Taylor Ladd-Hudson
(she/her)Young Leader 2026
Taylor Ladd-Hudson is a 17-year-old ocean advocate, youth speaker and shark conservationist based on the East Coast of Australia. Over the past year, she has expanded her impact beyond Queensland, speaking to thousands of students across Australia and internationally in Pacific neighbouring islands. She delivers engaging school workshops on marine conservation and shark safety, empowering young people to recognise the strength of their own voice in shaping environmental change.
A passionate freediver, scuba diver and surfer, Taylor spends most of her time in the ocean — not only exploring it, but protecting it. After learning about the critical global decline of shark populations, she made it her mission to educate youth about the vital role sharks play as keystone species in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
Beyond schools, Taylor speaks at conferences, in Parliament, and on expert panels, advocating for evidence-based shark conservation and youth inclusion in environmental decision-making. She teaches young people how to be “shark-smart,” co-exist respectfully with marine life, and replace fear with understanding.
Taylor believes informed youth become empowered leaders — and empowered leaders create waves of change.
“A drop becomes a ripple, a ripple becomes a wave — and waves change tides.”