The Young Women’s Cabinet

Kiaya Hoffner (she/her) graduated from Minnesota state university with a bachelors degree in therapeutic recreation. She is passionate about advocating for mental health resources especially in rural Minnesota. She currently works at Prairie Care as a psychiatric technician. She plans to pursue a masters in social work to further her education to become a psychotherapist.

June is a junior at Mankato East High School who is deeply committed to leadership, community service, and global engagement. She is an active member of Hope Squad, Environmental Club, and Key Club, where she works to promote kindness, sustainability, and service within her community. As a dedicated athlete in track and cross country, she values perseverance, teamwork, and personal growth. Outside the classroom, June serves as a radio show host for her local station, using her platform to highlight community voices and her passion of music. She plans to pursue a career in international relations and global affairs, driven by her passion for cultural understanding and advocacy. June believes strongly in the importance of empowering women and amplifying their voices, both locally and globally, as a means to build more equitable and connected communities.

In 11th grade at Mankato West High School, Corrigan is working to earn an Associate’s degree in medical assisting by her high school graduation in 2027. She is taking classes at both South Central College and Minnesota State University. Throughout her life, she has practiced musicality. From piano to clarinet, this experience with music has helped her to become the dancer she is today. Years of dance have helped her to realize the importance of dedication and hard work. She participates in many activities, including Health Occupations Students of America, SHINE club, Hope Squad, the school board representative program, and the BigFuture Ambassador program. Additionally, she is certified in Basic and Comprehensive First Aid and CPR. Her passions and interests include women’s health, sex ed, and telling stories through many different modes.

Wren (he/him) is a creative, hands-on individual who is passionate about learning and self-expression. He was assigned female at birth (AFAB) and now proudly lives as a trans man. After studying chemistry for a year at MNSU (Mankato), Wren realized his true calling was in the world of mechanics and is working toward a future in that field. He currently works at a nonprofit thrift store. Outside of work, you’ll find him cross-stitching, singing, or playing piano—where his attention to detail and creativity really shines.

Sarah Sabrie is a first-year nursing student at South Central College. She enjoys volunteering with her college’s Student Nursing Association to stay involved and give back to the community. During the day, Sarah works as a peer tutor and finds joy in helping others succeed and grow more confident in themselves, which she believes reflects the YWCA’s mission of empowerment and support. She hopes to use her nursing career to advocate for patients whose voices are often unheard, especially women and groups underrepresented in healthcare. In her free time, Sarah enjoys playing handball, learning Chinese, and exploring new places.

Monir McCabe is a junior at Mankato West High School. She is involved in many activities at my school, including tennis, student council, and Moving Our Futures Forward Club. She is passionate about making sure Mankato is a welcoming place for everyone. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, exploring new places, and spending time with friends and family. After high school, she wants to attend a four-year college, preferably on the East Coast.

Madison Bomstad (she/her) is a senior at Mankato East High School who is also a full-time PSEO student with Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU), and South Central College. Madison is pursuing an Associate of Arts degree and her Geographic Information System certificate prior to high school graduation. Further plans include majoring in geospatial science at MSU and minoring in graphic design. She is passionate about creating more opportunities for young women to enter STEM-related fields. Additionally, Madison volunteers regularly with the Backpack Food Program and South Central Minnesota Food Recovery to help in the reduction of food insecurities within the Mankato community. In her spare time, Madison enjoys reading, using her creative skills for various art projects, and spending time with her family and friends.

