Our Mission
The Environmental Defense Initiative is an international youth-led initiative dedicated to raising awareness of environmental issues and providing a platform for people to take action to create long-lasting change.
Our Story
The Environmental Defense Initiative was founded in Hopewell Junction, New York by Emma Mazzotta. Emma has been passionate about environmental issues from a young age and started TEDI to further develop her passion in a way that can make an impact across the US.
Through writing blogs on current issues in our environment, creating petitions to advocate for policy
change, educating others on our social media platforms, and hosting informational webinars, we hope to
expand TEDI's reach to thousands of people and do our part in shaping a better world for future generations
to live in.
Our Values
Passion
We believe that long-lasting change cannot be achieved without passion. All members of our team love the environment and are passionate about protecting it from human carelessness. Passion is the core of TEDI's mission.
Inspiration
Our mission is to inspire individuals to take action on environmental issues in their own communities. In order to inspire people to engage in environmental advocacy, we provide opportunities for people to learn about our environment.
Creativity
We believe that creativity is the key to success and channel it in all of our campaigns. TEDI aims to stand out, not blend in. Instead of offering volunteer opportunities, we focus on creating petitions that can be used to make sustainable policy change.
Meet Our Directors
Emma Mazzotta
Founder & Executive Director
Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA
Emma is a current sophomore at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts majoring in Geosciences and Environmental Studies with a concentration in Public Health. During her short time at Williams so far, she founded a chapter of Amnesty International USA to advocate for climate justice, co-founded an academic and professional advising group for the Environmental Studies department, and actively participates in the Williams Environmental Council. Additionally, Emma works as a research assistant in the Carrasquillo Environmental Chemistry Lab quantifying contaminant concentrations in affected communities and evaluating their impacts on human health. She founded TEDI not only as a public call to action for the current environmental crisis, but also as a unique means of achieving long-term, sustainable change through policy.
Maggie Yang
Digital Marketing Director
Hopewell Junction, NY, USA
Maggie has always appreciated and been fascinated by the beauty of nature. She believes in protecting our world so that future generations can experience the same wonder and beauty she has. Maggie hopes to make a difference in our world and preserve our environment by working with TEDI.
Meet Our Team
Devanshi Pandya
Digital Content Creator
Hopewell Junction, NY, USA
Devanshi has always been a curious girl who always found peace of mind in nature. She hopes to make a difference by spreading awareness through different platforms with beautiful posts in hopes to portray the same beauty nature gives us by giving back and protecting nature. TEDI is a great initiative to encourage our generation to care and be more mindful about the environment since it is a beautiful gift to all to enjoy.
Amy Nangia
Campaign Specialist & Blog Editor
Houston, TX, USA
Amy Nangia is a high school student and advocate passionate about medicine, neuroscience, and environmental sustainability. She has participated in hospital service, research, and climate-focused initiatives that explore the connections between health and the environment. Amy hopes to contribute to solutions that advance both medical care and ecological resilience. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, debating, and spending time with family.
Zabrina Yam
Fundraising Coordinator
Toronto, Canada
Zabrina has always been passionate about capturing the environment’s beauty through photography. She is a grade 12 student studying in Earl Haig Secondary School in Toronto and she has a passion in accounting and finance. She enjoys participating in park cleanups and beach cleanups while taking photos of the environment. She joined TEDI to combine her interests and take environmental action to contribute as a fundraising coordinator, where she can apply her financial and organizational skills to support the team.
Cassidy Frater
Video Content Creator
Fairhope, AL/Middlebury, VT, USA
Cassidy is a college student who has cared about the conservation of animals and the environment ever since she was a little girl. Guided by her previous volunteer and leadership experience, Cassidy hopes working with TEDI will reaffirm and strengthen her commitment to environmental conservation and help her make a difference in the world.
Sahasra Rajesh
Policy Specialist
Sahasra Rajesh is a high school student and passionate advocate for protecting the environment and the incredible wildlife that calls it home. Her research on the environmental consequences of war has strengthened her commitment to safeguard delicate ecosystems. As a TEDI Blog Editor, Sahasra hopes to raise awareness and inspire action to preserve our planet not only through her work but also by encouraging others to join. She also enjoys cheering, volunteering, listening to music, and experimenting with art!
Veda Kodakandla
Policy Specialist
Hopewell Junction, NY, USA
Veda is currently a junior in high school, and enjoys spending her free time reading psychological thrillers, debating world topics through Model UN conferences, competing in various science topics in SciOly, and doing research on different types of environmental pollution. She hopes to major in bioengineering and entrepreneurship, and pursue a career as a healthcare entrepreneur.
Partnerships
Thank you to all of our partners for working with us to achieve sustainable, long-lasting change. Learn more about these partnerships by following us on Instagram.
PLANT A CHANGE
PLASTIC 2 BRICK"Collaborating with your team on our project has been an exceptional experience. Your dedication, creativity, and professionalism were evident in every phase of our partnership. The insights and solutions you provided significantly enhanced our project, and the seamless collaboration process made it all the more enjoyable."
"Collaborating with the Environmental Defense Initiative on inspiring reels and a microplastic pollution petition was an experience nothing short of amazing. Their unwavering dedication to protecting our planet and educating the community on sustainable practices is truly commendable. We're proud to stand alongside such a passionate and impactful organization in our shared mission to make the world a greener place."