Youth 4 Sustainability Wraps Up Global Mentorship Program to Nurture Future Sustainability Leaders

World Wildlife Conference in Samarkand: Big Decisions Ahead for Global Species ProtectionYouth 4 Sustainability (Y4S), the global initiative led by Masdar, has successfully concluded its first-ever Global Mentorship Program, marking a major milestone in its mission to empower future sustainability leaders.

Over a period of 20 weeks, the programme brought together 25 emerging leaders from 11 countries with senior executives and experts to build leadership skills, define career goals, and create real-world impact.

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Global Collaboration Across Sectors

The mentorship programme connected participants with mentors from 14 diverse organisations, spanning government bodies, multinational companies, and academic institutions.

Through structured one-on-one engagement, the mentor-mentee pairs focused on exchanging knowledge, exploring sustainability challenges and opportunities, and strengthening leadership capabilities in areas such as innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability strategy.

Structured Guidance for Purpose-Driven Leadership

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives at Masdar, said the programme reflects Y4S’ commitment to building leaders who operate with clarity and confidence.

She highlighted that the mentorship initiative provided young professionals with direct access to decision-makers, structured guidance, and the tools needed to navigate the global sustainability transition with purpose.

Transformative Impact on Participants

Sharing her experience, Dana Alkaabi, recognised as a Future Sustainability Leader for 2025, said the programme helped reshape her professional outlook. She noted that the mentorship strengthened her confidence, clarified her direction, and equipped her with a mindset for continuous personal and professional growth.

A Truly Global Cohort

The mentees represented a truly international network, with participants drawn from the UAE, Germany, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, the United States, Brazil, Yemen, India, Kazakhstan, and Syria.

Their mentors came from leading organisations across energy, government, academia, hospitality, retail, and sustainability sectors.

Advancing Gender Equity in Sustainability Leadership

The programme also reflected a strong commitment to inclusive leadership and gender balance, with 64 per cent of mentees and 60 per cent of mentors being women. This milestone reinforces Y4S’ focus on advancing gender equity in the global sustainability ecosystem.

Conclusion: Building a Global Pipeline of Sustainability Leaders

With the successful completion of its inaugural Global Mentorship Program, Youth 4 Sustainability has taken a powerful step towards shaping a globally connected, purpose-driven generation of leaders.

By combining expert guidance, international collaboration, and a strong focus on inclusion, Y4S continues to strengthen its role as a key platform for youth-led climate and sustainability leadership.

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