The NYAB is a diverse group of 18 individuals who weigh in on YI’s work and our strategies for engaging with young adults. Once a quarter, leaders teleconference with YI staff to provide feedback on our campaigns, identify areas for organizational growth, and discuss any new initiatives that YI should consider. Board members will share how our federal work resonates in their states, and help us identify how our federal priorities align with work in their communities.
Our 2024 NYAB has now launched! We’re excited to start this year off with a dynamic group of individuals from across the country!
Check out the 2024 cohort below:
Ariana White
Florida
A passionate advocate for community engagement, Ariana White, is a first-generation college student currently pursuing a degree in Editing, Writing, and Media at Florida State University, complemented by a minor in Museum Studies and a certificate in Public Administration. Demonstrating a versatile skill set in leadership, journalism, grant writing, campaign organizing, nonprofit management, and crisis management, Ariana has actively engaged in various academic and extracurricular projects as evidenced by their commitment to making a positive impact in the realms of women’s rights, arts and culture, and public policy. She invites women’s civic organizations such as Women in Government on her campus to voter registration efforts like SLSV, the New Voters Project, and more. Ariana dedicates her free time toward hunger relief efforts like the Public Interest Research Group’s Hunger & Homelessness campaign efforts, developing SNAP outreach efforts in her community, and serving on Swipe Out Hunger’s national Student Leadership and Advisory Council (SLAAC). Notable achievements include receiving a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding and Invaluable Community Service from the US House of Representatives, serving as the editor-in-chief of multiple college women-run publications, and being recognized as a Social Changemaker by Leading Women of Tomorrow. With a keen interest in grant writing and nonprofit management, Ariana aspires to leverage their talents and expertise to contribute meaningfully to civic initiatives and community development through NYAB.
Brooke Scott
California
Brooke Scott is a San Diego native. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She also holds a Master of Arts in Peace and Justice from the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego. Brooke has served on Young Invincible’s West Regional Youth Advisory Board and is excited to now expand her participation by joining YI’s National Youth Advisory Board. Brooke has committed herself to advocating for human rights having previously served on the Board of the United States National Committee for UN Women – Los Angeles Chapter as the Vice President and Director of Internship Programs advocating for women and girls and educating her community about UN Women’s programs, policies and projects. She also served as the Survivor Resources Liaison and Community Partners Liaison for Free to Thrive, working directly with survivors of human trafficking to access various resources related to housing, education, food security, and more. In her spare time, Brooke enjoys attending plays, going on foodie excursions, and finding little gem experiences across the city of Los Angeles where she currently resides.
Dee Statum
California
Dee is a passionate student ready to serve their community through advocacy, community, and leadership. He is a native of Los Angeles, CA, and is currently pursuing a degree in Education Sciences with a minor in African American Studies at the University of California, Irvine.
Their passion leans toward the accessibility and inclusivity efforts needed in higher education. He saw the disparities that students experience within universities such as access to housing, food, technology, etc. Being a proud first-generation college student afforded them many opportunities to combat these challenges, but they still experience the same disparities. They also saw the need to support Black student retention and success at their school since being Black in the United States (and other areas of the world as well) is a significant experience of determination, struggle, and joy. He is stepping into action! He is ready for the challenge, and he looks forward to working with NYAB to bring change, care, and courage!
Jaylah Dorman
Washington DC
Jaylah Dorman is a junior honors Health Education major with a concentration in Community Health and a chemistry minor from Durham, North Carolina! Jaylah is studying to become an Ob/Gyn; she enjoys the duality of the specialty that will allow her to be in clinic and the OR. Jaylah’s life goal is to open her own community health center in an underserved community where she will focus on the social determinants of health. Jaylah is the founder of a 501(c)3 nonprofit called Historically Black College & University Alumni Building Lasting Engagement, Incorporated (HBCU ABLE, Inc). HBCU ABLE, Inc. serves as the pipeline between HBCU students and alumni, fostering generational collaboration by nurturing mentorship connections and bridging the gap between current students and esteemed alumni.
Jessica Huang (She/Her)
New York
Jessica Huang is a junior at St. Francis College in Brooklyn New York majoring in psychology and minoring in communications. Jessica, a wheelchair user, began her journey as an advocate, navigating challenges in the New York City Public system. She fell in love with policy work during her time as a Young Advocate this past Fall and is looking to pursue her Master of Social Work with a policy focus. In her free time, Jessica likes to try new restaurants and watch sports.
