Sebastian Mahal and Nikki Iyer take on Co-Chair roles to advance youth power and human-centered tech reform

Design It For Us, a youth-led coalition leveraging grassroots power to disrupt Big Tech’s harmful business models, today announced Sebastian Mahal and Nikki Iyer as its new Co-Chairs. Their leadership represents significant growth for the organization as it continues to expand its reach and build lasting youth power to upend the status quo of Big Tech and fight for a better online world.

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.

“Too often, young people are treated as passive test subjects of technology rather than stakeholders with real power,” said Mahal. “Design It For Us aims to change that and make sure the voices of young people most impacted by harmful tech are leading the fight for accountability, safety, and dignity online.”

Nikki Iyer is a third-year 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. 

“The digital age is shaping how we think, feel, and connect—and not always for the better,” said Iyer. “Young people deserve technology that supports our humanity rather than exploits our attention. I’m excited to represent Design It For Us as we push for systems that reflect those values.”

The announcement comes during a period of significant growth for Design It For Us, as the nonprofit has expanded its coalition, built up state leadership, and increased its influence at both the state and national levels. As part of this growth, founding Co-Chair Zamaan Qureshi will transition into a newly created leadership role as Director of Campaigns and Policy, where he will lead strategic advocacy efforts and spearhead the next wave of wins in all corners of the country.

With Mahal and Iyer as Co-Chairs, Design It For Us is doubling down on its commitment to youth-led leadership, intersectional advocacy, and bold solutions that challenge Big Tech’s dominance while centering human well-being.

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About Design It For Us

Design It For Us is a youth-led coalition leveraging grassroots power to disrupt Big Tech’s harmful business models. The coalition is led by a team of people between the ages of 18 and 26 and supported by an array of youth-led organizations, staff, and advisors fighting for a better online world for everyone.