WECAN BE YOUNG LEADERS
This Week We Celebrate Two Young Leaders: Luca Ortona | Founder of Agora International & Marta Miller | Founder of The Marta Eliza Miller Foundation, leading with resilience and change.
Shining a light this week are two truly remarkable young role models who define what it means to lead with both heart and grit. They show us exactly what it looks like to transform values and turn passion into reality.
Championing For Student Voices Worldwide
I am especially proud to introduce you to a young leader: my husband’s nephew, Luca Ortona.
Luca is a 20-year-old Italian American student at prestigious Bocconi University in Milan, and the founder of Agora International. Driven by a passion for diplomacy and authentic storytelling, he created Agora to provide a platform dedicated to featuring student political perspectives from every corner of the globe. From Iraq to Colombia, and Latvia to Nairobi, Luca is championing for student voices worldwide, ensuring that narratives often overlooked by mainstream media are finally heard.
Coming from a multi-generational family of diplomats, Luca understands the weight of global affairs, but he is carving out his own path by building a space for dialogue that moves beyond polarisation. He shows what is possible when we invest our values into our work.
I couldn’t agree more with his mission: we need more young people at decision-making tables across the world. Their perspectives are vital, and it is our responsibility to listen and include them.
"Young people do have things to say... they should be listened to and should not be discredited simply for being young. Even if you may not completely agree with them, they may give you another perspective on things."
Resilience in Motion
Marta Eliza Miller is a young leader who is a force to be reckoned with! Marta and her mother, Corrina, are a dynamic team leading the way in improving the lives of those living with scoliosis. After being diagnosed at 10, Marta transformed her reality and founded the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation. She has raised over a million dollars, turning her personal journey into a mission that has helped countless others find community, support, and hope.
From her success as a figure skater to her recent graduation from AMDA with a BFA in Musical Theatre, Marta proves that you don’t have to choose between your dreams and your advocacy. She is a natural leader who cares deeply for her peers, always looking for ways to create a more supportive environment for those around her.
The future is bright because we have amazing young people like Marta taking action. I am so excited to continue watching her trajectory as she takes her talents to Broadway and beyond, all while continuing her vital work in scoliosis awareness.
"Stand tall, be strong, dream big. Any dream you want to have, pursue it no matter what. If you have a limitation, that’s not an end-all. Just keep doing what you’re doing, have a positive outlook, and you will get through what you’re going through."
The Summer is Awaiting…
It is with the deepest gratitude and greatest honour for each and every role model who has connected with us and shared their story to motivate, inspire, and guide others that we wrap up the first half of the year.
It has been nothing short of magical, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the everyday people who lead with courage and passion, open their hearts, take bold action, and change the world in meaningful ways.
We are nearing 1 000 role models on WECAN. I remember holding this big vision and saying that one day we would have thousands of role models featured in our online library. And now it’s happening. We couldn’t be more excited!
We are looking forward to our annual Summer WECAN Pause from Friday, 17 July, to Friday the 31st of July, before returning with fresh stories and new conversations in the autumn.
While you may be soaking up some sunshine, remember that our Podcast and YouTube channel are just a click away to entertain, inspire, uplift, and fuel your journey wherever this summer may take you. Tune in, tell us what you’ve learned, and share your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Let’s make this circle bigger. Let’s grow together. Let’s inspire one another.
August will be a tribute to former role models whose voices deserve to be celebrated and spotlighted once again.
Together, WECAN.
Summer wishes, with love and gratitude,
Stephanie x
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What a terrific and insightful interview, dear Steffie! I’m so proud to know both of you!! You are both super communicators, and it’s a joy to listen to you both! Thank you for sharing Luca’s story with us. Both of you have an energy and enthusiasm that is infectious!!! ❤️❤️👏👏🥂🥂