Kelsey is an educator and leader with diverse experience in youth program development, DEI training for adults, and global curricula. Thriving in the “joyous chaos” of fast-paced learning spaces, she often jokes that she does her best work in a loud train station with 10 minutes to transfer. She currently directs a global studies diploma program at an independent school in Charlotte, NC, with a teaching background in social studies, Spanish, history, and interdisciplinary studies. Passionate about empowering and leveraging young voices, Kelsey believes that young people—cognitively wired for innovation—can transform industries in partnership with adults. She argues that youth inclusion in decision-making would better equip the world to tackle its biggest challenges. As a doctoral candidate in global education leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Kelsey’s dissertation focuses on youth activism and the whole-person competencies needed to fuel change agents. She completed her doctoral fellowship at UNESCO HQ in Paris, France, working on projects related to child rights in virtual learning and teacher training. Her recent research also examines equity in grading and youth-led participatory action research (YPAR). Outside of work, Kelsey travels to a new country each year, enjoys mountain biking, live music, and spicy foods, and—as a master scuba diver—is happiest underwater.