Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
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United States Sophia Kianni is a recognized social entrepreneur, activist, and public speaker, known for her impactful work in climate advocacy, making her a valuable voice for brands committed to environmental and social responsibility.
Sophia Kianni is the founder and president of Climate Cardinals, the world's largest youth-led climate nonprofit. This organization aims to make climate information accessible by translating resources into various languages.
Sophia Kianni served on the EPA's National Youth Advisory Council, contributing to environmental policies and initiatives.
Sophia Kianni is an advisor to the United Nations, notably being the youngest United Nations advisor in US history, playing a role in climate action discussions and strategies.
Sophia Kianni joined UnaTerra Venture Capital Impact Fund as a Gen Z Advisory Board Member, participating in discussions related to impactful investments.
Sophia Kianni is the co-founder and co-CEO of Phia, a digital fashion app and shopping tool.
Sophia Kianni joined Greta Thunberg's group, Fridays for Future, and served as a national strategist for the organization, supporting action on climate change.
Sophia Kianni served as the national partnerships coordinator for Zero Hour, an organization focused on climate action.
Sophia Kianni participated in protests organized by Extinction Rebellion, including a hunger strike and sit-in at the Washington, D.C. office of Nancy Pelosi.
Kianni began hosting a podcast for The New Fashion Initiative, interviewing experts in the fashion industry about addressing climate change.
Sophia Kianni joined the board of directors of the Museum for the United Nations - UN Live in 2023.
Climate Cardinals partnered with the Google Cloud AI-powered Translation Hub to translate a significant volume of climate information.
Google.org donated $400,000 to Climate Cardinals, marking one of its first funding rounds for a youth-led climate organization.
Climate Cardinals partnered with Radio Javan, a Persian-language radio platform with over 10 million followers, to disseminate climate change graphics and translations to Iranians.
Climate Cardinals is sponsored by the International Student Environmental Coalition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, enabling student volunteers to earn community service hours.
Climate Cardinals formed partnerships with UNICEF to further its mission.
Climate Cardinals established partnerships with Translators Without Borders to expand its translation efforts.
Sophia Kianni has sat on boards and advisory councils for The New York Times.
Sophia Kianni has sat on boards and advisory councils for the World Economic Forum.
Sophia Kianni has sat on boards and advisory councils for Web Summit.
Sophia Kianni has sat on boards and advisory councils for the Environmental Media Association.
Sophia Kianni has sat on boards and advisory councils for Ashoka.
Sophia Kianni has sat on boards and advisory councils for the American Lung Association.
Sophia Kianni has sat on boards and advisory councils for Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation.
Sophia Kianni was previously a fellow with PBS NewsHour.
Sophia Kianni has written for news outlets such as MTV News.
Sophia Kianni has written for news outlets such as BuzzFeed.
Sophia Kianni has written for news outlets such as Teen Vogue.
Sophia Kianni has written for news outlets such as Refinery29.
Sophia Kianni has written for news outlets such as Cosmopolitan.
Sophia Kianni has been publicly commended by the Congressional Committee on the Climate Crisis for her advocacy.
Sophia Kianni, born on December 13, 2001, is an Iranian-American social entrepreneur and activist. She pursued her studies at Stanford University. Kianni is the founder of Climate Cardinals, a youth-led climate nonprofit with a network of 16,000 volunteers across more than 80 countries. Her dedication to environmental causes led to her appointment as the youngest United Nations advisor in US history. She also serves on the EPA’s National Youth Advisory Council. Her early interest in climate activism began in middle school, motivated by visible environmental degradation, which led her to join Greta Thunberg’s organization, Fridays for Future. This initial engagement developed into a significant career as a climate-focused public figure.
Kianni’s work has garnered significant media attention, with features in major outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, Vogue, Business Insider, BBC, NPR, ELLE, The Guardian, NBC, TIME Magazine, and a front-page profile in The Washington Post. She is a prolific speaker, having delivered presentations at universities globally, including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, and Princeton. Her achievements include winning the TED global idea competition, with her debut TED Talk accumulating over 2 million views. In 2023, she co-founded Phia, a digital fashion app and shopping tool.
Her contributions to activism have been recognized with several notable awards. VICE Media named her their youngest Human of the Year, and she was designated a National Geographic Young Explorer. She was also included in Business Insider’s Climate Action 30, featured among BBC’s 100 Women, and listed in Forbes 30 Under 30. Kianni has effectively utilized social media platforms to build a following of over 300,000, amplifying her messages on climate action and broader social issues.
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