Mason Evans | He/Him

Mason is a 19-year-old college senior studying public health. He was inspired to pursue a career in public health after serving the Colorado state legislature through a youth opportunity that allowed Colorado youth to write and propose legislation. Driven by a desire to transform personal struggles into social solutions, Mason is committed to using a holistic and community-based approach to create positive change. Whether through policy advocacy or grassroots organizing, he believes that collaboration is essential for progress. Mason’s passion for making the world a better place fuels his commitment to community-centered action.

 

Matthew Miranda | He/Him

Matthew Miranda is a 25-year-old first-generation, non-traditional student who just graduated with his Political Science & Communication degrees at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Since moving to Colorado in 2021, Matthew has dedicated his life to public service. On campus, Matthew held the role of program director for the leadership development program, CU GOLD which trained more than 400 students to become better leaders on campus. In 2023, Matthew was awarded Student Leader of the Year for his work in bringing leadership development to the student body and in 2024, Matthew was awarded the prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award for his commitment to public service. Matthew started his political career interning for a state representative in Colorado before moving on to an internship with U.S Senator John Hickenlooper. Most recently, Matthew worked as the Campaign Manager for a successful re-election campaign of Lafayette’s Mayor. Matthew aspires to run for Congress in the future and be a leading voice for the youth in the country.

Ashley Garcia Torres | She/Her |Senior, Regis University 

Ashley Garcia Torres is the policy fellow coordinator at the Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism (YAASPA). In addition to this role, she serves as a board director at both AUL Denver and STRIDE Community Health Center. At Regis University, she is studying Politics with a minor in Sociology, and is researching the school-to-prison pipeline in Denver, CO. With six years of experience in public policy, she has developed a deep passion for civic engagement and strives to enact community-based, extensively researched legislation. Ashley’s commitment to her community drives her efforts to create meaningful change and improve the lives of those around her.

Nieves Aragon | She/Her

She is a 31-year-old mother living in Brighton, Colorado, originally from Florida. Currently pursuing a diploma in Health Information Technology at Front Range Community College, she is determined to show her son that anything is possible with dedication. With a background in accounting, she decided to go back to school and has also earned certificates as a Medical Administrative Assistant and an Application Specialist. As a type 1 diabetic who suffers from ADHD ,she is passionate about working in health and technology. Her parents are immigrants from Central America, and her father, who holds a degree in IT and continues to study, serves as a major inspiration for her decision to return to school. Nieves aims to help others whether it is in school or life, and showing others that anything can be done with willpower.

 

Katherine Kim | She/Her/Hers

Katherine is a 25-year-old Integrative Healthcare major studying at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Born in South Korea and raised in a small town in northern Italy, Katherine was exposed to sustainable practices and food systems from a young age. This has informed her passion for nutrition, food justice, and sustainability. She aims to create change at the intersection of these areas through nonprofit work such as community health education and regenerative agriculture initiatives. Her experience includes working with culturally diverse populations to promote health through a holistic lens, implementing green infrastructure, and climate change advocacy. In addition to her work in sustainability and health promotion, she is a mixed-media visual artist whose work centers around spirituality and the human condition.

 

Stacy Winner | She/Her

Stacy is a 32-year-old who was born and raised in Denver, CO with a deep passion for empowering communities. With over a decade of experience working across various nonprofits, Stacy is dedicated to advocating for, educating, and mentoring individuals from diverse backgrounds. Her firsthand experiences with the inequities presented in many spaces fuel her commitment to being a positive force for change in the community.

Stacy’s expertise in strategic program development has led to her active involvement in after-school youth programming, youth entrepreneurship, and initiatives aimed at helping unhoused and refugee populations secure employment. In her free time, she enjoys photography, cooking, and spending quality time with her family.

 

Stephanie Maldonado | She/Her/Hers 

Stephanie comes from a single-mother household, she has six siblings and is a middle child, which is very important to her. She is 18 years old and a sophomore at the University of Denver. She is majoring in political science and international relations to understand the complexities of the political world. From a young age, she has been fascinated with the inner workings of governments and the balance of power between the multiple branches. Stephanie’s passion for understanding how the government impacts people’s daily lives has motivated her to pursue a career in the law. She hopes to work in the nonprofit space to help create change for the community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her girlfriend, reading books, and listening to true-crime podcasts.

