Adriana Concepcion has a background in political research, student leadership, and youth advocacy. Adriana is dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people in conversations around digital well-being. Through her work with the Carolina Political Review and Journal of Foreign Affairs, she explores policy and global issues with a youth-centered lens. As the founder of Valentina by Val, she channels creativity into community engagement and digital storytelling. In the program, Adriana is focused on co-creating engaging media that destigmatizes mental health and empowers youth through culturally relevant content. She believes that true innovation in mental health starts by listening to and collaborating with the young people most affected by it.

Andrés Valle, Andy for short, is a proud member of this year’s Co-Creator Club cohort. With his experience in peer support, storytelling, and policy work, Andy creates spaces where young people feel seen and heard. He started Teens Supporting Teens, a youth-led mental health initiative in his city, and built an app and website to connect students with resources. He’s also a youth advisor for Stanford’s GoodforMEdia, where he helps uplift diverse voices in digital spaces. Through the Co-Creator Club, Andy hopes to build creative, innovative solutions to improve mental health access for young people. He believes that real change starts when young people are at the center of the conversation.

Bienvenue Badini is a student activist, dedicated to making the voices of youth heard. Through their work in mental health and environmental clubs, they have worked to amplify the voices of students who feel left behind and give them a chance to share their concerns with school leaders. In the program, Bienvenue is focused on creating solutions to problems surrounding mental health. They believe that with creativity and community, mental health resources for youth will be more accessible and make a great impact

Dream Cacho has experience in community wellness programs and peer workshops, Dream has organized activities that encourage open conversations about mental health. Through their work with local schools, they have helped design youth-led workshops on managing stress and digital well-being. Their research into youth mental health has inspired them to take an active role in finding practical solutions that make a real difference. As a new member of the program, Dream is excited to collaborate with others, learn new approaches, and develop ideas that make mental health resources easier to use and more helpful for young people. They believe young people should be involved in creating mental health solutions to ensure they are impactful and meaningful.

Ifunanya Ifeanyichukwu is a driven advocate for youth mental health and a participant in Headstream’s Youth Co-Creator Club. With a background in peer guidance, team leadership, and digital marketing, Ifunanya is dedicated to opening conversations surrounding youth mental health to more diverse communities. Through her school's Unity Forums, she has amplified diverse voices in mental health conversations, creating a safe space for underrepresented groups to share their experiences. In the program, Ifunanya hopes to further develop her leadership skills and knowledge, focusing on culturally responsive mental health initiatives. She believes that every voice deserves to be heard and that inclusivity is key to fostering a supportive community.

Jadeine Santos is a participant in the Child Mind Institute’s Youth Mental Health Academy. As the founder and co-president of IPAD (Imagine, Play, and Destress) Kidz, a school mental wellness club focused on helping students prevent unhealthy device usage and providing a supportive space for de-stressing from school, Jadeine promotes a mindful approach to technology. Beyond school, she volunteers at her local church, building a strong sense of community. With a deep interest in psychology and aspirations to work in healthcare, Jadeine is committed to understanding and addressing mental health challenges. Outside of academics, she enjoys leading her dance team as co-captain, traveling, and watching movies. In the program, Jadeine aims to expand her knowledge of youth mental health and develop solutions to better support her peers. She believes that mental wellness should be accessible and prioritized in every community.

Jayda Gilbert is a junior in high school. Jayda is dedicated to making a positive impact in her community while also having fun and learning new skills along the way. She has a strong interest in helping others feel heard, especially young people who may be struggling with their mental health. Through babysitting and spending time with younger kids, Jayda has learned how important it is to listen, show kindness, and create safe spaces. In the program, Jayda is focused on learning more about mental health and how to support her peers, aiming to make a difference in the lives of those around her. She believes that every young person deserves to feel seen and valued.

Kaelyn Tan is a compassionate youth mental health advocate and a participant in the Headstream Innovation Program. With a wide range of interests spanning journalism and non-profit organizing, she is dedicated to amplifying youth voices and sharing lived experiences around mental health. As a member of the Mountain View Youth Advisory Committee, Kaelyn has worked to reduce mental health stigma in her community by organizing engaging events that help teens learn and talk about mental well-being. Through the Headstream program, she is focused on fostering safe and supportive online communities that promote youth wellness. Kaelyn firmly believes that youth mental health efforts must be led by young people because only youth truly understand what youth need.

Kalan Dundas is a passionate advocate for youth mental health and a participant in the Headstream Innovation program. With a background in tutoring, journalism, and project management, Kalan Dundas is dedicated to supporting young people by creating spaces for learning, self-expression, and open conversations about mental well-being. Through their tutoring work, they have helped students build confidence in their academics, recognizing the connection between educational success and mental health. Additionally, their interest in journalism has allowed them to explore storytelling as a tool for raising awareness about youth mental health challenges.In the program, Kalan Dundas will focus on developing advocacy and leadership skills to promote accessible mental health resources for students and young professionals. They believe that fostering supportive communities and encouraging open dialogue are key to breaking the stigma around mental health and ensuring that every young person has the tools to succeed.

