Lessons in Courage, Vision, and Impact from the 2025 McNulty Prize Winners
In the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, how do leaders stay the course? What gives them the courage to act when the odds are stacked against them, and the clarity to trust their instincts amid uncertainty? Most importantly, how do they build trust in their mission, in themselves, and in the people they serve in the face of criticism?
At the 2025 Resnick Aspen Action Forum, three new McNulty Prize Winners—Mohamed Ali Diini of Iftin Global, Dr. Krithi K. Karanth of Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), and Layla Zaidane of Future Caucus—shared their personal insights. These three leaders were also formally welcomed into a global network of 60 McNulty Prize Laureates tackling the world’s most urgent challenges.
In a conversation moderated by Stace Lindsay, Executive Vice President for Leadership at the Aspen Institute, the honorees reflected on the moments that compelled them to act, and the values that continue to guide their work. Watch the full conversation here, and read on for key takeaways.
The McNulty Prize Laureates are a growing network of 60 global leaders.
Each of you recognized a need or opportunity where you could make a difference. How did you move from identifying the issue to taking action?
Mohamed founded Iftin Global to prioritize mental health support and job creation after recognizing trauma as a root cause of economic immobility. A Somali refugee-turned-American citizen, his turning point was deeply personal. While on a work trip in southern Somalia, Mohamed survived a terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two colleagues. Upon returning to the U.S. and seeking treatment for PTSD, he realized that millions of Somalis face similar trauma daily without access to care, hindering their ability to fully participate in society. This experience made it clear that healing and opportunity must go hand in hand to create economic progress.
“The cross-pollination and innovation that's possible when people see themselves as part of something bigger are limitless.”
Krithi recognized a critical gap: while India had policies in place to address human-wildlife conflict, families received little real support to rebuild their lives. In response, she transformed CWS from a research hub into a force for community-driven conservation, helping families secure better outcomes and reduce future conflict. As Krithi deepened CWS’s work in communities living closest to wildlife, she recognized additional needs to improve environmental practices among farmers, foster a love for wildlife in children, and expand efforts across the region. The scale of intervention was both urgent and long overdue.
Mohamed Ali Diini
Dr. Krithi K. Karanth
Layla believes the future of democracy depends on unity, and that young legislators are key to leading that change. As President and CEO of Future Caucus, she leads the largest nonpartisan network of young elected officials in the U.S., working to model the inclusive and collaborative governance that democracy was meant to embody. Though Layla could not join the conversation in person, her influence was deeply felt. A first-generation Moroccan American, she grew up navigating cultural divides, which shaped her understanding of how to bridge political ones.
When doing work that seems impossible, how do you respond to criticism, remain true to your passion, and trust your instincts in the face of uncertainty?
Mohamed knows that meaningful change requires proximity to the problem at hand. Despite concern from close friends and family, and skepticism from locals, he returned to Somalia because he knew he had to be close to the communities most affected by trauma and economic exclusion. Trusting his instincts meant choosing purpose over comfort, even when others questioned his willingness.
In India, people often scold Krithi for being too fast and ambitious. Yet with biodiversity under serious threat, she believes that a strong sense of urgency and decisive action are essential. Trusting her instincts means listening closely to the communities living alongside wildlife, drawing on her expertise, and moving forward even when the path is uncharted.
Layla challenges the notion that Americans are as deeply divided as it may seem. Through her work with young legislators and direct conversations with constituents, she has found that the next generation values results over rigid political lines. When a tragic shooting in Minnesota targeted state senators, young lawmakers from both parties came together to support one another. That moment of unity was the product of years of trust-building, and Layla remains focused on helping young leaders shape political identities rooted in generational values rather than partisan divisions.
Layla Zaidane
The 2025 Prize Winners with the Foundation team.
What advice do you give to young people? And what final lessons do you carry forward as you scale your work?
As a mentor, Mohamed advises young people to stay open to change and embrace the unexpected. A former aspiring lawyer, he pivoted into mental health work after being sent to Somalia on a youth engagement initiative led by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Mohamed’s path was not linear and required great adaptability.
Similarly, Krithi encourages everyone, regardless of age, to nurture their curiosity and explore a range of paths. She and her team have educated over 50,000 children across 1,200 rural schools, fostering an early appreciation for their natural heritage and a connection to wildlife. Krithi views the lack of environmental awareness as a generational issue. With increased access to information through technology, she assures that even those without formal education can make a meaningful impact and have a responsibility to help steward wildlife.
India is on the brink of attempting to preserve these extraordinary animals. What solutions do we need to accelerate this process? That’s the primary driver behind our desire—to do this faster, bigger, and quicker.
Layla knows that young people have the potential to be a disruptive force for good, but only if they choose to collaborate. She points to recent data showing that while Millennials and Gen Z make up just 25 percent of state legislators, they sponsored 40 percent of bipartisan bills signed into law in 2022. This generational drive for results over partisanship is what has transformed Future Caucus from a small pilot into a growing movement in 36 states.
All three leaders affirm the value of building relationships and trust over time. For them, the cornerstone of effective and purposeful leadership is consistency, collaboration, and connection. The McNulty Prize, awarded in partnership with the Aspen Institute, now equips them with tailored resources and connects them to a global community to expand their impact.
Watch the full conversation from the Courage, Vision, Impact plenary at the Action Forum to delve deeper into these remarkable stories: