Meet the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors lead our 8 core teams and sub-commitee, composed of over 2,500 organizers around the globe!
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Samir Chowdhury
Founder and Chairman
Samir is a junior at Stanford University. His background spans national policymaking on The White House Council of Environmental Quality, climate tech investing at 17 Asset Management, academic research at Stanford's Doerr School of Sustainability, and machine learning applications at carbon transformation leader, Twelve. As the principal investigator of the first global youth-led energy study, Samir has published novel research on the public health benefits of the modern energy transition. In 2021, Samir was named the Gen-Z Leader in Energy & Sustainability at the Four Generations of Leaders in Clean Energy and Sustainable Solutions Awards.
Tatiana Hlinka
Executive Director
Tatiana is a senior at Hunterdon Central High School. She has served previously as the Finance Director establishing YCAT's first finance fellowship program and the green finance speaker events, providing opportunities for individuals to network with industry professionals. Beyond YCAT, she has worked with organizations like the Vaclav Havel Center, The Étoile Foundation, USDA, and Columbia University's Earth Institute, and is eager to bring her expertise in global partnerships, sustainability research, and nonprofit leadership to further expand YCAT’s impact on youth-led climate action. She is currently focused on aligning YCAT’s work with the UN SDGs and empowering youth leaders to drive sustainable change.
Max
Blacksten
Senior Advisor
Max is a sophomore at Yale University, studying economics and pursuing a certificate in Energy Studies. He previously served as YCAT’s Executive Director, providing leadership to the organization and facilitating worldwide growth of the program. He was a proponent of YCAT’s involvement in intersectional partnerships and has fostered YCAT’s growth in the educational and government relations fields.
Odessa
Zhang
Co-Founder & Senior Advisor
Odessa is a second-year student at the University of Virginia, pursuing a double major in Commerce and Global Sustainability. As the former Communications & Managing Director, she co-authored the award-winning climate education picture book, Turtle’s Climate Adventure, and led several global lobbying initiatives. She brings her expertise in business, marketing and ESG through her work with Cross Screen Media, involvement in student-led social impact consulting with 180 Degrees Consulting at UVA, and her role as an Sustainability Analyst at Net Impact. Committed to community engagement, she dedicates her Wednesdays to teaching English to UVA employees.
Vihaan Mathur
Co-Founder & Senior Advisor
Vihaan is a student at UC Berkeley, studying Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS) with a minor in Energy Engineering. On campus he is involved with Entrepreneurs @ Berkeley, where he founded a cleantech investing startup rand has interned at the U.S. Department of Energy. He is the former Managing Director where he co-authored “Turtle’s Climate Adventure”, led a renewable energy research study, and organized speaker events and partnerships. For his work with YCAT, he was recognized as a 2024 National Geographic Young Explorer, where he is working with change makers worldwide to launch STEM climate education research programs at high schools in California.
Lavanya Lakhmani
Social Media
Director
Lavanya is a junior at Charter Oak High School, CA. She is an avid reader, an enthusiastic hiker, and she loves to play basketball. In her free time, Lavanya also volunteers for several humanitarian clubs and feminist organisations. She is incredibly passionate about climate justice; her passion was evoked when she witnessed the drought and wildfires in California. One of her biggest goals is to empower youth and urge global restoration.
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Sheetal Singh
Finance
Director
Sheetal is an undergraduate student at McMaster University, pursuing an Honors Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialization in accounting and a minor in sustainability. She has worked with ReInvestWealth and the Risk Analytics Institute, and has gained valuable experience in finance and accounting, further fueling her passion for these fields. Since joining YCAT, Sheetal has contributed to the Logistics, Press, and Finance departments, and her journey has been one of growth and opportunity. Throughout her time with YCAT, Sheetal has built strong connections and developed her leadership, strategic thinking, and financial management skills.
Emily Pickering
Communications
Director
Emily is a high school senior at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. She is an officer on her school’s student representative board, a member of Youth in Government, and a previous vice chair for her state’s high school democratic group. As YCAT’s Communications director, she hopes to create meaningful impact through collaboration.
Yuan Yang Zhong
Climate Education
Director
Yuan Yang (Jimmy) is from the coastal area of Brooklyn, New York. After seeing the lack of access to environmental education in his community, he has been working towards bridging the gap between knowledge and action. He hopes to empower teens worldwide by providing them with free environmental education resources. He believes that youth have infinite potential and are just like seeds: if nurtured with environmental education, they’ll develop the mindset necessary to not only protect our planet but also to possibly become the next world-leading, environmentally progressive leaders.
Simrin Chowdhury
Policy
Director
Simrin is currently a senior at McLean High School in Virginia. She is passionate about driving social change through youth-based policy and hopes to pursue politics in her future after high school. She is the founder of her own nonprofit, the Her Civics Foundation, which empowers young female students to be more civically engaged. She also serves as the Political Director for the Teen Caucus of Virginia Young Democrats and has worked under numerous congressional campaigns within Virginia. As Policy Director for YCAT, Simrin hopes to further mobilize youth around the globe to partake in climate justice advocacy.
Tanvi Modugula
Operations Director
Tanvi, a dedicated junior at Mount Hebron High School, has nurtured a lifelong passion for environmental sustainability. Over the years, she has actively collaborated with board members and state officials to advocate for the implementation of essential climate change policies. She strives to educate and inspire younger generations, equipping them with the knowledge to adopt eco-conscious practices. In addition to her environmental efforts, she has pursued dance, channeling creativity and discipline into her passion. As Operations Director, Tanvi aims to foster a strong sense of community and collective responsibility toward protecting the planet.
Aditi
Subramanyam
Press
Co-Director
Aditi is a freshman Aerospace Engineering major in the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida. She is an International Baccalaureate Programme Graduate, and has always held a deep passion for environmental affairs. Aditi has published numerous articles advocating for climate protection, as well as actively led environmental cleanups in her local parks and beaches. In her free time, Aditi enjoys participating in community service, performing piano, and reading fantasy novels. As a Director of Press at YCAT, Aditi hopes to empower youth environmental advocates to utilize their voice through the media in order to take a stand against climate change.
Alana Desai
Press
Co-Director
Alana is a senior at West Ranch High School in Valencia, California. She is incredibly passionate about youth-driven and youth-targeted initiatives. Having worked as a tutor, counselor, and mentor, she is dedicated to creating quality education and exposure for the next generation. Alana is a dancer, a tennis player, and an editor-in-chief for her school’s newspaper. She hopes that by shining light on climate action and environmental policy, she can lead the YCAT Press Branch to continue to inspire teenagers to use their voice and step up to the challenges of today.
Aoun Ali
Global Affairs Co-Director
Aoun, who is also our Pakistan Regional Leader, is a 18 year old high school senior from Karachi, Pakistan. He loves to explore new TV shows, go cycling on the beach, and travel. His interests lie around scientific research, environmental action, and legal reforms! He has done extensive work in climate action and expanded YCAT to Asia and other continents as the global affairs director! He has led YCAMP's expansion to other countries and led policy campaigns in different regions and fields of environmental action!
Kai Wong
Global Affairs Co-Director
Kai is a senior living in California, Huntington Beach. He is very passionate about global affairs and has made it his priority by working with Sunrise International and Fridays for Futures. In his free time, Kai loves to connect with other environmental advocates, play video games, and perform in musical theater!