Organizing Committee
The Organizing Committee reaches out and makes connections with all GENup chapters. They provide a one-on-one line of communication to the GENup Executive Team and are also instrumental in rolling out new campaigns.
Director of Organizing
Eric Yue (he/him) is a junior in Leland High School in the Bay Area and is one of the Directors of Organizing for GENup K-12. After attending various political events, Eric realized the societal inequality in our world today, especially in the accessibility of education for many lower-income families. He became more involved in political activism throughout his high school years and joined GENup's K-12 Executive Team to further expand on this passion and interest. As a Director of Organizing, Eric will work closely with other teams within GENup to support local chapters, campaigns, and activism. He is excited to work with youth leaders around the state on issues impacting the educational system! In his free time, Eric is always down to a late-night boba run, watching endless hours of YouTube, or simply chatting with friends online and through voice calls!
Chief Executive of Policy and Programs
Sofia Shah (she/her) is a Senior at The Harker School in San Jose, California. Her journey is marked by a deep commitment to women’s equality, climate activism, and an unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on her community and beyond. As a Youth Commissioner for the last four years, she actively engages with her local community. She has advocated the San Jose City Council for free feminine hygiene products for girls in public libraries and has personally created over 500 packs for unhoused girls. In her free time, Sofia enjoys dancing in diverse styles from modern jazz to tap to ballet.
Director of Organizing
Diane Chau Nguyen (she/her) is a current junior at Hayward High School and has been recently elected to be her school's student board representative for the 2023-2024 school year. Her interest in activism sparked in 2020 during the midst of the pandemic and social injustices finally coming to light. She used her platforms as a way to spread awareness and promote actions that people could do to help. Her drive for activism carried onto her sophomore year being the sophomore representative for her past high school's dress code reform committee. Furthermore, she is also a part of the marketing team for Dear Asian Youth, promoting intersectional activism, solidarity with other marginalized communities, and equality and equity. She is excited to be a Director of Organizing and be able to work with local chapters, campaigns, and activists all around to help support and reform the education system. In her free time, you can find her reading, playing tennis, video editing, or out and about with her friends either wandering around SF or doing community service.
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Director of Organizing
Carter McKinzie (he/him) is a sophomore at Laguna Beach High School, CA. His interest in educational activism sparked when he discerned inequity in his community regarding equal access for all and No Child Left Behind. As an advocate of mental health, Carter plans on working at the community level on improving the resources available to students. In addition, he serves as a coordinator for Laguna Beach High School's Model United Nations program which strives to educate students about pressing UN issues such as gender inequality, nuclear regulation, climate change, and fair sustainable development. In Carter's free times, you will find him playing water polo, spending time with friends, or reading a classic novel.
California Organizing Officer
Sahngwie Yim (she/her) is a sophomore at The Harker School in the Bay Area. She is mainly interested in the intersection between policy and health, especially topics concerning equity and diversity. She has always been interested in politics and the long-lasting, widespread impact it can have on our community. At school, she is an officer in various science and political clubs and is a member of her varsity debate team. In her free time, she enjoys ice skating, reading historical fiction books, crocheting stuffed animals, visiting new restaurants, and eating good food.
Director of Organizing
Ella Kraynak (she/her) is a junior at Palisades Charter High School in Los Angeles, California. Her passion for activism began as a child through witnessing injustices while volunteering in her community. Later, after the United States government made the heartbreaking decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Ella continued her quest for change through the My Body My Choice club she founded at her school. Through raising money and educating her community about the importance of abortion rights, Ella began delving into other issues inside her community. Spending time working with underprivileged youth at Camp Hollygrove, creating backpacks for the homeless with the Giving Spirit, and delivering meals to older individuals through Meals on Wheels, Ella learned the importance of equitable access to education and the effect it can have on ones’ future. Joining the organization as one of the Directors of Organizing for GENup K-12, Ella strives to advocate for equivalent access to education for all, as she believes education should be a right, not just a privilege. In her free time, you can find Ella on the soccer field, spending time with friends and family, or reading on the beach.
