Mariam Kandel

Mariam, an Egyptian immigrant who has called Louisville home since the age of nine, draws strength from her mother’s resilience and the tight circle of friends who have shown her what community really means. That support fuels her mission: to shatter the stigma that refugees and immigrants face around mental health. At her local public library, she serves on the Teen Advisory Board, and at school, she’s the Y-Club Service Chair, organizing drives that turn classmates into change agents. Mariam dreams of a medical career that brings culturally sensitive care to underserved regions—and a world where newcomers are seen, heard, and healed. She’s thrilled to join the Bezos Scholars cohort to refine her leadership voice, swap ideas with like-minded peers, and translate fresh insights into hope for Louisville and beyond.