Youth Leaders

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.

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. 

Nick is a writer, researcher, and organizer with a simple goal: spreading more happiness in the digital age. He has run behavioral studies on social media use, launched and scaled several responsible tech startups, and consulted on behalf of groups like the Ford Foundation. Lately, he’s been organizing events around NYC to experiment with the power of collective attention.

Kendall Schrohe works to build the cultural and political infrastructure for a world where people aren’t exploited by big tech. She helps lead the Innovator Circle at Design It For Us where she brings together founders creating human-centered alternatives to extractive platforms. At the Electronic Privacy Information Center, she works on development and platform accountability, supporting EPIC’s advocacy, litigation, and research to protect digital privacy rights. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Santa Clara University and is based in DC.

Matthew Stevens is a youth advocate from Syracuse, New York, studying political science at Le Moyne College. In addition to DIFU, he serves as the Director of Chapter Development at the Log Off Movement. He has been consulted by schools, colleges, and universities regarding numerous topics related to digital wellness. Beyond his work in tech advocacy, Matthew is also an elected official in his home community.

Tara is a youth advocate interested in how AI is reshaping the ways in which we learn, prepare for the future, and connect with each other. Before joining Design It For Us, they led programs that enabled students across California to explore their feelings around AI’s role in their learning and career readiness, and then translated those insights into recommendations for their campus’ leadership. Tara is excited to further their passion for centering diverse, youth voices in conversations about how emerging technology reshapes education, policy, and workforce development through their role as Policy Lead for Education & Engagement. They hold a BA in Political Science and a BA in Feminist Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Kaitlynn Cherry is a student at Boston University studying International Relations and Chinese. She researches public violence as a research assistant to Dr. Jessia Stern at BU’s Pardee School of Global Studies and serves as Vice President of BU’s International Affairs Association. Her work spans AI governance, counterterrorism, and digital safety. She has previously advocated and testified for Vermont’s Kids Code Act. She is passionate about bridging diplomacy, emerging technology, and inclusive dialogue to address the defining challenges of her generation.

Holly is an advocate establishing youth voices as a credible and valuable resource in the responsible technology space. As an Education and Engagement Lead, she connects members with opportunities to stay engaged with the coalition. Her professional experience spans communications and community engagement in both philanthropy and renewable energy spaces. Holly earned a B.S. in marketing and minors in leadership and social responsibility & ethics from the University of Colorado in Boulder. As a Boettcher Scholar, she is equipped with a strong understanding of the diverse challenges and voices shaping Colorado communities, a perspective which she now translates to national and international issues.