Misha Nicholas
Misha Nicholas is a dynamic public servant and award-winning visual artist based in Towson, Maryland. Currently serving as a Public Affairs Officer at the Maryland Department of Human Services and as an Ambassador for Maryland ABLE, Misha leverages her multidisciplinary expertise to drive impact across social media strategy, policy advocacy, and community engagement. Her professional work spans public administration, analytical research, and communications, where she has successfully elevated program visibility, increased stakeholder engagement, and amplified outreach efforts across multiple Maryland counties.
Beyond her governmental roles, Misha is an accomplished independent visual artist whose work has been internationally recognized. Her art, showcased in exhibitions such as the Shibuya Station group show in Tokyo and featured in publications like Art Leaders of Tomorrow: Defining the Future of Art, blends photography and collage to explore narratives of human presence and memory in the natural world. She is also the recipient of the prestigious El Greco Fine Arts Award, celebrating her innovation, individuality, and expressive artistic voice.
Misha’s career reflects a commitment to advocacy, sustainability, and youth empowerment. She has contributed to international initiatives such as the World Bank Youth Summit and COP28 Youth Hackathon, mentoring teams and promoting circular economy solutions for climate challenges. In addition, she has driven policy advancements in disability rights through her work with the National Center for Learning Disabilities and served as a reader for the U.S. Department of State’s Mandela Washington Fellowship. With a masterful ability to connect disciplines and tell powerful stories, Misha continues to influence public service, art, and global advocacy through her multifaceted talents.
• Certificate of Participation (GYLC)
• Mentor diploma for Hack for Earth's Youth Hackathon at COP27 (remote)
• United People Global Sustainability Leader Certificate
• Youth Delegate Certificate at the Regional Discussion of Latin America and the Caribbean
• Macquarie University - MA
• El Greco Award
• Urban Photo Awards, Selected Photographer for People and Arena U35 | Trieste, Italy 2025
• Winning Team, World Bank Innovation Lab Challenge – Youth Summit 2025
• Premier Art Prize
• Reader for the Mandela Washington Fellowship
• Future of Art Global Masterpiece Award
• UPG Sustainability Selection Council 2024: Evaluator
• Reader for the Mandela Washington Fellowship at the U.S. Department of State
• Harmony for Humanity: The Global Consciousness Art Prize
• Youth Delegate at the World Bank Group Youth Summit 2023
• Hacking for the Planet Roundtable: Harnessing the Power of Digital Inclusion to Address Climate Change
• Youth Delegate at the World Bank Group Youth Summit 2022
• Climatebase Fellow
• Early Career Fund Scholarship for The Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress 2021 Forum
• Youth Delegate at the World Bank Group Youth Summit 2021
• Youth Delegate for United 2030's Youth SDG Summit
• Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship 2018
• Global Youth Climate Training Alumni Network
• U.S. Department of State and IREX
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• United People Global (Geneva, Switzerland)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to embrace new experiences. At 18, I moved abroad to study in Rome, where I discovered my passion for photography. Using my camera, I began capturing moments and emotions, exploring and expressing my neurodivergent perspective on life. At 22, I pursued a degree in International Relations in Australia, deepening my interest in understanding the human psyche and condition through artistic expression. I later worked in Mexico as a junior consultant for CGIR Agriculture, where I helped align communication initiatives, contributed to a gender equality compliance checklist, and produced articles on climate change and gender roles. Most recently, I served as a design officer with UFCRI in the U.S., focusing on refugee resettlement initiatives. Each of these experiences has shaped my approach to storytelling, advocacy, and problem-solving, allowing me to merge creativity with meaningful social impact.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my mentors at the Center for Learning Disabilities. They encouraged me to embrace my strengths and helped me grow from being shy into becoming a confident, introverted leader. Their guidance taught me that leadership doesn’t always mean being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about using your unique perspective to inspire and influence others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to be bold. You may face criticism or scrutiny along the way, but embracing boldness will ultimately take you further. Confidence in your ideas and the courage to take initiative are key to making an impact and advancing in your career.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are creativity, social impact, and advocacy. I take pride in using art and photography to raise awareness on critical issues—my work has been selected for an exhibition in the Urban Photo Award system at an airport, and I participated in a Tokyo exhibition with Contemporary Art Station, showcasing projects that address gender equality and climate change. I also value innovation and collaboration. For example, as a delegate at the Youth Summit, my team won the Innovation Lab Challenge, designing a sustainable method to transform Sargassum seaweed from beach shores into textiles without harming the ecosystem. Advocacy is central to my values. I am actively involved with organizations such as Greenpeace, the UNF Climate Change initiative, and the National Center for Learning Disabilities, serving on their counsel for advocacy. My work highlights issues like Section 504 and adult ADHD, bringing visibility and empowerment to those with learning differences and disabilities. These experiences reflect my commitment to using my skills and platform to make a meaningful, positive impact.
Locations
Maryland Department of Human Services
Towson, MD 21286