This summer, for my Leadership-in-Action project, I’ll be working at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation in Santa Barbara, California, under Dr. Ivana Nikolic Hughes. As I (alongside Kate and Valeriya) enter into the Santa Barbara community, I hope to impact local nuclear peace legislation by working with city council members and putting together a meaningful event for the 31st annual Sadako Peace Day on August 6th, 2025. At the end of the summer, we’ll travel to Japan to present at the Choose Hope Conference in Hiroshima, where we’ll speak on the intersection of climate change, youth activism, and nuclear disarmament. This summer builds on the experiences I gained last year researching nuclear test history—specifically in the South Pacific—and current U.S. nuclear policy. I’m excited to now explore the policy side, working proactively toward a nuclear-free future!

This image is a view from the upstairs office of the NAPF headquarters, where my team and I will work and live for the upcoming weeks!