Previous Event:
Youth Leadership Summit U.S.A
2025 Southern California

Ended

Want to Join Our 2026 Event?

About YLS U.S.A. 2025

Best Place to Showcase Leadership

About Youth Leadership Summit

The Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) is a national nonprofit event presented by InGenius USA, designed for high-potential, competitive high school students committed to creating meaningful social impact. YLS serves as a premier national platform uniting student leaders, youth entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, media partners, educators, and volunteers to collaborate, innovate, and drive change at scale.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower high school students to recognize their potential, develop their leadership skills, and pursue their passions, ultimately contributing to thriving communities. We also aim to create a supportive network that enhances opportunities for in-person activities, amplifying the impact of student clubs across the nation.

Former Harvard Admissions Officer

Opening Speech

Student Leadership Showcase

Project Presentation

Networking With Leaders

Roundtable Discussions

Win Awards

Get Professional Advice & Make Improvement

Resource Sharing

High-Quality Extracurriculars & Exclusive Strategies

2025 YLS Recap

LOS ANGELES, CA – On February 16, 2025, the USA Youth Leadership Summit(youthsummitusa.com), sponsored and hosted by InGenius, concluded successfully in Los Angeles. The annual event serves as a premier networking and leadership development platform, bringing together top high school student organizations, young leaders, former college admissions officers, industry professionals, and nonprofit representatives.
The summit, dedicated to fostering youth leadership, provided students with opportunities to enhance their leadership skills, expand their networks, and access essential resources to strengthen their organizations. Through panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, attendees engaged in meaningful dialogue on student leadership, innovation, and social impact.

08864D8F-C407-4270-9E00-E443BD936DFB_1_201_a — San Gabriel Councilmember Jorge Herrera Avila talking to students at their booth

The event drew prominent community leaders, including San Gabriel Council member Jorge, who commended the summit’s impact. He emphasized the need to provide young people with opportunities to develop leadership skills, a global mindset, and innovative thinking, encouraging more students to engage in international dialogue and leadership development.

Student Organizations Take Center Stage

A highlight of the summit was the Student Organization Showcase, where 10 selected student-led initiatives presented their work, sharing insights into organizational growth, social impact, and future goals. Representing diverse fields—including education, environmental sustainability, social services, and the arts—these organizations exemplified the innovation and responsibility of today’s youth leaders. To recognize outstanding contributions, the summit introduced four awards: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Rising Star.

2025 Keynote Speakers

Bruno Villegas

Former Admissions Officer
at Harvard
Harvard, EdM

Yosepha Greenfield

Co-Founder and COO,
InGenius Prep
BA, Yale

Zak Harris

Former Admissions Officer
at Bowdoin, Regis,
JHU, and GWU

A Commitment to Leadership and Collaboration

After ten months of preparation, Chenshi, Senior Office Director of InGenius Prep in Los Angeles, emphasized the summit’s mission to equip high school students with the skills and confidence to lead. He explained that the summit was a collaboration with education experts, young leaders, and club organizers to provide students with practical guidance and inspiration.
Yosepha Greenfield, COO of InGenius Prep and a judge of the 2025 Youth Leadership Summit, highlighted the summit’s role in shaping future leaders. She shared, “Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about communication, problem-solving, and inspiring others.” Greenfield emphasized that the USA Youth Leadership Summit provides students with opportunities to develop these skills beyond the classroom. By connecting participants with experienced mentors and industry professionals, the summit equips them with the tools to launch initiatives, manage organizations, and drive meaningful change in their communities.

8C90E2FC-3DB6-4AE9-AC46-AB5FADBA2B85_1_201_a — San Gabriel Councilmember Jorge Herrera Avila

2025 YLS USA Highlights

Meet 2025 Award Winners!

Platinum
Award

Fruit Sharing

The highest honor, the Platinum Award, went to Fruit Sharing, a student-led organization from Sunnyvale committed to reducing food waste and promoting sustainability. The initiative encourages community members to share surplus food, improving resource distribution and advocating for eco-conscious living. The Final Award Recipients are listed below.

Gold
Award

Flying Strings
Youth Ensemble

The Gold Innovation Award went to Flying Strings Youth Ensemble | flyingstrings.org, a nonprofit that unites communities through music. Featuring instruments from diverse cultures, including the Chinese pipa, guzheng, and erhu, alongside classical instruments from Italy and France, the ensemble fosters cultural harmony through volunteer and community events. With members across the U.S., they rehearse and perform to connect people through music.

Silver
Award

STEMpathy

The Silver Impact Award went to STEMpathy. The project brings STEM education to underprivileged children worldwide, bridging educational gaps with empathy. Through hands-on learning in robotics, coding, and engineering, we inspire young minds locally in San Diego and globally in India. Our mission—”All for STEM, and STEM for all!”—ensures every child gets the chance to explore the wonders of STEM in a fun, engaging way.

Rising Star
Award

SciConnect
Initiative

The Rising Star Award went to SciConnect Initiative, a club that provides free, high-quality STEM education to students worldwide, covering subjects from Biology to Meteorology. Our experienced instructors, including national Olympiad participants, teach both fundamental concepts and real-world applications, helping students explore science in a clear and engaging way.

Roundtable Discussion: Strengthening Student OrganizationsStage

A roundtable discussion, featuring representatives from leading nonprofits such as Science Olympiad, Project Youth OC, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, tackled key issues related to student organization development. Topics included: Utilizing digital tools for community engagement; Overcoming challenges in organizational scaling; Recruiting and retaining core team members; Expanding influence through strategic partnerships; and Innovating fundraising strategies.

019B5F00-378C-48C2-80B2-5217FD34C82D_1_201_a — Latilla Cain, Director of Admissions at Big Brothers Big Sisters

A Lasting Impact

As the summit came to a close, student leaders engaged with industry experts, educators, and government officials, exploring collaboration opportunities, securing funding support, and gaining access to mentorship and essential resources. The event successfully facilitated global youth exchanges in leadership, innovation, and social responsibility.
Looking ahead, the USA Youth Leadership Summit remains committed to supporting young leaders by providing a platform for collaboration and growth. By empowering students to turn ideas into action, the summit continues to drive meaningful change—one young leader at a time.

6FCCA751-07B1-4BF5-AA7F-F85FB49631E1_1_201_a — NGO Leaders

Latilla Cain, Director of Admissions at Big Brothers Big Sisters, highlighted the role of mentorship in youth development, noting that the passion and dedication of these students were truly inspiring. She emphasized how their fresh perspectives drive collaboration and positive change, expressing excitement to see these young leaders turn their visions into reality.