ReThink Citizens Youth Coalition

Empowering a new generation of digital changemakers to build a better internet

What is the ReThink Citizens Youth Coalition?

The ReThink Citizens Youth Coalition (RCYC) is a first-of-its-kind incubator that aims to resource and empower young innovators with ideas to make the digital world a better place. Selected innovators participate in the 8-week virtual “Innovator Academy,” which gives Coalition members the tools, mentorship, and space to explore digital changemaking. Participants map the systems behind digital harms, learn how to move from idea to MVP, and connect with leaders across the responsible tech ecosystem. At the end of the 8 weeks, Coalition members present their projects to the responsible tech community–and from there, continue to build and grow their new digital changemaking initiatives.

Innovators selected

Innovating and learning together

Launching initiatives, to make an impact

Why RCYC?

We launched the ReThink Citizens Youth Coalition to make digital changemaking accessible and attainable for today's youth.

Today’s young people have bold, innovative ideas to tackle the pressing digital challenges of our time–but too often, they do not have the community or resources to explore those ideas. No one understands that more than ReThink Citizens Founder and CEO Trisha Prabhu, who first invented the anti-cyberbullying technology ReThink when she was a teenager. RCYC aims to put responsible technology innovation within reach for any and all youth, from all walks of life. And by equipping participants with the skills, tools, and networks to take their ideas from vision to reality, the RCYC ultimately aims to generate a robust pipeline of innovators building the digital world that they want to live in.

Youth Coalition Members

Shreya Jayasankar

Shreya Jayasankar is an eighth-grade student with a passion for tennis, violin, dance, and robotics. She is excited to be part of the Innovator's Academy, where she hopes to deepen her understanding of starting and running a business. Shreya looks forward to collaborating with her peers and building meaningful connections. She is eager to learn new skills and apply her creativity to real-world challenges.

Nitya Jayasankar

Nitya, a ninth grader from Naperville, Illinois, is thrilled to join the ReThink Citizens Innovator Academy! She loves singing, dancing, and giving back to her community through volunteering. In seventh grade, she co-founded Mission Shanti, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting youth mental health awareness through a mood-tracking app and outreach events. As part of the Innovator Academy, Nitya is excited to develop impactful digital solutions to support youth in her community!

Shay Baker-Watson

Shay Baker-Watson (she/her/hers) just graduated with her Bachelor's of Science degree from Benedictine University. Shay is originally from Greencastle, Indiana and has been involved in sports her entire life. She also enjoys coin collecting, advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion and has her own dog treat business she started with her grandma while in girl scouts. Shay is excited to be apart of the Innovator Academy because she loves to help those find their voices and passions in the paths that they are on.

Krithika Bayyapu

Krithika is a sophomore at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. She is excited to pursue her passions in computer science and policy, specifically within the realm of ethical AI usage. She loves volunteering in various STEM and humanity initiatives and involving herself in activities like GirlCon, Congressional Debate, Girls In STEAM, Peer Tutors, and more! In her free time, Krithika likes to spend time with her friends & family, try new desserts, and watch Netflix. Through the RCYC Innovator Academy, Krithika hopes to broaden her reach and help make real pragmatic change in the digital safety space!

Aayan Majid

Aayan Majid is a sophomore at Neuqua Valley High School. He lives in Naperville and moved to America in 2022. He is involved in several clubs, including the Computer Programming Club and Team Tutors 204, and he was a member of the swimming team this season. Aayan is excited to be a part of this program because it offers him a chance to help make the internet a better place and allows his voice to be heard.

Srinika Gundlapally

Srinika Gundlapally is a motivated sophomore from Aurora, Illinois. She is passionate about STEM, digital literacy, and using technology to find innovative solutions to real-world problems. She is involved in coding and engineering programs and enjoys volunteering to mentor young students in math or science. In her free time, she likes to play violin, craft, run cross country and track, and be with her friends and family. Srinika is excited to be part of the ReThink Innovator Academy to connect with other changemakers and build solutions that empower youth to lead positive change in their communities.

Ishaanvi Vemula

Ishaanvi Vemula (she/her), is a 16 year-old junior at Metea Valley High School in the western suburbs of Illinois who has deep passions for STEM innovation, ethical tech, and writing. She is a trained classical vocalist and is actively involved in Model United Nations, SkillsUSA and Girls Who Code. Ishaanvi also works with the Youth Prevention Resource Center (IL) on substance abuse prevention, and serves as a youth ambassador for her local Citizens Climate Lobby. As a dedicated community member and STEM enthusiast. Ishaanvi is committed to tackling pressing real-world issues like digital ethics, substance abuse and climate change through the power of technology. She is thrilled to be a part of the Youth Coalition Innovator Academy, where she looks forward to collaborating with like-minded change makers to develop meaningful and impactful solutions.