Laily has a background in peer mentorship, inclusive digital wellness, and writing for social impact. Laily is dedicated to creating empowering spaces where underrepresented communities feel seen, valued, and supported. Through her volunteer work with OneProsper International, she has introduced innovative approaches to breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by expanding access to education and building confidence among girls in India. She is also passionate about her work developing a virtual wellness community that offers teens accessible, uplifting resources for emotional, mental, and physical well-being. In the Headstream program, Laily is focused on co-creating inclusive digital spaces for youth voices that foster belonging and prioritize mental health. She strongly believes that everyone benefits when innovation is rooted in empathy, creativity, and the lived experiences of young people to truly drive meaningful change.

Mirabel Chukwuma has a background in allied health, student advocacy, and teen suicide prevention. Mirabel is dedicated to the enhancement of spaces catered to youth wellbeing and overall health, and self-care. Through their work with the community and NAACP ACT-SO, they have worked to cultivate youth-focused activities catered to the betterment of their mental health. In the program, Mirabel is focused on crafting reliable solutions to improve youth welfare in communities and across the globe. They believe that to ensure a change in the statistics of youth mental health, the collaboration of young minds is essential and a necessity.

Mlumbeni Nkhoma is an incoming freshman at the College of William & Mary and a dedicated advocate for youth mental health and gender justice. As the first African-American President of the Virginia Young Feminist Party (YFPVA), she leads a 6,000+ member organization focused on racial and gender equity. Under her leadership, YFPVA has organized rallies, lobby days, and initiatives that not only push for policy change but also create safe spaces for BIPOC and marginalized youth. She is passionate about integrating youth voices into digital products that support mental well-being. As a Co-Creator, she aims to amplify the experiences of young people, ensuring their needs are represented in youth-centered initiatives. Nkhoma believes that mental health advocacy must be intersectional, addressing systemic inequalities to create a world where all young people can thrive.

Naomi Okugo has a background in volunteering and childcare. Naomi is dedicated to education and overall youth development. Working as an after-school teacher and volunteering at her local library, she has nurtured a love for reading and knowledge while creating supportive, healthy learning spaces. In the program, Naomi is focused on supporting innovators in the teen wellness space while learning from them, hoping to start her social impact venture in the future. She believes no one should advertise any product or service catered to a specific group if they aren't part of the decision-making process, so she is excited to take on the role of a Youth co-creator at Headstream.

Simrah Durrani is a passionate advocate for youth mental health and a member of the Co-Creator Club. With a background in teen well-being and mental health advocacy, Simrah is dedicated to centering diverse voices and raising awareness about teen perspectives and insights into the digital well-being landscape. Through her work at the Boston Children’s Hospital, Digital Wellness Lab, Simrah has helped lead meaningful conversations around the future of positive social media design and use. In the Co-Creator Club, Simrah is focused on bringing her social media experience to influence and co-create on the most innovative digital mental health products for young people. She believes that every young person should be able to influence products that will ultimately be used by them & is a big advocate for increasing access to mental health care & awareness in teen communities.

Srika Balabommala is a sophomore in high school with a passion for youth mental health, digital policy & more, and serves as a member of Headstream's Co-Creator Club. In her role at Strong365, she provides feedback on mental health advocacy campaigns from organizations & universities like the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University & Mental Health America. She has also deepened her understanding of mental health through her Fellowship at Nunchi, and has learned a lot about digital policy & guidelines through her participation on the Canadian Digital Governance Council's Youth Advisory Board. In this program, Srika is focused on bringing youth voices to the larger digital industry & hopes to be able to create a better digital landscape for young people. She believes that mental health and the digital world directly correlate for many people, but also believes in the power of youth voices in shaping the technologies used by them to improve digital well-being.

Tess Sumner has a background in student leadership, community engagement, and youth empowerment. Tess is dedicated to creating systems of support that uplift young people. Through her work with the New Hampshire Teen Institute and various school-based initiatives, she has led workshops and activities focused on emotional wellness, substance misuse prevention, and connection-building. In the program, Tess is focused on expanding access to mental health resources in rural communities, aiming to reduce stigma and promote open conversations among youth. She believes that lasting change begins with listening to young people and empowering them to lead the solutions.

Uche Uwaezuoke has a background in advocacy and mental health initiatives, Uche is dedicated to making inclusive environments for young people. Through his work with his organization, Let’s Listen Project, he’s helped boost feelings of wellness and unity via storytelling within his community. In the program, Uche is focused on co-creating digital tools for marginalized youth while also making more accesible mental health resources. He believes that real change starts where youth are leading!

Yombo Adesanya is a passionate advocate for youth mental health and a participant in the Headstream Co-Creator Club. With a background in student leadership, peer mentorship, and community conversation leading, Yombo is dedicated to fostering strong senses of community for youth to express themselves culturally or otherwise. Through their time serving as a group leader in the Speak Up club, they have worked to create youth-led community conversations. In the program, Yombo is focused on creating welcoming environment and aiming to eliminate the sense of “other” youths often feel. They believe that through innovative coalition building with youth, specific and lasting mental health resources and spaces can be created or improved.