Meet the Team and Comissioners

Thomisha Wallace serves as the Executive Director of the Youth Empowerment Commission established through AB 46. Joining the state from the private sector, Thomisha brings experience of program development and evaluation, project management, leadership development, community outreach, curriculum development, and public speaking. Prior to joining the State, Thomisha was the Youth Advocate Program Manager at Stanford Sierra Youth & Families, where she leveraged her lived experience as a former at-risk youth to empower, advocate, and support the Youth Advocate team and community they serve. In this role, Thomisha was as a liaison between community, County, and State level Child Welfare Leadership, where she championed policy change that was rooted in equity and inclusivity.

Driven by her passion to empower and strengthen community resiliency and expansion, Thomisha has served as a Cultural Broker within the mental and behavioral health systems to inform changes in policies, practices, and services that impacts marginalized communities and youth. Thomisha has served as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant on various projects and is a current member of the Center for Excellence Advisory Committee with the University of California, Davis Human Services Department. Thomisha received her BS in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology from California State University, Sacramento, and her Master’s in Social Work, with an emphasis in community development from Georgia State University.

Raynell Davis Walker is a Retired Annuitant with the Racial Equity Commission and previously worked as a Contract Analyst with the California Department of Public Health before retiring in 2016, after 38 years of service. She also spent 13 years with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (formerly the California Department of Correction) working closely with prison planning, construction, and activation staff. Raynell brings a long background in community service. She is deeply involved in her church and does community work in Oak Park and Middle Town Sacramento, including a monthly neighborhood canvassing called Community Peace Walks. The Community Peace Walks are in connection & collaboration with the Sacramento Police Department (SacPD) in an effort to bridge the gap between community members and SacPD to restore a broken trust as a result of violence around the world and locally against people of color.

In addition to her community service, Raynell is a Certified Life Empowerment Coach and a participating author of “Stand Up Be Heard, Vol. II”, stories of 15 Fierce, Bold & Courageous Women Living in their Purpose.

Raynell holds an AA-Degree in Community Services from American River College, Sacramento

Jennifer Serrano serves as the Senior Program Analyst for the Youth Empowerment Commission. She began her career in government at the local level, working for the 58th district as a Program Coordinator for four years. In this role, Jennifer designed and facilitated a six-month program aimed for high school junior and seniors, guiding them through the process of presenting a bill before the California State Assembly. She collaborated with a variety of corporation heads to enhance access to internships, employment opportunities, and extracurricular activities for youth pursuing higher education. Her trajectory in public service continued as she transitioned to state government. She interned with the Governor’s Office for Business and Economic Development as a Cal-in-Sac Fellow, where she served as a legislative analyst. In this position, she focused on California business legislation, critically analyzing and highlighting significant legislative changes that impact businesses throughout the state. Her career in state government progressed as she joined the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research as an Executive Analyst. In this role, Jennifer supported the Director and Chief Deputy Director, managing all aspects of correspondence and serving as a liaison to various agencies under the office. Jennifer holds an Associate’s Degree from Cerritos Community College and transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.  

Adelina Ramirez is a high school senior who is actively involved in her school and community by being a dedicated and confident leader. As early as the 8th grade, Adelina’s year-long community service project raised awareness about Chicano Park, a National Historic Landmark housing the country’s largest collection of outdoor murals commemorating cultural resilience and community activism. In partnership with her school administration, she successfully secured funds for Latinx themed books for both the campus library and school curriculum. In July of 2021, Adelina participated in the leadership cohort of Girls Inc, and was interviewed by media outlets, widening outreach for women’s empowerment advocacy. Adelina is in the Aaron Price Fellows Program, a rigorous four year fellowship founded by Price Philanthropies focused on youth, civic and leadership engagement. Through this fellowship, Adelina traveled to Washington DC to meet with notable politicians on Capitol Hill including Senator Alex Padilla, Representative Sara Jacobs, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and had the distinct honor to meet and speak with Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Adelina was selected as a UCSD intern, working with the Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment & Teaching Excellence, where she supported underrepresented K-12 students through outreach and educational programs. Adelina serves on San Diego Unified’s Racial Justice and Equity Committee, collaborating with the Board of Education to ensure district policies are equitable for marginalized students. She emceed and was a student speaker at SDUSD’s first annual Latinx Heritage Month Flag Raising. Similarly, she was a SDUSD Student Equity Ambassador where she initiated district projects and introduced action based solutions to district leaders, promoting youth advocacy and student leadership. Adelina is a writer for The Wing- a districtwide publication that elevates underrepresented student voices. Adelina was also a student panelist alongside community activists and political leaders for the Voice of San Diego’s Politifest hosted by the University of San Diego, where she spoke on several social issue topics, including education reform and public policy. Adelina was selected as a Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center intern, working to create and promote community events curriculum, further building on leadership skills including self determination and empowerment advocacy. In 2023, Adelina was also awarded San Diego County Public Defender’s Office 25 Most Remarkable Teens Award in Social Justice, recognizing her leadership and civic engagement in youth advocacy for social equity. Her unwavering commitment and dedication to social justice has led her to look forward to growing as an agent of change by majoring in public policy and becoming further involved in government politics.

