Maya Penn

Maya Penn is an award-winning activist, eco-entrepreneur, and animator. Penn started her own global sustainable fashion brand called Maya’s Ideas in 2008 when she was eight years old, earning over $200,000 in grants for her eco-friendly fashions. The online fashion brand uses only vintage fabrics or organic bio-based materials, like cotton, in its clothing and accessories.

Penn, a Gen Z environmental climate activist, also advises companies, such as Coach, on how to make their clothing more eco-friendly. She is a three-time TED Talks speaker and the youngest of Oprah's Super Soul 100 changemakers; author of "You Got This!," an inspirational handbook for teens and young adults to help them discover their passions and maximize their full potential; and received a commendation from President Barack Obama for outstanding achievement in environmental stewardship. In 2016, Maya created the animation and narration for the opening of a report that was part of the first-ever digital report presented to Congress. Her first short film, “ASALI: Power of the Pollinators,” an animated action adventure executive-produced by Viola Davis, is slated for release later this year.

Penn is a part of the Alexis Ohanian’s 776 Foundation Youth Climate Fellowship and was on the January 2023 cover of Vogue wearing her own eco-fashion designs alongside singer Billie Eilish. She appeared on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Local - Atlanta list in 2023.