SONALI CONNECTS with young people as a young person
RECENT SPEAKING CLIENTS
SONALI in ACTION
Learn more about sonali’s
SIGNATURE SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Local Impact, Global Goals: Turn global goals into measurable, resume-ready impact
Young people don’t need permission to lead; they need a map. This keynote turns the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into a simple, student-friendly toolkit for launching real projects in their own communities.
We connect SDGs to résumé-ready skills—planning, teamwork, storytelling—and leave students with a 30-day action plan they can start the same day.
Key Takeaways:
Learn what the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are and what it does for them
Understand how impact relates to building a future career
Take the steps toward local impact, that has global ripples
Prototype Your Life: Clarity through action across self, career, relationships.
Using design thinking and life design to help students reframe “What should I do?” into “What can I try next?” We prototype paths across self, career, and relationships—so progress doesn’t wait on perfect clarity.
Students leave with a list of exercises, low-risk experiments, and a weekly system for momentum and accountability.
Key Takeaways:
Reflect on what has and has not worked in your past
Adopt an experimental mindset to designing your future path
Name actionable steps to take toward the path
Bridging the Gap: Recruit, onboard, and keep early-career talent
What does Gen Z actually want—and what retains them? This talk brings a youth lens to recruiting, onboarding, and management so seasoned leaders can earn early-career talent’s “yes.”
You’ll get practical tools and systems for day-one clarity, meaningful feedback, and growth paths that reduce churn..
Key Takeaways:
Better understand what Gen Z is looking for in employers
Define a clear early-talent value proposition
Build learning paths and growth ladders
How to balance the needs of your company and that of the new generation of work
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Narkie Nartey, CEO of Wakaboomee
“Sonali’s words resonated with both young people and adults alike - reminding us of the power of service, unity, and purpose. We were deeply honored to have Sonali as our speaker, and her message continues to ripple through our community long after the event. What makes Sonali’s leadership so impactful is her ability to spark collaboration across generations and organizations. She reminds us that by sharing our resources, our time, and our voices, we can build thriving communities where youth are not only empowered but positioned to lead.”
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Shriya Agarwal, Coached Client
"For the past two years, Sonali’s mentorship has helped me move from ideas to action. She empowers those she works with to lead and make a difference in their communities. Now, I have a better idea of what I want to do with my career and what my plans are post-grad."
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Melissa Geil, Professor at UNC Chapel Hill
"Sonali connects with students on a deep level, inspiring them to recognize their full potential through active listening and genuine engagement. She leverages her extensive expertise in leadership, business, and industry best practices to help students develop practical, actionable implementation plans. Her enthusiasm and knowledge create dynamic classroom discussions that empower students to apply their learning in meaningful ways."
Let’s Get Started
BOOK SONALI to be a SPEAKER at YOUR EVENT
SONALI’S OFFICIAL BIO
Sonali Ratnasinghe is the Founder and Executive Director of Youth Ambassadors of Service, one of North Carolina’s largest youth-led nonprofits empowering students through service, leadership, and nonprofit internships. Sonali is a recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award and was named one of United Way of the Greater Triangle’s 10 to Watch. She is also a Points of Light Ambassador, a Clinton Global Initiative University participant, and a Riley’s Way Call for Kindness Fellow. Currently, she teaches as an Associate Instructor at UNC-Chapel Hill and a national speaker on The Future of the Workforce & the UN Sustainable Development Goals, where she continues her mission to equip the next generation of changemakers.
