Isabella Hanson — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Founder of I Matter, an international poetry competition on social justice (since 2020)
Meinig Leadership Scholar at The Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars (since 2023)
Junior at Cornell University, studying English and American Studies
Served as Graphic Designer at Gender Justice Advocacy Coalition at Cornell (2024-2025)
Completed a Summer Fellow position at JPMorganChase (2025)

Biography

Isabella Hanson is the founder of I Matter, an international poetry competition established in 2020. She is currently a junior at Cornell University, where she is studying English and American Studies within the College of Arts & Sciences. Hanson is also a Meinig Leadership Scholar at The Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars, a role she has held since 2023.

Through I Matter, Hanson aims to create a forum for youth to advocate for equity and change, leveraging the impact of storytelling.