Skip the Small Talk: Connect with People Changing the World

Polyglot and first generation Turkish-American. Executive Director of NM Voters First, a nonprofit organization advocating for more voter participation by ensuring that all voters can exercise their right to participate in every public election. Working to support candidates that believe in empowering and enhancing democracy and encouraging legislators to support fair and equitable elections that expand peoples’ political voice.

Extensive experience of nearly 10 years in volunteering with nonprofit organizations, political and civic engagement campaigns, and academic institutions. Co-Founder of Global Shapers Albuquerque Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum.

2025 Design & Technology Fellow Joon Baek is a software engineer at Google. He is also a master’s student at Columbia University studying computer science, with a concentration in machine learning. He co-founded Youth for Privacy, advocating for youth privacy rights globally, and has spoken at UN forums on privacy regulations. Joon has also worked on disarmament initiatives with the UN. A veteran of the Korean Army, he aims to leverage his experience in technology and policy to advance inclusive digital governance. He was recognized in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2025

Engaging in multilateral negotiations on Climate and Development Finance with particular interest in Adaptation, Nature, Just transition, Article 6 and Loss & Damage.

Coordinating research programs, academies and opening up spaces to build common positions to discuss challenges and prepare young future climate practitioners to meaningfully engage in the UNFCCC, Financing for Development and national policy-making spaces.