Camille Serrano
She/They
Camille (she/they) is a queer woman of color with a background working in advocacy nonprofits and political campaigns. Prior to YI, Camille assisted in social media for Beto O’Rourke, digital fundraising for Lina Hidalgo and worked for IGNITE National curating programs that encourage civic engagement among BIPOC women in CA. Born and raised in Southern California, Camille attended Fullerton Community College and transferred on a full-ride scholarship to UCLA. As a proud Korean Pilipina, Camille is continuing her education in graduate school at Johns Hopkins University and is a firm believer in utilizing the digital space to empower social change.

 

Dorlins Arely Villalobos
She/Her
Dorlins Villalobos achieved her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public policy from the University of California, Riverside. As a first-generation, nontraditional, single mother with Central American heritage, her journey has greatly influenced her unique perspective. Dedicated to supporting her community, she uses her academic and professional experiences to address current challenges by drawing on historical insights. Through her expertise, Dorlins advocates for implementing fairer and better-informed policies.

 

Henry Lliguicota-Lema
He/Him
Henry Lliguicota-Lema, a first-generation Latino college graduate, is starting his career as a Systems Engineer at Honeywell Aerospace. As an HSF Alum and SHPE Scholarship Recipient, he has shown exceptional dedication and resilience. Beyond his professional achievements, Henry is a passionate advocate for mental health and violence prevention, using his personal experiences to support and raise awareness for others facing similar challenges.

 

Anita Eyong
She/Her
Anita is a Nursing student and community resource advocate with a strong commitment to promoting environmental awareness and fostering a sustainable future. She is passionate about working collaboratively in teams and leveraging her strategic leadership abilities to drive impactful change. Anita believes that lasting social change is achieved by empowering young leaders with deep community ties. By equipping them with the tools and skills to effectively use their voices, she seeks to create a ripple effect of young leaders addressing systemic barriers and expanding economic opportunities for the next generation.

 

Jackie Gnim
She/Her/Hers
Jackie is currently on a journey to help change and advocate for her communities in any way she can. One thing she stands for is giving power back to the people and to uplift and amplify their voices. She is tired of folks who hold power that do not understand the everyday issues their constituents deal with. With the skillset and knowledge she will learn from being a Youth Advocate, Jackie hopes to transform how her community supports individuals reentering and readjusting back to their communities and ending these mental health stigmas and barriers.

 

Estrella Del Alma Salazar
She/Her/Ella
Estrella is a first generation sophomore student studying Non Governmental Organizations and Social Change at the University of Southern California. She grew up in Boyle Heights as an East Los Angeles native with Mexican roots. She is an active member of her community of LA as a United Students alum at the nonprofit organization, InnerCity Struggle; she aims to fight against educational achievement gaps through equity and student justice. She is pursuing her aspirations, and is currently interning with Senator Laphonza Butler of California at the Young Leaders Academy, as she plans to pursue a Masters degree in Public Policy. Estrella stands for her community because she knows young people can and will make change!

 

Dalea Tran
She/Her
Dalea Tran is a full-time Literature/Writing student at the University of California, San Diego. Born and raised in San Diego, Dalea’s experiences as a first-generation American and daughter of refugees has taught her to engage with her community in a reciprocal relationship of growth and progress. Previously working as a teaching intern and volunteer in her local school district, equitable higher education and expansion of opportunity for all has become a large focus in Dalea’s ambitions. She hopes to help the underprivileged and marginalized as an advocate for a humanistic understanding of culture and society, both in and outside of her career.

 

Phoebe Esperanza Segales
She/They
Phoebe Segales is a first-generation college student, artist, and dedicated community leader. Currently majoring in Communication, Culture, and Public Affairs with a minor in Equity and Education at Cal State Long Beach, Phoebe’s deep commitment to higher education and accessibility stems from her own challenges as a transfer student. They earned an A.A. in Communication Studies from Santa Ana College and recently completed a fellowship with the Long Beach Public Service Corps in the Office of Youth Development. As the Fundraising Coordinator for the Thrift Club at CSULB, Phoebe combines her passion for fashion with a dedication to sustainable consumption, aiming to bridge communities and expand opportunities for youth.

