At just 16, Zihan Guo founded Eastern Star, China’s first adaptive ice skating program for individuals with disabilities. Leading a team of 86, she has organized over 60 events and empowered 35+ participants with intellectual disabilities. In 2024, she staged China’s first-ever adaptive skating performance, challenging stereotypes and sparking national awareness. She has also developed custom adaptive equipment and expanded the initiative to include inclusive dance programs. With future plans to scale into underserved cities and Chapel Hill, USA, Zihan is redefining inclusive sports and advancing multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals—most notably SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Zhang Yu is a youth sustainability leader and founder of GreenGeek, a global platform empowering young people to lead climate action and green innovation. Through initiatives like Geek Talks, the Urban Sustainability Ambassador Program, and the Sustainability Fresk, she has engaged over 4,500 youth from top global institutions. GreenGeek has hosted 100+ impactful events, bridging education, community, and industry to build sustainable cities, careers, and lifestyles. Zhang’s work aligns with key UN SDGs, especially Climate Action, Quality Education, and Global Partnerships, showcasing the power of youth in shaping a greener, fairer future.

At Duke University, where the entrepreneurial ecosystem was once underdeveloped, Qixuan Zhang founded DukeCEO, the university’s first cross-industry, cross-cultural startup community led by Chinese students. In under six months, she built a thriving platform with 90% engagement from Chinese students and extended its reach globally through collaborations with Stanford, Harvard, Microsoft, Tsinghua, and more. DukeCEO connects founders, investors, and institutions via pitch events, policy forums, and global exchange, becoming one of the most influential student-led entrepreneurial networks on the U.S. East Coast. Her work directly advances SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, fostering global collaboration and sustainable innovation.

Peiyang Li is a visionary fashion designer redefining sustainability in the global fashion industry. With international showcases at London Fashion Week and Lumiere Runway at Los Angeles Fashion Week, she integrates cutting-edge techniques—like Shima Knitting and Rhino 3D printing—with eco-friendly materials and ethical production. A recipient of the iF Design Award and MUSE Design Award, Peiyang champions fashion as a vehicle for both creative expression and global well-being. Her work supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, proving that sustainable design can be both revolutionary and responsible.

Jitong Yao leads the International Commonweal Support Organization (ICSO), a global youth-driven team contributing significantly to ESG and B Crop development. As a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, ICSO has reached over 100,000 individuals, providing educational opportunities and fostering lifelong learning. Jitong’s leadership aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education, ensuring equitable and inclusive education for all. Through cross-border collaborations, he is building a more sustainable, inclusive, and global future, shaping young minds to be future changemakers.

Fengyu Li is a committed advocate for sustainable development. As SVP of the Columbia Global ESG Leadership Association (CGELA), she leads ESG events, cross-campus projects, and youth initiatives in sustainable urban development and responsible investing. She also volunteers with the ASPCA, fostering stray animals and using data to promote smarter adoption and human-animal coexistence.

Since 2021, she has served as Overseas Recruitment Ambassador for the “Teach For China” program, leading overseas students to teach in Yunnan and mentoring local students. Her work reflects a deep commitment to SDG 11—building bridges of understanding and hope between cities and communities.

DescriptionAs Senior Vice President at Columbia's Global ESG Leadership Association (CGELA), Shuhan Wan champions sustainability through entrepreneurship and investment. She organizes innovation-sharing events, startup competitions, corporate visits, and summits, while also spearheading the development of the CXO Hub. Her efforts align with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, empowering youth to build cross-sector networks and solve global challenges through collaboration, innovation, and bold leadership. goes here

As co-founder of the Global ESG Leadership Association at the University of Pennsylvania, Luyi Wang has built a vibrant platform connecting students and professionals to take action on ESG and sustainability. Her work bridges academia and industry, equipping future leaders to address climate challenges. Luyi’s leadership directly advances SDG 13: Climate Action, empowering youth to engage meaningfully in sustainable governance.

