Events
NextGen Civic Academy
The Civic Academy is a two-week global program for 100 high school students from over 30 countries. Week one focuses on interactive workshops and speaker sessions, while week two is dedicated to building real-world civic projects or research. The program ends with a pitch competition where students can win $1,000 in grants. Led by PIVOT and Virtutem Populo, the Academy empowers youth to turn ideas into action.
Featured Speakers & Mentors
Meet the diverse group of advocates, policymakers, and changemakers who have led workshops, keynotes, and discussions with our members
Sam Novey
Sam Novey is the Chief Strategist at the University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement (CDCE), a position he stepped into in July 2023 after serving as a Consulting Community Scholar. Based in Baltimore, he is a civic entrepreneur and co-founder of several major nonpartisan civic initiatives, including the Students Learn Student Vote Coalition, the Baltimore Votes Coalition, the Maryland Civics Education Coalition, and others focused on expanding civic engagement locally and nationally
Michael Reyes
Michael Reyes is the Youth Engagement Coordinator at iCivics, where he leads the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship and the Youth as Civics Experts Network. With a background in classroom teaching and a deep commitment to civic learning, he works to amplify student voice and expand access to meaningful civic education experiences across the country. Michael brings a strong focus on equity, mentorship, and empowering youth as civic leaders.
Maurits Acosta
Maurits Acosta is a civic advocate, nonprofit founder, and campaign consultant currently studying at Harvard University. He launched Virtutem Populo, Inc., one of Miami’s largest student-led nonprofits, which has raised over $100,000 and engaged more than 4,000 students and teachers through civic education, leadership training, and policy advocacy. Maurits has also worked intensively with PIVOT to help design and lead the NextGen Civic Academy, a global program for youth interested in public service and policymaking.
Reese Wong
Reese Wong is a Hong Kong-born social entrepreneur and speaker who founded ISSIA HK, the city’s largest youth-led nonprofit mobilizing hundreds of students across 80+ schools. Recognized as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and Diana Award winner, he has delivered over 100 talks worldwide on leadership and social innovation. Reese recently graduated from LSE with a degree in International Studies, and continues to lead multiple initiatives focused on youth empowerment.
Akanshya Gurung
Akanshya Gurung is a youth advocate and communications leader dedicated to amplifying young voices in global policy and development. She currently serves as a Senior Associate at Chemonics UK, focusing on youth engagement and international development. Previously, she was Head of Communications at theFuture Leaders Network, where she led initiatives like the Youth 7Summit to empower youth participation in G7 policymaking.
Tariq Lawal
Tariq Lawal is a Nigerian creative and changemaker dedicated to social, environmental, and digital wellness. As Director of Creative Media & Communications at the LOG OFF Movement, he leads efforts to promote healthier social media habits among youth. His work has been recognized by UNICEF, The New York Times, and the United Nations, and he has received honors including the Diana Award and designation as a UNICEF Young Influencer.
Bob McCormick
Bob McCormick is Director of the Atlanta Institute for DiplomaticLeadership and a longtime educator in international affairs and civil discourse. He’s taught for over 20 years at Georgia Tech’s Sam Nunn School and has worked with institutions like NATO and the George C. Marshall European Center. His work centers on preparing young leaders for global challenges through diplomacy, conflict resolution, and cross-cultural understanding
Jaylen Smith
At just 18, Jaylen Smith was elected mayor of Earle, Arkansas, becoming one of the youngest mayors in U.S. history and theyoungest Black mayor ever elected in the nation. Previously student‑body and class president in high school, Jaylen campaigned on revitalizing his hometown, bringing in essential services, improving infrastructure, and enhancing public safety.
Karikari Achireko Kwagyan
Karikari Achireko Kwagyan is a Graduate Research Assistant at MIT, where he works with the MIT Energy Initiative and the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research. His background spans engineering, energy systems, economics, finance, and policy, with a focus on building a low-carbon electric grid and analyzing investments in energy markets. He is now serving as a Research Advisor for PIVOT Fellows.
Reese Wong
Reese Wong is a Hong Kong-born social entrepreneur and speaker who founded ISSIA HK, the city’s largest youth-led nonprofit mobilizing hundreds of students across 80+ schools. Recognized as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and Diana Award winner, he has delivered over 100 talks worldwide on leadership and social innovation. Reese recently graduated from LSE with a degree in International Studies, and continues to lead multiple initiatives focused on youth empowerment.
Akanshya Gurung
Akanshya Gurung is a youth advocate and communications leader dedicated to amplifying young voices in global policy and development. She currently serves as a Senior Associate at Chemonics UK, focusing on youth engagement and international development. Previously, she was Head of Communications at theFuture Leaders Network, where she led initiatives like the Youth 7Summit to empower youth participation in G7 policymaking.
