ITRI Visionary Young Leaders Awards 2019 Recipients
Riddhi Shah works in rural India training teachers. For the past 13 years Riddhi has dedicated her life to traveling across India working in very remote, rural areas - some with no access to water, healthcare, roads, transportation, electricity and other basic needs. Her educator training involves dialogue on how integral education is one of the keys to addressing many challenges we face today. This has taken her to more than 800 schools and engaging with more than 9,000 teachers to enable them to re-assess their roles as catalysts of transformation in the current time. She believes that “Schools are spaces where miracles are waiting to happen”.
Riddhi Shah, India
Riddhi has spoken at major gatherings and conferences on education and helps leaders in the business sector and decision makers with recommendations on how to best support rural education and community development.
Shephali Patel is a farmer-ecologist, educator, and writer. Over the past seven years, she has been shaping landscapes of the mind, heart, and Earth at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Snug Harbor Heritage Farm, Just Food, The Jane Goodall Institute, Hilltop Hanover Farm, Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Shephali Patel, USA
In addition to a deep grounding in regenerative technologies, social justice, and education, Shephali has over a decade of experience in organizational management, program development, and building partnerships. Shephali ‘s interests include ecological restoration, consumption and waste management and works towards a radical reimagining of our role and orientation as human beings on this planet.
Alex Epstein, USA
Alex Epstein is a community organizer, artist, urban farmer, educator, and student of the earth. He is a Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Urban Creators, a grassroots organization that uses food, art, and education as tools to nurture resilience and self-determination in North-Philadelphia neighborhoods. In this role, he has helped guide the strategic development of the organization and its various partnerships. Collectively, the Urban Creators have transformed 3 acres of vacant land (a former garbage dump) into a network of flourishing urban farms, public green spaces, and artistic venues for self-expression and exploration.
They feed dozens of local families each year, have provided 117 jobs and leadership development opportunities for local youth, and have contributed to a 40% decrease in Violent Crime in their immediate community since 2010. Alex has spent 13 years building bridges across difference, advocating for racial & economic justice, and building inclusive communities. He highlights the importance of local action and collaborative leadership and is passionate about inspiring other young people to find their role in creating sustainable social change. Alex has led over 5,000 volunteers in direct service projects, co-facilitated social justice education and skills training workshops for more than 500 students (ages 6-25).
Sweta Daga lives and works in Bangalore, India She is passionate about social justice issues and facilitates circles and community discussions on themes such as nature, environment, poverty and gender work.
Sweta Daga, India
She is a filmmaker and journalist giving voice to those who do not have access themselves and was an Earth Journalism Fellow in 2016 and a People’s Archive of Rural India Photojournalism Fellow in 2015 working to preserve traditional knowledge.
Crystal Forman, Eurasia Foundation
Crystal L. Forman MPH, MHA is the Owner/Director of Holistic Wellness and Health, and is a passionate health, fitness and wellness educator, consultant, and coach with many years of experience in health education and wellness. She is also a Baltimore City Master Gardener and a Certified Permaculture Designer.
In addition to her public health and health administration degrees, she is a certified sport nutrition consultant (CSNC), a certified health coach (CHC), and a certified group exercise instructor (GEI). Using a plant-based approach, she focuses on disease prevention education, and health & wellness outreach programs to help people live a healthier and more vibrant life. She offers free plant-based and nutritious cooking demonstrations throughout Baltimore using locally grown produce from Baltimore City farmers at senior centers, after-school programs, community centers and community events to teach people how to eat healthy on a budget.