The APYCD Youth Steering Committee brings together a dynamic group of young leaders who are passionate about shaping inclusive, forward-thinking initiatives across Australia, the Pacific and beyond.
Representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives, each member contributes unique insights and lived experiences to ensure youth voices are meaningfully embedded in decision-making throughout the co-design and delivery of the dialogue.
Below, you'll find their bios, highlighting the talents, values, and aspirations that drive their contributions.
Autalaga Tuialii
Autalaga is a proud Australian-born Samoan who is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts and Global Studies. Alongside her study journey, she is grateful to have participated in great experiences and opportunities such as the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders' Network and The Pasifika Future Ancestors Program. She is deeply passionate about climate justice and the intersectionality of Pacific people and those in the diaspora.
Brydie Zorz
Brydie is a proud Wiradjuri woman from Central West NSW and is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws/Arts (majoring in Politics and International Relations) at UNSW. She is an ambassador of the Uluru Youth Dialogue, Project Officer for the Pro-Vice Chancellor Society at UNSW, and Research Assistant on the Towards Truth project at the Justice & Equity Centre.
Lincoln Ingravalle
Lincoln is a UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador, energy sector analyst, and climate advocate. With a background in international relations and grassroots organising, he has engaged with and represented young people across Australia and the Pacific on climate justice, disaster recovery, and just transition. Lincoln is passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices, particularly from regional, LGBTQIA+, and low-socioeconomic communities. He brings expertise in youth-led policy, governance, and child safeguarding.
Luna-Rossa Lomitusi
Aside from her 9-to-5 job as an electrical engineer, Luna is a dedicated climate advocate and youth leader based in Samoa. She is Impact Officer of the Global Shapers Apia Hub and founder of Pollinate Samoa. She is very passionate about climate justice, environmental protection and youth empowerment, she navigates and drives Pacific youth-led solutions through policy, energy, and grassroots action.
Lyric Thomas-Pera
Lyric is an emerging leader within Australia’s Pacific diaspora. She is a proud daughter of the Pacific, hailing from the Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa and raised on Darug Country in Western Sydney. Deeply connected to her culture and community, Lyric is currently completing a Diploma in Arts at Western Sydney University. She is a cultural performer with Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts, a support officer for the Talanoa Student Club, and the NSW Coordinator for Pacific Climate Warriors.
Maximillian Teea
Maximillian is a climate activist and full-time volunteer with the Kiribati Climate Action Network. He represented Kiribati as a youth delegate at COP29. Passionate about climate justice, ocean protection, and youth empowerment, I believe in hands-on projects over theory to drive real impact. My goal is to build resilient island communities and amplify Pacific voices in global climate action through practical, community-based solutions.
Sam Hickman
Sam is a Research Associate and Project Manager at the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Biodiversity Institute, specialising in helping organisations measure, understand, and reduce their impacts on nature. He also serves on the Youth Advisory Council on International Climate Change with DCCEEW. Sam is committed to intergenerational justice, and as a member of the Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue Steering Committee, he is focused on ensuring youth perspectives are translated into effective, actionable advice.
Takesa Frank
Takesa is a proud young Aboriginal woman, deeply connected to Yuin Country on the South Coast of NSW. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography which has fuelled her commitment to environmental conservation and cultural protection. Over the past five years, she has advocated for protecting native forests, Aboriginal Sacred Sites, and Caring for Country. In 2023, she was awarded the Bob Brown Foundation’s Young Environmentalist of the Year award for her work to protect native forests.
Tegan Clark
Tegan is a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University researching Australia's environment. Tegan has represented young people in multiple forums, including on the ACT Youth Advisory Council, the Australian Government STEM Youth Advisory Group and for Plan International Australia at COP29 in Azerbaijan. Recently, she led a submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water on youth engagement at COP31.
Mohammed Zahif
Mohammed is a proud Queer Muslim Pacific youth leader, unapologetically rooted in culture and committed to amplifying diverse voices. Hailing from Fiji, Zahif blends advocacy, creativity, and community organising to champion equality, inclusion, and youth empowerment. A member of many international, regional, and community organisations, they bring lived experience, leadership, and flair, embodying the vibrant, resilient, and future-focused spirit of the Pacific.