Allie Reuter (she/her)
Allie Reuter is a recent graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder. She now works in the tech industry, helping design data centers across the country. Allie serves on the board of the YMCA of Northern Colorado and chairs their Camp Santa Maria Council, aiming to provide underprivileged kids with the opportunity to experience camp. In her free time, Allie loves to travel, play volleyball, and practice yoga.
She is excited about the opportunity to serve on YI’s Youth Advisory Board because she believes strongly in the work they are doing, and she wants to support the mission of uplifting young adult voices.
Angela Guardado (she/her/ella)
Angela Guardado wanted to become a Youth Advisory Board member because she aimed to be a voice for communities that often feel underrepresented. Her goal is to actively contribute to positive change and support our communities by serving as the voice they have always aspired to embody.
Angel Rene Gonzalez (she/her)
Angel works as a Senior Program Analyst on DaVita’s Compliance team. Prior to this role, she gained experience working for the U.S. Department of State, the City of Denver, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
She joined the YAB because she is passionate about providing accessible and affordable health care for all. The YAB ensures that young voices are valued and seeks to find solutions that help the most vulnerable. Angel believes that the YAB will build upon her analysis, research, and program management skills.
Cass Reid (they/she)
Cass Reid (they/she) has dedicated their life to fostering equity within communities. Their journey has been influenced by navigating a chronic illness, which taught Cass the importance of accessibility and advocacy in education. Over the past decade, Cass has contributed to various nonprofits across the state, witnessing firsthand the impact of demanding significant change supported by smaller reforms in both private and public sectors. Notably, Cass has contributed to the COVID-19 response efforts at the Department of Public Health and Environment, offering practical experience to complement their lofty ideals.
Joining the YAB presents an invaluable community space to drive much-needed change in health care, hiring practices, and higher education.
Jeremy Medina (he/him)
Jeremy is currently a graduate student at CU Denver in the Master of Public Administration Program. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Society, Health & Policy from MSU Denver. Throughout his life, Jeremy has been an advocate for positive change, particularly emphasizing giving a voice to marginalized communities to provide them with opportunities to grow.
He is excited to be part of the team and to continue advocating for communities right here in his home state of Colorado.
Kendra Neumann (she/her)
Kendra was born and raised in Colorado, and her first experience with lobbying took place when she was fourteen, opposing a bill concerning standardized testing. She later moved to New York for college, where she studied human rights and public health with a focus on domestic drug policy. After graduating in 2021, Kendra returned to Denver and now works in the health policy space as a researcher.
As a young adult, she aims to empower herself and others to become more engaged in the political process, recognizing that they will be the most impacted by the policy decisions being made today.
Lenlee Davis (she/her)
Lenlee Davis, a graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, is currently pursuing her Associate’s in Paralegal Studies at the Community College of Aurora. Combining her passion for law and policy, she is dedicated to achieving educational equity through youth advocacy.
She believes that joining the Youth Advisory Board will offer her the opportunity to enhance her communication and collaboration skills, while also empowering and amplifying her voice as a young adult advocating for political and social change.
Melisa Hidalgo-Cuellar (she/her)
Melisa Hidalgo-Cuellar (she/her) serves as the Abortion Fund Liaison at Cobalt Advocates. Over the past three years, she has been dedicated to reproductive rights advocacy in the field of reproductive health care, focusing on ensuring access to safe, equitable, and quality abortion care. Melisa is passionate about upholding the right to abortion care for all individuals, regardless of their reason for care, financial status, stage of pregnancy, residency, age, gender, race, or ethnicity.
She is thrilled to continue with the Youth Advisory Board to empower young adults to demand a comprehensive education, understand the power of their choices and voices, and utilize their voices to advocate for the change they wish to see in the world.
Monica Hernandez Jackson (she/her)
Monica is a student at Aims Community College, is on the path to becoming a Physical Therapist or a Pediatric Physical Therapist, as she hasn’t decided yet due to her dual passions for Physical Therapy and advocacy. Her long-standing aspiration to become part of the Legislative branch has led her to join this program, as it serves as a stepping stone towards achieving her goal. Currently serving as the student director for Civic Engagement and Voter Registration on CAP for Aims, Monica has organized events advocating and raising awareness for various causes such as voting registration, Indigenous rights, and Women’s History Month.
She wanted to become a member of the Youth Advisory Board to make a significant difference and become a recognized leader known for addressing systemic issues and improving the world. Monica is driven by the desire to speak for those who lack a voice and believes it is crucial to empower the younger generation to have a say in shaping their future. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of representation, especially for individuals like herself who are first-generation white, Indigenous, and Latina women, in programs and fields such as this.
Nicole Cappellino (she/her)
Nicole Cappellino, a graduate of the Young Invincibles Rocky Mountain Young Advocates Program, has been actively seeking ways to remain engaged with the organization. YI has equipped her with foundational skills in advocacy and effecting change for marginalized individuals.
