Leo Susser- Founder and President
Hi, I’m Leo Susser. I’m proud to have launched the first High School Nudgeathon in the United States, driven by my passion for teaching behavioral economics and science to young minds. My goal is to empower students to create innovative solutions that make our world better through the application of behavioral techniques.
This year, our Nudgeathon was dedicated to addressing the pressing issues of teenage vaping and marijuana use—problems that are all too common among my peers and at my school. I believe that by leveraging behavioral science, we can effectively combat and reduce this epidemic, fostering a healthier and more informed community.
Outside of school, I have had the opportunity to work with Professor Joan Costa-Font at the London School of Economics, where I conducted behavioral economic research on the effects of cigarette bans on the rise of electronic cigarette use. I founded and run a financial literacy organization (Growing with Financial Literacy) around the bay area teaching low income and marginalized students financial literacy. Additionally, I work alongside my school's special education class to support and enhance their educational experiences. I am also a Lab Member at USC's Los Angeles Behavioral Economics Lab.
Beyond my academic and research endeavors, I play varsity tennis and competitive bridge, ranking among the top 25 in California. I also attended the University of Chicago summer program, which furthered my academic interests. Currently, I serve as president of Tamalpais High School's Computer Science, Bridge, and Music Together Clubs. My goal is to create positive radical for all people
This year, our Nudgeathon was dedicated to addressing the pressing issues of teenage vaping and marijuana use—problems that are all too common among my peers and at my school. I believe that by leveraging behavioral science, we can effectively combat and reduce this epidemic, fostering a healthier and more informed community.
Outside of school, I have had the opportunity to work with Professor Joan Costa-Font at the London School of Economics, where I conducted behavioral economic research on the effects of cigarette bans on the rise of electronic cigarette use. I founded and run a financial literacy organization (Growing with Financial Literacy) around the bay area teaching low income and marginalized students financial literacy. Additionally, I work alongside my school's special education class to support and enhance their educational experiences. I am also a Lab Member at USC's Los Angeles Behavioral Economics Lab.
Beyond my academic and research endeavors, I play varsity tennis and competitive bridge, ranking among the top 25 in California. I also attended the University of Chicago summer program, which furthered my academic interests. Currently, I serve as president of Tamalpais High School's Computer Science, Bridge, and Music Together Clubs. My goal is to create positive radical for all people
Sophie Glass - Co-president
Hi! I’m Sophie Glass, a senior at Roslyn High School and attending The Wharton School next year at the University of Pennsylvania, passionate about financial literacy and behavioral economics. My fascination with behavioral economics stems from its ability to explain seemingly irrational decision-making and drive societal change. I explored this interest as a Research Assistant at the Los Angeles Behavioral Economics Laboratory, where I analyze financial risk behaviors and dark triad traits.
I conducted an independent study titled “Like Parent, Like Child? Comparing the Impact of Parental Financial Education Versus Formal Financial Education Classes on Financial Literacy and Behavior,” examining how different forms of financial education shape long-term financial habits. Recognizing the gaps in traditional financial education, I co-founded DECANOMICS, a financial literacy initiative that has reached over 400 K-12 students, equipping them with behavioral strategies to make informed financial decisions. I am also collaborating with a team to expand this initiative globally through MoneyQuest, a gamified, adaptive financial literacy app designed to help students overcome cognitive biases and build financial confidence through interactive learning.
Additionally, as a Research Committee Member for the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA), I co-authored research on financial literacy and presented findings at a national conference, contributing to broader discussions on improving the accessibility and efficacy of financial wellness initiatives in higher education.
Beyond financial literacy, I am deeply involved in economic research. As the Co-Director of Finance and a Center for Economic Policy Researcher for the Los Altos Institution, I am currently studying how interest rates disproportionately affect student loan debt default rates compared to other types of debt defaults. My team will present our findings to current and former members of the Federal Reserve Board, contributing to meaningful policy discussions.
In addition to research, I serve as the New York DECA Vice President of Communication, President of Speech and Debate, and President of the Stock Market Club. Outside of academics, I am a varsity tennis player, the Assistant Drum Major of the Marching Band, and enjoy listening to music and going to the beach.
I conducted an independent study titled “Like Parent, Like Child? Comparing the Impact of Parental Financial Education Versus Formal Financial Education Classes on Financial Literacy and Behavior,” examining how different forms of financial education shape long-term financial habits. Recognizing the gaps in traditional financial education, I co-founded DECANOMICS, a financial literacy initiative that has reached over 400 K-12 students, equipping them with behavioral strategies to make informed financial decisions. I am also collaborating with a team to expand this initiative globally through MoneyQuest, a gamified, adaptive financial literacy app designed to help students overcome cognitive biases and build financial confidence through interactive learning.
Additionally, as a Research Committee Member for the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA), I co-authored research on financial literacy and presented findings at a national conference, contributing to broader discussions on improving the accessibility and efficacy of financial wellness initiatives in higher education.
Beyond financial literacy, I am deeply involved in economic research. As the Co-Director of Finance and a Center for Economic Policy Researcher for the Los Altos Institution, I am currently studying how interest rates disproportionately affect student loan debt default rates compared to other types of debt defaults. My team will present our findings to current and former members of the Federal Reserve Board, contributing to meaningful policy discussions.
