Date: May 3, 2024
Location: London, UK
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, the visionary founder of Build Initiative and a leading advocate for inclusivity and sustainable development, has been honored with a nomination for the Volunteer of the Year Award by the London School of Economics (LSE).
Lamentillo’s pioneering use of artificial intelligence (AI) to preserve languages on the brink of extinction has marked a significant milestone in cultural preservation and accessibility. Her initiatives focus not only on enhancing communication across the Philippines’ diverse linguistic landscape but also on saving critical heritage for future generations.
In addition to her linguistic efforts, Lamentillo’s leadership in the Build Initiative has fostered key partnerships across four continents—Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the United States—enhancing global sustainability efforts. These collaborations focus on combating climate change and promoting ecological sustainability through strategic use of technology and AI, with projects like Carbon Compass, which helps individuals and organizations worldwide manage and offset their carbon footprints.
The LSE Volunteer of the Year Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to their communities through voluntary service. Lamentillo’s nomination recognizes her transformative impact on both local and international scales, embodying the spirit of innovation and compassion that the award celebrates.
Her ongoing work and academic engagement at LSE continue to inspire global leaders and policymakers, driving forward policies and initiatives that ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for all.
Other nominees include Advait Kuravi, Anna Ward, Ava Lundell, Crystal Wong, Dzigbodi Christon-Quao, Elizaveta Dubova, Ella Sawhney, Ella Vermeil, Emily Ngai, Erika Huartos, Evgeniia Zen, Grecia Camacho-Dominguez, Hasti Modi, Helen Bourne, Jessi Reid, Joe Card, Joelle Lok, Johanna Zackenfels, Koshiki Chauhan, Kristen Holdsworth, Lea Bourguignon, Liz Nirei, Madeline Bryden, Madison Bryan, Mahmoud Al Hamdan, Princewill Umannakwe, Sabrina Daniel, Sofie Hesthaven Pultz, Teloni Nkhalamba, Valli Vasanth, Vishruth Dhamodharan, William Weston, Xinyuan Wang, Zoe Cordner.
For more information about Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo’s work and the Build Initiative, please visit https://www.buildinitiative.foundation/