Meet the Founder

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Shivam is a rising sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, studying Computer Science and Statistics. He has been a debater and public speaker for 4 years, being a three-time winner of tristate congressional debate competitions and a competitor at the Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament for two years, where he was voted as one of the top five debaters in his chamber. He is also a two-time winner of Public Forum Regional debate competitions, which included preliminary rounds and a final round. He has received the second best speaker award in different tristate debates. Along with that, Shivam has competed at the International Model United Nation level, with the American Model United Nations Conference where he placed as the Best Delegate, the UNA-USA International Conference where he placed as an Outstanding Delegate, the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference where he placed as an Honorable Delegate, and the University of Chicago Model United Nations Conference where he earned a Verbal Commendation. Besides Speech & Debate, he is a varsity swimmer, and loves to program, play badminton, and go on camping trips! Shivam is an active youth in the community, and an Eagle Rank Boy Scout.

He has founded Speak2Lead in order to give back to the community and share his passion for speaking and debating with younger students, and assist to provide education to under-privileged children.

Shivam has received the Gold level Presidential Award and Congressional Award - Gold Medal for his service to the community, and was also recognized by Vibha (www.vibha.org) as a "catalyst of youth inspiration" and "an agent of change."