EarthEcho International Celebrates A Decade of Youth Leadership, Announces New Council Cohort
(Washington, D.C. – September 3, 2025) – Philippe Cousteau, Jr.’s EarthEcho International is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Youth Leadership Council (YLC) with the addition of 10 inspiring changemakers dedicated to building a global youth movement to protect and restore our ocean planet. Over the last 10 years, the YLC has united over 90 exceptional young leaders driving ocean solutions to move EarthEcho’s work and mission forward. Continuing this legacy, EarthEcho welcomes new Council members from Canada, the Philippines, Spain, South Africa, and the United States. These remarkable young advocates will expand on the legacy of the past ten years, collaborating with their peers, EarthEcho’s staff, Board of Directors, and partners to strengthen the reach and impact of the organization’s worldwide programs.
“Over the past 10 years the YLC has left an unmistakable mark on our organization - driving the launch of new programs, leading creative ocean protection campaigns, and building community among young ocean advocates from over 120 countries," said EarthEcho founder Philippe Cousteau, Jr. “We are grateful for this group's leadership in authentically advancing EarthEcho's mission and look forward to seeing how our 2025 cohort of Council members will build on and expand this impact.”
The YLC unites 20 young people, between the ages of 17 to 24, who have demonstrated an ability to mobilize their communities to have a positive impact on our planet. This year’s cohort has a lasting connection to EarthEcho through their previous participation in EarthEcho Ambassador programs, the OurEcho Challenge, or global GenSea community of youth ocean advocates. EarthEcho’s Youth Leadership Council is made possible through the support of La Mer Blue Heart Oceans Fund and The Estée Lauder Companies Travel Retail division.
The new 2025 EarthEcho YLC members are:
- Ali Lim, Quezon City, Philippines
- Dev Katyal, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Lucia McKinnon, Paia, HI, USA
- María José Jiménez Orozco, Madrid, Spain
- Marlin Xie, Elmhurst, NY, USA
- Nya Washington, Colonial Heights, VA, USA
- Paul Junior Malinda, Gauteng, South Africa
- Rajaa Berry, Lasalle, ON, Canada
- Tariq Kupferberg, New York, NY, USA
- Val Munoz, Montreal, QC, Canada
Visit our Youth Leadership Council page to learn more about the work of the YLC and its members.
For more information about EarthEcho International, visit www.earthecho.org or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/earthecho Instagram: www.instagram.com/earthecho and X/Twitter: www.twitter.com/earthecho.
Media Contact, EarthEcho International: Samah Shaiq