About Us
The Formation of
Youth Policymakers for Tomorrow
Our Story
At a time of growing democratic deficit and political polarization, Youth Policymakers for Tomorrow (YPT) emerged in response to the exclusion of young people from civic spaces and policymaking processes.
The idea for YPT originated from a shared concern the founders observed among their peers: young people across the United States often feel disconnected from the political system, as they believe there is a lack of youth representation in the decision-making process.
This youth-led movement mobilized to form a national initiative built on the values of education, empowerment, and engagement.
The Founding Team
About Us
"The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow."
- Nelson Mandela
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Yeeun Park
Chief Executive Officer
Hey! I’m Yeeun, A rising junior based in Bergen County, NJ. As one of the core founders of this organization, the potential of youths creating groundbreaking impact in policy/government was the major catalyst in creating Youth Policymakers for Tomorrow. Alongside such a passionate, dedicated executive team and a prospective future ahead, I’m excited to lead the movement for youth democratic engagement nationwide.
Joi Salvino
Chief Operations Officer
Hi! I'm Joi, a rising senior from ON, Canada. I believe humanity can harnesses the power of knowledge and compassion to make a lasting impact on the world. Such, I'm eager to contribute my knowledge and unwavering commitment to humanity. I hope to help amplify youth voices in civic spaces while advocating for women and children, supporting the LGBTQ2SIA+ and PWD communities, and protecting indigenous and marginalized groups.
Jigyasa Prabhakar
Chief Financial Officer
Hey! I am Jigyasa, a rising junior based in Houston, TX. As one of the founders for this initiative, I am super excited to be able to reach larger audiences and bolster public advocacy accessibility to youth groups. I hope we can all join together to create impactful work and extend our voices to policy makers and professionals.
Lourdes Mendieta Macias
Executive Director of External Affairs
Hello! I’m Lourdes, a rising junior based in Queens, New York. As one of the founders of YPT, I am very passionate in advocating for the participation of underrepresented groups in policy and civic engagement. With my background as a Ecuadorian immigrant, I hope to amplify the voices and perspectives of marginalized communities and inspire others to get involved in shaping the policies that impact their lives. I am also very excited to connect with other organizations to work together and create meaningful change for everyone!
Ari Fitzgerald
Executive Director of Staff & Internal Affairs
My name is Ari, a rising junior from Gloucester county, VA. Besides my position at YPT, I enjoy studying things like international affairs, sociology, and geography (I love Geoguessr!) In the organization, I work as the Web Development manager as well as Director of Staff. My focus in regards to policy is mostly in underrepresented communities, where I hope Youth Policymakers for Tomorrow can act as a force of louder voices for the often voiceless.
Amma Mady
Executive Director of Marketing & Engagement
Hello! I’m Amma and I’m a rising high school senior in Virginia. As one of the founders of Youth Policymakers for Tomorrow (YPT), I’m looking forward to giving young voices a platform to talk about issues that affect their lives. I’m also excited to run future workshops amd events.
Laya Krishnan
Co-Executive Director of Policy & Advocacy
Hi! My name is Laya and I’m a rising senior from California. I’m truly passionate about public policy and advocacy work, specifically in addressing the homelessness epidemic that’s sweeping our nation. I’m interested in pursuing public policy in both a quantitative and qualitative lens, and I’m super excited to be a part of YPT’s executive team and proud to call myself a founding member!
Ayush Vispute
Executive Director of Civic Education & Programme
Hi, I'm Ayush! I'm a rising junior in Colorado especially interested in the intersection between STEM and Policy. I'm really passionate about environmental and energy policy in particular, because I believe it has the opportunity to shape our future usage and conservation of Earth. As a founding member of YPT, I'm ecstatic at the opportunity to mentor passionate students across the world in making a change through policy in their local communities.
“If youths are equipped with civic knowledge, immersed in the policymaking process, and connected to inclusive leadership networks, then they won’t just find a voice;
they will ignite movements, reshape systems, and redefine what’s possible.”
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