Tariq Lawal
Tariq Lawal is a Nigerian creative and changemaker dedicated tosocial, environmental, and digital wellness. As Director of CreativeMedia & Communications at the LOG OFF Movement, he leadsefforts to promote healthier social media habits among youth. Hiswork has been recognized by UNICEF, The New York Times, andthe United Nations, and he has received honors including the Diana Award and designation as a UNICEF Young Influencer.
Zev Shapiro
Zev Shapiro is the founder of TurnUp Activism, a leading youth-led civic tech nonprofit focused on increasing voter turnout and political engagement among young people. A Harvard graduate and longtime political organizer, Shapiro launched the TurnUp app to help youth find events, register to vote, and mobilize around causes. Under his leadership, TurnUp has trained thousands of organizers and reached millions of users across the U.S.
Reese Wong
Reese Wong is a Hong Kong-born social entrepreneur and speaker who founded ISSIA HK, the city’s largest youth-led nonprofit mobilizing hundreds of students across 80+ schools. Recognized as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and Diana Award winner, he has delivered over 100 talks worldwide on leadership and social innovation. Reese recently graduated from LSE with a degree in International Studies, and continues to lead multiple initiatives focused on youth empowerment.
Akanshya Gurung
Akanshya Gurung is a youth advocate and communications leader dedicated to amplifying young voices in global policy and development. She currently serves as a Senior Associate at Chemonics UK, focusing on youth engagement and international development. Previously, she was Head of Communications at theFuture Leaders Network, where she led initiatives like the Youth 7Summit to empower youth participation in G7 policymaking.
Tariq Lawal
Tariq Lawal is a Nigerian creative and changemaker dedicated tosocial, environmental, and digital wellness. As Director of CreativeMedia & Communications at the LOG OFF Movement, he leadsefforts to promote healthier social media habits among youth. Hiswork has been recognized by UNICEF, The New York Times, andthe United Nations, and he has received honors including the Diana Award and designation as a UNICEF Young Influencer.
Bob McCormick
Bob McCormick is Director of the Atlanta Institute for DiplomaticLeadership and a longtime educator in international affairs and civil discourse. He’s taught for over 20 years at Georgia Tech’sSam Nunn School and has worked with institutions like NATO and the George C. Marshall European Center. His work centers on preparing young leaders for global challenges through diplomacy, conflict resolution, and cross-cultural understanding
Jaylen Smith
At just 18, Jaylen Smith was elected mayor of Earle, Arkansas, becoming one of the youngest mayors in U.S. history and theyoungest Black mayor ever elected in the nation. Previously student‑body and class president in high school, Jaylen campaigned on revitalizing his hometown, bringing in essential services, improving infrastructure, and enhancing public safety.
Karikari Achireko Kwagyan
Karikari Achireko Kwagyan is a Graduate Research Assistant at MIT, where he works with the MIT Energy Initiative and the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research. His background spans engineering, energy systems, economics, finance, and policy, with a focus on building a low-carbon electric grid and analyzing investments in energy markets. He is now serving as a Research Advisor for PIVOT Fellows.
Reese Wong
Reese Wong is a Hong Kong-born social entrepreneur and speaker who founded ISSIA HK, the city’s largest youth-led nonprofit mobilizing hundreds of students across 80+ schools. Recognized as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and Diana Award winner, he has delivered over 100 talks worldwide on leadership and social innovation. Reese recently graduated from LSE with a degree in International Studies, and continues to lead multiple initiatives focused on youth empowerment.
Akanshya Gurung
Akanshya Gurung is a youth advocate and communications leader dedicated to amplifying young voices in global policy and development. She currently serves as a Senior Associate at Chemonics UK, focusing on youth engagement and international development. Previously, she was Head of Communications at theFuture Leaders Network, where she led initiatives like the Youth 7Summit to empower youth participation in G7 policymaking.
Tariq Lawal
Tariq Lawal is a Nigerian creative and changemaker dedicated tosocial, environmental, and digital wellness. As Director of CreativeMedia & Communications at the LOG OFF Movement, he leadsefforts to promote healthier social media habits among youth. Hiswork has been recognized by UNICEF, The New York Times, andthe United Nations, and he has received honors including the Diana Award and designation as a UNICEF Young Influencer.
Pitch Competition 2025 Winners
Where are the winners from?
1st place: Gaza, Palestine
2nd place: Washington DC, US
3rd place: Uganda
In the first week of the Civic Academy, PIVOT partnered with AllSides Media to create a course on identifying media bias and polarization.
Press & Features
Browse articles, interviews, and press coverage featuring PIVOT
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