Amnesty International), External Reviewer for Grand Challenges Canada/WEF.

Maggie is a proud palawa woman from lutruwita/Tasmania and the great-grand daughter of matriarch Aunty Ida West AM. 

She is a vocalist for Indigenous self-determination, sovereignty, climate justice, land return and cultural management. Maggie is also a committed advocate in the gender and decolonial space, as evidenced by her involvement with the Global Institute for Women's Leadership (GIWL) Youth Advisory Committee. Maggie passionately campaigns against domestic, family, and sexual violence, as well as the disproportionate representation of Indigenous women and girls in the criminal justice system.

She was a founder of Naarm Law Students on Voice, an Indigenous-led, community-informed and culturally-safe grassroots project pertaining to the Voice Referendum. In 2023, she was acknowledged as a finalist for the Australian Human Rights Award due to her significant contributions to Naarm Law Students on Voice.

Dave is a technology strategy and sustainability consultant, helping organisations reach their net-zero goals. Beyond consulting, Dave is a freelance writer and journalist dedicated to creating social impact through storytelling. He writes for a media company 'Level: Asian,' which amplifies the success stories of Asian-Australian leaders and artists. Dave is known for his unwavering dedication to inspiring change and creating a brighter future. He is currently pursuing his Master of Environment, specialising in Education and Social Change.

Bianca Manning is a Gomeroi woman, a social worker and Common Grace's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator. Bianca currently lives in Logan, South East Queensland on the lands of the Yuggera and Yugambeh peoples, working with Senior Aboriginal Christian Leader Aunty Jean Phillips in the Brisbane and Logan areas.

Siti Jaafar, the Founder and Managing Director of Kilang ReRoot (KRR) from Brunei shares a passion for literature and project management; is an emerging social entrepreneur, and a lifelong changemaker. Her work focuses on food sustainability, environment and biodiversity conservation, and social entrepreneurship. She began her journey in 2020 advocating food waste reduction and environmental sustainability for food recovery in Brunei to transform the nation’s food systems through nature-based solutions for climate actions. Siti is honoured to receive multiple entrepreneurial awards and funding competitions for her commendable community-based projects promoting food security and food systems investments for low-carbon emission. She hopes to build a growing community of environmental heroes and changemakers empowering green careers.

Hazirah Sufian, initially a geology graduate, found her calling in event management driven by her passion for social justice and youth development. Her journey into this field began with co- organizing the BIBD YES! 2020 youth empowerment summit. Equipped with a Master's in Management, she joined Green Brunei in 2021 as a Project Development Assistant, dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability. Since the organisation’s establishment, they have successfully collected 181,467kg of recyclables from recycling drives, collected a total of 19,876kg of waste from cleanups and engaged with over 26,000 youth through programmes and activities.

Alicia Tien is an entrepreneur and a sustainable development advocate. She is the CEO of Asia Discovery, committed to drive the green transition in Southeast Asia. Projects include guiding renewable energy companies enter the SEA market and co-organising the ASEAN China India Sustainability Youth Leadership Summit, impacting 4000+ youth entrepreneurs across 12 countries. With prior roles in top international incubators in China and Europe, Alicia led market entrance programs and formed impactful partnerships spanning ASEAN, China, and Europe. Dedicated to women's empowerment, she hosts events and podcasts spotlighting women entrepreneurs in tech. Alicia holds an MBA from Tsinghua University, where she founded Tsinghua University’s China-ASEAN Association. She is also an alumna of the London School of Economics and the University of Manchester.

Chamathya is a Sri Lankan youth advocate & has been a member of Sri Lanka Girl Guides since the age of 8 years. At the age of 19, she initiated the “Stop the Violence” Campaign of Sri Lanka which reached more than 10,000 youth in 10 years. Currently, she serves on the World Board – the key decision-making body of WAGGGS, the largest voluntary Movement for girls and young women globally. She was a member of the Generation Equality Youth Task Force & the Core Group – the decision-making body of the Generation Equality Forums convened by UN Women & the Governments of France & Mexico.