Maya Sharma

Hi, I’m Maya Sharma, a 17-year-old junior at Neuqua Valley High School in Illinois and a mental health advocate! I built HAAL, an AI-powered app that detects early anxiety spikes and turns raw mood data into actionable, personalized self-care—featuring an ethically designed AI chatbot for real-time support. I’ve shared this vision on the TEDx stage and serve on the Youth Advisory Board of 360 Youth Services to ensure HAAL remains culturally inclusive and responsible. I’m so excited about Innovator Academy as a space to grow this work, push my thinking, and collaborate with other students passionate about using technology for real-world impact!

Raabiah Azeez

"Raabiah Azeez (she/her) is a recent graduate from Chicago, Illinois, passionate about hijabi fashion, humanitarian relief, and digital design. She serves as the social media chair for Impactful Relief, where she supports humanitarian efforts through fundraising and spreading awareness for people in need. Raabiah is especially interested in UI/UX design and how creativity can be used to develop meaningful, user-centered solutions. She’s excited to be part of the Youth Coalition Innovator Academy to grow as both a mentee and innovator, build valuable connections, and bring her ideas to life with guidance from experienced mentors. "

Leah Lachman

Hi, I’m Leah Lachman, a student at Rollins College studying Social Entrepreneurship and Communication Studies. I’m working on the Digital Pause Experiment, which explores how small moments of reflection can shape how we communicate online. I’m passionate about digital well-being and creating more empathetic spaces through technology. I’ve loved being part of Innovator Academy because it’s helped me think more critically about how ideas can turn into real impact. Outside of this, I enjoy baking, writing stories, and being in nature.

Rayyan Farooqi

I am Rayyan Farooqi, a 14 year-old high-school student currently studying at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. My project is about developing a specific anticheat systems for video games that is both effective at banning cheaters and safe as it doesn't take too much personal information out of the system running the game. The Innovator Academy excites me because it allows me to reach a wider audience as I develop the first product of this item. As a passionate developer for 3 years, I hope this will allow me to be involved in cybersecurity as I wish to be a prominent figure within the cybersecurity community.

Anaam Awad

Anaam Awad is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she studied Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, and is preparing to pursue legal studies with a focus on the intersection of law, technology, and social justice. Her interest in responsible technology is rooted in witnessing how rapidly the internet has evolved and how it increasingly shapes how people understand truth, justice, and one another. She is particularly concerned with the rise of misinformation, moral panic, and algorithm driven content that can distort public understanding and silence vulnerable voices. She joined the ReThink Citizens Youth Coalition to help reimagine a digital world that prioritizes accountability, dignity, and the wellbeing of younger generations growing up online. Through her work, she aims to strengthen digital literacy and contribute to building online spaces that center truth, empathy, and informed engagement.

Innovator Academy Speakers

Emma Lembke

Emma Lembke is a 22 year-old youth digital advocate. As a senior in high school, Lembke founded LOG OFF, a unique youth movement dedicated to uplifting and empowering youth to tackle the complexities of social media and its impact on their privacy, safety, and mental health. As a youth-led movement, LOG OFF provides an often overlooked and critical perspective on social media by leveraging and empowering the underrepresented experts in the field – Generation Z. This year, the movement will expand to establish campus chapters. Emma also is a core team member of Design It For Us, the only youth-led coalition pushing for online platforms and social media to be designed with kids and teens in mind, rather than as an afterthought. Her efforts have been covered by numerous media outlets including the New York Times, 60 Minutes, CBS, MTV, npr, The Hill, and Bloomberg. In February 2023, Emma became one of the first young people to testify before Congress regarding tech policy.

Brandon Bond

Brandon Bond is the LSA Mental Health & Well-Being Project Lead at the University of Michigan, where he spearheads the implementation of strategic and systemic public mental health efforts. With a background in neuroscience, global public health, public mental health, social change, and organizational management, Brandon brings extensive expertise to his work. Outside of his job, Brandon also passionately advocated for federal peer support advancement policies through Mental Health America's inaugural Youth Policy Accelerator. He's a current Fellow in the RESULTS Organizing and Advocacy Fellowship, focusing on tackling poverty and hunger through grassroots advocacy. He also serves as a mayoral-appointed Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Ann Arbor, protecting its residents' human and civil rights. Brandon is passionate about connecting people, promoting the intersection between mental health and social justice, and viewing humanity through a well-being lens.

