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OUR LEADERSHIP
Dante Plush,
he/him
Executive Director
​​Dante Plush is a passionate advocate for educational equity and youth empowerment. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the United States Youth Forum, a nonprofit that helps young people—especially those from underserved backgrounds—become active leaders in their communities and beyond.
Dante began his career as a Title 1 public school educator in the Bronx, where he saw firsthand how challenges like chronic absenteeism, food insecurity, housing instability, language barriers, and immigration status can make it difficult for students to succeed. These experiences deepened his commitment to helping young people develop the tools they need to speak up for themselves and drive real change in their schools, neighborhoods, and governments.
At USYF, Dante leads national efforts to amplify youth voices through civic engagement and policy advocacy. His work has earned support from leaders across sectors, including Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook, who contributed to one of his early fundraising campaigns. Dante also serves on the junior board of the Renaissance Youth Center, furthering his dedication to building strong, supportive communities for young people.
He has been recognized with honors including Pace University’s Ainsley Adams Memorial Award and a spot in the university’s 30 Under 30 cohort, celebrating young leaders making a difference in education and social justice.
Outside of work, Dante enjoys stand-up comedy, playing chess, and challenging friends to a game of Yu-Gi-Oh!
Melissa Ballard, she/her
Board President & Founder
Melissa Ballard is the Board President of the United States Youth Forum. She currently lives in Erbil, Iraq where she works as a teacher and educational consultant. Before moving to Iraq, she lived in Germany for three years where she worked in a consultancy developing an English-language program. She graduated with a double-MA in International Relations from the University of Kent, Canterbury, and the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. Her favorite pastimes involve reading a good book, traveling somewhere new, or staying active through soccer and tennis.
Savitha Sithartha, she/her
Operations Manager
Savitha serves as the Operations Manager at USYF and is a proud Texan! She graduated with a B.S. degree in biomedical sciences with Spanish and psychology minors at Texas A&M University and has plans to attend medical school. Beyond her experience in healthcare, she is committed to being directly involved with the community around her and has over 5 years of experience working in the youth non-profit space. Savitha is most passionate about the issues of health advocacy, homelessness, and providing the resources and support to socially and economically disadvantaged youth. When she’s not scrolling through her YouTube playlist, she loves to sing, volunteer, and binge-watch Netflix shows.
OUR ASSOCIATES
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Tracy Graham, she/her
Project Coordinator
Tracy brings a diverse background in sustainability, community engagement, and equity-focused outreach to her role as Project Coordinator at USYF. She has contributed to projects spanning environmental justice, multilingual outreach, and global education initiatives. Notably, she contracted to help establish a school library in Bo, Sierra Leone, improving access to learning for underserved communities.
She earned an MBA in Sustainability and Social Change and a BA in Spanish. She graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. As a registered yoga teacher, Tracy integrates mindfulness, meditation, and movement into her approach.
At USYF, she hopes to foster inclusive programs that empower youth and build stronger, more equitable communities.
Her interests include hiking, skiing, singing, bicycling, camping, and theater — pursuits that deepen her connection to nature and nurture her spirit, body, and creativity. She especially treasures the winter’s quiet beauty, fresh snow, and opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Brianna Vanderstelt, she/her
Editorial Associate
Raised in Michigan (and proud to be!), and currently living in the state of Indiana, Brianna graduated with her BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University. Right now, she is finishing her MA degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Social Psychology at Ball State University, and is accepted into Ball State’s 2025 Counseling Psychology PhD cohort. It is through her years of education, experience, and training she has discovered her enthusiasm for all things social justice, advocacy, and mental health. While she is pursuing a career as a therapist, she holds a special appreciation for writing and the power of language as a way to enact change. With USYF, and as the editorial team leader, Brianna aspires to further the mission of empowering youth voices in the political sphere, as well as share her passion across a variety of topics, especially those pertaining to mental health and uplifting underprivileged and historically oppressed populations. For fun, Brianna likes to play video games, explore new places, be outside, and read.
David Jackson, he/him
Social Media Coordinator
Davíd brings his growing passion for storytelling and a knack for creating content and visuals to the team. His career began with a love for building meaningful connections online, which evolved into a dedication to helping businesses and organizations amplify their unique voice and vision. Beyond his creative work, Davíd finds inspiration in exploring new cities and cultures, prioritizing self-care and wellness, and cherishing quality time with family. He is honored to be part of an organization led by youth that uplifts youth voices and empowers meaningful change.
Mattie Friberg, she/her
Digital & Social Media Coordinator
Mattie is a producer and creative professional with experience across television, film, and talent management, including roles at National Geographic, 3 Arts Entertainment, in addition to her journalism background on Capitol Hill. With a foundation in storytelling and project coordination, Mattie has built a career supporting creative teams, managing complex productions, and championing diverse voices. With an MFA from UCLA, she is passionate about using her skills to help create opportunities, amplify underrepresented perspectives, and work toward a more equitable and inclusive future in every environment she joins. In her spare time she enjoys surfing, travel, and crochet.
Steph Chavez, she/her
Digital & Social Media Coordinator
Steph Chavez is the Social Media Coordinator at the United States Youth Forum and she’s based in Irvine, California. She creates content that sparks meaningful conversations, maintains the brand’s voice across platforms, and makes sure every visual and story connects authentically with the audience. Steph graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Film and Media Studies. Outside of work, she enjoys journaling, dreaming up her next creative project over coffee, staying active through workouts, and spending time with friends.
OUR IMPACT AGENTS
Justice Obisike, he/him
Impact Agent
​A passionate pursuer of social progress, Justice Obisike brings fresh perspectives and proven leadership to youth advocacy. With a foundation in Agricultural Economics and training in project management, Justice excels at creating platforms where young voices can shape policy decisions. Through his blog "Stories of OJ" on Substack and Medium, he harnesses the power of storytelling to inspire personal growth and self-improvement. Justice's expertise in humanitarian principles and strategic communication empowers him to bridge the gap between policy makers and young changemakers. He believes that youth don't just need a seat at the table—they need to help build the table itself. When not championing youth causes, Justice enhances his impact through continuous learning, having earned certifications in project management, humanitarian practices, and digital solutions.
Ryanna Mowatt
Digital & Social Media Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
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