Director of Organizing
Esperanza Booher (she/her) is a first-year student at American River CC pursuing a major in Physical Sciences/Mathematics in Sacramento, California. She plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics. She became interested in student civic engagement through participation in speech and debate, being an ambassador for the CA State Seal of Civic Engagement, and being a member of her high school district’s Student Advisory Council and current college’s ASB. Through these activities, she was able to learn about the flaws in education, especially those against marginalized and underrepresented communities, and learned that students have the ability to advocate for themselves and have their voices heard despite what they have been made out to believe due to their age. She joined GENup as an avenue to gain civic and political literacy. and to be a part of a team where she knows that what she does has an impact. Outside of civic engagement, she loves music, astronomy, fashion, and community service and either leads or participates in several groups that suit her interests (such as Circle K, band, color guard, and more)! She is always excited to serve GENup by supporting and connecting chapters, and cannot wait to see what more students across the nation can do for educational reform!
Co-Chief Operations Officer
Maegha Ramanathan (she/her) Maegha Ramanathan (she/her) is a college freshman in the Bay Area and currently serves as GENup’s Co-Chief Operations Officer. Her passion for advocacy began after experiencing social inequity in sports firsthand. Witnessing broader Title IX issues in her school district, she was driven to become a student advocate and joined GENup to push for gender equity and systemic change in education. Since then, Maegha has led local and statewide campaigns focused on Title IX compliance and youth empowerment. Her advocacy work has earned national recognition, including the 2024 Diana Award, Prudential Emerging Visionary honor, and features in The New York Times, People, and The Today Show. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, watching Suits, and spending time with friends.
Chief Organizing Officer
Aarna Suresh (she/her) Aarna Suresh (she/her) is a junior in high school from the Central Valley of California. She has always been interested in advocacy and fighting for the status quo to be equitable to all. She is extremely excited to bring all that she has learned to an area she believes is the most important to us all: Education. We have all been both a teacher and a student in our lives, and Aarna is grateful for the opportunity to make her difference. Outside of her advocacy work, she is usually found watching a movie or hiking on the beautiful trails of her hometown.
Chief Organizing Officer
Sahngwie Yim (she/her) Sahngwie Yim (she/her) is an incoming college student from the Bay Area. She is interested in expanding access to educational resources and exploring the intersection between policy and health, especially topics concerning equity, mental health, and food insecurity. She has organized numerous conferences and workshops seeking to bridge the gap in education, particularly for underrespresented groups. She is a strong believer in the importance of youth involvement in politics to help our communities. She is also a varsity debater, and in her free time, enjoys ice skating, reading, crocheting, and photography.
Director of Organizing (K-12)
Euri Kim(She/Her) is a junior at Arnold O. Beckman High School in Irvine, California. At school, Euri serves as class president, where she represents over 800 peers, as well as co-captain of the mock trial team. Beyond her campus, she is Director of Government on a Local Level for the California Association of Student Councils, where she has testified before the Assembly Committee on Education, presented before the State Board of Education, and worked on expanding financial aid access for immigrant and undocumented students. She also serves as Policy Director for both the California High School Democrats and Coalition PAC, where she designs legislative strategies, writes policy packages on labor justice and education equity, and runs several fellowships training young people to draft real legislation. As California State Lead for New Voters, she spearheads youth voter registration drives across the state. Currently, she is interning at Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris’ office, gaining direct experience in constituent services and state-level policymaking, and her experiences also include internships with IGNITE National. Through building student policy platforms, she strives to amplify marginalized voices and reimagine what young people can achieve.
Director of Organizing(K-12)
Claire Chin (She/Her) is a senior at Monte Vista High School in Danville, California. Driven by her passion for civic engagement and public policy, she represents thousands of student advocates as the Region 4 President of the California Association of Student Councils. Claire’s academic interests in politics and international relations are reflected in her leadership roles as Public Forum Captain at one of the nation’s top 10 debate schools and as World Editor of The Outspoken newspaper. This summer, she was an intern lead at California State Treasuer Fiona Ma’s office, which deepened her interest in the role that fiscal decisions plays in public policy. Locally, she serves as a 1 of 4 board members on the Danville Youth Council and President of the California Scholarship Federation at MV, promoting community service amongst her peers. Beyond her academic responsibilities, Claire has had a strong interest in history since she was a kid. As such, she enjoys collaborating with the executive director of her local museum to elevate youth voices in historical representation.