Fueled by passion, Kelly advocates for environmental justice, taking alternative transportation, creating new technology, and rethinking energy to protect our environment. She is passionate about utilizing science and technology along with empathy and human-centered approaches to tackle problems and find solutions. Kelly founded Youth Environmental Power Initiative, a youth-led nonprofit organization, to inspire youths to fight against environmental injustice and save our earth from climate change.

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Kelly has vast leadership experience, such as being the Chair of the City of Cupertino Teen Commission, the Student Executive Board Member for Walk-Bike Cupertino, President and CEO of Design Thinking For Teens (DT4T), the Founder and President of JFK Green Commuters program (received City of Cupertino Sustainability Commission Student Grant). She is also the 2023 Senior Class President at Monta Vista High School. Kelly believes that environmental education, innovation, advocacy, and legislation play important roles in saving our environment. Kelly received the City of Cupertino's 2021 CREST (Cupertino Recognizes Extra Steps Taken) Award, the 2022 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes Honoree, the Princeton Prize in Race Relations Certificate of Accomplishment, and the 2022 CPRS (California Parks and Recreation Society) Award. She also received the 2022 Clean Energy Hall of Fame Youth Game Changer Award from the California Energy Commission, which awards individuals and organizations that are making exceptional contributions to help California achieve a 100% clean energy future for all. 

 

In addition, the City of Cupertino received the prestigious Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in 2021 for engaging youth in municipal government for its Pizza and Politics program. Kelly was honored to be the first teen moderator in the event's history and accept the award on behalf of the students that worked on the Pizza and Politics program. 

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