Meet Yuvi Parmar

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yuvi Parmar. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yuvi, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose the first time I watched young people thousands of miles away use skills we had taught them to solve their own challenges. What started as a small effort at my high school grew into Empower and Connect, and with it my sense of what service could look like.

At first, I thought leadership meant running projects myself. But when our work began expanding internationally—to Kenya, Dubai, Mumbai, Minnesota, and even Australia—I realized my real calling was to create systems and platforms that let others lead. I watched our Dubai chapter produce documentaries that humanize the stories of blue-collar workers. I saw students in Mumbai build environmental models to address urban sustainability. I followed our Minnesota chapter as they tackled water development projects that proved resource equity isn’t only an international issue. Each of these moments was like a mirror: they reflected back to me why I started—because young people everywhere can become changemakers when given tools, trust, and support.

My purpose didn’t arrive as a single epiphany. It emerged slowly, through late-night calls across time zones, through setbacks and redesigns, through the pride of seeing someone else’s idea flourish. Today I know that my purpose is to connect creativity with impact—to design opportunities where youth around the world can take ownership of solutions and improve lives in their own communities.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am the Founder and President of Empower and Connect, a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has grown into a global community of young leaders working to solve local and international challenges. What excites me most is how our organization has expanded far beyond our roots in Texas—today, we have chapters across the U.S. and internationally, each designing projects that reflect the needs of their own communities while staying connected under a shared mission.

What makes Empower and Connect special is the diversity of innovation across chapters. For example, our chapter in Dubai is producing documentary-style media projects to highlight the lives and challenges of blue-collar workers, giving visibility and dignity to stories that often go unheard. In Mumbai, students are building environmental models to raise awareness of sustainability and climate resilience in rapidly urbanizing areas. Even in the U.S., our Minnesota chapter is focusing on water development initiatives, showing that water equity and infrastructure are not only international issues but also deeply relevant in American communities. We are also seeing exciting collaborations emerge in places like Australia, where new members are eager to connect global perspectives with local action.

This international reach has transformed Empower and Connect into more than an organization—it has become a platform for global youth empowerment. Every chapter carries the same DNA of creativity and service, but the way they apply it reflects the realities of their own region. That’s what makes our work so dynamic: it’s not a one-size-fits-all model, but a living network of projects that respond to real-world needs.

Looking ahead, we’re focused on strengthening these global partnerships while also equipping our members with professional development opportunities. Our upcoming annual awards ceremony and research showcase will not only highlight the work of our Texas-based teams but also bring visibility to the extraordinary projects being led across our chapters worldwide.

At the end of the day, what I’d like readers to know is that Empower and Connect is proof that when young people unite with vision, compassion, and innovation, borders don’t limit impact—they multiply it.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities stand out as most impactful in my journey: adaptability, people-centered leadership, and systems thinking.

Adaptability has been essential because almost nothing goes according to plan. When we first launched projects abroad, we ran into time zone challenges, limited internet, and unexpected cultural barriers. Learning to adapt—not as a setback but as a chance to innovate—allowed our projects to keep moving forward. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to welcome challenges as opportunities to sharpen your creativity. Flexibility is a strength, not a compromise.

People-centered leadership has shaped every success we’ve had. At its core, Empower and Connect is about people—volunteers, partners, and the communities we serve. I learned quickly that leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself, but about listening, empowering others, and building trust. For those just starting out, I would encourage practicing empathy in every interaction and remembering that sustainable impact is always relational before it is organizational.

Finally, systems thinking has given me the ability to connect ideas across disciplines and scale our impact. Whether it’s designing a water filter or structuring a global team, I’ve found that the most effective solutions emerge when you zoom out, look at how each piece connects, and build with long-term sustainability in mind. For anyone early in their journey, I’d suggest cultivating curiosity across fields—don’t limit yourself to one subject or skill. The ability to see patterns and integrate diverse perspectives is what transforms small projects into lasting movements.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The number one obstacle I am currently facing is helping people who are passionate about our mission but may not yet have the skills or confidence for leadership. Because Empower and Connect is a youth-led organization, many of our volunteers are stepping into leadership roles for the very first time. This means they may struggle with time management, communication, or delegating tasks effectively.

Rather than seeing this as a limitation, we view it as an opportunity for growth. We’ve built internal mentorship systems where experienced team members guide newer leaders through real projects, offering feedback and encouragement along the way. We also organize structured internships and workshops so that every member learns practical skills—whether that’s running a meeting, managing a project timeline, or presenting research to an audience.

It takes patience, but the results have been inspiring. We’ve seen students who were once hesitant to speak up now confidently lead international calls, and others who never thought of themselves as “leaders” now managing entire teams. My approach is to create a culture where leadership is not about titles but about learning and serving others. That way, each challenge becomes part of a larger journey of development—for both the individual and the organization.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

© 2025 Empower and Connect. All rights reserved.

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
What do you do for self-care and what impact has it had on your effectiveness?

We asked some of the most productive entrepreneurs and creatives out there to open up

Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Productivity
How do you keep your creativity alive?

Keeping your creativity alive has always been a challenge, but in the era of work