ÂÌñÉç

When Evan LaForge ’20 returned to ÂÌñÉç on October 14, 15, and 16, they brought a challenge that left students rethinking how they can make a difference in the world.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Arizona, Evan took an unexpected path. They completed Ambitious Impact’s Charity Entrepreneurship Incubation Program in London and started a non-profit called Access to Medicines Initiative. The organization is currently on track to save 50 lives by June 2026.

Evan’s first stop on campus, was a joint meeting of the Future Business Leaders of America and Innovation for Impact clubs. Over 35 students attended as Evan told the story of their journey from physics major to social entrepreneur. After answering questions, Evan offered three pieces of advice:

Be goal-oriented, and be discerning about prioritizing different aspects of your goals.

Lean into all of the subjects, even the ones that don’t resonate now. Despite being largely focused on physics and math in high school, Evan is thankful they still aimed high in their English classes—they couldn’t be successful in their non-profit work without strong writing skills.

Be open to new pathways when you go to college. Evan shared how major-focused they were and how they wished they had considered other ideas, majors, and careers much sooner.

The next day, Evan returned for a more formal Assembly talk entitled “Against Random Acts of Kindness.” Their key thesis: while random acts of kindness are good, they form a limiting perspective of our ability to help others. Evan shared the story of how they changed their career trajectory from physics academia to non-profit leadership once they realized the extent to which they could improve people’s lives. They encouraged students to pursue “far-reaching, strategic, and ambitious acts of kindness”—actions that utilize careful planning to make a significant difference in the lives of others, including those beyond our community. Evan used their charity’s projected impact to motivate students to place social impact as a central goal while they prepare for college and their future careers.

Evan’s visit concluded with the Ethics Bowl Club, where they led a discussion about our moral obligations to direct our time and money towards improving the world. Their core position: If we can save someone’s life without sacrificing something similarly important, we are morally obligated to do so. While this appears to be a fairly straightforward stance, as the Ethics Bowl Club discovered, there are significant implications to how we use our time and money if we take this principle to heart. Evan shared how they have committed a percentage of their income to charity, and they changed their entire career trajectory on account of this principle.

For ÂÌñÉç students still discovering their own paths, Evan’s visit offered a powerful reminder that with intention, ambition, and careful planning, one person really can change—and save—lives.

Learn more about Evan’s work at the.