At just a high school sophomore, Riya Velhal has already made her mark as a nonprofit founder, policy advocate, and student leader. She created Roots of Impact to bring emotional literacy into elementary classrooms, and she’s now working to embed mental health into education policy at the state level.
Beyond advocacy, Riya has competed internationally in DECA, debated through Model United Nations, and hosts Are We Serious?, a podcast on law, AI, and Gen Z issues.
Planting the Roots of Change
“Mental health conversations often start too late. I wanted to go to the root—and that meant starting with younger students.”
Riya founded Roots of Impact after realizing how early our self-worth and empathy are shaped. Her nonprofit focuses on weaving empathy and emotional education into spaces that are often left out of meaningful mental health conversations: elementary classrooms.
Kids Are More Ready Than We Think
One of the most rewarding discoveries for Riya has been how receptive children are to talking about emotions.
“I used to think you had to simplify things a lot—but kids are more emotionally intelligent than we give them credit for.”
Hearing a second grader use words like empathy or say “I paused before I reacted today” shows her that small efforts can shift cultures.
From Idea to Policy
Riya is now channeling her passion into policy work. She’s leading an initiative to propose stronger mental health education in her state’s elementary schools.
“We’re building the right community—educators, students, policy mentors—so it becomes more than just a good idea on paper.”
Her goal: making emotional well-being part of how students are taught from the very beginning.
Advice for Young Changemakers
As someone who started her first business at 10, Riya encourages teens not to wait until they feel “ready.”
“Just start. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Most people won’t act on their ideas—but consistency is what separates you. Take up space, even if your voice shakes.”
Balancing School and Advocacy
Between school, advocacy, and leadership, Riya admits balance is tricky.
“Balance isn’t a perfect equation. Some weeks school takes over, some weeks advocacy pulls me in. Impact doesn’t come from intensity—it comes from sustainability.”
Her strategy: plan obsessively, give herself grace, and stay motivated by the knowledge that her work might change even one life.
What Being a Gen Z Changemaker Means
To Riya, being a changemaker isn’t about titles—it’s about courage.
“Being a Gen Z changemaker means daring to care in a world that often tells you not to. It means being loud when silence is more comfortable. It means combining ambition with vulnerability, and using digital spaces to speak up for what you believe is right.”
Riya’s story highlights what it means to be a Gen Z changemaker: bold, consistent, and unafraid to care. Her voice is just one of many we’re proud to spotlight here at Teen Gazette.
Connect with Riya on Instagram (@riyavelhal.oregon) and LinkedIn (Riya Velhal)