Kevin Connors

Kevin Connors is the Managing Director at Susan Crown Exchange, where he oversees strategy and grantmaking. At SCE, Kevin has supported or strategically partnered with more than 50 organizations, including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Nike, Aspen Institute, Harvard’s Center for Digital Thriving , Pivotal Ventures, and the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General. Previously, Kevin served as the Founding Director of Personalized Learning at Chicago Public Schools, where he led a $25M initiative and partnered with 120 schools to lead the nation’s first large scale implementation of the innovative school model. Kevin has also written for Education Week and is a Teach for America alum, former Head Varsity Baseball coach, and regular speaker at local and national conferences. His work has been featured by CNN, The Today Show, Vanity Fair, SXSW, TechCrunch, and the Chicago Tribune. Kevin holds a B.S. in Business from Indiana University and a Master’s degree from Harvard University.

Luke Wall

Luke is the Executive Director at Only7Seconds, a national nonprofit with a mission to end loneliness and improve social health for youth and young adults across America. Only7Seconds leads the connection revolution through national awareness campaigns, multimedia storytelling, evidence-informed resources, and youth-led programs. Luke personally experienced loneliness growing up in rural parts of the United States and saw firsthand the youth loneliness crisis throughout many previous roles working with youth. He is currently raising three young children as well, so this crisis is very personal. Prior to this role, Luke worked in various capacities at non-profit organizations, such as Special Olympics, and in corporate business.

Zamaan Qureshi

Zamaan Qureshi is an activist and advocate for safer social media for teenagers and young people. He serves as co-chair of Design It For Us and Campaigns Associate at Accountable Tech. He’s also a member of the Council for Responsible Social Media, and of the Real Facebook Oversight Board. He's written for publications including TIME and Tech Policy Press and has been featured by outlets including MSNBC, The Washington Post, POLITICO, and Axios. He is a recent graduate of American University where he earned a B.A. in international studies and political science.

David Ryan Polgar

David Ryan Polgar is the Founder and President of All Tech Is Human, an organization designed to tackle thorny tech & society issues through collective understanding, involvement, and action. The organization’s community-building is the subject of a chapter in the newly-released Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the World’s Most Powerful Religion, and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation. David is an international speaker and regular commentator on improving social media and the need for a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to building a better tech future. His commentary has been featured on the TODAY show, BBC World News, MSNBC, Fast Company, and many more. He has been on stage at Harvard Business School, Yale School of Management, Columbia Business School, and more.

Larissa May

Larissa May is a digital wellness entrepreneur and the founder of #HalfTheStory, a non-profit dedicated to improving the next generation’s relationship with technology. Larissa founded #HalfTheStory after facing her own struggles with social media, and has spent the past 10 years driving the rapidly growing global movement towards digital wellness. As the first youth-led non-profit of its kind, #HalfTheStory is focused on progressing education and advocacy work surrounding social media and tech use. Through #HalfTheStory's evidence-based education program, Social Media U, young people across schools in the US and UK are taught the skills needed to have a healthy relationship with their screens and are empowered to understand and advocate for their digital health. Prior to #HalfTheStory, Larissa helped build some of today’s buzziest D2C brands, including Kin Euphorics and Otherland, winning the Business Insider Brand Marketing Rising Stars Award for her work. Larissa has been featured in the WSJ, TIME, Forbes, Vanity Fair, Refinery29, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and CBS This Morning.

Arielle Geismar

Arielle Geismar (she/her) is an organizer, advocate, creator, and strategist in human technology interaction. She has experience passing bills for young people on a state and federal level, advising nascent and foremost technology companies in ethics as well as the Biden-Harris Transition Team on mental health. She has led essential advocacy campaigns around responsible technology, gender, and LGBTQ+ rights. An advocate since 16, her leadership has been recognized by the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, MTV, New Yorker, and noted in Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21 and Forbes 30 Under 30 lists. She has created content for Patagonia, Toms, Meta, and more around progressive issues. Arielle served as Student Body President of George Washington University before she graduated with her B.A. in International Affairs and International Science and Technology Policy. She is currently the Co-Chair of Design It For Us.

Katya Hancock

Katya Hancock is a mission-driven executive and public health champion with over two decades of leadership across healthcare, technology, and philanthropy. She is the founding Executive Director of Young Futures, a nonprofit on a mission to help young people and families thrive in the digital world. Young Futures aims to support 500 grassroots organizations over the next five years, creating systemic change to improve youth mental health. Previously, Katya served as Chief Impact Officer at StartUp Health, growing a portfolio of 500+ companies tackling health moonshots. Earlier in her career, she helped build two fintech startups from seed to acquisition and began her journey at CIBC, supporting impact-driven families.

