Isabella Wen, Young Humanitarian and Public Speaker, imagines a world where every child is free to write their own story, not confined to the narratives placed upon them.

Through public speaking, research, and advocacy, Isabella uses her voice and encourages others to find theirs. Her changework is grounded in radical listening, curiosity, and the belief that change happens when lived experience becomes part of the conversation.

Through the #MyPieceForChange campaign, we invite people to share their unique contributions to collective transformation. This series exists to honor their stories, amplify their voices, and connect them with a wider community of like-minded peers. Today, we’re honored to introduce our Changeworker of the Week: Isabella Wen whom we had the pleasure of interviewing for this special spotlight.

What’s your piece for change?

I imagine a world where every child can write their own story regardless of what society writes for them.

What inspired you to begin this work or stay committed to it?

Each person who’s reached out to tell me that my advocacy helped them reach a turning point. If we stay silent in a world we hope to change, the world will stay silent too.

What’s one hope or vision you hold for the future?

I envision a future where people with lived experience are invited into decision-making rooms.

What support or connection are you currently looking for?

I’m looking to connect with people from all walks of life who can both challenge and inspire me. I am looking for people who are open to supporting each other through collaboration opportunities and becoming a part of each other’s network.

What’s one thing about your field or topic you wish more people knew, considered, or acted on?

There’s an expectation in social impact to specialize and follow a narrative, or a linear path. Exploration, across disciplines, identities, and ideas, does not distract from your story. It’s how we build depth and maintain honesty with ourselves.

What practices, tools, or resources have supported you most on your changework journey?

I love to snuggle up on the couch with my favourite ice cream and my favourite movie, La La Land. La La Land taught me how significant our relationships are. The right person lights a fire in you when you feel like burning out. It’s about how every person we meet can change our lives, and to value that impact rather than focusing on permanence.

Can you share a moment or experience that deeply shaped the way you approach change today?

Conducting research and sitting with perspectives completely different from my own. During the semi-structured interviews and afterwards in thematic analysis, I continued to experience the responsibility that comes with research. How easy it is to flatten experiences if you’re not intentional. That experience pushed me to continue seeking out voices unlike mine and to treat listening as an active and ethical practice.

What collective shift do you believe is needed for meaningful change to happen and what gives you hope that it’s possible?

We need a culture that values collaboration as much as it values competition. We need to shift from performative inclusion to real collective action and the integration of people with lived experience in decision-making. What gives me hope is how many changemakers are already doing this work and have laid the foundation for future change.

How do you take care of your own energy or wellbeing while doing this work?

I surround myself with people who share a fire for their cause. While advocacy often requires speaking out against injustice, it’s just as important to celebrate wins and hold onto hope. Sustaining ourselves, and the dream we’re chasing, is essential if we want this work to last.

Where can people learn more about your work or connect with you?

Connect via

• Instagram: @isabellawens
• LinkedIn: Isabella Wen

The Parayma community is rooted in authentic, supportive relationships. 

Isabella’s journey reminds us that we don’t have to wait for permission to create change. We can speak, explore, collaborate and stay human while doing it.

Thank you, Isabella, for your honesty, your fire, and your voice.

Stay tuned for next week’s Changeworker feature, and if you’d like to be highlighted, join the campaign and tick the box to express your interest.