Aidan Lin-Tostado (he/him) is a Taiwanese- and Mexican-American, queer, 21-year old youth raised in California and current living in San Diego. He co-founded Our Time To Act, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2018 and served as Executive Director during its rise as a powerful youth organizing force in San Diego. He now serves as the President & Chair of the Board of Directors. Aidan also works full-time at Nonviolent Peaceforce, an international civilian protection nonprofit building community capacity for Unarmed Civilian Protection. He is honored to serve on the California State Youth Empowerment Commission, the City of San Diego Youth Commission, and the San Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium Steering Committee. Aidan has received recognition for his work in the community, including the 2022 Community Service Award from San Diego Pride and the 2022 Bridge Builder of the Year from the API Leaders of the Year Awards. He is a student at UC San Diego and a 2024 McNair Scholar.

Andrea Terrones is passionate about politics and public service. After graduating from UC Riverside with a B.A. in Political Science, Andrea worked at a personal injury law firm where she expanded her legal expertise and sought justice for wrongfully injured clients. She was also a Researcher at the University of California, Riverside Latino and Latin American Studies Research Center collecting data on Mexican Labor in the Inland Empire in 2023. During college, she led a variety of civic engagement efforts within her student government, scheduling lobbying meetings at the local and state level, establishing higher education partnerships with community organizations, and promoting beneficial legislation with the University of California Student Association (UCSA). Andrea also founded Womxn in the Law to provide resources to underrepresented women of color pursuing careers in law or public affairs. Andrea continued to advocate for marginalized communities as an Organizing Fellow for Golden State Opportunity, a non-profit dedicated to ending poverty by providing Californians with the tools to build financial well-being. Her cohort helped reach 1.8+ million low-income and working class Californians. During her free time, Andrea volunteers as a Youth Teen Ministry Leader at her local church, plays tennis and spends time with her family. Andrea is determined to make the most of her time as a Commissioner and is excited to strengthen the relationship between California youth and policymakers.

Autumn Ragone is a lifelong Californian who was born and raised in San Francisco. She is a senior at St. Ignatius College Preparatory, where she serves as co-captain of the Debate Team and co-president of the Admiral Callaghan Society, a military and veteran service club. As a mayoral appointee to San Francisco’s Children, Youth, and Their Families Oversight and Advisory Committee, she helps shape policy decisions concerning funding for children and youth. Autumn has also served in the San Francisco Mayor’s Office and as a program manager for San Francisco Futuremakers, connecting young people with internships in public service, nonprofits, media, and technology. Autumn is passionate about public service, civic engagement, and ensuring that young people have a genuine voice in the decisions affecting their communities. She is fluent in Mandarin and conversational in Cantonese and Spanish.

Avanti Ramraj is a 3rd-year undergraduate student at Stanford University, majoring in Human Biology with a concentration in Public Policy, where she holds leadership roles in organizations including Stanford Women in Medicine where she is a director on the executive board. Avanti is deeply involved in research as a Clinical Research Assistant at the Brooks Lab at Stanford Medical School and contributes to saving lives via Stanford’s Emergency Medical Service team as a certified EMT. Avanti has a strong background in public service, having interned with the California State Treasurer’s Office since 2019, where she supported COVID-19 relief efforts and played a key role in state-level initiatives. She also interned for the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association and worked with the non-profit SIRUM (Supporting Initiatives to Redistribute Unused Medicine) to expand healthcare access for underserved communities. Her international experience includes serving as a US Department of State Youth Ambassador to Ecuador and Colombia, where she worked on youth and community development projects. As a leader in STEM education, Avanti founded the STEM Universal Reach Foundation, a non-profit organization that teaches robotics and STEM fields to underprivileged children globally. Her commitment to youth education is also reflected in her role as a coach and mentor for over 200 students in speech and debate. Avanti has received numerous accolades for her achievements, including being ranked 4th in California and becoming a National octafinalist in International Extemporaneous Speech. She also co-founded and led the Thunderbots, a community robotics team that won prestigious awards such as the Inspire Award at the First Lego League International in Izmir, Turkey, and the Global Innovation Award for Best Design, competing against over 5,000 teams from 50+ countries. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Avanti is a TEDx speaker and organizer, where she has mentored and coached speakers at multiple TEDxYouth events. Her speech titled “Brown Girl in the Ring” advocates for increased representation of women in STEM fields. Avanti’s diverse experiences and numerous awards highlight her commitment to making a meaningful impact in healthcare, education, and youth empowerment, both locally and globally.

Eunice Kingsley Abel is a public policy professional and youth advocate who graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy. Her work focuses on eliminating barriers for disadvantaged populations and advancing a more equitable society for young people across California.