As a financial reporter at Bloomberg and a board member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) New York Chapter, Zhuo Cheng amplifies underrepresented voices in media. Through initiatives like the Behind the Bylines video series and advocacy in newsroom diversity, she advances SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, creating inclusive narratives in finance and journalism and fostering equitable representation across platforms.

At only 16, Yiming Li co-founded the Chinese Life Science Association at UC Davis to empower the next generation of life scientists. Through mentorship, networking, and professional development programs, he fosters a sustainable research ecosystem. His mission aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, promoting innovation in life sciences for long-term global health impact.

Wai Lam Zeng is Macau’s first composer and company founder to win both the TVB Golden Song Award and Tencent Golden Album Award. Through her company, Yue Ao International, she leverages music and film as tools of healing and social empowerment. With over nine years of experience in sustainability advocacy and NGO leadership, Wai Lam blends creativity with purpose—using art to raise awareness, inspire empathy, and mobilize youth for positive change.

At just 18, Tongxin Xu co-founded Pangolin Girls, an initiative dedicated to wildlife conservation, female empowerment, and environmental awareness. The project focuses on protecting pangolins—one of the most trafficked species globally—while cultivating young female leadership in sustainability. With outreach to over 100,000 people, Tongxin champions SDG 15: Life on Land, proving that passion and purpose can turn youth into powerful protectors of our planet.

Yuntian Guo, a UC Berkeley student, co-founded Carbon Era and Carbon Trail to lead scalable climate solutions via carbon asset management and green finance. His work aligns with SDG 13: Climate Action, empowering enterprises to navigate decarbonization through innovative tools in carbon markets and sustainable finance.

As International Director of GELA, Lecheng Gao spearheaded mangrove protection in Southeast Asia and sustainable research projects in Thailand. Simultaneously active in luxury branding at Bvlgari, he advances SDG 12: Responsible Consumption, blending sustainability with cultural prestige.

Huining Yang founded Linghuo Youth, a social innovation platform empowering youth in smaller cities through education, exploration, and volunteerism. Serving over 100,000 people, she promotes SDG 4: Quality Education and redefines grassroots youth development with purpose and accessibility.

At just 16, Zack Cao co-founded NextGen Philanthropy to nurture future leaders in philanthropy and social entrepreneurship. His work supports SDG 4: Quality Education, creating opportunities for youth to engage in global cooperation, equity, and impact.

Yutong Wang founded IWN ESG Club, promoting sustainable lifestyles through immersive ESG experiences—weekend eco-activities, cultural visits, and green enterprise tours. She encourages cross-sector collaboration, driving change through community engagement and ESG innovation.

Jiayuan Tian leads Tilting Futures China Media Center and co-founded OneXplore, which expands access to international education and climate leadership for youth. His programs reach over 100,000 participants and advance SDG 4: Quality Education, building inclusive global citizenship.

Xiaokai Zhou’s company Fengchao Zhishu delivers sustainable water treatment systems that protect ecosystems and ensure clean water access. His mission supports SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, combining technology with environmental responsibility.

Junyi Wang is the founder of PetKingTech, a cutting-edge biotech startup leveraging AI to revolutionize drug development for animals and humans alike. With a focus on Best-in-Class (BIC) and First-in-Class (FIC) therapies, his mission is to position PetKingTech as a global leader in medical innovation within 3–5 years. His vision embodies SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, fusing technology and compassion to build a healthier future for all species.

Zihuizhong Ye is pioneering youth-driven change at the intersection of sustainability, science, and education. As co-founder of Youth Restoring Nature and president of PGT+, she leads community eco-projects and cross-disciplinary research in PFAS, eDNA, and bioremediation. Her efforts champion SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, fostering scalable impact across ecosystems, biotechnology, and public awareness.

Jiaxing Xu explores climate action and cultural heritage through research and community engagement. From researching circular economy and transparent supply chains at ACES to contributing to SEE US during New York Climate Week, he connects fashion, history, and sustainability. His youth-driven activism supports SDG 13: Climate Action, inspiring global awareness through interdisciplinary work.