In addition to research, I serve as the New York DECA Vice President of Communication, President of Speech and Debate, and President of the Stock Market Club. Outside of academics, I am a varsity tennis player, the Assistant Drum Major of the Marching Band, and enjoy listening to music and going to the beach.
Ryan Brogger
Hello, I'm Ryan Brogger, and I’m helping to spearhead the first high school nudgeathon in the United States.
This year’s Nudgeathon is dedicated to addressing the pressing issues of teenage vaping and marijuana use. Driven by a passion for understanding the science behind human behavior, I have aimed to explore how to influence and change social norms. My goal is to combine academic knowledge with practical activism to end the addiction epidemic in high schools through behavioral economics.
Outside of this initiative, I’m deeply involved in civic engagement and political activism in Marin County, serving in both the Marin County Young Democrats (MCYD) and Democratic Central Committee of Marin. Through being elected MCYD’s co-Political Director and co-Chair of their endorsements committee, I have had the chance to work alongside local and federal politicians. I was also invited to be a speaker at Congressman Huffman’s Summer Fellows Program.
In the spirit of evolving social norms, I created VoterConnect, a voter engagement website working to increase local voter turnout. VoterConnect was recently awarded the Eric Bradley Deep Blue Grant from the California Democratic Party. I am excited to continue developing VoterConnect alongside our evolving political landscape and to have a meaningful impact in Marin County.
In school, I actively promote social justice through various organizations, serving as Creative Director of the Unseen Emergencies club, Secretary of the Students Organized Against Racism club, and proud member of the Pen to Politicians club. I am also captain of the Tam High Mock Trial team, recognized as the most successful in California state history.
This year’s Nudgeathon is dedicated to addressing the pressing issues of teenage vaping and marijuana use. Driven by a passion for understanding the science behind human behavior, I have aimed to explore how to influence and change social norms. My goal is to combine academic knowledge with practical activism to end the addiction epidemic in high schools through behavioral economics.
Outside of this initiative, I’m deeply involved in civic engagement and political activism in Marin County, serving in both the Marin County Young Democrats (MCYD) and Democratic Central Committee of Marin. Through being elected MCYD’s co-Political Director and co-Chair of their endorsements committee, I have had the chance to work alongside local and federal politicians. I was also invited to be a speaker at Congressman Huffman’s Summer Fellows Program.
In the spirit of evolving social norms, I created VoterConnect, a voter engagement website working to increase local voter turnout. VoterConnect was recently awarded the Eric Bradley Deep Blue Grant from the California Democratic Party. I am excited to continue developing VoterConnect alongside our evolving political landscape and to have a meaningful impact in Marin County.
In school, I actively promote social justice through various organizations, serving as Creative Director of the Unseen Emergencies club, Secretary of the Students Organized Against Racism club, and proud member of the Pen to Politicians club. I am also captain of the Tam High Mock Trial team, recognized as the most successful in California state history.
Cole Lawson
Hi, I’m Cole Lawson and I’m a high school sophomore. I am particularly interested in mathematics and economics. I run a math tutoring TikTok account where I share problem-solving tips, and I’ve had the chance to connect with thousands of students through it. I founded the Mini-Memoirs Project, a non-profit organization, to help preserve the life stories of elders across the U.S. I teach swimming to underprivileged children and lead a club at my school, which raises funds to provide swimming lessons for underserved communities. I play varsity lacrosse for my school along with my club team. I’m currently researching topics around the economics and future of nuclear energy, and the use of artificial intelligence in the workforce.
Rohan Amin
Hello, I’m Rohan Amin, a high school senior passionate about behavioral economics. My interest began with books like "Predictably Irrational," "Freakonomics," and "Amazing Decisions," sparking a curiosity about the psychological forces that shape human behavior. I've had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Jonathan Kenigson on published articles that explore the application of behavioral economics, covering topics like the anchoring effect and how behavioral skills from soccer translate into the hospitality industry. Currently, I’m researching the Scandinavian prison system through a behavioral economics lens to better understand its challenges and opportunities.
In addition to research, I’ve applied behavioral science principles during internships at WiddyUp, where I contributed to developing a gamified learning platform, and at Irada, working on a Brown B-Lab Accelerator startup project. Outside of academics, I’m a dedicated soccer player, having captained my varsity team and coached youth soccer. I also organized a charity soccer tournament that raised over $12,000 for Lurie Children’s Hospital. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Hispanic culture, playing pickleball, hiking to waterfalls, and collecting vintage soccer jerseys. I’m excited to bring my passion and skills to the Nudgeathon and contribute to developing innovative solutions for societal challenges.
In addition to research, I’ve applied behavioral science principles during internships at WiddyUp, where I contributed to developing a gamified learning platform, and at Irada, working on a Brown B-Lab Accelerator startup project. Outside of academics, I’m a dedicated soccer player, having captained my varsity team and coached youth soccer. I also organized a charity soccer tournament that raised over $12,000 for Lurie Children’s Hospital. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Hispanic culture, playing pickleball, hiking to waterfalls, and collecting vintage soccer jerseys. I’m excited to bring my passion and skills to the Nudgeathon and contribute to developing innovative solutions for societal challenges.