Trailblazer At Forbes 30 Under 30: Olivia Zhang's Vision For Youth Leadership

Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Olivia Zhang redefines youth leadership by transforming personal challenges into positive change.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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At just 20 years old, Olivia Zhang has already made a significant impact as the founder of one of the world's largest youth-led cancer nonprofits, Cancer Kids First. Despite facing personal hardships, including the loss of her grandfather and elementary school teacher to cancer, Zhang has channeled her grief into action, creating programs that help make hospitals feel more normal for children with cancer. Her fearless and grounded approach to leadership has earned her recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, the Diana Legacy Award, and the L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth Award.

Why it matters

Zhang's story highlights the power of young people to drive positive change, even in the face of adversity. Her nonprofit, Cancer Kids First, has donated over $600,000 in medical supplies to 74 hospitals and supported more than 10,000 patients in 22 countries, demonstrating the impact that youth-led organizations can have. Moreover, Zhang's decision to step down as CEO and hand the reins to another young leader underscores her belief that youth-led groups should remain truly youth-led, inspiring other young people to take on leadership roles.

The details

Zhang founded Cancer Kids First at the age of 14, after her grandfather and elementary school teacher were both diagnosed with cancer and passed away within months of each other. Driven by grief, she started raising money by selling artwork and school supplies to help with medical costs. This eventually led her to start the nonprofit, which now runs three main programs: Arts, Treatment Services, and Patient Interaction. These programs aim to make hospitals feel more normal for children with cancer. Despite facing initial challenges, such as over 60 hospitals and potential partners declining meeting invitations, Zhang persevered, improving her pitch decks, practicing public speaking, and seeking guidance from supportive teachers and administrators.

  • Zhang founded Cancer Kids First at the age of 14.
  • In February 2026, Zhang published her book 'YOUth: The Young Person's Guide to Starting a Nonprofit'.

The players

Olivia Zhang

A 20-year-old honoree on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Impact list, recipient of the Diana Legacy Award and the L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth Award, and the founder of Cancer Kids First, one of the world's largest youth-led cancer nonprofits.

Cancer Kids First

A nonprofit organization founded by Olivia Zhang that runs three main programs: Arts, Treatment Services, and Patient Interaction, with the goal of making hospitals feel more normal for children with cancer.

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What they’re saying

“It was definitely a very positive coping mechanism. But at that moment it wasn't like, 'Oh, let me do this nonprofit as a positive thing.' It was the way I could get through how I was feeling and channel all this anger and sadness into something that would allow me to continue with my life.”

— Olivia Zhang (Forbes)

What’s next

After graduating from Harvard, Zhang plans to step down as CEO of Cancer Kids First and take on a board role, choosing another young leader to run the organization.

The takeaway

Olivia Zhang's story demonstrates that young people can be powerful agents of change, even in the face of personal adversity. Her grounded and steady approach to leadership, combined with her belief in the power of youth-led organizations, serves as an inspiration for other young people who want to make a difference in their communities.