Yolanda Cisneros (she/her) is a determined and passionate young Hispanic junior attending Yellow Medicine East High School located in Granite Falls, Minnesota. She does exceptionally well academically and in her extracurricular activities. Being a member of the Upward Bound Program, she has an intense passion for pursuing higher education and encouraging others to pursue this as well. Through this program, she helps other students begin their steps into higher education, tutors other students, and gives back to the community by volunteering and donating to those in need. Coming from a small rural town, Yolanda deeply understands the value of opportunities and works to make the most out of every one that comes across her path. Her role in a small school community is vice president of the executive student council board. Using this title to make sure all students’ voices are heard and included, not just through words but through action. Her academic success is shown through her consistent placement on the honor roll and her earned spot in the Minnesota National Honor Society. On the weekends, she works her shifts at Pioneer PBS as an MC operator. Beyond her academics and community work, Yolanda enjoys long weight lifting sessions at her local community center, followed by runs in the nature around her town of Granite Falls. 

Sreeja Thirukkovalur (she/her) is a junior at the University of St. Thomas double majoring in international business and American culture and difference, on a pre-law track with the goal of becoming an international human rights lawyer. On campus, she serves on the Undergraduate Student Government Board, Undergraduate Business Council Board, and is a student leader for her school’s sustainability club, Students for Justice and Peace, and Queer–Straight Student Alliance Club. Beyond school, she has been active in grassroots organizing and community work through Minnesota Young DFL Caucus, Hennepin County Juvenile Justice Reform Board, and UNICEF USA. Driven by her belief that real systemic change comes from collective effort, she hopes to continue uplifting communities, challenging broken systems, and inspiring others to believe in their power to create lasting change. 

Sheridyn Runs After (she/her) is a senior at Southwest Minnesota State University, majoring in justice administration with minors in political science, Indigenous and Dakota studies, and pre-law. She serves as student body president and leads both the Criminal Justice Club and the Social Justice Club. Sheridyn, from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, is passionate about advancing Native rights, representation, and justice for her communities. She has experience across tribal local systems, the nonprofit advocacy and Capitol government sector, and state agency initiatives focused on tribal and state relations. Her efforts center on intersectionality and systemic change, and she hopes to continue using her education and leadership to advocate for her communities and future generations. 

Samia Abdulle (she/her) is a third-year student at the University of Minnesota studying political science on the pre-law track. She is passionate about housing advocacy, women’s rights, and reproductive health. She is actively involved in the Undergraduate Student Government and the Student Legal Services Board of Directors. She plans to pursue a career in public interest law and is excited to participate in the Young Women’s Initiative to give her the necessary policy background to advocate for tangible change across Minnesota.  

Pang Nhia Khang (she/her) is a first-generation graduate from Augsburg University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, on the pre-medicine track. As a child of refugees and a refugee herself, she brings a deep personal understanding of resilience, displacement, and the importance of equitable access to care. She is deeply passionate about women’s rights, food insecurity, health policy, and standing with marginalized communities, striving to create a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system. Her previous work includes research and outreach focused on underserved populations, including projects involving Hmong communities, connecting individuals to SNAP and resources, and addressing the menstrual hygiene and diaper needs of women and children in rural areas. These experiences have further strengthened her commitment to community-centered care and advocacy. Currently, Pang works as a Research Assistant at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). She plans to pursue a career in medicine that blends compassionate patient care with advocacy, ensuring individuals not only receive quality medical treatment but are also connected to the resources and support they need to thrive. In her free time, she enjoys running, sewing, crocheting, and journaling. 

Nawal Abdurahman (she/her) is a junior studying neuroscience at the University of Minnesota. Driven by her fondness for the brain, she strives to encourage more young girls to consider a career in STEM by sharing her story on college panels. Her time as both a tutor serving predominantly marginalized communities and an ER volunteer at M Health Fairview had inspired her to seek initiatives working to demystify the healthcare system for at-risk groups. Nawal is currently an undergraduate research assistant analyzing pain from cancer and sickle cell disease at the UMN School of Dentistry and works as a teaching assistant in the College of Biological Sciences. She enjoys hiking trails up north, reading classics, and trying out new matcha spots. 

