Shulynn Ragland
Ladue,MO
Summary
Youth leader passionate about integrating entrepreneurship and sustainability specifically within the Blue Economy framework. Conducted comprehensive research on food security and ocean health, presenting insights at international forums while engaging diverse stakeholders. Organized both local and international events, securing funding for community initiatives and promoting ocean literacy.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Co-Leader
Danna Drive - Montgomery Plan
08.2025 - Current
- Relaunched Danna Drive branch of Montgomery Plan at JBS, partnered with local organization - Lifewise STL, working towards economic well-being.
- Organized school-wide car wash, raised $1,078.25, used funds to purchase and donate items for Lifewise STL Holiday Market
- Coordinated community volunteering days at Lifewise
Education Volunteer
St Louis Aquarium
05.2025 - Current
- Serving both on the Aquarium Ambassador and Education teams.
- As an ambassador, assisted with aquarium operations and visitor engagement.
- As an education team volunteer, helped facilitate summer education programs, promoting ocean literacy.
Founding Concertmaster
360 Orchestra
05.2025 - Current
- Founded high school youth orchestra with mission to raise funds to bring music education to underserved children in St Louis Area.
- Serving as concertmaster, running rehearsals, leading the group in performances
- Organized performances in local nursing homes or malls, collected donations, 100% of funds directly towards instruments and programs in local school districts, STL refugee center, and more.
Youth Fellow, Youth Advisory Board Member
Learning Planet Institute
05.2023 - Current
- Represented Learning Planet Institute at LPI Festival 2024/UNESCO International Day of Learning, presenting research on sustainable farming in the Philippines and anthropogenic damage on the ocean at the UNESCO headquarters.
- Youth Speaker for Learning Planet Institute at United Nations General Assembly side event.
Violinist
Metropolitan Orchestra of St Louis
05.2022 - Current
- Hired as one of ~5 high school students to perform with the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis alongside professional musicians.
Children's Service Volunteer
The Church in St Louis
01.2020 - Current
- Organizing weekly planning meetings, leading lessons and activities for older children or caring for the toddler room during service.
- Planning and serving as a summer camp counselor and helper during conferences.
Investment Team Intern
Millennia Capital
06.2025 - 08.2025
- Conducted in-depth research and analysis on companies across many industries to support investment decision-making.
- Produced analytical reports evaluating the market, company operations, product competitive positioning, etc.
- Delivered presentations and recommendations to firm leadership twice a week.
Research Intern
JellyCo USA
05.2025 - 08.2025
- Performed research on the Blue Economy with a focus on jellyfish and collagen, culminating in a final research article published on official website.
- Carried out consumer outreach to gather public perception insights to support upcoming product launch.
Youth Delegate
United Nations High Level Political Forum
06.2025 - 06.2025
- Served as a Youth Delegate to the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the central platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
- Represented Bluture and KidsforSDGs in dialogues and side events, amplifying youth perspectives and advocating for greater inclusion of young people in decision-making spaces.
- Focus on advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
Co-Leader
KIVA
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Organized yearly school-wise fundraiser raising over $650, which was distributed in microloans to women across all the inhabited continents, focusing on those living in rural communities entering the small business/entrepreneurship field.
- Expanded branch emphasis to women in business in general, bringing in diverse speakers from the St. Louis area.
Assistant Concertmaster
Community Music School Of Webster University
08.2023 - 05.2025
- Held the position of assistant concertmaster of the Young People's Symphonic Orchestra, the highest orchestra level of the Community Music School of Webster University.
- Performed in Carnegie Hall in April 2025.
Planning Committee Member
St Louis Young Women's Leadership Conference
01.2024 - 04.2025
- Organized and managed St. Louis-wide conference is dedicated to empowering women and advancing gender equity.
- Brought in panel speakers for roundtable discussions, including Amanda Nguyen, TIME Woman of the Year and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, and Rebecca Van Bergen, founder and CEO of NEST.
- Coordinated the “Marketplace” featuring 17 local women-owned businesses and nonprofits in 2024.
- Organized two fundraisers to raise money for the Women’s Safe House.
Youth Delegate
United Nations World Oceans Day Conference
- 1 of 10 high school students globally invited to attend the UN World Oceans Day Conference at the UN Headquarters in NYC. Represented Bluture in 2024 and 2025.
- Hosted official side event for UNWOD 2025. Organized and moderated session bringing together young leaders and industry experts from 3 countries working in ocean conservation to share their stories, solutions, and inspiration for the future. Over 50 global participants.
Borlaug Scholar
World Food Prize Missouri Youth Institute
- Researched food insecurity & malnutrition among farming households in the Philippines in 2024.
- Researched the impact of illegal fishing and hydropower dam expansion on fisheries/aquaculture in Cambodia in 2025.
- Authored 2 independent research papers on thee topics, including challenges and solutions and presented findings to the Missouri Youth Institute of the World Food Prize Foundation both years.
Education
John Burroughs School
St Louis, MO05-2027
Modern Chinese Graduation Diploma -
St Louis Modern Chinese School
St Louis05-2025
Skills
- Public speaking
- Research
- Project management
- Event coordination
- Community outreach
- Team collaboration
- Teaching experience
Accomplishments
3rd Place in North America, Global Semifinalist - PennSEM Business Case Competition 2024: Conducted research to identify and propose a suitable merger or acquisition target that aligns with a specific company’s strategic goals for a given prompt.
Affiliations
Figure Skater (2014-Present) - Metro Edge Figure Skating Club: Junior Moves in the Field, Ice Dance
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Chinese (Mandarin)
Professional
Certification
Graphic Design Essentials - Canva Design School, 2025
Timeline
Co-Leader
Danna Drive - Montgomery Plan
08.2025 - Current
Investment Team Intern
Millennia Capital
06.2025 - 08.2025
Youth Delegate
United Nations High Level Political Forum
06.2025 - 06.2025
Education Volunteer
St Louis Aquarium
05.2025 - Current
Founding Concertmaster
360 Orchestra
05.2025 - Current
Research Intern
JellyCo USA
05.2025 - 08.2025
Co-Leader
KIVA
08.2024 - 05.2025
Planning Committee Member
St Louis Young Women's Leadership Conference
01.2024 - 04.2025
Assistant Concertmaster
Community Music School Of Webster University
08.2023 - 05.2025
Youth Fellow, Youth Advisory Board Member
Learning Planet Institute
05.2023 - Current
Violinist
Metropolitan Orchestra of St Louis
05.2022 - Current
Children's Service Volunteer
The Church in St Louis
01.2020 - Current
Youth Delegate
United Nations World Oceans Day Conference
Borlaug Scholar
World Food Prize Missouri Youth Institute
John Burroughs School
Modern Chinese Graduation Diploma -
St Louis Modern Chinese School