Through her professional and community experience, Eunice has worked alongside young people, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to elevate youth perspectives and advance policies addressing housing instability and other issues affecting underserved communities. She is particularly passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in policy making and advocacy.

Eunice brings experience in policy research, community engagement, program coordination, and youth leadership. She is committed to using public policy as a tool to create more equitable systems and expand opportunities for young people and communities.

Fabian Molina, born and raised in Stockton, California, is a youth advocate and community leader committed to expanding access to opportunities and empowering our youth. He is a first-generation college graduate who earned his B.A. in Political Science from UC Berkeley after transferring from San Joaquin Delta College, where he served as Student Trustee. Having been identified as an at-risk youth during his K-12 education, Fabian understands firsthand many of the challenges and barriers faced by our youth in underserved and historically underinvested communities. His experiences have shaped his commitment to ensuring that young people have access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. Fabian founded Serve Stockton, a community organization whose mission is to connect youth with resources, opportunities, and ways to get involved in their community. He served as a high school mentor for Improve Your Tomorrow, working directly with youth from predominantly underserved communities and supporting them on their path to higher education. As a Youth Council Lead with Stockton Service Corps, he helped create a space for youth to feel empowered, develop their leadership skills, and become more involved in the community. He currently serves as a climate leader for Public Health Advocates, conducting community outreach in South Stockton, a historically underserved and underinvested area of the city. He also works full-time as a California Climate Action Fellow, helping ensure that youth are leading voices in conversations about climate, environmental justice, and the future of their communities.

Giselle Morris, a rising college freshman from California’s Central Coast, is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and environmental sustainability. With a strong record of academic achievement, she has been actively involved in school and community theater, where she volunteered her summers to mentor young performers. As an Algebra Academy mentor, Giselle coached underserved middle school students, helping them excel in mathematics. A registered Democrat, Giselle is dedicated to fostering civic engagement and has served as vice president of Students Against Destructive Decisions and treasurer of her local Key Club. She also actively served as a voice at city council meetings in an effort to champion equity in water and sewage treatment and responsible growth to protect the most vulnerable in her community. Beyond her activism, Giselle enjoys traveling and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, enriching her perspective and advocacy work. Enthusiastic about her role on the commission, she is committed to making a meaningful impact both regionally and beyond.

Jocelyn Weinstock is a high school student based in Los Angeles. She has committed herself to service since she was old enough to volunteer. Her areas of focus are educational equity, the unhoused community, animal rights, and youth mental health. Through her work with Alexandria House, High Rise Tutoring and School on Wheels, she has actively supported Los Angeles youth receive educational support and mentoring. She believes that by bringing our communities together in service we will bridge the divides in our country and solve for many of our societies greatest challenges.

Leilani Wong is a high school senior from Huntington Beach, California, and a passionate disability advocate, published author, performer, and youth leader. Born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic disorder commonly known as brittle bone disease, Leilani has transformed her experiences with disability into a commitment to advocacy and representation. She is the author of two children’s books available on Amazon, Leilani’s Unbreakable Spirit and Believe in You, which promote disability representation, confidence, and self-acceptance. Through her books and fundraising efforts, she has raised over $10,000 for the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation (OIF) and has traveled to OIF’s national conference to connect with and advocate alongside individuals and families affected by OI. Leilani has expanded her work into public policy through the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases’ Young Adult Rare Representatives (YARR) program and Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill, where she advocated for policies affecting rare disease patients. She has also traveled to Sacramento for the Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) and was selected as a California Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) delegate. Most recently, Leilani founded a Youth MOVE National chapter focused on educating young people about disability rights, legislation, accessibility, and self-advocacy. Beyond advocacy, Leilani has performed in more than 25 musical theater productions and founded Hearts & Harmony and Shine Bright Studios to serve older adults and pediatric patients through the performing arts. In the future, she hopes to expand her disability advocacy, publish additional books, and combine her interests in communications, entrepreneurship, and storytelling to amplify voices that are too often unheard.

Xitlaali Castellanos is a passionate advocate for youth civic engagement and educational equity, dedicated to empowering underserved communities through advocacy, education, and public service. A proud Monterey County native and first-generation college graduate, Xitlaali earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UCLA, where she laid the foundation for her commitment to social justice and systemic change. Currently serving as a Community Outreach Assistant, Xitlaali works directly with the homeless population in her hometown in Salinas, providing compassionate case management, services, and referrals to those in need. Her work on the frontlines has only deepened her resolve to address root causes of inequity and uplift marginalized voices. Driven by her own experience navigating higher education as a first-generation student and shaped by her rich ethnic and cultural heritage, Xitlaali champions accessible education and accessibility for all. She is now furthering her academic journey at the University of San Francisco, pursuing studies in Global Studies to broaden her impact on both local and international levels. With unwavering dedication, Xitlaali Castellanos continues to build bridges between communities and institutions, inspiring change and opening doors for the next generation of leaders.