Top 10 Gen Z Activists, Changemakers and Young Leaders for Colleges and Universities in 2026
19 Jun 2026
From climate activism and civic engagement to entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, and free expression, Gen Z is reshaping how leadership looks across industries and communities. Unlike previous generations who often waited until later in their careers to build influence, today's young leaders are creating movements, launching organizations, founding companies, developing technologies, and driving social change while still in their teens and twenties.
For colleges and universities, these voices offer more than inspiration. They provide students with real-world examples of leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, civic participation, and purpose-driven impact. Whether speaking about climate justice, political engagement, innovation, social entrepreneurship, or the future of work, these Gen Z changemakers are helping students better understand the opportunities and challenges that will define the decades ahead.
Who are the top Gen Z Activist and Changemaker Keynote Speakers for Colleges and Universities?
Wawa Gatheru: Climate Justice, Environmental Leadership, and Social Impact Speaker
Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru is a nationally recognized climate activist, Rhodes Scholar, and founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, the largest Black youth-led environmental organization in the United States. The first person in University of Connecticut history to receive the Rhodes, Truman, and Udall Scholarships, Gatheru has become one of the most influential voices in the environmental justice movement. Her leadership has earned recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, Ebony Power 100, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, and Vogue.
Through her work as an organizer, storyteller, and movement builder, Gatheru helps audiences understand the intersection of climate action, equity, and community leadership. Her presentations challenge students to see themselves as agents of change while exploring how environmental issues impact communities differently and why diverse leadership is essential to building a more sustainable future.
David Hogg: Civic Engagement, Political Leadership, and Democracy Speaker
David Hogg is one of the most influential political voices of his generation and a leading advocate for youth civic engagement. After surviving the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Hogg co-founded March For Our Lives, helping build one of the largest youth-led movements in modern American history. He later co-founded Leaders We Deserve, a political organization dedicated to electing young leaders to public office, and served as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2025.
Drawing on his experiences as an activist, organizer, author, and political strategist, Hogg helps audiences better understand the growing influence of Gen Z in American politics. His presentations explore civic participation, leadership, advocacy, and how young people are reshaping the future of democracy.
Isaias Hernandez: Environmental Education, Climate Communication, and Sustainability Speaker
Environmental educator and content creator Isaias Hernandez has built a global audience through Queer Brown Vegan, the digital platform he created to make environmental education more accessible and inclusive. Through storytelling, digital media, and public engagement, Hernandez helps audiences understand complex environmental issues while centering conversations around equity, identity, and community impact. His work has been featured by The New York Times, Vogue, The Guardian, and Business Insider.
As a speaker, Hernandez focuses on environmental literacy, climate communication, and environmental justice. His ability to translate complex issues into engaging and accessible conversations makes him especially valuable for student audiences seeking practical ways to understand and engage with sustainability challenges.
Jaclyn Corin: Youth Leadership, Movement Building, and Social Change Speaker
Jaclyn Corin is a Parkland survivor, co-founder of March For Our Lives, and one of the most influential young movement builders in the country. Often recognized as the strategic force behind the organization, Corin helped develop the infrastructure and long-term vision that transformed a student-led response into a national movement. Following her studies at Harvard University and Oxford University, she returned to lead March For Our Lives as Executive Director.
Corin speaks about youth leadership, sustainable organizing, advocacy, and navigating burnout while creating lasting social change. Her experience building and sustaining one of the most visible youth-led movements of the past decade offers students valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and creating impact beyond a single moment or event.
Sophia Kianni: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Gen Z Leadership Speaker
Sophia Kianni is an entrepreneur, technology innovator, founder of Climate Cardinals, co-founder of Phia, and one of the youngest advisors in United Nations history. Her AI-powered commerce platform, Phia, has attracted more than one million users and raised over $43 million from leading venture capital firms. She is also co-host of The Burnouts podcast, which reaches hundreds of thousands of listeners interested in entrepreneurship, business, and innovation.
