Rishi Khante

Rishi Khante (17), is from the United States. Rishi’s journey into service began at 14, volunteering at food banks, homeless shelters, and community events across the United States. His love for the outdoors naturally pulled him toward environmental work — and a chance meeting at one of these events set him on a new path.

Rishi founded and leads a youth-run nonprofit focused on environmental sustainability education for elementary students, growing it from a local effort into a national organization with programs in both Washington and Texas.

He personally designed and delivered one-hour interactive environmental workshops at elementary schools across Washington’s Lake Washington and Northshore School Districts, developing age-appropriate lessons on clean water, ecosystems, climate, and conservation using storytelling, visuals, and hands-on activities. Working closely with school principals and administrators, he made sure his programs aligned with each district’s own goals.

Rishi’s workshops have reached more than 300 students across Washington and Texas, translating complex climate data into simple, actionable habits that empower young people to reduce their own environmental impact.

With his parents’ shared passion for the outdoors, Rishi has turned early volunteering into a national mission for the planet.