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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 is a proud Texan and is currently pursuing 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
Jamie Panko, she/her
Fundraising Associate
Jamie is a passionate young professional working in healthcare policy in Richmond, VA. She volunteers her time with USYF in order to grow in nonprofit skills and contribute to USYF's message of encouraging youth civic engagement. She is particularly passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, rural poverty, homelessness and housing equity, and refugee resettlement. In her free time, Jamie likes to attend concerts, learn line dances, and spend time with her cat, Lulu.
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.
OUR IMPACT AGENTS
Justice Obisike, he/him
Impact Agent
Jamie is a passionate young professional working in healthcare policy in Richmond, VA. She volunteers her time with USYF in order to grow in nonprofit skills and contribute to USYF's message of encouraging youth civic engagement. She is particularly passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, rural poverty, homelessness and housing equity, and refugee resettlement. In her free time, Jamie likes to attend concerts, learn line dances, and spend time with her cat, Lulu.
Ryiesha Cochran, she/her
Impact Agent
Ryiesha holds a Master’s in Education and has 10 years of experience as a Mathematics Educator. Throughout her career, she has developed systems to improve teaching efficiency and student engagement, including creating resource databases and leading professional development workshops. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology with minors in Education and Mathematics and is pursuing certifications in Project Management and Nonprofit Management. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring nature, particularly hiking trails. Spending time outdoors helps her recharge, find inspiration, and appreciate the beauty of the environment. She is excited to use her skills in education and engagement to support the mission of the United States Youth Forum and empower young voices.
Yenting Lin, he/him
Impact Agent
​Yenting Lin holds a bachelor’s in social welfare and labor relations and is currently pursuing a master of public policy at George Mason University, supported by the Dean’s Fellow Award. With a strong background in social welfare, labor relations, and international governance, Yenting has contributed to research on voting access, reproductive rights, and education policy, with publications in the Social Science Research Network (SSRN). His experience spans policy research, data analysis (R, STATA, Python), and policy evaluation. Throughout his academic and professional journey, Yenting has engaged in nonprofit and academic sectors, including national health insurance policy and volunteer service management. He has also presented research at multiple conferences, addressing issues such as social media extremism, climate crisis management, and AI-generated misinformation. Fluent in Mandarin and Taiwanese and proficient in English, Yenting is dedicated to public service and policy innovation. Beyond academia and research, Yenting enjoys contributing to youth empowerment initiatives, volunteering in advocacy roles, and writing on international policy issues.
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