From Root Leader to Climate Leader – Celebrating Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa
The Zilkha Center for the Environment is proud to spotlight Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa, a former Root Leader and recent Williams graduate, who has taken on a pivotal role in the global climate movement. As the first full-time Executive Director of Climate Cardinals, Hikaru is leading efforts to democratize climate knowledge across the globe.
Climate Cardinals is an international, youth-led organization committed to breaking down language barriers in climate education. With the mission to make accurate and up-to-date climate information accessible to non-English speakers worldwide, the organization addresses a critical gap in global environmental advocacy. Through its expansive network, Climate Cardinals has translated over three million words of climate content into 105 languages, empowering communities in 134 countries with the knowledge needed to combat climate change effectively.
Hikaru’s journey at Climate Cardinals began four years ago when he joined as the founding Partnerships Director in 2020. Over the past four years, Hikaru’s tenure at Climate Cardinals has been marked by significant achievements. He quickly proved his leadership capabilities by establishing a robust translation program and securing 30 strategic partnerships with organizations such as Translators Without Borders and Google Cloud. His management led to the translation of over two million words of vital climate information. Moreover, Hikaru’s fundraising initiatives brought in half a million USD, and he played a crucial role in mentoring 30 directors who are now continuing to drive the organization’s mission. With this strong foundation and his comprehensive understanding of the organization’s goals and strategies, Hikaru is now set to lead Climate Cardinals as it continues to expand its impactful work globally.
The Zilkha Center for the Environment is incredibly proud of Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa’s remarkable accomplishments and leadership at Climate Cardinals. His work continues to inspire not only his peers and mentors at Williams but also the broader community engaged in environmental sustainability.
During his involvement at the Zilkha Center for the Environment, Hikaru demonstrated a keen analytical mind and a remarkable aptitude for strategic planning. His ability to synthesize complex information and collaborate effectively across diverse groups was evident in every project he undertook. Hikaru was deeply engaged with the ZCE, serving as a Root leader for two years and subsequently as one of the two Root co-directors. His leadership in these roles and his participation in the Sustainable Living Community (SLC) showcased his commitment to enhancing sustainability practices within the campus community.
His leadership in these roles and his participation in the Sustainable Living Community (SLC) showcased his commitment to enhancing sustainability practices within the campus community. Reflecting on his experience, Hikaru shared, “In my current role, I’ve seen how important it is to learn creativity and be able to transfer vision into reality. That is something that is inherently a part of the ZCE’s internship program—and is a key quality of any activist or changemaker.”
Hikaru’s journey from a dedicated intern to a global environmental leader is a testament to the profound influence that committed individuals can have on the world. His work embodies the core values of the ZCE, where we strive to nurture leaders who are not only thoughtful and knowledgeable about environmental issues but are also proactive in implementing practical solutions that lead to real change.
We celebrate Hikaru’s achievements and the inspiring ripple effects they create across communities worldwide. His journey is a vibrant testament to the power of focused dedication and a commitment to inclusive, accessible education in driving forward environmental advocacy. At the Zilkha Center for the Environment, we are deeply honored to have contributed to his early development and are invigorated by the prospect of his future leadership in climate activism.
We eagerly anticipate seeing more of our interns embody the changemaking skills learned here, as they step beyond the confines of Williams and continue to forge paths toward meaningful global change, much like Hikaru has. His story serves not only as a beacon of what is possible but also as a call to action for all young leaders to harness their potential and make a lasting impact.
Written by ZCE communications intern Shahwar Akbar ‘27