Executive Director, Kristin McGuire, will be honored this weekend as a Guardian of Democracy by Southern California Public Radio alongside Miguel Santana, President and CEO of the Weingart Foundation, and the January 6th committee represented by Congressman Adam Schiff.
Before becoming Executive Director, she was YI West’s Regional Director and helped revamp the Young Advocates Program. Additionally, she was a critical asset in passing the Hunger-Free College Act, the Student Borrowers Bill of Rights, and the Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Act in California. As a first-generation college student and the first African American ever elected to the Charter Oak, CA School Board, she has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role at Young Invincibles.
Under Kristin’s leadership, Young Invincibles has excelled as an instrumental leader in young adult advocacy. Most recently, YI led the People’s Rally for Student Debt Cancellation on the steps of the Supreme Court, the largest-ever mass demonstration by people with student debt in front of SCOTUS, calling for student debt cancellation. Kristin also led the formation of a national youth-led campaign for Covid 19 vaccinations, Generation Vaxxed, which deployed on-the-ground and digital tactics to provide information on the vaccination for young people. Furthermore, we have continued as leaders in young adult-centered research with influential reports published regionally and nationally. Last year, Young Invincibles also published The Financial Health of Young America, a sweeping report on the economic security of young adults and the ways enduring racial gaps are persisting among younger generations.
Though the nation has faced several hardships during her time as Executive Director, Young Invincibles has continued to be a champion of civic engagement on all fronts. Despite various attacks on the Affordable Care Act, YI has continued to advocate and support the ACA, fighting for affordable and accessible health care for everyone. As the country’s largest young adult advocacy organization, YI has brought several young adults to speak at the White House, engage with key legislators, and provide expertise on national panels.
In response to receiving this recognition, Kristin McGuire, Executive Director at Young Invincibles said:
“I am honored to be recognized as a Guardian of Democracy. Our team at Young Invincibles have worked tirelessly to ensure a better future for young adults nationwide. Despite racial, financial, and social barriers, Young Invincibles continues to fight for political power and economic opportunity for young people.
In my time at Young Invincibles, I have seen firsthand how powerful and passionate young adults are to make changes for a better future. I am excited to continue leading this incredible organization, but more importantly, fighting for change and upholding democracy.”
Kristin is without a doubt a Guardian of Democracy and embodies this title as she leads Young Invincibles and inspires young adults to make change.
Hear from our staff:
“My first encounter with Kristin was a few years back. It was an inspiring moment to discover that an organization committed to advocating for the issues that matter to young people existed. During our initial meeting, Kristin shared her experience as a young person navigating college and how those issues like not having basic needs met continue to persist years later. Her unwavering courage in speaking the truth and amplifying the stories of young people across California for policy change left a lasting impression on me. Kristin’s passion and energy towards tackling social and economic injustices that young people of color face sparked a fire in me to share my own story and get involved with Young Invincibles.
As the Western Regional Director now, I am grateful to follow in Kristin’s footsteps and continue the incredible work she started in California. Despite the significant shoes to fill, I am glad to be under her leadership and learn from her. Kristin’s fierce and boss-like presence emboldens everyone around her.”
Alfredo Camacho, West Regional Director at Young Invincibles
“Kristin is an impeccable leader. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her as YI West’s Regional Director and now as Executive Director, seeing her grow and continually prioritize young adult voices in regional and federal policy change. Her contagious passion inspires those she leads and beyond to join the movement.
Kristin has moved mountains in the policy landscape, generating critical conversations and creating space for young adults to be heard. No one is more deserving of being named a Guardian of Democracy than her, and I am honored to work alongside her.”
Dy Brown, Deputy Executive Director at Young Invincibles