Named to TIME100 Next, Forbes 30 Under 30, BBC 100 Women, and other prestigious lists, Kianni speaks about entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and building purpose-driven organizations. Her story resonates strongly with students interested in startups, technology, climate action, and creating meaningful impact through business.
Gitanjali Rao: STEM Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, and Problem Solving Speaker
Inventor, scientist, author, and STEM advocate Gitanjali Rao has earned international recognition for using technology and innovation to address social challenges. Her inventions include solutions focused on lead contamination detection, opioid addiction prevention, and cyberbullying intervention. Named TIME's Kid of the Year, Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science, and America's Top Young Scientist, Rao has become one of the world's most celebrated young innovators.
Rao encourages students to embrace curiosity, creativity, and problem solving while demonstrating how science and technology can be used to address real-world challenges. Her presentations inspire future innovators to see themselves as capable of creating meaningful solutions regardless of age or experience level.
Jerome Foster II: Environmental Justice, Civic Engagement, and Public Policy Speaker
Jerome Foster II is an environmental justice activist, social entrepreneur, and the youngest person ever appointed to a White House Federal Advisory Committee. As a member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, Foster advises national leaders on environmental justice policy while continuing to advocate for youth engagement and climate action. He is also the founder of OneMillionOfUs and co-founder of Waic Up, organizations dedicated to civic participation and climate advocacy.
His presentations focus on environmental justice, civic leadership, voting engagement, public policy, and the role young people can play in shaping national conversations. Foster's unique perspective bridges activism, government, technology, and entrepreneurship, offering students a roadmap for creating change through multiple pathways.
Elijah McKenzie-Jackson: Climate Activism, Art, and Creative Leadership Speaker
Elijah McKenzie-Jackson is a visual artist, climate activist, and co-founder of WaicUp.org. Recognized by The New York Times as one of the world's most influential climate protesters, he has helped organize major climate demonstrations while also building a growing reputation as an artist whose work explores environmental and social issues. His activism has taken him to the United Nations, the White House, the UK Parliament, and global climate conferences.
By combining art, storytelling, and advocacy, McKenzie-Jackson offers a unique perspective on creative leadership and social impact. His presentations explore how creativity can become a powerful tool for activism, helping students understand the role artists and storytellers play in driving cultural and political change.
Rikki Schlott: Free Speech, Civil Dialogue, and Independent Thinking Speaker
Rikki Schlott is a journalist, free speech advocate, New York Post columnist, and co-author of the bestselling book The Canceling of the American Mind. A leading Gen Z voice on issues related to free expression, civil liberties, and campus culture, Schlott has built a national platform examining how younger generations navigate public discourse, political disagreement, and intellectual diversity.
Her presentations encourage students to think critically about free speech, open dialogue, and the value of engaging with differing viewpoints. Drawing on her experiences as a journalist and commentator, Schlott helps audiences explore the role of civil discourse in strengthening democratic institutions and campus communities.
Iddris Sandu: Technology Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Future of Work Speaker
Technology entrepreneur Iddris Sandu is the founder and creative visionary behind Spatial Labs, a company developing products at the intersection of digital identity, technology, and consumer experiences. A self-taught programmer who began coding at age 13, Sandu has worked with organizations including Google, Meta, Snapchat, YEEZY, Adidas, Fenty, and other leading technology and cultural brands. He is also a Thiel Fellow and one of the youngest Black founders in venture capital history to raise an eight-figure seed round.
Sandu speaks about innovation, entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and the future of digital experiences. His work demonstrates how technology can be used to create entirely new ways for people to connect, engage, and build communities, making him a compelling speaker for students interested in business, technology, design, and innovation.
Why Gen Z Activists and Changemakers Matter on Campus
Today's students are entering a world defined by rapid technological change, evolving social movements, and complex global challenges. The leaders on this list demonstrate that meaningful impact can happen at any age and through many different pathways. Whether through entrepreneurship, activism, innovation, public policy, art, or storytelling, these Gen Z changemakers are helping shape the future while inspiring the next generation of leaders to do the same.