Najma Darwish (she/her) is a senior at St. Catherine University majoring in public health with a minor in international studies on the pre-medicine track. She serves as president of the Public Health Club and previously as diversity chair of the Student Senate, where she advanced equity and inclusion initiatives. Najma also works as a writing and reading tutor and as a peer health educator, supporting student wellness and academic success. She is passionate about global health equity and health policy and plans to pursue medicine with a focus on global health. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and watching K-dramas. 

Miranda Del Toro (she/her) is an IB junior at Great River School in St. Paul. She is a first-generation daughter of immigrants from Mexico, born in the U.S. Raised in Richfield, she is committed to democracy and justice, shaped by her lived experiences. She served as the student class president for the 2023-2024 school year. Miranda is also a student leader for the BIPOC group at her school, advocating for the voices and needs of students of color. Outside of school, she is a youth leader and volunteer with Unidos MN, where she participates in education, climate, and immigration justice campaigns. Miranda is passionate about gun safety, immigrant protections, and universal healthcare, and she sees the Young Women’s Cabinet as a vehicle to urgently protect children and youth from gun violence and safeguard the future of our democracy. Miranda aspires to study psychology, history and philosophy and become a lawyer specializing in criminal law, motivated by a commitment to justice and advocating for multiracial working families. She believes that when young women are given the tools to lead, they not only transform their own lives but also help shape stronger, more resilient communities. 

Marwah Asif (she/her) is in her final semester at Saint Cloud State University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with minors in political science and multicultural education & human relations. As a first-generation child of an immigrant and a woman of color, Marwah grounds her work in lived experience—navigating systems not designed for marginalized communities has fueled her commitment to equity, accessibility, and systemic change. 

She works as a mobile case manager at 180 Degrees Saint Cloud Youth Shelter, where she bridges gaps in community outreach and resource navigation for youth in crisis. Marwah serves as the Community Advisory Board Chair for Students United and as a governing board member for the Central Minnesota Continuum of Care, ensuring that youth and marginalized voices are included in decision-making spaces. She also helps amplify the work of Central MN Women Rising, a grassroots mutual aid group focused on bridging resource gaps across Central Minnesota. 

Lucianna Gutierrez (she/her) is a certified peer recovery specialist/housing stabilization specialist honored to serve communities on the south side of Minneapolis. She contributes insight to the State Tribal-Partnership as a lived-experience expert in the foster care system. As an Indigenous young woman, Lucianna is passionate about fostering healing within Indigenous communities and supporting the unsheltered through education, advocacy, and enrichment. She plans to continue her academic journey, pursuing a major in neuroscience with minors in anthropology and psychology. Outside of her work, Lucianna finds joy in beading, sewing, and meditation. She is incredibly grateful to serve on the Cabinet and is eager to grow from the knowledge gained along the way.

Lia Alvarez (she/her/ella) is a proud Latina, immigrant, and recent graduate of the University of St. Thomas, where she earned a double bachelor’s degree in psychology and family studies. At UST, Lia served as a mentor for first-year students and afterschool programs, believing that the transition into higher education becomes easier when students have guidance and resources. Currently, she works as a Family, Friends, and Neighbor (FFN) Navigator at CLUES, supporting Latina caregivers by helping them access resources, start their own businesses, and have their voices heard in the community. By nature, Lia is a quiet person, but you’ll find her raising her voice, marching, and shouting at protests for justice. She remembers how language and other barriers once silenced her when she first arrived in the United States. Today, she chooses to speak, to dream, and to help others find their voice. Dedicated advocate for human rights, women’s empowerment, and immigrant rights, Lia continues to build bridges of opportunity while proudly representing her community with resilience and heart.

Keira Azefor (she/her) is a sophomore at the University of St. Thomas, majoring in forensic accounting with a minor in French. Driven by a passion for justice and investigation, she is preparing to attend law school after graduation. Alongside her academic pursuits, Keira works part-time as a hairdresser and is actively involved on campus. She is a member of the Ciresi Walburn Leadership Program, ANSA, BESA, the Honors Program, and the Accounting Club. Keira also works within the university’s admissions department, balancing professional development with community engagement. Her diverse interests reflect a strong commitment to leadership, service, and academic excellence. 