Joining the Youth Advisory Board provides Nicole with the perfect opportunity to sustain her involvement with Young Invincibles and contribute to a team in Colorado dedicated to making a difference in the world.
Nicole Mukooba (she/her)
Nicole Mukooba is an undergraduate student at UC Denver, majoring in Psychology. She aspires to become a doctor, with a focus on addressing both the mental and physical health of her future patients. Nicole has a passion for the outdoors and regularly hikes with friends. In addition, she enjoys crocheting and exploring various forms of art.
She joined the Youth Advisory Board because she believes it is crucial to break the current pattern of creating policies, especially health care policies, that are decided upon by individuals who may not fully understand or consider the desires of young people.
Savannah Harrington (she/her)
Savannah Harrington, currently a college student pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Business Management and Integrative Health, is deeply passionate about advocating for changes in health care policies to enhance the protection of her community.
She is eager to continue to connect with fellow members of the YI advisory board and emphasizes her decision to join as a means to actively contribute to the implementation of meaningful change within her community.
Savannah Martel-Valdez (she/her)
Savannah recently graduated from MSU Denver with a degree in Political Science and Human Development & Family Studies, and she is passionate about public service work. Currently employed at a nonprofit dedicated to moving people from poverty to self-sufficiency, she continues to grow both personally and professionally in her advocacy efforts. Savannah previously served on the MSU Denver Board of Trustees, where she discovered her passion for advocating for younger generations and creating systemic change. She is passionate, dedicated, and excited to continue her advocacy work.
She joined the YI Youth Advisory Board because she is passionate about advocating for the needs of younger generations and ensuring their voices are heard. Savannah firmly believes that decisions and policies with long-lasting impacts on younger generations should involve them in the decision-making process and raise awareness of these issues in their communities. She is excited about the opportunity to be part of an organization that seeks to amplify young voices and promote economic opportunity.
Shantel Quintana (she/her)
Shantel Quintana, also known as Ayla, was born in the Metro West Area and is a passionate entrepreneur, healing and wellness yoga/meditation instructor, and trainee coach. Ayla pursued law right out of high school and is a proud advocate for young adults.
She is excited to embark on this journey with the Youth Advisory Board, aiming to learn new skills and build new business relationships along the way. Ayla has always cherished the idea of advocating for young adults and spreading awareness when needed. She firmly believes that everyone’s voice and story matter and is committed to changing the world “One Breath at a Time”. Ayla eagerly looks forward to learning what it takes to be part of something bigger than herself and to stepping into new environments. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity and eagerly anticipates the year ahead.
Sidney Weth (she/her)
Sidney Weth owns a photography business, loves creativity, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and Sociology. Advocacy helps Sidney find her voice and amplifies the voices of others as well.
She is excited to see what she can bring to the Youth Advisory Board using one of her biggest passions, advocacy, to further advocate for mental health and marginalized communities.
Tarek Elmkhanter (he/him)
Tarek Elmkhanter, a first-generation student from Morocco, recently graduated from MSU Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. He aims to leverage his degree to enhance the technical infrastructure of communities.
He joined YI to address social issues in underserved areas of the country where health care, higher education, and financial literacy are lacking.
Varunavi Battula (she/her)
Varunavi (Vv), a biology student at CU Denver with aspirations of becoming a dentist or orthodontist, is an avid reader who enjoys watching movies like How to Train Your Dragon during study breaks. Alongside her academic pursuits, she channels her passion for visual art into creating felt sculptures and acrylic “masterpieces,” a hobby she has cultivated since childhood. Vv is also a devoted pet parent to two dogs, whom she considers her heart and soul.
Hailing from a culture that may not prioritize mental health, Vv recognizes the importance of destigmatizing such topics and advancing progress through advocacy and policy initiatives, which have significant impacts on society. With aspirations of becoming a health care practitioner, she believes in advocating for her future patients beyond basic health care needs. This commitment led her to join the Youth Advisory Board, where she can contribute to shaping a more progressive and inclusive world.
Veronica Bell (she/her)
Veronica Bell, an educator and graduate student in Public Policy & Administration at Colorado State University, has been teaching in public schools for six years, specializing in social, emotional, and cultural learning. With a passion for equitable and liberatory public policy, Veronica joined the YI Youth Advisory Board to advocate for issues that are important to her and her peers, while advancing sustainable and equitable policy solutions.
William Navarrete Moreno (he/him)
William Navarrete Moreno is a public health student at the University of Colorado Denver. When he is not studying, he can often be found exploring the great outdoors through hiking or gazing up at the night sky, marveling at the vastness of the universe. With his passion for health equity and love of nature, he believes that everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life, regardless of their background or circumstances. While he acknowledges that there is much work to be done, he is confident that with passion and hard work, we can create a better, more equitable future for everyone.
He joined the Youth Advisory Board because it provides him with a unique platform to collaborate with other young adults who share a common vision and develop innovative solutions to address some of the most pressing issues facing our society today.