Katherine Harvey
Colorado
Katherine Harvey is from rural Colorado and has worked on youth advocacy issues for over ten years. She has advised on adolescent health policy at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, convinced mountain people to fill out the U.S. Census, led conservation crews in cutting wilderness trails and planting urban gardens, and directed out-of-school programs for students of all ages. She currently runs a mental health promotion program for teenagers in her hometown of Gilpin County (population 5,873), which she founded in 2020. Katherine has been an officer on her county’s Public Health Advisory Board for four years, holds a Master’s in Population Mental Health and Wellbeing, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. She is passionate about behavioral health, civic engagement, implementing programs that don’t suck, and engaging with and organizing young people in rural communities. In her free time, she backpacks, bakes, rides ATVs, and hangs out with her donkey.
Kay Trent-Pierce (they/she)
Texas
Kay Trent-Pierce is a first-generation student who is currently enrolled at West Texas A&M where they are working towards their B.S. in Criminal Justice and also at Austin Community College, majoring in Paralegal Studies, A.A.S.; they are also obtaining the MHPS certification. After finishing both programs in 2025, they plan to enroll in a dual law program that will allow them to obtain their JD and a Master’s in Public Affairs. Kay has spent over 10 years advocating for her communities as a K-12 educator for 8 years, as a CASA volunteer, and now as a policy advocate, working on things such as House Bill 8 in Texas. Kay is currently a board member for the Amplify Center, which is a mental health clinic for students ages 18-29 who are attending Austin Community College, she serves as a Texas Civic Ambassador for UT Austin, and they spent a year serving on the Student Advisory Council (SAC), which was made up of 12 students from across the state of Texas. Kay has dedicated their life to fighting for reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, Civil Rights, mental health, changes in the education system, systemic changes to society, and society’s ability to truly experience freedom as human beings. Kay also holds an associate’s degree in Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in General Studies. Kay currently resides in Austin, TX with her wife Bri and their son Owen.
Kit Conway
Washington DC
A proud DC resident, Kit develops organizational strategy and advises on program management in his role at one of the country’s largest public transit agencies. He brings over a decade of government, nonprofit, and private sector experience to the Young Invincibles National Youth Advisory Board. With a deep passion for mission-driven projects and an even deeper belief that America’s young people deserve a bigger role in shaping the country’s future, Kit is proud to support Young Invincible’s mission and advise on its strategy and direction. Kit’s previous work experience includes the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank focused on public opinion polling and demographic trend research. While there, Kit led product management and developed the organization’s digital strategies. He has also spent time in business development at Politico, a political media outlet, and worked full-time as a staffer for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
Kit holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. While at Booth, Kit benefited from the Neubauer Civic Scholarship Program, reflecting his commitment to driving impact for nonprofit and public sector organizations. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Laura Gagnon
Wisconsin
Laura Gagnon is originally from a small town in western Wisconsin, about 30 miles east of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area. She completed her undergraduate degree(s) at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, Minnesota, where she graduated summa cum laude. She possesses two Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Studies and Spanish. Her professional work includes experiences in higher education, nonprofit work, and government administration. She is currently working for the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families as an Advanced Program and Policy Analyst with a focus on policy communications.
Lindsey Queen
Washington DC
Lindsey Queen is a seasoned government relations professional with over 12 years of experience, currently serving as Manager of Government Relations at Forbes Tate Partners, a nationally ranked Top 10 lobbying firm in the U.S. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, she brings a comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal government, having advocated for appropriations, economic development, transportation infrastructure, commerce, fintech, workforce development, K-12 education, and health and human services. Her strategic approach and commitment to public service have established her as a trusted advisor, driving impactful change. Deeply rooted in her community of Washington, DC, she actively champions initiatives to ensure a brighter, healthier future. Beyond her professional achievements, she dedicates her time to local and national causes that empower the underserved, particularly youth and women. She firmly believes that as a nation, “we the people” are not bystanders
in the world and that our younger generation has the power to become champions of a world where everyone can realize their American dream. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, she continues to drive meaningful change on and off Capitol Hill.
Mauricio Jimenez
Illinois
Mauricio Jimenez navigates the world of consulting, design, and public affairs/policy. He holds a Bachelor’s from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mauricio draws inspiration from his unique journey as a first-generation college student. Born in Colombia, and raised in Chicago, he has been inspired to influence change, inform, and make sure young people’s voices are heard. He currently works as a consultant in the digital transformation space helping manage government and commercial clients’ system implementations. Previously, he worked as a Policy Analyst at the Illinois House of Representatives, where he utilized his background in public affairs and public policy.
Mauricio hopes to be able to use his experience to communicate and address complex issues that may arise in the lives of young people. Through policy research and analysis he aims to supply the right resources so young people can receive better economic opportunities, be financially free, and politically empowered.