Ja’Sirah Barber (she/her) is a senior at Columbia Heights High School and a PSEO student with a strong passion for leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. She serves on the Brooklyn’s Youth Council by BBAY in Brooklyn Park, where she uplifts youth voices and works to create opportunities for young people to thrive. At school, Ja’Sirah is deeply involved in student government, Black Student Union, journalism, choir, speech, and National Honor Society, consistently leading initiatives that foster equity, inclusion, and community building. Her work reflects her dedication to amplifying underrepresented perspectives and her resilience in transforming lived experiences into purposeful advocacy. Ja’Sirah aspires to pursue a career in law, with the goal of advancing justice, empowering youth, and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.  

Heritage Aluko (she/her) is a senior at Visitation School, an all-girls school in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. She is the founder of Impact Future Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping and empowering young women of color through mentorship. She developed her nonprofit through the Women’s Foundation Innovators program. At Visitation, Heritage is captain of the Students of Color Society, which works to foster inclusion and build a close-knit community across campus by leading initiatives that celebrate diversity, and is a member of the Leadership Ambassador team. A dedicated musician, Heritage plays the saxophone, piano, and flute and plays in a jazz band, marching band, and concert band. She also contributes to her Church’s music ministry and Dechantle music ministry in singing. 

In her free time, Heritage loves to write poetry and was a competitor in the MN Poetry Out Loud competition. Heritage strives to uplift young women to lead with courage, resilience, and purpose.  

Hana Sowelam (she/her) is a senior at The Blake School in Minneapolis. She advocates for equitable access to healthcare in and out of school, serving on the Youth Advisory Board for myHealth Clinic for Teens & Young Adults and on the Youth Council at Children’s Hospital of Minnesota. Hana is a leader for the Student Diversity Leadership Council and the Hunger Committee. She is dedicated to her work as a caregiver at English Rose Suites, where she has fostered meaningful connections. Hana is the captain of her swim team and spends her free time bonding with her teammates. She can also be found volunteering at WestHealth Hospital, going for a bike ride, or spending time with family.  

Genesis Maravilla Fernandez (she/her) is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she majored in global studies with minors in sociology and Chicano & Latino studies. Raised in Bloomington, Genesis is passionate about advocating for underrepresented communities in higher education. As an AmeriCorps member with College Possible, she supported 30 high school juniors and seniors in navigating the college process from exploration and applications to enrollment in postsecondary programs. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending quality time with friends and family. 

Gao Sheng (she/her) is a dual-degree graduate of St. Catherine University, holding an MPH in global health and a BS in applied science in psychology, with a minor in women’s studies. She is passionate about preventing and addressing sexual violence against women and children. Gao Sheng works as an Environmental Health Specialist at Ramsey County. Her previous roles include lead researcher, health educator, and public health program assistant at St. Catherine University; emerging infectious diseases paraprofessional senior at the Minnesota Department of Health; and health careers program assistant at Roosevelt High School. In her free time, Gao Sheng enjoys staying active at the gym, dancing at music festivals, and cooking at home. 

Esther Lee (she/her) is a junior at The Blake School in Minneapolis. At school, she serves on the Student Diversity Leadership Council, is a Breakthrough mentor, president of the Women in Business club, and a Model UN leader. Beyond school, she volunteers with the Crisis Nursery and is a part of SpAID, a nonprofit where students provide first aid kits globally. She is also a member of her high school soccer team. In her free time, Esther enjoys spending time with friends and family. She looks forward to meeting new people and hopes to make a positive impact on the community while working alongside her peers.

