Global Sustainable Development Leaders
30 Under 30 & 25 Under 25

2025 Annual List

Program Introduction, Vision and Mission

The “30 Under 30 & 25 Under 25” is a flagship initiative launched by the Global ESG Leadership Association (GELA) to recognize and celebrate young leaders who have made exceptional contributions to sustainable development across diverse fields, including artificial intelligence, space exploration, clean energy, carbon technology, culture and arts, and international collaboration. By integrating resources from businesses, media, universities, non-profit organizations, and other social and commercial entities, the initiative provides a global platform for young talents to showcase their capabilities and drive impactful projects to fruition.

The program’s mission is to inspire, support, and empower young leaders, advancing the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). GELA seeks to build cross-sector collaboration platforms that amplify the influence of young individuals in sustainable development, motivating more youth to engage in addressing critical global challenges such as leading technological innovation, overcoming energy constraints, combating climate change, and improving resource management.

Potential Candidates

This initiative is open to outstanding young individuals under the age of 30 (30 Under 30) and exceptional talents under the age of 25 (25 Under 25) from across the globe. Candidates are required to demonstrate leadership, innovation, and long-term impact in various subfields of sustainable development. Whether through academic research, entrepreneurial endeavors, or social impact initiatives, those who have excelled in driving sustainable development forward are encouraged to participate and apply.

Evaluation Criteria

Leadership: Candidates must have founded or co-founded at least one enterprise or non-profit organization, serving as a founder, co-founder, CEO, or in a comparable leadership role. Over the past year, the organization they lead should have achieved significant growth and demonstrated exceptional management and leadership capabilities in the field of sustainable development.

Innovation: Candidates should have proposed and implemented distinctive innovative initiatives or projects that have earned recognition from authoritative bodies and delivered tangible results across diverse communities.

Impact: The enterprise or project must have directly benefited ≥1,000 individuals and garnered widespread public attention through social media, events, or other channels.

Sustainability: The enterprise or project must demonstrate the capacity for sustained operation, delivering long-term social, environmental, and economic benefits.

Global Perspective: Candidates must have engaged in cross-cultural collaborations, advanced international initiatives, and exhibited a mindset of diversity and inclusivity.

Evaluation Process

Launch: Introduction of the event overview

Sign Up: Open registration channels and upload personal materials

Preliminary Trial: Initial review by judges

Vote: Official Nomination Open & Global Voting Begins

Retrial: Final review by expert judges

List Publish and Prize Present: Official media release of the list and online and offline award ceremony

Evaluation Highlights

Global Influence: This initiative unites top leaders from global business, academia, and nonprofits to ensure a fair and impactful selection process. Honorees will join GELA’s global network, participating in international forums and sustainability events to enhance their global reach.

Media Support: Recognized by renowned global media, honorees will gain media exposure and feature coverage, amplifying their projects and social impact.

International Platform: Honorees will access GELA’s global network, including cross-sector collaboration, mentorship, and opportunities at international conferences and summits.

Personal Honors: Honorees will receive a GELA certification and be celebrated at the annual awards ceremony.

Innovation Support: A dedicated platform will connect honorees with industry leaders and innovators, offering funding and resources to turn ideas into impactful solutions.

Social Responsibility: Honorees are encouraged to lead social impact projects, driving progress in equity and sustainability.

Application Channel

File the Form or scan the QR code below to apply immediately!

Google Form: https://forms.gle/Ek4JR64p9tZbS77T8

WeChat Form: https://wj.qq.com/s2/17936335/c92d/

The registration will be open at 8:00 PM, February 19th, 2025.

The registration deadline is 11:59 PM, March 15th, 2025.

The registration form can only be submitted once.

Judge List

Final Judges (Continuously Updated)

Mr. Lawrence X. Pan was the China Chief Representative and Managing Director of Asia Pacific Region of NASDAQ, and also one of the official spoken person for NASDAQ.

Mr. Pan has over 15 years of securities and commodities industry experience. Most recently CEO with Asia Pacific Capital, Mr. Pan has previously held senior positions in corporate finance and asset management at Morgan Stanley, providing advice to a variety of Chinese companies and banks seeking to access the US Capital Markets. Additionally, Mr. Pan has held management position and been licensed senior trader with considerable knowledge of trading platforms and strategies through his experience with HS Securities & Futures and CNIEC.

Mr. Pan has a B.S. and M.S. in Materials Science from BIT, an EMBA in International Business from University of London and a Certificate in Financial Analysis from NYU. He is fluent in English and a native speaker of Mandarin.

The video is created by Sora.

Feng Li is the Founding Partner of Frees Fund, focusing on investments in hard technology, biopharmaceuticals, and consumer/TMT sectors. With extensive venture capital experience, he has also conducted long-term research on macroeconomic trends.

Before founding Frees Fund, he was a Partner and Investment Decision Committee member at IDG Capital.

Over nearly two decades, he has led investments in Bilibili, Three Squirrels, XtalPi, Unity, CreditEase, 360 DigiTech, BaiRong Inc., Coinbase, and Dida Chuxing, all of which went public on major exchanges.

