Young Leaders Program

TAFU Genesis

Where the New World Begins

Vision

Genesis is a youth-led, ethically driven entrepreneurship and charity development programme designed to help young people build impactful charities or sustainable start-ups from the ground up.

Backed by TAFU and proudly sponsored by the Business School in Basel, Genesis empowers young visionaries aged 15 to 25 with the tools, mindset, and personalised mentorship needed to turn ideas into ethical action.

Purpose

To create a new generation of conscious leaders by:

Equipping young people with skills to launch a charity or ethical business
Embedding ethical thinking, sustainability, and digital innovation at the core of entrepreneurship
Building a global network of young founders, supported by experts, educators, and peers

Leadership Team

Director & Lead Advisor: Nika S Underwood

Founder, CEO of TAFU | AI & Robotics Student | Global Environmental Visionary

At just 17, Nika S Underwood is already regarded as one of the most inspiring and multidimensional young leaders in Europe.

She is the Founder, Executive Co-chair, and CEO of TAFU, an international youth-led environmental NGO advocating for personal responsibility towards the planet. TAFU’s mission reflects her belief that the way we treat nature must evolve as deeply and personally as the way we treat our own health.

As the driving force behind Genesis, Nika leads not only through her intellect, but through unparalleled action, authenticity, and clarity of vision.

Academic and Scientific Excellence

Completed GCSEs at age 11 and a A-levels by age 14.
Completed 11 A-levels, many at A*-A, including those in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, English Literature, English Language, Maths, Geology, French, Latin, and Music.
Entered university at the age of 15.
Now pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
Plans to undertake a second undergraduate degree at the University of Cambridge in Natural Sciences to fuse AI and environmental science.

Global Leadership and Policy Impact

Founder and CEO of TAFU, where she:

Organises global youth competitions, environmental campaigns, and clean-up initiatives.
Produces educational content, interviews scientists, and leads conservation research.
Manages all internal and external communications, IT, and strategy.

Appointed Voluntary Young AI Leader by the UN’s AI for Good initiative (ITU) to set up and run the Luton AI Hub, leading local and global community projects.

Tech, Ethics, and AI Expertise

Chair of the British Computer Society Student Chapter and the Young Professionals Group Representative of BCS Bedfordshire.
Founded the University AI Club and TAFU Student Chapter.
Working in the University Robotics Lab, programming drones and tourist robots using Python and ROS.
Trained in over 15 AI, ethics, and sustainability certifications from:

• BCS (British Computer Society)

• UN Sustainable Development Courses

• University of Helsinki MOOC

• LinkedIn Learning & NASBA

Artistic Talent and Media

Acclaimed singer and pianist, winning 2nd places in:
•     Cannes Claude Kahn National Competition
•     Prodige Art Competition (France)
•     Resonances International (Paris)
Finalist in Vienna’s Antonio Vivaldi International Competition.
Performed in international concerts and produced educational music content.
Fluent in English, French, and Croatian, learning German and basic Italian.

Educator and Mentor

Tutored over 100 students in GCSEs, A-levels, BTECs, and competitions.
Senior tutor with ACFM, Chepstow Tutors, Sunbeam Education, and SuperProf.
Specialises in supporting neurodivergent learners, combining teaching with executive function coaching.
NSPCC safeguarding and tutor certifications
By the end of the summer to be qualified in:
• TEFL diplomas
• Level 5 Diplomas in Teaching and Coaching

Skills for Genesis Leadership

Project and event management
Scientific and policy research
Critical and ethical thinking
Digital strategy and sustainability
Public speaking, mentorship, and coaching
Cross-cultural communication

Why Nika

Nika does not simply represent youth excellence – she redefines what it means to lead with integrity, intellect, and innovation. As Lead Advisor and Director to Genesis, she will:

Mentor young entrepreneurs in ethical charity and business creation
Deliver seminars on AI for good, sustainability, and responsible leadership
Host the Genesis Founders’ Clinics and workshops
Connect students with global thought leaders through her extensive network

Alisa Sokova – Deputy Programme Director and Advisor

Youth Entrepreneur | Media & Hospitality Scholar | UCLA & UPenn Alumnus

Alisa Sokova serves as the Deputy Programme Director of the Genesis Programme, bringing exceptional energy, maturity, and insight to this international youth initiative. A passionate advocate for personal responsibility, sustainability, and youth empowerment, Alisa is a brilliant communicator and role model for aspiring young founders.

She holds a pivotal leadership role at TAFU as a Volunteer Coordinator Assistant and Youth Impact Ambassador, where she supports the global mission of inspiring ethical innovation and meaningful action in young people. Through her work, she leads by example, encouraging others to act with vision, kindness, and purpose.

Academic and Global Excellence

Alisa has consistently achieved High Honours and Honours, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to academic excellence. She has taken part in prestigious international programmes, including:

UCLA Sports Management Summer Programme
UPenn’s Future of Business World Programme
The John Locke Essay Competition

These experiences have given her deep insights into global entrepreneurship, leadership, and academic debate.

Athletic Commitment and Discipline

Alisa is also an accomplished athlete, competing in:

Varsity Skiing – for which she received a sportsmanship award
Varsity Cross Country
Varsity Track and Field

Her sporting background reflects her discipline, determination, and ability to thrive in competitive environments while remaining grounded and team-oriented.