Celeste Conteh (she/her) is a senior at the University of St. Thomas (UST) pursuing her BSN, with a double minor in Narrative Medicine and Communication Studies. She commits herself and her efforts to furthering holistic medicine, envisioning a future of culturally and socially aware healthcare in all spheres. On campus, Celeste has served as President of the Black Empowerment Student Alliance (BESA), a Linkages Peer Mentor, a Racial Justice Initiative Student Ambassador, and more, demonstrating her commitment to fostering community and racial justice. Off campus, she has volunteered at several organizations, including the East Side Learning Center, AVID Center, and Mediation and Restorative Services, earning the 2024 UST Volunteer of the Year Award. In her free time, Celeste loves discussing animation as an art medium, including animated television, film, and video games. She also loves music, spending time with her loved ones, dancing, boxing, and trying new local restaurants and coffee shops!

Azah Nde (she/her) is a third-year student at the University of Minnesota studying international business and finance. Her experiences as a child of immigrants led her to work in business and economic development of communities in North Minneapolis and beyond. Currently, she works as a mental health practitioner in an intensive residential treatment facility. She is passionate about advocating for financial/economic freedom and mental health awareness, especially for those historically underserved. She was proud to help pass the Junk Fees bill, projected to save Minnesota families about $3,000. As a result of her testimony, Gov. Tim Walz requested that she speak at the signing ceremony. Her enthusiasm for the legislature stems from her time interning for two Minnesota State Senators. She hopes to work to uplift voices that are unheard and bring light to the hidden challenges impacting her community.  

Ariah Crosby (she/her) is a current junior at the University of St. Thomas pursuing dual degrees in Secondary Education with a focus on History & French with a minor in American Studies. As a passionate education enthusiast and change agent, Ariah is committed to addressing historical inequities within Minnesota’s education system and cultivating new pathways of possibility for the next generation of leaders through design learning. She currently works at the Legal Rights Center, where she leads Dreaming Restorative Futures, an initiative dedicated to reimagining possibilities for formerly incarcerated individuals and justice-impacted youth. Beyond this role, she interns with the NOTICE Coalition, where she is actively engaged in addressing technological harms in education and advancing education equity, from advocating for equitable access in classrooms to challenging harmful seclusion practices in Minnesota schools. Within her own academic community, Ariah serves as a peer mentor through the Ciresi Walburn Leaders Fellowship and was recently named a Voyager through President Obama’s Voyager Scholarship, a prestigious award granted to only 100 students nationwide who are committed to a future in public service. Outside of her professional and academic commitments, Ariah enjoys exploring new hobbies, from exercising to experimenting with handicraft projects.

Aria Naik (she/her) is a junior at Wayzata High School with a deep interest in emerging technologies, data science, and analytics as tools for advancing equity and driving meaningful impact. She currently interns at South Asian Women’s Network, where she creates digital content that fosters community engagement. Early this year, she participated in the Technovation Girls MN Challenge and developed a mobile app to help urban and hobby farmers reach interested consumers in their neighborhoods. She writes for the student newspaper and volunteers as an academic mentor to younger students at her school. She also enjoys exploring global issues and policy and is actively involved in the Youth in Government and Model United Nations programs. In her free time, she likes reading fantasy fiction and listening to music. Her favorite quote is by Michelle Obama: “There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others.” 

Alaisha is a junior undergraduate student at The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. She is majoring in public health with minors in Spanish for health professions and Catholic studies. On campus, she works on the Diversity Activities Board with the Student Diversity and Inclusion Services department and acts as a mentor for first-year students and first-year students from marginalized communities. She is currently on the pre-law track for medical malpractice law and is open to anything in the medical field. Coming from a family of immigrants and a single parent household, and having faced discrimination, diversity and DEI efforts are very important to her. Her goal in life is to better the medical system and make it easier to navigate for lesser served communities (women, people of color, people with different religious beliefs). Outside of school, she enjoys reading and studying medicinal herbs.