Isabel Sunderland

Isabel recently graduated from American University with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Justice & Law. Her work centers on the intersection of social media, democracy, and human rights. As a member of Design It For Us, she has actively advocated for kids' online safety, data privacy, design, and Section 230 reform—bringing these critical issues to Capitol Hill and the White House in the fight to regulate Big Tech. Previously, Isabel has worked with The Real Facebook Oversight Board and Issue One’s technology reform team to advance legislative solutions for a safer and more accountable information environment.

Alex Edgar

Alex Edgar is a dynamic Gen Z civic leader transforming how communities and institutions engage younger, diverse audiences. He is the Youth Engagement Manager at Made By Us, a national coalition of hundreds of cultural institutions across the United States engaging young adults with history to inform and inspire civic participation. He leads their National Youth250 Advisory Bureau, amplifiying young people’s imaginations and input, ensuring their voices lead the reflection on and commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. These 100 paid advisors are aged 18 to 30, hail from 45 states and territories, and represent a broad spectrum of perspectives. Alex is also the youngest member in history of the Board of Directors for Points of Light, the National Advisory Board for the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, and the United States Census Bureau’s 2030 Census Advisory Committee.

Sam Weinberg

Sam is a 24-year-old founder, writer, and nonprofit executive currently serving as the Executive Director of Path to Progress, the nation’s only think tank led by Generation Z. Sam’s research and policy expertise span from labor law and working hours to diplomacy and peace-building in Israel-Palestine. In addition to policy and politics, Sam is passionate about the arts and humanities and advocates for more government funding for the NEA and NEH. Sam’s writing has been published in The Chicago Tribune and The Forward. His advocacy work has been featured in The Associated Press, The Hill, Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNBC, USA Today, The Philadelphia Inquirer, POLITICO, The Chicago Sun Times, Teen Vogue, The Guardian, and more. Sam has also made on-air appearances on BBC World News, VICE News, and Cheddar TV.

Arturo Bejar

Dad of two great kids. From 2009 to 2015, Arturo was the senior leader at Facebook responsible for its efforts to keep users safe and supported. This included managing “Site Integrity,” “Security Infrastructure,” and a group called “Care,”– which developed Facebook’s user-facing and internal customer care tools, as well as all the child safety tools. Arturo was also the manager for Facebook’s “Product Infrastructure” team, which created some of Facebook’s core technologies. From 2019 to 2021 Arturo returned to the company as a consultant to work on well-being issues at Instagram. During his second stint Arturo researched, documented, and briefed the executive team on material harm experienced by teens on Instagram. It was the willful disregard of the harm teens experience of Instagram that led Arturo to whistleblow.

Frances Haugen

Frances Haugen is a data scientist and social media accountability advocate. Formerly an algorithmic-product manager at Facebook, she became a whistleblower in 2021, exposing internal company documents that revealed Facebook's prioritization of profits over user safety and public well-being. Since then, she has founded Beyond the Screen, a non-profit organization working to promote the growth of an ecosystem of accountability for social media platforms. Frances is a frequent public speaker and commentator on issues related to Social Media & AI transparency, the impact of screen and social platforms on children, influence operations/cybersecurity, the linguistic equity implications of technology, and the need for algorithmic accountability around the world.

Joan Jungbin Lee

Joan Jungbin Lee is a dynamic creative educator, community organizer, and the Associate Director of Programs at trubel&co. Her dedication to promoting equitable education and fostering accessible opportunities has profoundly influenced both her professional and creative endeavors. Joan practices systematic thinking that frames and supports students of all ages contextualize and grow their curiosities. Joan holds a Bachelor's degree in History and Philosophy from Boston College, where they became the first in their family to graduate from university.

Joshua Lavra

Josh Lavra believes the best solutions emerge from good questions, and lives this through his work across technology, mental health, and social impact. At Hopelab, where he serves as the Principal, Youth-Led Innovation, he’s curious about: What if we designed with young people, not for them? How can science, technology, and art align? What can we learn from queerness to benefit all? And, do you really need an app for that? Trained as a chemical engineer, they bring a unique analytical lens to creative problem solving – blending technical rigor with human-centered design to tackle complex challenges. Beyond their primary work, they founded an independent studio and shop championing artists and directing proceeds to support queer and trans nonprofits.

