Mia is a high school junior from Southern California and a participant in Plan International USA’s 2025 Youth Leadership Academy. The YLA showed her the power of youth voices in driving meaningful change.
During her time with the academy, she founded Project Unlaced, a youth-led initiative that empowers young women to build a healthy, confident relationship with their bodies. Through Project Unlaced, Mia leads peer-driven workshops, coordinates a team of volunteers and facilitates research-informed conversations that promote gender equality, empowerment and mental health. This work was inspired by Mia’s own struggle with an eating disorder.
In the future, Mia hopes to continue her advocacy and research in public health policy. In her free time, she enjoys running and finding new books to read.
Quote: “I’m excited to serve on the YAB alongside such inspiring young leaders as we work to elevate youth voices and advance gender equality.”