Aisling Cox (she/her) is a second-year undergraduate student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She is studying political science and quantitative economics with an emphasis in public policy and law. Growing up in Fergus Falls, Aisling developed a passion for rural economic development through internships with government organizations at the city and county levels. Aisling aspires to attend law school and pursue a career in bond law. At St. Olaf, Aisling serves as a writing tutor, a student fellow at the St. Olaf Institute for Freedom and Community, and the treasurer for the Pilates club. She loves to spend time hiking, swimming, running, and listening to music in the beautiful great outdoors of Minnesota. 

Valerie Ritsch is a recent graduate from Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Recreation and Parks Leadership Studies program, attaining degrees for double emphasis – Cultural and Natural Resource Management & Recreation Leadership & Management. Valerie was drawn to RPLS for its focus on making a tangible, positive impact on the quality of life for all. She is passionate about creating accessible recreation opportunities, fostering community connections, protecting our cherished natural resources, and ensuring economic prosperity for our rural communities, farmers, and underserved groups. Valerie is committed to supporting her local communities, particularly rural working families, women, gender-expansive individuals, and others in alignment with the YWCA’s mission. In her free time, Valerie is obtaining a private pilot certificate for hot air balloon flying, embracing her adventurous spirit while continuing to serve and uplift those around her. She greatly enjoys sharing the tradition of aerostation with others.

Addison Wienke is in her third year at Minnesota State Mankato studying psychology and American Sign Language. She is currently working part-time in retail while pursuing her degree. Growing up in a household with a hard-of-hearing father, she is passionate about making mental health resources accessible for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and hopes to pursue a career in counseling psychology in the future. In her free time, she loves to crochet, draw, and play board games. She is also involved in the MNSU concert choir and loves to sing.

Originally from Annandale, Avery is a junior majoring in sociology and anthropology at Gustavus Adolphus College. Avery has volunteered at various nonprofits and has experience managing her own fundraisers. As a disability services summer work experience intern at CHOICE, Inc., she planned and implemented educational and recreational programs for 80 adults with intellectual disabilities, including community outings and hands-on job coaching. While she plans to continue her internship this summer, she is currently researching how social inequality is reproduced by the criminal justice system. In her free time, Avery enjoys engaging her campus community by participating in Students for Reproductive Freedom, singing her heart out in Lucia Singers, hitting the gym on a stressful day, or curling up with a good book.

Kaitlyn is a senior at Mankato West High School and a dedicated second-year member of the Greater Mankato Area Cabinet, committed to advancing the well-being of young women across the state. In school she is the president of National Honors Society, and an active leader of initiatives like Moving Our Futures Forward (MOFF) and Link Crew, where she works to foster leadership, inclusion, and community engagement within her school. Kaitlyn is also involved in Hope Squad, where her passion for suicide prevention and mental health advocacy (Mental Health Connections or MHC) continues to grow. Her work with youth-focused gun violence prevention organizations reflects her broader commitment to safer, more equitable communities. Outside the classroom, she volunteers with local programs such as Echo Food Shelf and the Backpack for Kids initiative. She plans to study psychology and international relations to pursue a career in international law, aiming to empower young women and create lasting change through political activism.

Yusra Omar is a Black Muslim woman from southern Minnesota and a graduate of Capella University. Raised by two refugee immigrants from Somalia, she is passionate about raising awareness of inclusiveness for other Black Muslims in Mankato, Minnesota. She works as a program supervisor for women with mental health and developmental disabilities. Yusra is also involved in groups that advocate for diversity in local schools and raise awareness about the school-to-prison pipeline in her community. She enjoys traveling throughout the Middle East, seeing world wonders, and attending Taylor Swift concerts.

Bella Macemon is a military brat turned hot-dish-loving Minnesotan. She is currently a junior at Gustavus Adolphus College, majoring in English and business management. Her upbringing inspired a passion for community and a desire to amplify all voices. As a member of the Mankato Cabinet, she is excited to learn more about advocacy, policy, and enacting change. In her free time, she can be found reading a book, watching SNL, and spending time with family.