Leadership Stories

Erick Hong
As a social-marketing consultant and co-creator of the anti-tobacco Truth campaign, Erick Hong has traveled across the United States helping numerous cities and states create their own anti-tobacco initiatives.

Ocean Robbins
Ocean Robbins founded Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES!) at age 16. He has gained international acclaim as a specialist in mobilizing youth on a large scale.

Melissa Poe
Melissa Poe, 23, is the founder of the world's largest youth-led environmental organization, Kids for a Clean Environment (Kids F.A.C.E.). Poe has traveled the the globe to encourage youths to adopt earth-friendly attitudes and habits.

Justin McBride
After losing his friend to a stray bullet, Justin McBride mobilized public will around the issue of random gunfire. His efforts culminated in a piece of legislation known as "Shannon's Law," which makes random gunfire punishable as a felony rather than as a misdemeanor.

Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon, the youngest person in American history to co-author a piece of legislation, is a pioneer among youth activists. Gordon worked for nine years to rally support around the issue of school-bus safety.

Niko and Theo Milonopoulous
Although still in high school, Niko and Theo Milonopoulous founded the lobbying group Kidz Voice-LA. The twin brothers have worked to rally public support and legislative backing for their gun-control initiatives in Los Angeles

Rachel Klastorin
Rachel Klastorin founded the first university chapter of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) while attending the University of Michigan. Klastorin has developed unique methods of changing the attitudes and behaviors of young people.

Avidan Ackerson
Avidan Ackerson, 17, helped pass a bill in Maryland's legislature, lowering the minimum blood donation age. His work didn't end with the passage of his bill; he has rallied to increase youth awareness of, and advocacy for, important issues surrounding blood contribution.

Jennifer Staple
Jennifer Staple is the founder and director of Unite for Sight, Inc, a national nonprofit organization focused on fostering public awareness and action for the fight against blindness in the United States. Her efforts have created greater understanding of risk factors for blindness, as well as educating Americans about specific actions they can take to improve their eye health.