UnitEd Youth Council

Empowering Youth for Change

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About Us

The UnitEd Youth Council is a global coalition of young leaders committed to breaking barriers in education, advocating for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and creating meaningful opportunities for youth worldwide. We represent a diverse network of changemakers who believe that every young person—regardless of background, geography, or circumstance—deserves access to quality education, a platform to be heard, and the tools to shape their own future. Through collaboration, advocacy, and action, we are building a world where youth leadership is not the exception, but the standard.

Meet the executive team

  • Zoya Kalinsky

    FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Young woman smiling in a light green shirt against a plain background.

    JOY TSAI

    COO

  • A young boy holding a microphone and looking to the side with a curious expression, seated indoors with blurred red and white background.

    NAYAAN VED

    HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIC LEAD

  • Person with long hair wearing a dark outfit and a red lanyard standing outdoors in a sunny environment with trees and blue sky in the background.

    LANA NGUYEN

    CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

  • Two people smiling, one wearing a pink shirt, standing outdoors with a rustic background.

    MILA FARMER

    HEAD OF FUNDRAISING

  • LYLA chernotsky

    ADVISOR

SEE OUR LEAD UNITERS

  • Snow-capped mountains with a vibrant orange sunset sky.

    “It’s weird how people talk about us more than they actually talk to us.”

    ZOYA KALINSKY
    FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Mountain range with grassy foreground under a clear sky.

    "Education isn’t just about learning facts—it’s about learning how to think and lead. it's about growing as a person."

    JOY TSAI

    COO

  • Scenic view of a lake with mountains in the background, trees in the foreground, and a small building on the bottom right.

    US YOUTH ARE LEADING THE WAY TO CREATE THE FUTURE WE WANT TO SEE.

    LANA NGUYEN

    CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

  • Scenic landscape of turquoise lake with mountainous backdrop under a cloudy sky.

    It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about ensuring the voices that matter are heard.

    PRISHA NEOGI

    YOUTH UNITER

  • Snow-covered mountain peaks against a blue sky with clouds.

    If you don't show up, you'll never speak up. open your own door—don't wait to knock on others

    EVANIA JOHN

    YOUTH UNITER

Be a part of the uyc team

Learn how you can join a global movement of young changemakers who are rewriting the rules and reshaping the future.

You don’t need permission to lead. Just a place to start—and this is it.

get involved

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