THE CASE FOR MIAMI’S YOUTH LEADERSHIP

As the 2025 SDG Challenge begins on October 29, a new generation steps forward, ready to turn bold ideas into real-world impact

Rodrick Miller of Miami-Dade Beacon Council, Alexandra Escobar & Scarlett Lanzas of Accountable Impact

“I never imagined my first United Nations General Assembly panel would feel like this,” says Alexandra Escobar, a graduate of Lynn University and a member of the cross-academia team that took first place in last year’s SDG Challenge Miami.

In September 2025, their victory carried them from Miami’s classrooms and neighborhoods to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, a reminder that the path to global change often begins at home.

“Walking into the SDG Media Zone, I felt a deep sense of gratitude,” Alexandra recalls. “To be in this space, coming all the way from Miami to share the project that started as an idea and became a real case study of local impact.”

The team’s winning solution focused on empowering the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the county’s official economic development organization, to champion SDG integration across South Florida.

At the center of their vision is the SDG Immersion Program, a multifaceted initiative designed to engage and educate local businesses, investors, and nonprofits to adopt and prioritize the Global Goals through incentives, training, and storytelling.

“We are positioning the SDG Challenge as a lifelong learning platform for young professionals and a catalyst for community action,” said Scarlett Lanzas, Founder and CEO, Accountable Impact.

"The SDG Challenge continues to impact students and alums, and our South Florida SDGs ecosystem is thriving. I am hopeful that this experience will open many doors for professional development and career opportunities for our students."

Irisaida Méndez Iriarte of the Univisión Foundation, Alexandra Escobar, Rodrick Miller of Miami-Dade Beacon Council & Scarlett Lanzas of Accountable Impact

From Miami to the United Nations

Scarlett joined Rodrick Miller, President and CEO of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, and Alexandra at the UN SDG Media Zone panel “Cultivating Young Leaders for a Regenerative, Inclusive Future.” The discussion was moderated by Irisaida Méndez Iriarte, Executive Director of the Univisión Foundation:

“We live in a moment of intergenerational coalition,” Iriarte said. “On one side, we have rising seas, rising inequalities, and systems straining to keep up. On the other, we have a generation rising to the challenges seeing with fresh eyes, digital-native minds, and fiercer demand for a better world.”

Among those inspired by the Miami delegation was Darío Mendoza Loor, a South Florida native and staff assistant at the UN Executive Office of the Secretary-General.

“Meeting you gave me hope that there are youth in the U.S. actively bringing the SDGs to life at the local level — and dreaming of how to scale that impact nationally,” Mendoza Loor said.

Building on Momentum

The 2025 SDG Challenge Miami will relaunch on October 29, inviting students, professionals, and community organizations to co-create solutions that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Powered by Accountable Impact and supported by local universities and civic partners across South Florida, the Challenge offers a rare space where collaboration fuels leadership, transforming local ideas into global frameworks for change.

With guidance from mentors and industry leaders, students from Florida International University, Lynn University, University of Miami and Miami Dade College will showcase their creativity and expertise by developing and pitching innovative solutions aligned with the Goals.

Participants will emerge not only with project proposals, but also with hands-on experience in cross-sector collaboration and a strengthened conviction that youth voices are essential to building resilient, sustainable communities.

The kick-off event will be hosted at the Miami-Dade Beacon Council office, a long-term partner of The 2025 SDG Challenge Miami.

“When we look at climate action, it’s not only the greatest existential challenge facing our community, it’s also our greatest economic opportunity," said Rod Miller.

"What stood out about these young people is that they are values-driven and deeply committed. Our responsibility is to listen and give them opportunities to lead.”

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