Ahmed Eldeeb is an 18-year-old Egyptian-American activist, climate researcher, and author dedicated to merging health and sustainable research in the face of the climate crisis. He is a student at Harvard University and is working on environmental policy.
He’s served on the 4th Cohort of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade, as a member of the Education Working Group Committee and the Communications Team.
Ahmed authored Laila’s Toolbox, a book that not only entertains but enlightens young readers about the profound impact of the climate crisis on human health. Through it, he encourages them to understand their pivotal role in forging a sustainable future. The book is available in major retailers such as Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million: all proceeds go toward climate relief in Chad.
Beyond his roles as a local youth organizer for Fridays for Future and co-founder of the Florida chapter for FXB, Ahmed underscores the value of climate research as a catalyst for transformation. His work with NASA on sea ice extent and a microplastic cleanup prototype has earned recognition from the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, U.S.A.I.D., and AGU. Ahmed’s passion is clear: forge a sustainable, equitable world filled with promise.
Zoë grew up in the Pacific Northwest with her feet in two different places: in Vancouver, BC, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and in Seattle, WA, the traditional traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the suq̀ʷabš (Suquamish) and dxʷdəwʔabš (Duwamish) Tribes. She is part of the gayby boom generation and has two moms. Zoë studied Biology and Environmental Studies at a public liberal arts college in Northern New Jersey on the traditional and ancestral territory of the Munsee Lenape and Mohican Peoples. There, she found a love for community organizing and activism for an equitable transition towards sustainable practices and policies that ensure healthy and resilient communities under changing environmental-humanitarian-climate crisis conditions.
Since 2022, Zoë has been actively involved with Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO), first as a member of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade’s 3rd and 4th Cohorts, and later as an H2OO intern. She is excited to have joined H2OO as a staff member in November 2024, serving as a Fundraising & Communications Associate. Zoë has passions for eco-justice, our ocean and waterways, and native landscaping. She is most at peace when she is by our ocean, recognizing that it is the lifeblood of our planet.
Armon Alex is a distinguished Environmental Science Communicator and Ocean Policy Steward with nearly a decade of experience in global environmental non-profits. As Vice-Chair of the City of Corpus Christi’s Mayor’s Environmental Task Force and a key member of Climate Advocates Voces Unidas (CAVU) Board of Directors, Armon possesses influence both locally and internationally. Armon is the Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director of the Gulf of Mexico Youth Climate Summit, uniting young professionals, students, scientists, stakeholders, and public officials to address the Gulf of Mexico’s critical environmental challenges. This youth program, now under the direction of the Gulf Reach Institute, is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, climate action, and Gulf coastline preservation.
His journey started with hands-on water quality testing and evolved into a dynamic career in science-based community outreach and advocacy. Armon is resolutely committed to environmental justice, recognizing the critical role his community plays on the frontlines of the climate crisis. In his spare time, Armon mentors fellow young environmentalists, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to be effective science communicators. His collaborative spirit and unwavering dedication exemplify a vision for a sustainable, diverse, and a just world, where young leaders drive critical climate actions and pave the way for a greener tomorrow.
Cambria has been with H2OO since the beginning, when she was 12 years old, furthering the mission and cultivating H2OO into what it is today.
Having grown up in a small town on the Northern California coast, Cambria developed a profound love for, and connection to, nature. Seeing the impacts of single-use plastics on ecosystems and communities globally, Cambria’s advocacy work focused on researching plastic pollution and raising awareness through award-winning artivism, both visual art and film, as well as speaking at events around the world.
She is committed to fostering a community of global youth who are connected to our shared natural environment and each other and who have access to the development of skills to advocate for justice for themselves and their communities.
Now a student at Whitman College, Cambria prioritizes climate action on campus and continues to raise awareness regarding the reliance the single-use plastics industry has on fossil fuels.
Julia is a young marine conservationist and researcher from Indonesia. She acquired her bachelor degree in marine science at University of Papua and a master candidate of Ecology and conservation Biology at Texas A&M University.
Julia is also founder and CEO of the youth based organization of OurConservaSea, which is active in contributing hands on deck on the habitat degradations and ocean pollution issues. Over the past four years she and her team, along with other partners in local, national, and international level has managed to work on several exciting projects that aims to invites the participation of the wider community to be involved in marine conservation efforts.
Julia is also very passionate about marine ecology, marine habitats, oceans pollutions, ecotourism, community involvement, actions, self development, and leadership.