Nimna Gabadage
Virginia/Washington DC
Raised in Tampa, Nimna is a proud first-generation American and a graduate of Florida State University. During his time at FSU, he served as Student Body President and a university trustee. He also worked within the university’s in-house government relations team. Nimna also previously served as Chairman of the Florida Student Association (FSA), a non-profit corporation that serves as one of the largest student-led lobbying organizations in the United States. In the role, he led FSA’s Board of Directors and its advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. Within the role, Nimna represented the half a million students attending a public institution in Florida as the sole student Governor on the Florida Board of Governors. During his tenure, he advocated for various youth-centered issues including food insecurity, mental health, and academic and workforce alignment. In coordination with the Florida State University System, Nimna also led statewide research to discern the impact of remote learning on students following the COVID-19 pandemic. He is passionate about civic engagement, particularly, equipping young people in America with the tools and resources they need to move the needle on critical public policy. Nimna now resides in Virginia where he works in public affairs, supporting the execution of issue advocacy campaigns for a variety of clients from Fortune 500 companies to non-profits.
Nmeso Nwata
Texas
Nmeso Nwata is a student at the University of Houston, where she is studying psychology on the pre-med track, with the hopes of becoming a pediatrician. She has worked with Young Invincibles as a Texas Young Advocate for one year and enjoys spending time with her loved ones. Nmeso strives to become a more active member of her community by learning more about policies that directly affect education and health care.
Quaneisha Payne
North Carolina
Quaneisha Payne is a graduating second-year Master of Public Health student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her call to service began at an early age when her experiences of facing food insecurity and a lack of access to adequate resources pushed her for social change. She graduated from Johnson C. Smith University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Public Health. Her personal experiences have allowed her to fully understand and mold her passions for food access, reproductive justice, and voting rights into a melting pot of social change. She is an alum of the Common Cause North Carolina HBCU Student Action Alliance. Where she was able to train NC HBCU students to become civically engaged and make their voices heard on campus, in their community, in halls of government, and beyond. Quaneisha has a deep passion for maternal and child health, she aspires to help change policies by consulting with organizations to address health disparities through an equity lens.
Rachel Jesy
Michigan
Rachel is a student at the University of Michigan. She is a climate and children’s rights advocate. Her climate background is centered around policy, education, and organizing. Rachel’s advocacy has taught her a lot about systemic issues and what it means to combat them. She has testified for climate legislation, developed and pushed for climate curricula in schools, and organized international actions and demonstrations surrounding the climate crisis.
Tayla Kelly
Colorado
Tayla Kelly has so much love and respect for Young Invincibles, and is extremely honored to be a National Youth Advisory Board Member. From day one as a Young Invincibles Colorado Advocate to joining the Rocky Mountain Community Advisory Board, she has prioritized uplifting voices and truths for tangible policy change. Understanding that it starts with validating her own lived experience before asking the policy to do so. Asking others to share their truths requires a leader who actively co-creates positive change that will have a ripple effect far beyond her. Tayla is passionate about social activism for reproductive justice, education, and health equity. She believes that we can no longer allow those whose voices have been deemed inadequate, to be the only reality they see. She plans to shift the disadvantaged reality for many and highlight the beautiful experiences/voices needed to better policy.
Toni Smertene
Illinois
Toni Smertene is a first-generation Public Policy graduate student at DePaul University in Chicago. She is currently serving as a congressional intern for Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06)and was previously a member of the 2023 Young Advocates Program Illinois cohort. Toni is thrilled to continue her work with Young Invincibles on the 2024 National Youth Advisory Board (NYAB), where she will help advocate for important legislation and policies for young adults nationwide. In her spare time, Toni enjoys pursuing her passion for photography, as well as spending time with her friends.
Veronica Williams
California
Veronica Williams is from Sacramento, California, and is a former foster youth. She has been involved in her community over the last decade, supporting families and youth in her local community in the fields of education, public health, mental health, and policy. Veronica obtained a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies with a concentration in pan-African studies and a double minor in anthropology and sociology from California State University, Sacramento. In 2021, she received a master’s in public administration, focusing on nonprofit management, from Grand Canyon University. Being able to help provide resources for those who come from disadvantaged communities is something that she takes pride in. She feels like
there is a need for youth voices to stand in the trenches and be able to speak on those uncomfortable political issues that many don’t want to. There is a need for community change and uplifting disadvantaged people. She considers herself to be a servant leader, being able to bridge the gaps between social justice issues and community voices to get resources to those in need. She is also a published writer, writing editorials as a freelance writer since 2015 for various online news and entertainment publications.