Born in Toronto to entrepreneur parents, Lauryn grew up in the world of small business, a world she’s excited to return to as a Kiva Zip Fellow in New York City. Much of her childhood was spent making, packaging, (and eating) delicious, ethically sourced dried fruit for her family’s home business. Lauryn’s passion for environmental protection led her to study environmental policy at the University of Toronto. While attending the 2008 UN Climate Negotiations as a youth delegate, she met youth from Small Island Developing States, an experience that opened her eyes to the human reality of climate change and inspired her to work as a community organizer with several Canadian nonprofits working for climate justice. Most recently, as Senior Campaigner at Change.org she empowered Canadians to start and win their own online campaigns on issues ranging from children’s mental health to protecting small businesses. It was here that she discovered the power of storytelling combined with a powerful online platform to connect people for change on a global scale. Lauryn is honored to be joining the KF28 class and looks forward to deepening her understanding of microfinance and how it can be used to help communities develop sustainably.