Shelby O'Neil is a National Geographic Young Explorer, as well as the Founder of Jr Ocean Guardians and the No Straw November challenge.

 

As a past National Gold Award Girl Scout, O'Neil has worked with several companies in the aviation, health care, and beverage industries to reduce single-use plastic pollution. To date, over 40 million single-use plastic straws have been reduced annually from O'Neil's corporate relationships. O'Neil has also worked in policy resulting in SCR-139 No Straw November statewide resolution and the passing of a "Straws Upon Request" bill in California. Hailing from the small town of San Juan Bautista, CA,

​

Shelby is an advocate for equal education - currently focusing on shifting the narrative on who can be a scientist in hopes the world of science gains diverse innovators. Shelby is a senior at the University of California, Berkeley majoring in Society & Environment with a minor in Human Rights.