My path to college was never going to be straightforward—spending years in group homes and hospitals caused me to miss out on the opportunities my peers had. This did not deter me. I am now a Behavioral Health & Child Welfare activist making systemic changes based on my experiences as a kid in those systems. My dream is to achieve my Master's in Public Policy and work in leadership to change the places I grew up in for the better. I am currently a consultant with the New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF), expanding on my work as an inaugural member of the DCF Youth Council. I also was instrumental in the creation, lobbying, and passage of the NJ Sibling Bill of Rights and reviewed proposals for a $1.4 million grant, developing a peer-to-peer mentoring program for foster youth. The work I spearheaded continues to change the lives of youth affected by child-serving systems across the state. With the help of scholarships I'll be able to continue my advocacy on a national level.

• LEEP Consultant

  Government Administration · New Jersey Department of Children & Families

  Jan 2024 – Present

• Youth Advisor

  Government Relations · National Governor's Association

  Jan 2024 – Jan 2025

• Phone Repair Intern

  Information Technology and Services · Jimmy's Cell Phone Repair

  Jan 2022 – Jan 2023

• IT Intern

  Information Technology and Services · Hunterdon Preparatory School

  Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

• Youth Council Member

  Government Administration · New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Youth Council

  Jan 2020 – Jan 2024

• Advocacy
• Politics
• Volunteering
• Philanthropy
• Entrepreneurship

• Consultant

  Advocacy · Annie E. Casey Foundation

  2023 – Present

  Mission:

  Advocate for youth who were subject to group homes and the mental health system in New Jersey.

• Youth Advisor

  Advocacy · National Governor's Association

  2024 – 2025

  Mission:

  Asked to serve on the NGA Youth Mental Health Policy Academy, advocating for mental health policy in a statewide multi-agency workgroup led by the governor's office, to improve the administration of mental health resources statewide.