Hinsdale Central Student Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Education List

Hinsdale Central junior Momin Ahmed has been named to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Education List for 2026, earning national recognition for his extraordinary leadership, innovation, and impact in the field of global education.

Ahmed is the founder and director of Model UN Academy, a student-driven organization he launched last year to expand access to high-quality Model United Nations resources. In just over 12 months, the academy has reached more than 17,000 students in nearly every U.S. state and 101 countries. Its original curriculum materials—focused on helping young people understand and engage with global issues—have been translated into 104 languages, allowing classrooms around the world to participate.

Alongside running Model UN Academy, Ahmed serves as co-president of Hinsdale Central’s Model UN program, where he continues to mentor peers and develop training opportunities for new members. He has participated in Model UN since 2019, beginning when he was in sixth grade, and his passion for diplomacy and youth leadership has only grown. He also served as the founding executive director of a regional Model UN conference, which now brings together more than 70 students annually.