Ariyan Patel

Ariyan Patel is a passionate problem-solver and visionary leader driven by a relentless desire to confront global challenges through innovation and public service. As a legislative intern at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, he works alongside Congress and top agency leaders, actively supporting transformative healthcare policy. Ariyan’s goals to address inequality with innovation are encapsulated in his startup Pathlight, an AI-powered navigation tool he and two friends are developing to empower blind individuals that have garnered attention from PennState’s LionCage, The Diamond Challenge, The Conrad and Houston Space Center, and NSHSS for its unique emphasis on social accessibility.

Ariyan’s leadership thrives in service. He is a Yale Young Global Scholar (Solving Global Challenges) and Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) alumnus. He channels his passion for volunteerism through his board position on the International Youth Advisory Board for the Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC), in which he represents over 300,000 volunteers globally. In these roles, he leverages his value of perspective and consensus to lead youth-driven initiatives that inspire collective action and foster lasting social change.

Ariyan’s experiences and positions deepen his understanding of complex international issues. They are the premise for his ambitions to one day serve in Congress, where he plans to craft policies that unite and impact worldwide.