Plan International USA announces new Youth Advisory Board members

March 6, 2019

WASHINGTON – Today, Plan International USA announced five new members for its Youth Advisory Board (YAB). New members include Jorge Pena, Malcolm Asher, Night-Jean Muhingabo, Rose Nguyen, and Vishwa Shriya Padigepati.

The YAB is comprised of 15 young leaders in the United Sates from diverse backgrounds who work to vocalize the needs of youth in the country, reinforcing the organization’s mission of empowering young people. The role of YAB members ranges from strategy development, to collaborating with other youth advisory groups across the globe on advocacy initiatives, all while growing a network of young people across the U.S. dedicated to supporting the organization’s mission to fight for children’s rights and equality for girls.

16-year-old Jorge Pena from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Jorge Pena – 16-year-old Jorge from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he holds key leadership roles on multiple school clubs. He has experience working at a Cancer center and wants to become a nurse and make a change in people’s lives.

18-year-old Malcolm from Portland, Oregon

Malcolm Asher – 18-year-old Malcolm from Portland, Oregon loves working as part of a team and with human centered design models. He is passionate about health equity and sees himself working in international medicine or global health policy analysis in 10 years.

20-year-old Night-Jean from Providence, Rhode Island.

Night-Jean Muhingabo – 20-year-old Night-Jean from Providence, Rhode Island wants to draw from his unique experiences as a refugee from Congo to get his PhD and bring his knowledge and skills back to his home city of Brazzaville.

18-year-old Rose from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Rose Nguyen – 18 year-old Rose from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is fluent in Vietnamese and is currently first in her class. She’s passionate about migration and mental health and is extremely excited to work with Plan in the areas of education, girls’ rights, and children’s rights issues.

17-year-old Vishwa from Fullerton, California.

Vishwa Shriya Padigepati – 17-year-old Vishwa from Fullerton, California who grew up in a rural village in South India. She has worked on a gubernatorial campaign and wants to join the international law community and fight for genocide-prevention policies and procedures.

Check out our website for a look into all YAB members.

About Plan International USA

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan believes in the power and potential of young people. Working together with children, young people, supporters, and partners, Plan strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

For more information, please visit PlanUSA.org.