Meet the YLC 2024-25

Vanessa Ocana

California, USA

YLC Chair

Vanessa has been involved with Best Buddies since 2019. As the YLC Chair, she supports the Co-Chairs and members by relaying their ideas and feedback to Best Buddies Headquarters. She has participated in various Best Buddies programs, including College, Friendship, Jobs, and Citizens. Additionally, Vanessa has worked as a Mission Partner and was nominated for Champion of the Year. She has also served as a State Ambassador and Speech Coach within the Ambassadors program. Lastly, she has contributed to the Los Angeles Friendship Walk Committee, taking on various roles such as Event Coordination, Mission, Team Retention, and serving as Vice Chair and Co-Emcee for the event. As someone with Cerebral Palsy who uses mobility devices, Vanessa deeply believes that seeing individuals with IDD in leadership roles can inspire others to pursue similar paths. Representation matters, and she is committed to contributing to that visibility and empowering others to lead as well.

Isabelle Hughes

Texas, USA

Co-Chair, Leadership

Isabelle is a part of the YLC Leadership Team, and she is currently overseeing the Leadership cohort. She has been a part of Best Buddies for more than 6 years and is a part of the Clemson University Best Buddies Chapter. Isabelle shares that, “Best Buddies has completely changed [her] life and the way [she] looks at things.” She decided to join YLC Leadership because she wanted to have a more direct impact on the YLC and be more hands-on with decisions.

Jamie Galvin

Tennessee, USA

Co-Chair, Community Relations

A knowledgeable and energetic member of the YLC, Jamie is a Co-Chair with 10+ years of participation with Best Buddies under her belt. Best Buddies’ meaning to her life was a driving factor for joining the YLC: “I got to meet new friends and advocate for others.”

Michelle Raitman

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Co-Chair, Resources

Michelle is a part of the YLC Leadership Team, she is the Co-Chair for the Resources Cohort, overseeing the Ambassadors and Jobs initiative. Michelle’s favorite part of Best Buddies is “being able to spread the mission of diversity, equity, inclusion, and friendship for all!” Michelle has been a part of Best Buddies Canada for more than 10 years, and she’s currently a part of the University of Guelph chapter. She joined the YLC to grow as a leader with the help of an organization that she is extremely passionate about. Michelle hopes to promote Best Buddies across Canada and the United States of America.

Nathan Moldavsky headshot

Nathan Moldavsky

Massachusetts, USA

Co-Chair, Outreach

Nathan has been involved with Best Buddies for 5 years. He joined the YLC to be part of a network of passionate leaders advocating for people with disabilities. Best Buddies has helped him build meaningful relationships and develop personal and professional skills. He is now the Co-Chair of the Outreach cohort, leading initiatives such as Social Media, Video Production, Blogs, and Chapter Engagement.

Aaron Silverman

California, USA

First Year Member

Jobs Initiative

A new member of the YLC, Aaron has worked with Best Buddies for the better part of four years. Striving for leadership development, Aaron joined the YLC to advance the mission of Best Buddies. “Best Buddies has impacted my life by not only giving me a job, but also helping me realize that my true calling was to be an advocate for disability inclusion.”

Abby Ingersoll

Indiana, USA

Second Year Member

Chapter Engagement Initiative

Abby has been involved with Best Buddies for more than 6 years. She is part of the Indiana University Bloomington Chapter and the Best Buddies Indiana SAB. She joined the YLC to expand her leadership skills and make a larger impact in her community. Best Buddies has helped her make lifelong friendships and develop valuable skills, shaping her passion for inclusion. Abby is excited to contribute further to the mission and is looking forward to her term with the YLC!

Amir Geva

California, USA

Second Year Member

Blogs Initiative

A true Best Buddies fan, Amir has been involved in our mission of inclusion for 10+ years! Returning for his second year, Amir aspires for a leadership role on the YLC. Amir’s time on the council has served him well, providing him the opportunity to make resources for the life skills initiative, do a workshop on accessibility, learn how to work together with different people, and help out at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference! A fun fact about Amir is that he was born in Israel and speaks, reads, and writes fluently in Hebrew.

Angelo Santiago

Connecticut, USA

Second Year Member

SAB Initiative

As a true inclusion superhero, Angelo has been involved with Best Buddies for 11 years! Angelo shares, “Best Buddies has been a catalyst of change in my life ever since I joined. It has shown me how important friendship is.” Angelo joined the YLC to further develop their leadership skills and experience Best Buddies in a new way.

Ari Molteni

California, USA

Second Year Member

Jobs Initiative

A second-year student at UCLA, Ari is going into her sixth year of being a part of Best Buddies. She was a part of the Digital Media initiative last year, spearheading the YLC’s YouTube and TikTok accounts, and she’s excited to work with the Jobs initiative this year!

Avelyn Garlish

Texas, USA

Second Year Member

Blogs Initiative

Avelyn has been involved in Best Buddies for more than 5 years and she is currently a part of the University of Texas Austin Chapter. Avelyn says, “One of my favorite things about Best Buddies is our one-one friendship initiative! I have met some of my best friends through this program and made some of my most fantastic memories!” She joined the YLC to continue to grow her leadership skills and learn how to be a better advocate. Avelyn hopes to educate others with her knowledge and expertise that she gains from her Special Education and her Speech and Language Pathology major.