 

Shelia McCormick | She/Her

Shelia is a 30 year old mom of two boys. She has worked in the medical field for almost 12 years as a Certified Nurse Assistant. Starting her career in long term care facilities and spending the last 5 at a Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton on an inpatient floor. Also at Platte Valley she is Co-chairman of her Unit Based Council, secretary of the hospital’s Night Shift Committee, as well as involved in the hospital’s new grad nurse program as an educator in quality of care for the dementia population who receive care in the facility. Currently enrolled at AIMs Community College with an end goal of receiving her BSN. As a person who has overcome adversities in her own life, her goal is to be able to help others who may not yet have a voice of their own. With joining the Young Invincibles her goal is to gain knowledge and understanding in how to approach making a difference in the healthcare field by improving the healthcare system as a whole for the patients as well as the healthcare providers. Her goal is to show her boys you can do anything you set your mind to, and your voice matters.

 

Ashley Settergren | She/Her

Ashley is entering her senior year at Vanderbilt University, where she is majoring in Human Organizational Development. As a first-generation student, she is passionate about helping others access higher education and healthcare. With experience as a Leadership Foundation Intern at the Denver Chamber of Commerce and as an Ambassador for Talent Search, Ashley has worked directly with students to provide educational resources and mentorship. Through her leadership roles and hands-on experiences, she strives to empower others and address barriers in both education and healthcare.

 

Citlaly Quiroz | She/Her/Hers

Citlaly Quiroz is a 23-year-old from Fort Morgan, Colorado. She graduated from Morgan Community College in 2022 and then transferred to Hastings College in Nebraska, where she graduated in May 2024 with her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Sociology. In 2021, Citlaly was crowned the Colorado State Fair Fiesta Queen, marking a historic achievement as the first individual from her town to earn this title. During her reign, Citlaly visited schools across northeast Colorado to promote higher education and accessible resources for low income students. She made waves in intercollegiate forensics by becoming the second person to reach the final round at a national tournament with an all-Spanish speaking performance. Her outstanding leadership, community service, and accomplishments in forensics earned her the prestigious All American title. Through her notable accomplishments in intercollegiate speech and her commitment to the Latino community and other marginalized groups, Citlaly has demonstrated her devotion to drive meaningful change through political and social advocacy.

 

Manuel Marquez-Avalos | He/Him

Manuel is a senior at Colorado State University majoring in Political Science. As a first-generation college student, he is dedicated to advocating for marginalized communities and promoting government representation. In his role as Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs in student government, Manuel chairs a board that takes official stances on behalf of the student body on legislative bills, with the support of a lobbyist. He also coordinates the Caminos program, where CSU students mentor local high schoolers, helping them navigate their paths to college or career opportunities. His leadership reflects his passion for creating equitable opportunities and driving systemic change for all underrepresented communities.

 

DaZha Creal | She/Her/Hers

DaZha is a 25-year-old resident of Colorado, originally from California, and moved to Colorado to pursue a Master’s in International Human Rights. During graduate school, she developed a passion for research at the intersection of human health and climate change. After completing her degree and earning a graduate certificate in Global Health Affairs, DaZha served as a Climate Education AmeriCorps member in Denver. Throughout her career, she has worked to advocate for human rights and promote healthier, more resilient communities. She joined Young Invincibles to strengthen her understanding of public policy and apply these principles to the Colorado context. In her free time, you can find her hiking, birding, crocheting, and reading.

 

Daniela Veltri | She/Her

Daniela is a 24-year-old college sophomore studying art and world languages at CMC Breckenridge focusing on studying the connection between mental health, art and culture. She currently works as an instructor for non-profits in Breckenridge that make art accessible to residents. Joined YI to learn to contribute meaningful change in her community and understand other young perspectives. She enjoys volunteering, ceramics and glass blowing in her free time.