Julia’s LinkedIn
Chloe McKenna is a recent graduate of the Marine Systems and Policies MSc Program at the University of Edinburgh. Her Master’s thesis focused on the socio-ecological and cultural impacts of marine plastic pollution on Scottish island communities. In 2023, Chloe graduated from Eckerd College with a BA in Environmental Studies and a BA in Animal Studies.
Chloe has been involved with Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) since 2017 when she founded the H2OO Orange County, California Chapter. She has been involved in various H2OO programs over the years, including Summit for Empowerment, Action, and Leadership (SEAL) and Regenerative Agriculture and Indigenous Systems for our Environment (RAISE) initiative. From 2020-2022, Chloe served as the Co-Chair for the 1st and 2nd Cohorts of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade. Her experiences with H2OO starting at just 15 years old drive her continued advocacy for meaningful youth inclusion in ocean governance spaces.
Chloe’s LinkedIn
“I consider people who care about environmental problems to be heroes of the earth, regardless of their backgrounds. The SEAL website outlines the challenges we face in addressing environmental issues, which inspired me to apply to the SEAL program.
I believe the SEAL Youth Summit offers significant benefits for the younger generation, including opportunities to network, learn from experts, and develop leadership, resilience, and teamwork skills. It also provides insights into global issues and inspires participants to take action in their communities.
My goal is to have a positive impact on society by sharing useful information and encouraging meaningful conversations. I plan to use the knowledge and skills gained at SEAL to support individuals and communities in their growth, focusing on leadership, problem-solving, and resilience to address societal challenges and drive positive change.”
“The specific challenge I want to address after SEAL is the lack of awareness about the importance of nature and biodiversity conservation, especially among the younger generation in my home country, Indonesia, and around the world.
Indonesia boasts extraordinary natural wealth, but it is often threatened by uncontrolled development, habitat destruction, and climate change.
My motivation to attend SEAL comes from a desire to face new challenges and test my abilities in the outdoors. Engaging in nature activities provides opportunities to learn about ecology, biodiversity, and local culture. By working in a team, I can develop essential communication, leadership, and collaboration skills that are crucial for success in various situations.”
“I recently learned about this program and believe it offers a fantastic opportunity to acquire new and valuable skills while meeting interesting people.
This program can provide me with a fresh perspective on society and the oceans. This is crucial for me because it’s not just about the new connections I would make, but also the valuable advice that can shape my future decisions.
I aim to develop solutions for water shortages and management in my hometown.”
“I was inspired to apply to this program because, in Cameroon, there are very few young people with experience in environmental protection, making it difficult to create a significant impact.
I believe SEAL will provide me with the training and resources needed to make a real difference in environmental protection in my country. This program will equip me with the skills to support the indigenous peoples of Cameroon in preserving their culture and heritage.
I am confident that, by the end of this training, I will be able to engage a large number of young people in Cameroon in environmental protection efforts. Together, we can start a movement to preserve our planet, beginning in our own country and eventually expanding our efforts worldwide.”
KT is originally from the East Coast and now lives in South Lake Tahoe. KT has been passionate about the outdoors all her life. Growing up on farms, she developed a loving connection with the land and natural ecosystems.
She is an accomplished backpacker and has previous guiding and management
experience. KT began her guide work in Southern Idaho and Northern California and
has worked in programs with goals of education, team empowerment, and mental
health. She teaches primitive skills and our vital role in caring for our land. She guided
our SEAL 2022 trip on the Pacific Coast Trail backpacking trip in Northern California. KT
supported twelve participates by carrying provisions and gear, applying expertise in
wilderness survival skills and nature awareness.
She prioritizes health and safety of everyone on trail through Wilderness First Responder certification. KT has assisted with programs in the Sierra Nevada to include Yosemite National Park, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Eastern Sierra and the Lost
Coast. Her favorite hike is the Napali Trail on Kauai. For fun, she loves to ski and rock
climb.
In the past 20 years, Nicco has guided over 150 trips with the Pacific Outdoor Connection, Unalayee Backpacking Camp, Andrew Skurka Adventures, as well as his own organized adventures. On an expedition, Nicco aims for everyone to be challenged and to enjoy the wonder and beauty of the wilderness. A major professional accomplishment was leading a group of 13 -16-year-olds on a 30-day backpacking trip that included a circumnavigation of the Trinity Alps High Route on a record snow year.
Nicco seeks to empower participants to make sound decisions in the backcountry, navigate without trails, and have so much fun on their adventures. An important part of Nicco’s process is connecting with and supporting each other as a group, especially as participants step out of their comfort zones.
When Nicco isn’t wandering in the mountains, he is exploring his passions as a performing musician, ukulele teacher, storyteller, contact improvisation dancer and father.