Kalin is a graduate of South Taranaki’s Te Paepae o Aotea, a Maori phrase that translates into “South Taranki’s place of learning.”

Kalin is interested in leadership and democracy. She participated in New Zealand’s Youth Parliament, sponsored by the country’s governing body and described as “a unique opportunity for young New Zealanders to learn first-hand about our democracy, influence government decision-making, and have their voices heard.”

At 16, Kalin became one of the youngest Youth Parliament members.

Last year, she founded EmpowerYouth, a youth-led, first-of-its-kind organization that encourages young people to participate in public policy decision-making with South Taranki’s governing council. 

“It’s my proudest achievement,” she says.

She also was a midfielder for her high school field hockey team and over the summer was an assistant coach with the regional team for girls 16 and under.

At Duke, Kalin wants to continue her work in public policy and looks forward to participating in the university’s humanitarian challenges focus cluster.

“When I graduate [from] Duke University, I want to be someone who a customer or individual or an organization can approach with a problem and leave with a solution,” she says.