Feng Li holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University and an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Rochester.

Mr. Gao Chao is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Meixun. He was the first Head of PR for Amazon and Uber China and previously served as Executive Partner & CMO at Ucommune, PR Director at PepsiCo Greater China, and Corporate Communications Director at Dell Greater China.

He holds an International MBA (BiMBA) from Peking University and an MBA from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business in New York. With extensive experience in corporate management and public relations, he has worked with both multinational corporations and innovative local enterprises.

Preliminary Judges (Continuously Updated)

Ms. Lu Zhang is the Founder and Managing Partner of Fusion Fund, a Silicon Valley-based investor, serial entrepreneur, and Stanford Engineering alumna. With expertise in AI in healthcare, enterprise AI, and data privacy, she has led over 80 investments across the U.S. and Canada, generating notable exits.

Before founding Fusion Fund in 2015, Ms. Lu Zhang was a serial entrepreneur and materials science researcher. After selling her startup to a leading medical device company, she transitioned to venture investing.

Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, she has also been named among Silicon Valley Women of Influence, Business Insider’s Top 25 Female Early-Stage Investors, and Forbes 30 Under 30 (VC).

She frequently speaks at global tech conferences and serves as a board member of multiple companies. Ms. Lu Zhang holds an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University.

Ms. Li Li is the Founding Partner of Next Capital and a renowned angel investor. She has led early-stage investments in Lexin (NASDAQ: LX), Tiger Brokers (NASDAQ: TIGR), Tuanche (NASDAQ: TC), Meiyou, Niuguwang, YikuaiBao, PingCAP, Caibeike, Yunding Smart, and other innovative companies.

In 2017, Ms. Li Li founded Next Capital, focusing on early-stage investments in technology innovation. Her investment areas include AI, hard technology, digital healthcare, global tech expansion, biotech & life sciences, enterprise services, cloud-native technologies, specialized and sophisticated enterprises, and robotics. Next Capital has backed high-growth startups such as Genki Forest, Panda Remit, Xunzhao Duojiaoshou, Dianjiang Technology, Shize Biotech, Xinsu Technology, Weiming Shiguang, Olive Branch Health, and Silicon-based Bionics.

Previously, Ms. Li Li served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of IT Manager World, where she conducted an exclusive interview with Jeff Bezos. She is also the author of Light Company, a 2009 bestseller in the business category on Amazon China and Dangdang.

Additionally, Ms. Li Li is the Founder of Xiaofanzhuo, a venture capital service platform.

Mr. Chen Qiufan is a writer, translator, and futurist, currently serving as Deputy Director of the Science Fiction Literature Committee of the China Writers Association, Vice President of the China Science Writers Association, a Visiting Scholar at Yale University, and a Berggruen Scholar.

His major works include The Waste Tide, AI 2041 (co-authored with Dr. Kai-Fu Lee), Algorithm of Life, Zero-Carbon China, and Songs of the Mountains and Seas, among others. His works have been widely translated into over 20 languages and have received numerous awards, including the Mao Dun New Talent Award, Global Chinese Science Fiction Nebula Award, China Science Fiction Galaxy Award, Asia Weekly’s Top 10 Novels of the Year, and Germany’s Business Book of the Year.

Mr. Chen’s writing explores a broad range of themes, including AI and tech ethics, climate change and environmental protection, planetary civilization, and the philosophy of mind.

Ms. Dong Xiaoman is a Professional Officer at the United Nations Youth Office and a lecturer at the School of International Organization, Beijing Foreign Studies University.

She earned a dual bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Asian Studies from Furman University in 2014, followed by a Master’s degree in Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science. In 2016, she participated in the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program, working with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). She later obtained her Ph.D. in International Relations from Peking University in 2020 and joined Beijing Foreign Studies University the same year.

Since 2022, Ms. Dong has been seconded to the United Nations Youth Office as a Junior Professional Officer, primarily responsible for the United Nations Youth Leaders Program.

EV.COM

EV.com, the world's first new energy vehicle platform.

Mr. Han Guowei is the Director of the International Department and Executive Director of the China Great Wall Society. He is also the official representative of the New 7 Wonders Foundation in China and the chief planner of the "<2°C Plan: First Human Expedition Across the Three Poles & Global Climate Change Scientific Exploration Project."

Committed to promoting the Great Wall’s global recognition, Mr. Han has signed MOUs with World Heritage organizations in over ten countries and played a key role in securing the Great Wall’s inclusion in the New7Wonders of the World.

He has organized major international events, including the Great Wall World Folk Song Concerts, the UN Sustainable Development & Green Olympics Programs, and the China Great Wall Hiking Conference. Additionally, he collaborates with Academy Award-winning director Keith Merrill to promote Great Wall culture through film, music, and art, ensuring its preservation and international impact.

Dr. Haokai Zhao is a postdoctoral researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics from Columbia University. His research focuses on applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Data Science, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to advance Sustainable Urban Development. He has received multiple awards in his field, including the IEEE IE Best Short Paper Award and the ASME Floyd Hasselriis Award.

