When Isabella Nascimento Silva Pinto ’25 was named a Global Rise winner and one of the 100 “most promising teens” across the globe, she knew life-changing opportunities were about to come her way.
“I was introduced to a world of social justice, changemaking, and innovation,” says Isabella. “I have had opportunities to connect with hundreds of young leaders worldwide, was awarded a full-need-met scholarship for university, and a chance to apply for graduate school funding. One of the most special benefits, however, was the opportunity to attend the 2024 Rise Residential Summit at the University of Oxford last summer.”
Rise is the flagship initiative of a $1 billion pledge to “identify, develop and support global talent working in service of others” made by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife, Wendy, in partnership with the Rhodes Trust. At Oxford, Isabella engaged with entrepreneurs, policymakers, and scholars from the Rhodes Trust and Schmidt Futures networks.
“Waking up early every morning and walking from Brasenose College, past the Radcliffe Camera, and towards Rhodes House was not only an immersive and rich historical experience, but a chance to reflect on the power of Rise as an institution—and privilege I hold as part of their network,” Isaballa says. “Throughout the day, 100 Rise Global Winners from more than 37 countries attended lectures and workshops led by renowned world and business leaders, activists, and scientists, including Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, CEO of the Rhodes Trust; Versha Sharma, former Editor-In-Chief of Teen Vogue; Dr. John Redd, CEO of The Schmidt Initiative for Long Covid; science communicator & activist Joel Bervell, Manchester United Foundation CEO John Shiels and Physics Professor and Rhodes Scholar Brian Greene.”
Connecting with and learning from the impressive roster of speakers and instructors, Isabella and her fellow Rise Scholars explored topics with significant and overarching themes: systems change, bridging inequalities through collaboration, and creating meaningful change locally and globally.
“I also shared my multicultural experiences studying at Taft as an international student, and the ups and downs of being a student-leader on campus,” says Isabella. “And I had the opportunity to talk with NPR’s ShortWave hosts about my perspective on Dr. Robin Kimmerer visit to Taft before and after reading her book Braiding Sweetgrass in Honors Ethnobotany.
“I made lifelong friends from all continents and diverse backgrounds—from leaders in the AI field to artists and communicators. Interestingly, I was reunited with Antonia Hill, an Austrian Rise Global Winner who studied at Taft during the 2021-2022 school year. We had a great conversation about how Taft has changed, her studies in the United Kingdom, and Taft students and faculty!
“I look forward to seeing my Colombian, Australian and Portuguese friends again, either in our next 2027 Rise Residential Summit or around campuses of American universities. I’m extremely grateful to Rise for trusting me with this title, and I’m excited for the next few years as part of the Rhodes Trust and Schmidt Futures networks.”