Tanya Keskar is a youth funder, nonprofit founder, and Gen Z organizer proving that joy, strategy, and radical care are power moves.

Today we’re joined by Tanya Keskar — a student, founder, and full-time change-maker whose story is anything but ordinary. At just 12 years old, Tanya founded Realize to Act, a nonprofit that started with balloon animals and backpacks — and has grown into a powerful youth-led movement driving equity in education Since launching Realize to Act, Tanya has empowered thousands of students to step into leadership, launched new programs that blend grassroots action with tech advocacy, and built partnerships that reflect the heart of her mission: when young people feel valued, they lead boldly. In this episode, Tanya opens up about what it’s really like to lead from a young age, how joy became a core leadership strategy, and why Gen Z’s approach to power, care, and collaboration is reshaping the way movements get built. We dive into grassroots vs. government work, the surprising lessons of mentorship, and the moments that tested her leadership the most. Whether you’re building something big or just beginning, Tanya’s story is a masterclass in starting where you are and staying rooted in your why.

🎧 Spoiler: Balloon animals can spark movements.

Thank you for listening — for more information about ZETA, visit https://www.connectZETA.org