As the first Youth Advocacy Team Member with Food Empowerment Project, I help young people think critically about unjust systems related to food access, farm workers, and animals, which I find incredibly fulfilling! Since joining Food Empowerment Project, I've launched an annual Youth Scholarship Contest and created a Youth Zine to help young people connect their power to positive shifts in the world. My role is all about igniting realizations about our planet and inspiring youth to craft community-driven solutions.

In 2021, I applied for a summer internship at New Roots Institute, which became a significant foundation for me to think critically about our unsustainable food system. I collaborated and brainstormed with youth from all over the world on issues we deeply cared about; it was a perfect end to my school year and a transformative start to my summer. The internship support at New Roots helped me feel prepared for my future role at F.E.P. and gave me the courage to develop a new program at the organization.

All youth should feel empowered to advocate for their future. New Roots Institute’s leadership development programs are an excellent place to begin that journey.

I love that I'm working in an environment that allows me to combine creative, strategic and writing skills to create compelling narratives around a technical field like law, and that I'm part of a cause that I believe in.

Interning at New Roots was one of my first experiences in animal welfare, and it gave me the confidence to pursue a career in the field, and showed me how incredibly warm and supportive this community is. This was valuable because this was not a career path I had in mind, and I really appreciated having a like-minded cohort at the same life stage as me, to which we could address similar concerns together.

Knowing that I am part of a team working towards creating systemic change to safeguard nature and support communities is such a powerful feeling. I am especially inspired by our work with local and Indigenous peoples and I am always learning something new about the different ways that WWF is creating positive change both at home and around the world.

My [fellowship] with the New Roots Institute was one of the first times I was exposed to the full breadth of impacts the food system has and the links between the planet, animals, and our communities. Learning about the challenges that farmworkers face was eye-opening and has since shaped my approach to this work in ensuring that we protect our environment while also supporting and empowering our local communities. Beyond these learnings, the New Roots Institute also provided me the space to nurture my public speaking, research, and writing skills and helped me build confidence in myself as a leader as I continued navigating my career after the program.

Honestly, everything that I do. There is no boring aspect since my career is coinciding with my personal objectives and my ideological battle. It's a passion. Of course, there are some things which are very exciting, like an amendment that goes through and ends up in the actual legislative text. But the whole process of it is amazing, because I’m working for something I believe in and honestly, I wouldn't see myself doing anything else.

This is really a niche field. At least in Europe, I didn’t find much information about animal welfare economics or politics around animal welfare or biodiversity. Without New Roots, I would have started this role without any background on animal suffering on factory farms. Especially in the Leadership Academy, I remember the lectures—particularly the more technical ones—were really useful. Like how an intensive farm is run, even the situation of the workers inside the farm. That was really helpful. The experience also allows you to connect with other people who want to do the same things as you and be in the movement. I’m still in touch with alumni, which is really nice.