 

Shanti Dorado
She/Her
Shanti Dorado is a passionate third-year student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Sociology with a minor in Public Policy. As a low-income, first-generation student from Riverside County, she is deeply involved on campus as a Peer Advisor for Cal Student Central, Academic Chair for Hermanas Unidas, Internal Team Engagement Intern for the Chicanx & Latinx Student Development Office, and NAVCAL student fellow. Her experiences as a student, studies of structural inequality, and the impacts of capital disparities in her communities drive her interest in educational policy work and DEI and retention efforts on college campuses. Post-graduation, Shanti will enroll in a graduate program that will allow her to further explore educational inequality and advocate for marginalized communities in higher education.

 

Yvonne Nerey
She/Her/Hers/Ella
Yvonne Nerey is a first-semester graduate student at Sacramento State, with a background in Criminal Justice/Criminology and Mexican-American Studies from the University of Northern Colorado. Her academic interests lie in criminal justice reform and Chicano studies, and she has recently become involved in politics, interning for Representative Jennifer Bacon at the Colorado Capitol. Yvonne aims to continue advocating for disadvantaged communities.

 

Ashley Perez
She/They
Ashley Perez is a graduating transfer student at UC Davis, studying Chicanx Studies and Asian American Studies. Navigating life as a first-generation, system-impacted Latina student in Northern California, she uses her personal experiences as a guide to advocating for a just society. She carries the resilience and love from her community of South Sacramento and aspires to see liberation for her community. Her aspirations are to pursue a Masters in Labor Studies or Ethnic Studies and teach at Sacramento City College as a Critical Ethnic Studies professor to empower fellow generations of students.

 

Jamie Bender
She/Her
Jamie is grateful to be part of this important community at Young Invincibles with other driven, young adults. Jamie completed her coding program at Columbia University in early 2024 and is currently on her Dean’s Honor List. Jamie is pursuing law and plans to be an attorney. She is heavily involved in the non-profit sector and currently works as a Community Development Coordinator as well as a Psychology and Economics tutor.

 

Juliana Drown
she/her
Juliana Drown is a fourth-year student at the University of California, Davis, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Development with a minor in Sociology. Prior to her role at Young Invincibles, she worked with the Health Promotion and Education Bureau at Solano County Public Health, focusing on the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program. With a strong commitment to public service, Juliana aspires to build a career in public health and policy that builds and strengthens the community around her.

 

Marc A. Vargas
He/Him/His
Marc A. Vargas is a first generation student majoring in Sociology with a focus area in Community Studies at California State Dominguez Hills. Growing up with immigrant parents in Whittier, California, he acknowledged the silent workforce inequalities people of marginalized communities face. His prior experience working as a community civic engagement leader has given him the passion to ensure his and other voices are included in spaces that were meant to be silent. Witnessing the injustices around his community, Marc is driven to create safe spaces and advocate for social justice in areas such as higher education, healthcare, and workforce.

 

Karla Sofia Cardenas
She/Her
Karla Cardenas is a district representative for a California State Senator. She is a first-generation immigrant from Guatemala and graduated with a degree in Political Science from California State University, Fullerton, and previously interned for Elizabeth Alcantar for Cudahy City Council, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, and Adam Schiff for Senate. She has a strong interest in advocating for young people in healthcare, the power of voting, and educating others in the correlation of water policy to reproductive rights.

 

Elisabeth Montes
She/Her
Elisabeth was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. She recently graduated from Sacramento State with her M.A in Public Policy and Administration. She wishes to pursue a career promoting social justice in government in her future endeavors specifically by promoting access, diversity, equity, participation, and human rights.