Early Leadership and Real-World Experience

From managing a call centre team in Moscow to founding her own blog and media platform, Alisa has developed a strong foundation in communication, time management, and leadership. She also organised her school’s volunteering club and served as a proctor, supporting her peers in their personal growth and community involvement.

Storytelling and Impact

Inspired by sustainability and the stories of changemakers, Alisa created a blog where she interviews young, self-made individuals who are positively shaping the world. Her gift for storytelling and connection shines through her writing and mentoring.

As part of Genesis, Alisa will lead the Voice of Impact media series, spotlighting the journeys of the programme’s most promising participants.

Vision for Genesis

In her role as Deputy Programme Director, Alisa will:

Co-host the Genesis LaunchPad sessions, offering mentorship in communication, global awareness, and ethical entrepreneurship
Develop the programme’s storytelling, community-building, and media outreach strategies
Mentor participants in brand identity, purpose-led innovation, and long-term planning
Lead youth-to-youth interviews, sharing founder journeys
Serve as an inspiration and relatable leader for young founders from all backgrounds
Lead the Genesis Journal, a digital magazine showcasing the top student projects and insights.

Why Alisa

Alisa Sokova represents a rare fusion of discipline, empathy, and global curiosity. As Deputy Programme Director, she exemplifies the values Genesis seeks to cultivate: ethical ambition, cross-cultural insight, and the courage to lead with both intellect and heart. Her ability to bridge worlds; from elite academic institutions to grassroots initiatives, makes her a uniquely relatable and aspirational figure for emerging changemakers.

What sets Alisa apart is not only her experience, but her unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of others. Whether through mentoring, storytelling, or strategic planning, she brings a quiet authority and deep integrity to every role she holds. Her media fluency, entrepreneurial spark, and belief in personal responsibility create a space where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered to build ventures that matter.

Through Genesis, Alisa offers more than guidance; she offers a living example of what it means to lead with vision, humility, and purpose.

A Powerful Partnership

Together Nika & Alisa form a dynamic leadership team whose expertise, heart, and global reach will ensure that Genesis becomes the premier launchpad for ethical, youth-led ventures around the world.

Programme Format

Stage 1: Global Call for Ideas

Applicants submit a concept for a charity or ethical business.
Selection is based on potential impact, originality, and clarity of purpose.

Stage 2: Genesis Academy (6 Weeks Online)

Modules include:

1. Purpose and Values First: Why You Want to Build

2. Legal Basics: Registering a Charity or Start-Up

3. Funding Your Mission: Grants, Donors, and Crowdfunding

4. Branding and Messaging

5. Tools of the Trade: Using AI, Socials, and Digital Workflows

6. Making it Last: Governance, Accountability, and Growth

Stage 3: Founders’ Week (In-Person)

Hosted by the Business School in Basel

Features:

Masterclasses from ethical entrepreneurs
Networking with Swiss professionals
Final Genesis Pitch Showcase
Certificate Ceremony

Stage 4: Genesis LaunchPad & Alumni Network

Seed funding (if sponsored) and long-term mentoring for top projects
Ongoing access to peer and mentor community
Public exhibition and media feature of successful initiatives

Sponsor Partnership: Business School in Basel

Business School in Basel will:

Provide venue for the in-person Founders’ Week
Offer mentorship, expert lectures, and academic backing
Share joint branding on certificates, materials, and publications
Collaborate on post-programme research showcasing impact

Expected Outcomes

1. Empowered Youth Leadership

Over 100 young individuals having developed the confidence, ethical mindset, and leadership skills to launch impactful ventures.
Participants reporting increased public speaking ability, strategic thinking, and confidence in navigating real-world challenges.
Alumni having been accepted into prestigious programmes and universities worldwide, including Cambridge, UCLA, and UPenn.

2. Youth-Led Charities and Ethical Start-ups

Dozens of new projects initiated by Genesis participants, including:
• Climate advocacy platforms
• Community clean-up networks
• AI for nature education tools
• Mental health and social justice initiatives
• Several ventures having registered as official youth-led charities

3. Real-World Impact Through Innovation

Projects have:
• Delivered clean-up campaigns in urban and coastal areas.
• Engaged thousands through awareness campaigns on sustainability, AI ethics, and biodiversity.
• Published youth-led research and digital magazines promoting innovation and responsible entrepreneurship.

4. Ethical and Digital Literacy Skills

Participants completed intensive modules on:
• Purpose-led business planning
• Governance and legal foundations
• Crowdfunding, donor relations, and financial sustainability
• AI for good, social media strategy, and branding
• 100% of Genesis students demonstrating measurable improvement in their understanding of:
• Responsible technology
• Ethical decision-making
• Sustainable business models

5. Inclusive Global Network

Genesis alumni and TAFU volunteers having built cross-continental collaborations.
Peer-to-peer mentorship flourishes through the Genesis LaunchPad, creating a continuous support system for young founders worldwide.
Participants from around the world.

6. Inspirational Public Platforms

Successful ventures and participants are featured in:
• The Genesis Journal
• The Voice of Impact interview series
• Public exhibitions and global online campaigns
• TAFU’s media platforms that have collectively reached over 50,000 views across educational concerts, interviews, and environmental campaigns.

7. Youth Mentorship and Responsibility

Through mentoring by Nika S Underwood and Alisa Sokova, participants have:
• Created sustainable roadmaps for their missions
• Developed storytelling and media fluency
• Embraced personal responsibility as a driving value in leadership and innovation

TAFU Genesis: Young Leaders Program