Arshayan Desai – Founder, The Blue Goal Initiative

At just 17, Arshayan is a visionary changemaker and the founder of The Blue Goal Initiative, a youth-led nonprofit organization that integrates soccer, surfing, and sustainability to empower underserved youth and protect our planet. A rising senior at Brentwood High School, he has been deeply rooted in soccer since the age of four, playing at both the club level for over a decade and on the varsity soccer team through high school. He has represented his team, Pali Rising, at the renowned Gothia Cup in Sweden, the world’s largest youth soccer tournament, since he was 10 years old. 

Arshayan’s impact extends far beyond the field. A talented multi-instrumentalist, he anchors the advanced jazz band on drums and plays piano, guitar, and tabla. He is the co-founder and president of Brentwood’s first-ever Surf Club, an expression of his commitment to ocean stewardship, inspiring youth towards ocean preservation.

His global perspective is shaped by immersive service work across Colombia, Costa Rica, Tanzania, and India, where he has led and contributed to projects in ocean conservation, coastal community development, wildlife-human coexistence, and education access for children in under-resourced areas. A proud advocate for community, sports, sustainability, and cultural awareness, he also serves at his school as co-president of ISSA, the Indian Subcontinent Student Alliance. Locally, he is involved with supporting youth and ecosystems impacted by the Palisades fires.

Arshayan’s unique blend of athleticism, artistry, service, and leadership continues to inspire a movement for positive change through the power of sport and storytelling.