Innovate@BU has selected ten Boston University students for the 2025 Enlight Fellowship cohort. These future (and current!) changemakers will each receive a $10,000 stipend to intern at Boston nonprofits while developing their own social ventures over the summer.
The Enlight Fellowship provides BU students the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector while building their entrepreneurial skills. Fellows will be matched with partner organizations before the end of the semester, where they’ll apply their diverse backgrounds and skills to real-world challenges.
This year’s cohort brings together undergraduate and graduate students from six different schools across the University, each with distinct perspectives on creating positive social change.
Zachary DaSilva-Grondin (Pardee’28) is a rising sophomore at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies and the founder of a nonprofit organization focused on addressing human trafficking and displacement. Zachary’s work began in 2022 through engaging with survivors and at-risk communities in Kathmandu, where he collaborated with a nonprofit for trafficking survivors and displaced children. Additionally, Zachary worked with a displaced indigenous community in rural Brazil, where he taught and prepared English curricula to combat low literacy rates. Zachary hopes to gain skills and mentorship to enhance his organization’s effectiveness and reach through participation in the Enlight program.
Guixuan Jin (CAS’26) is an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences who is passionate about combining social impact with technology. As a soon-to-be math team program director at the International School of Boston, Guixuan has experience developing and leading educational programs and organized a two-day interschool chess tournament. Guixuan plans to leverage Innovate@BU as a resource to connect students in technology-related fields with industries such as agriculture and hospitality. Through participation in the Enlight Program, Guixuan aims to gain skills in designing scalable solutions and navigating the intersection of technology and societal needs.
Mya Kelly (CAS’27) is an undergraduate student in the College of Arts & Sciences and a non-profit entrepreneur focused on expanding financial education access to underserved communities. With a background in volunteering and a passion for financial education, Mya has led workshops for Somalian refugees and young girls, teaching budgeting and financial concepts through interactive methods. Through the Enlight Fellowship, Mya aims to gain the skills necessary to lead a successful organization, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and explore innovative solutions to improve education accessibility.
Megan Kwan (CFA’27) is an undergraduate student in the College of Fine Arts and an Innovate@BU First-Year Innovation Fellowship alumni. Megan is the founder of 4Rtists, a sustainable, student-run, donation-based program aimed at reducing, recycling, reclaiming, and reimagining art supplies for students in the College of Fine Arts. Through this initiative, over 70 pounds of materials have been redistributed, providing free supplies to students and encouraging donations of usable materials. Megan also volunteers at The Pao Arts Center, the Danforth Art Museum and the YMCA, and has collaborated with Open Spirit to organize an art showcase. Megan hopes to expand her entrepreneurial skills and further develop her ideas through the Enlight Program this summer.
Gabrielle Moussas (Sargent’26) is an undergraduate student in the Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences aiming to integrate her passion for people, innovation, and entrepreneurship into a STEM-based project. Gabrielle is focused on helping low-income and underserved children find their place in the academic world, with specific consideration for social anxiety and depression. With experience volunteering at Rosie’s Place, participating in STEM Pathways, and engaging in youth ministry and research programs, Gabrielle has developed skills in public speaking, leadership, and organization. Through the Enlight Program, Gabrielle plans to leverage these skills, and the program’s resources, to overcome financial barriers and launch a long-term social venture.
Jamila Peguero (SSW’26) is a Master of Social Work student who is passionate about continuous quality improvement in social services agencies, or leadership/antiracism/DEI in social work. In her professional career she created a Family Resource Fair to address gaps in service provision and information sharing among social service agencies. Jamila’s initiative united various city agencies and connected families with essential resources like Medicaid, food pantries, and mental health facilities in an engaging setting. With experience in nonprofit roles, public sector roles, and direct service, Jamila aims to leverage business strategies to enhance the effectiveness of social service agencies and foster equitable environments. Through the Enlight Fellowship, Jamila seeks hands-on experience in creating a social venture, aligning with her career goals in consulting and leadership.
Patricia Porekuu (SPH’27) is a graduate student in the School of Public Health and a seasoned Development Practitioner with over 15 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on health and environmental sectors. Patricia has engaged with diverse groups, including women and young people living with HIV, and advocates for equitable access to healthcare services and socio-economic empowerment. Patricia’s work includes capacity building for women in responsible mining and participation in national dialogues. Patricia hopes to develop entrepreneurial skills and create a social venture project through her participation in the Enlight Program. Her initiative will aim to address social and environmental issues with the goal of establishing a women-led NGO in Ghana.
Riya Sandler (Sargent’27) is an undergraduate student in the Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Riya is involved in HealthPair, a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing healthcare literacy among college students and she is currently working to prepare HealthPair for a full launch. Beyond HealthPair, Riya volunteers at St. Francis homeless shelter, where she connects art with mental health advocacy. Through the Enlight Fellowship, Riya aims to merge her interest in healthcare advocacy with her passion for entrepreneurship, gaining the mentorship and resources necessary to create impactful solutions.
Ishtiyaq Shajahan (CAS’26) is an undergraduate student in the College of Arts & Sciences who is passionate about social impact. Ishtiyaq has worked with East New York Farms in Brooklyn, NY, and the Bangladesh Development Project program, where he organized fundraising efforts to support impoverished communities. Ishtiyaq’s involvement in these programs has provided him with practical experience in community engagement, which he hopes to apply in a future public policy career. Through the Enlight program, Ishtiyaq hopes to continue to address environmental justice and public health issues by educating and empowering community members about the structural inequities affecting their lives.
Tsega Wondwossen (CAS’25) is an undergraduate student in the College of Arts & Sciences with a decade of experience in community engagement and education. Tsega has taught Sunday School at St. Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Church and served as a Lead English Course Instructor for Brighter Generation in Ethiopia. She is currently a youth mentor at the YMCA and leads the Eritrean and Ethiopian Student Association. Through the Enlight fellowship, Tsega hopes to balance profitability with social impact and apply academic concepts to real-world challenges.
