Advisory Council

Applications for our 2025-26 Youth Council are now closed. Please contact us if you are interested in other ways to get involved.

2025-2026 Youth Advisory Council

The Youth Advisory Council supports Youth Creating Change by providing youth perspectives and serving as ambassadors for the program. Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Youth Advisory Council members!

Ashley Hein
Santa Clara County
“I strongly believe that proper education about the early warning signs of mental illness and suicide in youth is essential, not just for teenagers but also for adults who ought to support them. One of my main goals is to challenge the stigma and shame that so often clouds the conversation about mental health.

If I could highlight one fact about me, it’s probably that I love to stay busy. I have a wide range of interests, but at the top of the list include art, ballet, and running. I am a huge nature enthusiast and you can regularly find me hugging trees and camping when I have the free time. My dream is to pursue neuroscience and biological research. Additionally, I am an adoring guinea pig parent of two lovable fur-balls named Strawberry and Carmel.”

Clemente Escalante
Los Angeles County
“I’m a senior at Claremont High School. I currently am taking Advanced Studio Art at my school and submit my art pieces to Directing Change regularly. I’ve taken an art class all four years of high school and hope to someday make it big as an artist who specializes in acrylic painting.”

Duke Dela Rosa
Alameda County
“I am excited to serve on the Youth Council because of my commitment to mental health advocacy and desire to continue fostering impactful and resonating films, this time on the ambassador side. Having participated in the Directing Change Film Contest and attended the awards ceremony in May 2024, I was profoundly moved by the large collective effort of young people dedicated to spreading awareness and destigmatization of conversations. My involvement with the Marauders for Mental Health club at Mira Mesa High School has shown me firsthand the impact of supportive networks and effective communication—I am motivated to give back and be an ambassador for the program that has supported and helped us produce our award-winning films!”

Dulce Martinez
Los Angeles County
“I’m passionate about mental health and want to be part of creating a safe space for young people. I also believe it’s something that should be talked about openly. I’m really interested in psychology and hope to become an occupational therapist in the future. In my free time I enjoy reading, crocheting, and doing a variety of crafts. I’m excited to bring my ideas and perspectives into the Youth Creating Change Council!”

Eli Charette
Los Angeles County
“I’m a junior and got into the Youth Council through my love of animation and my passion for advocating for the erasure of mental health stigma. I love spreading awareness for causes that I care about and helping others in the process. I believe that everyone deserves a place where they can learn how to help themselves and others when in a time of crisis. I love music, going for runs, and horchata.”

Evelyn Romo Sandoval
Marin County
“I’m senior in high school. I love to read, write, and watch films. I love traveling and experiencing different cultures. One of my favorite hobbies is photography. I would love to advocate and help teens who are struggling with many things, such as mental health. I would love to help people and let them know that they aren’t alone.”

Golden Shao
Alameda County
“I am very interested in serving on the Directing Change Youth Council, because I find this program very interesting and positive, and I want to get involved in a youth advisory council. I am interested in serving on the Directing Change Youth Council, because I have a strong interest in politics, and I also have a strong interest in advocating for the community to make a change that helps all the youth and community members to thrive positively.”

Gurneet Kaur
Fresno County
“I am interested in serving on the Youth Advisory Council because I truly love this program and what it has done. I have participated in this contest for 2 years now through poetry. I think that art is one of the best ways to raise awareness about mental health, but also one of the best ways to help someone. Art resonates with everyone in every form, no matter who made it or who viewed it. Art can touch people’s hearts, and I want to be a part of something that helps people. I wanted to be a part of something significant and important. The mental health of our youth is exactly that. This organization was my anchor for a while, now I want to pass it down to someone who needs it more.”

Jerome Baclayon
Riverside County
“I’m a college student at California State University, Long Beach who participated in the Directing Change Film Contest. I’m passionate about helping others feel seen and supported, even when they don’t feel like it. In my free time, I enjoys comforting activities such as listening to music and taking meditative walks.”

Jianhao Hu
San Diego County
“I’ve always liked films. I think I speak for many when I say a good movie can stick with you for a long time. As I grew up, I started to recognize different techniques and ways a film can tell a story. It’s such a great feeling when you finally understand what a metaphor in a movie really means. That’s why I tried my best to put everything I’ve learned into my Directing Change film last year. I hope to keep learning and add even more meaning to this year’s film.”

Katelyn Gooneratne
Orange County
“I joined Youth Creating Change with a passion for making a real difference in the lives of young people. I am incredibly blessed to merge my love for filmmaking with the powerful opportunity to spark meaningful change in our society. Through this journey, I’ve found my voice and the chance to amplify the voices of others, becoming a young advocate for positive change.”

Patrick Navas
Los Angeles County
“I joined Youth Creating Change to be part of something bigger than myself—a movement that sparks understanding, reduces stigma, and supports those struggling with mental health. Now, as a youth council member, I’ve found a way to channel my passion for mental health advocacy into action, helping guide and inspire others in their own journeys. Youth Creating Change isn’t just an organization, to me it’s a place where I can use my voice to make a difference supporting conversations that encourage openness and compassion. Being in this role allows me to contribute meaningfully, knowing that each project or initiative I support can help create a more accepting and supportive world.”

Quinn Ayala
Mendocino County
“Having a lot of friends my age, I see the different struggles they go through, many of which I can relate to as well, and it’s the same for many other teenagers throughout California who feel they may not have the support from people around them to seek help for these issues. That is why I care about suicide prevention and mental health support for teenagers, as so many people just don’t know the support that is available to them, and why I joined the Youth Creating Change Youth Council.”

Shannon Nielsen
Stanislaus County
“I am a junior in high school who is very passionate about creating content. I specialize mainly in making mini films but I also enjoy making PSAs a lot, especially on the subject of mental health as I can relate. I enjoy making PSAs because I am able to not only do something I really love, but to also spread awareness to others out there who are struggling, need help, and to be reminded that there is always hope.”

Sophia Lee
San Diego County
“I am a student filmmaker at UC Berkeley, passionate about mental health advocacy and representation in media. I believe that by telling stories that inspire, connect, and educate, we can help overcome the mental health crisis, one story at a time.”

Tess Veronda
Contra Costa County
“I am a junior in high school who is very passionate about creating content. I specialize mainly in making mini films but I also enjoy making PSAs a lot, especially on the subject of mental health as I can relate. I enjoy making PSAs because I am able to not only do something I really love, but to also spread awareness to others out there who are struggling, need help, and to be reminded that there is always hope.”

Trinh Ngo
Orange County
“I’m passionate about youth empowerment and mental health awareness. I received an Honorable Mention in Suicide Prevention for the 2024–2025 Directing Change Film Contest and served as a Judge in the Animation category the same year. Through the Youth Creating Change Council, I hope to strengthen leadership skills while providing meaningful feedback that helps peers grow and feel supported.”

Yvette Paez
Imperial County
“I am interested in serving on the Youth Creating Change Youth Council because I want to help my community and others as much as possible so that they know that there is help out there. I gained an interest in 2021 when I made my first video with my group. Through this, I gained much knowledge about mental health and the stigma surrounding it. I found how important it is to reach out to the community and the younger generations. Being able to do this increases the chances for support and even for people to reach out for help.”

Zohra Younasi
Alameda County
“I like photography and enjoy working with social media to share creative ideas. I like to make positive connections with people and love helping them. I’m excited to use these skills to make a positive difference.”