“Even if progress feels slow in the short term, zoom out. Look at the bigger picture. Think of all the little pieces of progress.”
These are more than words for Nika Moeini— it is lived wisdom. From launching environmental initiatives in high school to helping shape climate policy on the world stage, her journey reflects a deep commitment to purpose, service, and the power of youth-driven change. Nika embodies the spirit of the Future Aces Foundation: character in action, courage in vision, and service as a lifelong pursuit.
Her leadership story began in high school, where she led her school’s “green team” in launching a composting program and building a garden from recycled plastic bottles. But it wasn’t just hands-on work—it was a mindset shift. Through geography and writing, she connected the dots between local actions and global issues.
Then came Model UN—a defining chapter.
“Model UN was a turning point. It gave me a vision of what was possible—of using my
voice and skills to influence change globally.”
That spark would fuel her studies in international relations at UBC and eventually bring her to the United Nations General Assembly Hall, standing in a space that once seemed unimaginable—but no longer out of reach.
In 2014, Nika was awarded the Future Aces Scholarship, a moment she remembers as both practical and powerful. “It helped with education expenses, but more than that, it was cool to be part of a cohort of students who were all leading change in their communities.”
The recognition validated her commitment to service and set the tone for what came next: internships with the BC Council for International Cooperation, a co-op with Global Affairs Canada, and growing clarity about her mission.
While working in government, Nika realized that her impact might be greater outside of the system—challenging it, influencing it, but not confined by it.
Today, she is at the helm of her own organization and works with international coalitions tackling the climate crisis—particularly in sustainable food systems, where she’s considering a second graduate degree or PhD.
“Think long-term about the changes you want to make,” she advises. “Yes, it can feel slow. But zoom out. Look at history—periods of instability often give way to peace, resilience, and innovation.”
Through every chapter, Future Aces’ values of character, courage, and service have stayed with her—not just as ideals, but as tools for building something bigger than herself.
“Service, character, courage—those were values I saw in Future Aces. They still guide me.”
For this Future Aces scholarship winner — a compost bin and a bottle garden led to the UN. Local action can scale into global change. And it all began with believing in your voice—and daring to use it.