Meet Vihaan

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vihaan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vihaan, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Efficiency.
My belief in efficiency started small, making sure my schoolwork, swim practices, and projects were always tightly scheduled. To me efficiency wasn’t just a way to stay organized, it was about finding smarter ways to solve every single problem. Eventually this belief in efficiency extended across just habit, weaving into my broader passion for sustainability. Whether I was building the next local environmental initiative, speaking on sustainability on a global stage, or researching climate tech, efficiency has always been the common thread. It’s what has allowed me to turn passion into action, and action into results.
This mindset has shaped my work across numerous divisions in my professional life, mainly advocacy and entrepreneurship. As an official United Nations Delegate, I’ve spoken at the General Assembly to thousands of Member States and delegates about how youth-led innovation can drive climate action, presenting my work on Water based fuel cells as an example of a greener future. Not only do I preach sustainability, I put this principle into practice through FreshGuard, a project where we developed biodegradable food-preservation bags and a sensor system to tackle food waste. We’ve distributed over 3,000 bags, prevented more than 15,000 pounds of food waste, and earned recognition from UNESCO, Texas A&M’s McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Paradigm Challenge, while managing to win $3,000 through numerous competitions and grants.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart is that I approach sustainability from multiple angles, entrepreneurship, research, and policy, and I’ve worked to turn those efforts into measurable impact at a young age. I’m most proud not just of the projects themselves, but of how they show the power of combining innovation with advocacy.

Outside of FreshGuard, a project I’m especially proud of is AquaVolt, where I explored hydrogen fuel technologies alongside Virginia Tech researchers and Toyota engineers. I even presented a 3D model at the United Nations Asia-Pacific room, highlighting how solar-powered innovations could improve energy efficiency across South and Southeast Asia. Beyond my role as a UN Delegate, I’ve also worked on addressing environmental issues through policy implementation. With Perrin Legal Organization and YPSF, both of which provide policy recommendations to multinational corporations, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to bills targeting PFAS and plastic regulation while also advocating for floodplain regulation and emergency management. This included supporting efforts around Texas’ Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act and the Youth CAMPER Act, both of which address climate-driven flood risks in youth camps.

It hasn’t been easy, being under 18 meant constantly proving myself in rooms where I wasn’t expected to belong. The skepticism I faced taught me that persistence matters, but so does execution: credibility comes from showing results, not just pitching ideas. Each challenge reinforced my belief that small, efficient innovations can spark lasting change, whether it’s preventing food waste, advancing clean energy, or shaping climate policy.

What I want the world to know is this: young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, we’re already shaping the solutions of today. My goal is to keep showing that with the right mindset, efficiency, and innovation, even students can create work that scales from the local level to the global stage.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly I’d have to say my Mother and Father were my biggest push factors in my success. My dad always pushed me to be my best , and throughout his constant lecturing stood numerous life sessions. His willingness to withstand my hardheadness is something I will always appreciate. My mom always supported my decisions no matter what, and showed me it was okay to dream. Her encouragement kept me flying while my dads steadiness kept me from drifting too close to the sun. Both of my parents have always given me opportunities I’ve made the best of. Whether by letting me know of competitions, sponsoring trips for extracurriculars, or simply putting food on the table. I am forever grateful. Outside of my family, I will always be thankful to my mentors like Apoorva Ruparel, a Guest Lecturer at Berkeley haas, or Mark, my Research mentor, teaching me consistency and unconventionally is important for getting your foot in the door. And beyond them, I owe a lot to the teachers, coaches, and friends who have shaped me through their encouragement and challenges.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vihaan-nayak-1a4b11283/