Arjun Sharda

Across the country, schools, districts, nonprofits, and governments are creating student advisory councils and youth engagement initiatives. Yet many struggle with the same question: how do you move beyond symbolic participation and create genuine influence?

After advocating for youth representation and later serving as an advisor to educational institutions and policymakers, Arjun Sharda shares lessons from both sides of the table.

This presentation examines how organizations can build structures that allow young people to contribute meaningfully to decision-making while improving outcomes for the communities they serve.

Through practical examples and real-world case studies, attendees will learn how youth voice can become an operational advantage rather than a public relations exercise.

Attendee Takeaways:

• Why most student engagement efforts fail.
• The difference between consultation and representation.
• How to build youth advisory systems that actually influence decisions.
• Common mistakes organizations make when working with young people.
• Frameworks for turning student insight into institutional action.