Current Sponsors and Partners (Continuously Updated)

CBiBank, Jiangtao

Hibee

Steve Hong

CB International Bank (CBiBank) is a U.S. commercial bank holding a U.S. banking license. It was established in July 2017 and officially obtained its banking license in 2018. Headquartered in Puerto Rico, USA, CBiBank is a member of multiple financial institutions, including the Federal Reserve (ABA), the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), UnionPay International (UNIONPAY), and the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS). Additionally, it is a registered dealer with the National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors (NAFMII) and a foreign exchange market member of the China Foreign Exchange Trade System (CFETS).

CBiBank is a commercial bank regulated by U.S. banking supervisory authorities (SWIFT code: CBLBPRSJ). It is committed to providing a variety of customized international financial solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals expanding their businesses overseas through convenient and efficient online banking services.

iMpact

iMpact delivers results-driven communication services with transparent pricing, tailored to meet clients' specific needs. As experts in cross-cultural communication, our team possesses deep insights into Chinese business logic, enabling seamless localization in overseas markets. Leveraging an extensive global resource network and over a decade of industry experience, we provide professional branding services with 24/7 responsiveness across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Australia. iMpact is committed to empowering Chinese enterprises in expanding into new international markets, offering comprehensive support in brand public relations, legal compliance, human resources, and market entry strategies to facilitate sustainable overseas growth.

HiBee Immigration Consulting (hereinafter referred to as HiBee) is a New York-based immigration consulting firm. For over a decade, our team of seasoned consultants has specialized in H-1B, O-1A, and O-1B visa applications, providing work visa solutions to clients across 20+ diverse industries, including IT, engineering, finance, biotechnology, medical research, and the nonprofit sector.

Amid the declining approval rates for H-1B visas in recent years, our team has successfully secured over 1,000 H-1B approvals for our clients. Additionally, in the past three years alone, we have assisted clients in obtaining more than 150 O-1A/O-1B approvals.

We are committed to delivering clear, efficient, and legally compliant immigration solutions through our expertise in immigration law, meticulous service processes, and personalized client care.

Steve Hong has extensive experience in internal auditing, compliance, and risk management within financial institutions. He has previously worked at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the Bank of China New York Branch, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China New York Branch. Currently, he serves as a Vice President - Senior Audit Manager at one of the world's top five investment banks, while also dedicating himself to teaching and research in risk management.

In addition, he is a blogger named “New York Little Antenna” on the Xiaohongshu platform, where he shares insights on career, education, and life coaching while actively advocating for sustainable development.

Summit of Global Sustainability Visionaries 2025

Preview

On April 7, 2024, the inaugural Global Sustainability Leadership Summit, hosted by the Columbia Global ESG Leadership Association (CGELA), was successfully held in Low Library, the most grand and historically significant library at Columbia University. The CGELA Social Gala, held in the same venue in the evening, marked a perfect conclusion to this sustainability-focused gathering. The summit featured over 23 distinguished speakers from various sustainability subfields, supported by 18 dedicated organizing team members and 30 volunteers and project leaders, attracting an audience of over 240 participants across the summit and gala.

On April 13, 2025, the annual landmark event in the global sustainability field—Columbia University Global Sustainability Leadership Summit & Global Youth Sustainability Visionaries “30 Under 30 & 25 Under 25” Annual Awards Ceremony—will be grandly held in the Rotunda of Low Memorial Library at Columbia University. This prestigious gathering will bring together top business leaders, academic authorities, industry experts, and pioneering young leaders from around the world to engage in in-depth discussions on cutting-edge sustainability topics, including artificial intelligence, space exploration, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, new energy, arts and culture, and international collaboration. The event aims to contribute intellectual power and practical insights to global sustainability.

In the evening, we will host an elegant social gala and cocktail reception in the Rotunda of Low Memorial Library, where renowned guests from various fields will engage in thought-provoking discussions with global elites, accompanied by exquisite music and fine wine. This grand gathering is not only a collision of ideas but also a crucial opportunity to drive human civilization toward a sustainable future. Through meaningful exchanges and collaborations, every participant will gain inspiration and co-create a new chapter for sustainability.

We sincerely invite global elites from all sectors to join us in witnessing this high-level event that fosters innovation and advances global sustainability. Whether you are an industry leader with deep expertise or a young visionary committed to driving change, we eagerly await your participation. Engage with world-class scholars, business executives, technology experts, and policymakers, and explore the boundless possibilities of a sustainable future.

Let us gather at the Rotunda of Low Memorial Library, where intellectual exchanges and collaborative advancements will shape the next chapter of sustainability. We look forward to embarking on this journey together and co-creating the future! See you on April 13, 2025!

Contact Us

  • Business Cooperation: Ms. Fu (Fxyy_99)

  • Media Cooperation: Ms. Ding (wangchuan017)

  • Corporate & Social Organization Cooperation: Ms. Yuan (vertcocoyuan)