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Michelle Kim-Rissi

@michelle_learns

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🇨🇦 Manager @unacanada
🇺🇳 Outreach @wfuna & Mentor @undp
📚 Harvard Grad @michelle_lyfe
🌱 Co-founder @jivamfoundation @touch_foundation
📣 TEDx Speaker

POSTS STORIES REELS

Honoured and humbled to be selected as one of the Top 20 Under 30 at the @miskglobal 2025, founded by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman & to be invited to Saudi Arabia

Standing alongside some of the brightest young leaders from around the world reminded me why we do this work, to create change that truly lifts communities.

Deep gratitude to CEO Omar Najjar, the entire Misk team, and this incredible platform for believing in the power of youth. Your commitment to innovation and social impact is inspiring.

To the fellow winners, your passion, brilliance, and hearts made this journey unforgettable! I’m proud to celebrate this moment with all of you.

Here’s to global friendships, bold ideas, and building impact that crosses borders. The best is ahead✨🌍💛 by @michelle_learns

From UN Headquarters in NYC 🇺🇸 to UN BRS COP 2025 in Geneva 🇨🇭🇺🇳 — I’m finally finding a moment to reflect and start sharing some highlights from this journey!

I was honoured to be invited to this year’s 2025 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum by the President of ECOSOC, and I’m deeply grateful for the incredible work of @majorgroupcy in coordinating it all.

I wore many hats (and still do!) — and although I’ve been engaged in the UN space for several years now (from speaking and organizing to delivering interventions), this was actually my first time joining Youth Blast.

I was excited to share more about @youngo.unfccc and our role in shaping climate action. The energy, passion, and urgency that youth bring to the table is something I still carry with me. 🎤✨

Throughout the week, I also spoke in multiple sessions with @undp, @unfccc, @unep, @youth4climate_, and of course @youngo.unfccc — and had the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Bob Rae, who also happens to be the current President of @un_ecosoc.

But unlike many of my past UN engagements, I chose not to deliver any formal interventions this time. Instead, I focused on supporting others — reviewing speeches, coaching youth participants, and creating space for those who haven’t yet had the chance to speak in these global arenas.

The more I grow in this space, the more I’ve learned: these spaces are not just about taking the mic — it’s about passing it. It’s about making room, not just taking one. And it’s about holding & creating more space for diverse voices to be heard. by @michelle_learns

🎓 From a 5 year old girl who asked my dad “what is best school to go? And he said Harvard!” I dreamed of attending Harvard to walking across the stage to receive my Masters Degree 📜

It wasn’t straightforward path that I planned — it was longer, harder, filled with unexpected detours. But along the way, I found bigger purpose, met amazing people around the world and continued to gain more knowledge!

I don’t necessarily want to say dreams come true but rather YOU MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE ⭐️ It’s about never giving up, even when the dream felt far away.

📸 Huge shout out to talented @thatkaguruguy ! If anyone wants their photoshoot done - Highly recommended ☺️

More Graduation dump incoming… by @michelle_learns

POV: When you’re finally on your (very delayed) honeymoon but your brain is still in work mode 😂💻

I genuinely tried my BEST not to work during this vacation!! 🥹

I honestly can’t remember the last time I went this long without opening my laptop or actually working.

Did I get a little anxious about all the things I needed to do? Absolutely. Did I end up writing down a few ideas and to-do lists just to ease that anxiety? Also yes. BUT THAT WAS IT!! A win in my books 🥹💗

A little moment of slowing down, enjoying life, and finding some sunshine in between the storms☀️🌧️

And just like that… vacation mode is almost over

Next stop: COP31 & back to UNAC 🌍✈️ by @michelle_learns

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to organize the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) Plenary Assembly and World Congress in Geneva, Switzerland 🇨🇭🇺🇳

From working at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva to hosting the World Congress at the World Health Organization (WHO), coordinating with international delegates, and inviting high-level guests and speakers it was truly a dream come true! ✨

Bringing together UN Associations, diplomats, global leaders, and civil society representatives from around the world, we explored the future of multilateralism and the role of the United Nations in addressing today’s global challenges.

Behind these moments were months of preparation, countless emails, meetings, and teamwork. Seeing everything come together was incredibly rewarding.

It was so amazing to see ofcourse our UN Association Canada represented in so many of these discussion and spaces! 🇨🇦

Grateful to my team, colleagues and everyone who made this experience possible (You know who you are 🙌🏼). A reminder that the work we do behind the scenes can help create meaningful spaces for global dialogue and collaboration 💙 by @michelle_learns

Geneva UN HQ 🇨🇭🇺🇳

Prior to the plenary assembly, I had the opportunity to run a training programme sessions with youth on the pillars of the United Nations, the SDGs, and how global frameworks translate into action.

Along the way, I also had the chance to join the ILO and the Red Cross and learn more about the work taking place across Geneva’s international community.

A huge thank you to @itz.kholouud for all of your support throughout that week! by @michelle_learns

Bonjour from Paris 🇫🇷✨

I had the opportunity to teach training program sessions in UNESCO and Sorbonne University about the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals!

P.S: Eiffel Tower view to UNESCO & from cafeteria is 🤩

Been so busy so only got to provide life update now ✌️stay tuned lots coming through by @michelle_learns

little interview with Michelle (Programme Manager, UNAC) + yours truly 🥰 i will simply never get over this experience. 3 days of UNAC Eco clubs (green volunteer across canada) has wrapped up and i am left with immense gratitude for the opportunity to hold space for the students, mentors and volunteers. we connected with nature, connected with each other and most importantly, connected with ourselves. something about being unplugged from the world and plugged within has really moved me. it was brilliant to see how it also transformed everyone from the first day to the last. thank you for believing in me and inviting me out there to witness the great work that you all do in real life 🥹🥰 @asha__jama @michelle_learns @unacanada @erincunninngham #unitednations #canadian #canadawide #canadianthings 🇺🇳🫶 watching the students, mentors and volunteers use their skills to come up with solutions to real-world events/challenges was also such a treat. #unitednationshumanrights by @michelle_learns

UNAC Eco clubs (green volunteer across canada)’s camp has wrapped up! this was their idea and @michelle_learns and i were clearly just very happy to be there 😁🕺💃 @unacanada was an unforgettable experience 🫶 by @michelle_learns

Climate action requires more than ambition.

It requires inclusive leadership, meaningful partnerships, and communities shaping the decisions that affect them.

Climate Week was a reminder that when women lead and allies show up, collaboration can become action. by @michelle_learns

NYC Climate Week showed what happens when women lead. 🌍✨

Proud to have this event designed and co-moderated with @michelle_learns “Generations of Women Leading Climate-Ready Communities,” bringing together women and allies across generations and sectors to explore what climate leadership can look like in our communities.

And meaningful allyship helps that leadership grow. It means listening, sharing opportunities and decision-making power, investing in women’s ideas, and following through when the event is over. It also means asking ourselves whose voices are missing and helping create the conditions for them to be heard.

Grateful to the women, allies, corporate, youth, NGO and the entire team who made this conversation possible. I left New York inspired by the people I met and motivated to keep building these relationships into work that matters to our communities. 💚 by @michelle_learns

s’mores, stars & sustainability 🏕️💫 that’s a wrap on eco club camp!!!

That’s a wrap Ottawa eco club signing off!!!

Thank you @walmartcanada @walmartstyle @walmart for being our one stop shop before we head out to our camp🩷 by @michelle_learns