Tazin Khan

Tazin Khan is a globally recognized cybersecurity strategist and digital rights advocate. She is the Founder and CEO of Cyber Collective, an organization that has reached more than 5.5 million people worldwide by translating complex security risks into practical, human-centered education rooted in culture and community. Over the past decade, Tazin has advanced digital resilience through community-driven education and culturally fluent security programs used across multiple countries. With 13+ years of experience across Fortune 10 companies, government contracting, and grassroots ecosystems, she specializes in cyber risk, trust & safety, and security policy communications. Tazin holds a Master’s degree from NYU and has been featured in Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue India, and People.

Anahita Dalmia

Anahita is co-founder and CEO of Alterea. She has been designing interactive experiences for social impact since high school, including Agents of Influence, a spy media literacy game and Ascend, an ancient mythology themed immersive theatre experience. She has won several awards including SBIR from the US Dept of Education, Aspen Institute’s Information Disorder Competition and SXSW Innovation Award Finalist. She is a three-time published author on achieving social impact using experiential design, including the articles "Disney: Castles, Kingdoms and (No) Common Man" in JTEAS and "Designing An Adventure” in the Carnegie Mellon University’s Well Played Journal. She is also an associate faculty member at the Media Education Lab and on the Board of Advisors for The Game Academy and UC Riverside’s Design Thinking Program.

Maddie Freeman

Maddie Freeman is the Founder and CEO of NoSo November, a digital wellness nonprofit. Maddie was recently listed on the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 List in the Education category at age 23 after graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder. Maddie is recognized as a Young Futures Innovator, Social Dilemma/LookUp Innovator grant winner, a Young Innovator in Behavioral Health awardee, and a McGill University Youth Fellow.

Nikki Lyer

Nikki Iyer is a student at the University of California, Berkeley. As Co-Chair of Design It For Us, Nikki works to galvanize youth power by fostering greater balance, agency, and well-being among young people navigating an increasingly digital world. At Berkeley, Nikki organizes speaker series events that bring conversations about technology, culture, and politics to campus. Through her academics, Nikki studies how rhetoric around AI and social media influences our understanding of ourselves, our relationships, and the boundary between online and real life.

Sebastian Mahal

Sebastian Mahal is a youth organizer, advocate, and coalition builder working at the intersection of social media harms, emerging technology, and youth political power. Their organizing background spans movements for queer and trans safety, reproductive justice, gun violence prevention, and climate advocacy. As Co-Chair, Sebastian is focused on how these same systemic harms are reproduced on insufficiently regulated online platforms, turning widespread youth frustration with digital platforms into coordinated action for change. Sebastian holds degrees in political science and philosophy, with a specialization in digital ethics.

Lydia Burns

As Youth & Community Partnerships Manager, Lydia leads the Student Action Network for Equity (SANE) in partnership with Seek Common Ground staff and its advisors. Lydia has previously worked for Achieve and the Prichard Committee Student Voice Team (now, Kentucky Student Voice Team) where she gained experience in research and advocacy. Lydia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Mathematics from the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky.
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“The participants in our afterschool program have truly enjoyed the ReThink Citizens program! We’ve seen a noticeable improvement in how they communicate within their friend circles, as well as their ability to navigate conflicts thoughtfully. It has been incredible to witness their growth and facilitate the meaningful conversations taking place. Plus, there’s been a significant decrease in bickering and disagreements among friends. We are enjoying the results!”

Amanda Serrano

Director of Programs - Girls Inc of Pinellas, FL

Marrow Woods

(they/them); 23 years old; location: Salem, VA

Marrow (like bone marrow!) is the Youth Coalition Program Manager and Education Advisor at ReThink Citizens. They hold a B.A. in English and in Religion, Philosophy, and Social Change, where their studies focused on speculative fiction, Afrofuturism, and the expansive possibilities of autotheory. These frameworks continue to shape their practice, from designing Afrofuturist writing workshops for rural youth to contributing to Medicaid redetermination and other public health storytelling efforts. Their advocacy efforts have been featured by TIME, PBS NewsHour, WABE, the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute, and Scalawag.

A proud Southerner, Marrow views the region’s traditions of grassroots organizing and people’s education as a form of alchemy,  with survival, imagination, and collective care converging to create possibility — especially in seemingly post-apocalyptic conditions. Outside of work, they can usually be found cuddling with their cats, Miso and Darjeeling, or watching horror movies.

Headshot by @jeevanportraits

“Designing meaningful programs isn’t just about shaping content—it’s about empowering the people who will shape the future. My work with ReThink Citizens is an investment in youth potential, helping them transform bold visions into real-world action that drives equity and justice forward.”

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