Citlali Santos-Martinez
Role: Founder/Executive director
School of attendance: Santa Monica College- Political Science & History
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: Sophomore
Biography: As a daughter of immigrants I had no idea on how to navigate the social and political systems that exist within the United States. I created the Next Light Foundation to help students who were or are in the same position as me.
Anna Lin
Role: Vice President
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: Junior
Biography: Heyyyy pooks!! My name is Anna and I’ll be serving as your vice president. I’m based in New York City & am currently a high school junior!! Given the current perspective of immigrants in the United States, I hope to make an impact on guiding youths from underrepresented and underprivileged backgrounds. I look forward to working with all of you!
TBD
Role: Chief of Staff
School of Attendance: California State Fullerton
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Grade: Graduate Student
Biography: Christopher Hendrix is a dynamic youth advocate and MSW candidate at Cal State Fullerton, with dual B.A. degrees in Political Science and Psychology from CSUDH. A seasoned strategist, he’s held fellowships with Young Invincibles, the City of L.A.’s Youth Development Department, and UCLA Anderson. His work bridges policy, wellness, and system reform—guided by his lived experience and global travels across six countries. As a former VP of Finance and current Special Projects Lead of Youth-Led Nation, Christopher brings governance, fiscal insight, and Chief of Staff (CoS)-level coordination to every initiative. He recently served as a youth ambassador for the Aspen Institute’s Rising Generations Summit and continues championing mentorship, equity, and youth-centered systems transformation
Brenda Macuil
Role: Chief Of Research
School of Attendance: UCLA
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Grade: Senior
Biography: My name is Brenda, and I’m a proud Los Angeles native with a passion for reading and community service. As a first-generation college student from an immigrant family, I’m deeply committed to work that uplifts underserved communities and helps break down barriers to academic and economic opportunity. This is what drew me to the mission of the Next Light Foundation in the first place!
Alishba Tareque
Role: Events Coordinator
School of attendance: John F Kennedy High School
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: Senior
Biography: Born and raised in Southern California, I grew up surrounded by a strong sense of community and a drive to make a difference. Throughout high school, I’ve been deeply involved in leadership, volunteer work, and advocacy, especially for youth and women’s rights. These experiences inspired me to pursue a future in law and public policy. I’m currently focused on studying political science and exploring opportunities that allow me to uplift others and amplify underrepresented voices. Joining this program is another step toward building a more equitable and informed future.
Natalie Ascorra
Role: Chief of Translators
School of attendance: Pitzer College- Political Studies and Organizational Studies
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: Sophomore
Biography: I am a first gen Latina college student from the San Fernando Valley, currently studying Political Science and Organizational Studies at Pitzer College. I have witnessed how immigration and education systems impact families like mine, which inspired my passion for advocacy and community work. I joined The Next Light Foundation to continue building inclusive, empowering communities and to learn from others who are just as passionate about social justice and systemic change!
Zaira Amara
Role: Director of the Mentorship Program
School of attendance: Claremont High School/Citrus College
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: Junior
Biography: Hi! My name is Zaira and i’m a rising junior from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I love politics, biology, the ocean, and colorguard. I’m here to make a difference in the lives of others, and I cant wait to help the Next Light do great things!
Addie Harmon
Role: Blog and content manager
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: High school Senior
Biography: I’m super passionate about service, education, and writing, which led me to my role as Blog and Content Manager! As a student myself who also doesn’t know where to look, I joined the Next Light foundation in hopes that my research and content will be of help to you too.
Dhruv Bhola
Head of the Committee's
School of attendance: DVHS
Pronouns: He/Him
Grade: Sophomore
Biography: I just want to make a positive impact on life
Maalika Mehta
Role: Social Media manager
School of attendance: Oyster Bay High School
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: Junior
Biography: I grew up with a strong sense of justice and a passion for helping others find their voice. I plan to pursue a career in the legal field to advocate for equity and create meaningful change. As the board’s social media intern, I’m excited to help share our mission and connect with the community, while also learning from mentors and building my skills. I look forward to contributing my creativity, dedication, and perspective to the team.
The Academic Opportunity Board
Chidera Anthony-Wise
Role: Director of Pre-law
School of attendance: UCLA Alumni
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: College Graduate
Biography: As an aspiring attorney passionate about healthcare equity, I hope to make a real difference in medical law. I graduated from UCLA with a degree in Human Biology and Society, where I developed an interest in how law and medicine intersect to impact people’s lives. Through experiences like legal research with health-focused law groups and volunteering in underserved communities, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges many face in accessing quality care. I’m excited to use my blend of legal knowledge and healthcare experience to improve patient access. Serving as the Pre-Law Director, I am eager to connect with you all and provide insight to succeed in the legal field!
Natalie Stopf
Role: Director of Pre-Med
School of attendance: Appomattox Regional Governor’s School
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: Senior
Biography: Hello everyone! My name is Natalie and I come from a small town in Virginia. I’m an NREMT, have participated in lab research, and hope to one day go into medicine! As someone from a small town, I am very passionate about making sure each student has equal opportunities to education about and experience in the field that they plan to go in. I previously founded my own student group to fulfill this passion, and am excited to continue to do so through Next Light!
Dana Alsalem
Role: Director of STEM
School of attendance: University High School
Pronouns: She/Her
Grade: Senior
Biography: Hi! I’m Dana, your new STEM Director. I’m a rising high school senior from Southern California with a strong passion for science and a dream of becoming a medical scientist/researcher. I’m incredibly excited to help lead STEM initiatives and share my love for science with other curious, driven students.