- Press Release
A ‘30 Under 30’ That Shouldn’t Exist: Change the Ref and Founders Agency Launch Special Edition Magazine Profiling Victims of American Gun Violence
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Edited by former Rolling Stone Writer & Editor Alan Light, the heart-rending publication marks a first-of-its-kind collaboration among more than a dozen anti-gun violence organizations.
Columbus, Ohio. September 29, 2025 — Magazines have long published “30 Under 30” lists to celebrate youthful achievement, spotlighting young adults who are shaping the future and who all have bright, exciting futures ahead of them. Now, Change the Ref, in partnership with global advertising agency Founders Agency, is using the format to shine a harsher light on a group that will never make the list—not because they lacked ambition, talent, or vision, but because their lives were cut short by gun violence. Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children in the United States, making these missing names a tragic reminder of what is at stake.
The 30 Under 30 Magazine, edited by former Rolling Stone Editor Alan Light, is a haunting tribute to stolen futures. Each profile is written in collaboration with the victims’ families, capturing not just what was lost, but who these young people were—who they dreamed of becoming—whether that was a nurse, an artist, a teacher, or an entrepreneur, their gifts, and the extraordinary promise they will never have the chance to fulfill.
The list includes children as young as six, and features tragically familiar names from mass shootings and other senseless acts of gun violence, including: Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub in 2016, Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, Uvalde’s Robb Elementary School in 2022, Orlando’s downtown Halloween massacre, a church shooting in Chicago, and three home shootings across Portland, ME, San Francisco, CA and Dulles, VA. The most timely profile honors Evelyn Valdes, a Miami teenager killed by a stray bullet in June 2025. The full list can be viewed here.
The magazine also features an op-ed from Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress at 28, and a leading voice for gun reform. His op-ed titled: “Gun Violence is as American as Apple Pie. And It Impacts Every Single One of Us.” is a straight call to action to help change this issue that continues to invade our news stories on a daily basis.
“This is not just another gun violence prevention campaign asking for action. This is a one-of-a-kind coalition of voices that will never stop demanding justice and a safer future, beautiful souls leading the way with love and infinite courage,” reflected Manuel Oliver, Co-Founder of Change The Ref and father of Joaquin “Guac” Oliver, a student killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
The “30 Under 30” magazine marks one of the first times that multiple gun violence organizations have come together for a single initiative. Partners include Change The Ref, March for Our Lives, Gracie Strong Foundation, Until Forever, Remembering Darien, Mothers Fighting for Justice, LUSH, Swim 4 Nick, Orange Ribbons for Jamie, Gloves for Tess, Newton Action Alliance, Purpose Over Pain and Gays Against Guns.
The coalition will be publishing 10,000 copies of the magazine for distribution at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit in Columbus, Ohio; on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC; and across Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Issues will also be sent to a list of key opinion leaders, journalists, and media personalities.
A full digital edition will be available at 30under30.US. To promote awareness of the project, a hero film and social assets accompany the launch, amplifying the voices of families and advocates.
“Throughout this project, we felt the collective love and solidarity of a small group of parents, parents who, like us, refuse to let our children’s lives be dismissed, and instead transform their memory into a powerful force for kindness and commitment,” said Patricia Oliver, Co-Founder of Change The Ref and Joaquin “Guac” Oliver’s mother.
“‘30 Under 30’ shouldn’t exist. It exists because countless futures have been taken. Our job at Founders isn’t to take the spotlight; it’s to lend every skill we have to all these families whose love fills these pages. This issue is not a list; it’s a ledger of promises: to keep telling the truth about gun violence, to honor each life with action, and to fight for a world where no parent has to read a magazine like this again,” said Tanya De Poli, CEO & Co-Founder, Founders Agency.
30 Under 30 plans to continue new editions of this magazine every year until there are no more victims of gun violence. The organization and team behind this project hope that one day there will be no more editions.
For more information on 30 Under 30: 30 Victims of Gun Violence Under the Age of 30 visit: 30under30.us
About Change the Ref
Change the Ref was founded by Manuel and Patricia Oliver after the death of their son, Joaquín “Guac” Oliver, in the mass shooting at Parkland high school where 17 lives were taken on Valentine’s Day 2018. The organization uses art, music, activism, and disruption to challenge gun lobby and demand change, ensuring the voices of victims and survivors are never silenced.
About Founders Agency
Founded in 2019 by Tanya De Poli and Checha Agost Carreño, Founders is a minority owned independent creative agency with offices in New York, Miami, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Mexico City, London and Kingston. The staff of 60 work on creative campaigns for clients such as Spotify, Netflix, HBOMax, Heineken, WE ❤ ️NYC, Lipton Hard Iced Tea, Seagram’s Escapes, Change The Ref, amongst others. www.founders-agency.com
Media Enquiries
Tanya De Poli
+1 (917) 273-7808