Caley Versfelt

California, USA

Second Year Member

Digital Media Initiative

Lights, Camera, Action! Not only a star on the TV, but a real-life changemaker, Caley — a Best Buddies Participant of 6+ years — is a YLC Leadership member. A member of UCLA’s Chapter, the One-to-One Friendship Program, Jobs Program, Ambassadors Program, and Los Angeles Advisory Board, this inclusion rockstar embodies the Best Buddies mission in all she that does everywhere she goes.

Celeste Resendiz Torres

Texas, USA

Second Year Member

Jobs Initiative

With over 6 years of experience, Celeste is no stranger to the mission of Best Buddies. Through her time on the YLC, her leadership skills have flourished. She says, “Being able to be a cohort leader has allowed me to be better at leading meetings.” Her favorite part of Best Buddies is the endless opportunity to make friends who are just as passionate about inclusion as she is.

Chloe Fai

Texas, USA

Second Year Member

Ambassadors Initiative

An avid Best Buddies participant for over 6 years, Chloe joined the YLC to collaborate with others and support the Best Buddies community. She highlights the creation of lifelong relationships as one of the most rewarding parts of her experience. She says, “Collaborating in the Ambassadors Initiative has given me opportunities to work on my leadership skills. Preparing for BBLC and encouraging other chapter leaders to join the YLC also gave me experience in speaking and the opportunity to connect.”

Christina Jones

Florida, USA

Second Year Member

Digital Media Initiative

A champion of inclusion and a rising Best Buddies star, Christina, a participant of over three years, is already making a difference in her community. A member of Creekside High School’s Best Buddies Chapter and a returning member of the YLC, Christina is engendering change in the world one friendship at a time.

Elizabeth Barham

Wisconsin, USA

Second Year Member

SAB Initiative

A Best Buddies participant for over 6 years, Elizabeth finds joy in making connections and working with passionate leaders who share her goals. As a member of the YLC, she’s had opportunities to present at state leadership events and the Leadership Conference. She shares, “Best Buddies has given me the opportunity to make meaningful connections, including friendships and professional connections. It has also helped me expand and improve my leadership skills.”

Elizabeth Quay

Pennsylvania, USA

First-Year Member

SAB Initiative

Elizabeth has been involved with Best Buddies for more than 6 years. She is the President of the Downingtown East High School chapter and serves as the Mission Expansion Chair for the Pennsylvania SAB. She joined the YLC to learn from other leaders and strengthen her local chapter. Best Buddies has inspired her to advocate for people with IDD and has helped her connect with other experienced leaders.

Emma McCormick

Texas, USA

Second Year Member

SAB Initiative

Having recently embarked on her Best Buddies journey as President of St. Edward’s Best Buddies, Emma is already defying all expectations, leading initiatives, presentations, and meeting sessions. She finds joy in working with a diverse group of leaders on initiatives that promote inclusion and leadership.

Hayley Smith

California, USA

First Year Member

Digital Media Initiative

In her 3+ years of involvement with Best Buddies, Hayley has made laudable achievements within the organization and shows no signs of slowing down! As she puts it: “Even in just a few months, the YLC has definitely helped me grow as a leader! I have learned more about professionalism, communication, and have been given the opportunity to do more for Best Buddies.”

Izabel Korbet

New Hampshire, USA

Second Year Member

Jobs Initiative

Izabel’s keen efforts at inclusion have only further effloresced over her 5+ years of involvement with Best Buddies. She owes so much of who she is today to Best Buddies through the many opportunities and resources she’s been provided to grow as a leader. The way she puts it: “Best Buddies helps everyone to feel seen, valued, accepted, and included in our community and I am beyond grateful for that.”

Jacob Myers

Massachusetts, USA

Second Year Member

Ambassador Initiative

An inclusion rockstar, Jacob’s 10+ years of involvement with Best Buddies have allowed him to reach out of his comfort zone and make new friends. Jacob joined the YLC to better his leadership and social skills. Jacob, you rock!

Katie Fludgate

New York, USA

Second Year Member

Chapter Engagement Initiative

With 6+ years of experience under her belt, Katie has truly espoused the spirit of inclusion in her time with Best Buddies as a New York State Ambassador and Chapter President of Berkeley Carroll School. Katie says she stayed on the YLC because she valued the prospect of “[collaborating] with other peers that share the same passion for promoting inclusion.” Through Best Buddies she has been given the opportunity to talk to people all over the world!

Ken Seto

California, USA

Second Year Member

Ambassador Initiative

The Best Buddies “Jack of all Trades,” Ken’s work with the organization spans over a decade in his work as a Citizens Mentor, E-Buddies Leadership Board Member, Advisory Board Chair, Champion of the Year Candidate, Friendship Walk Event Chair, Jobs Mock Interviewer, Ambassador, and Ambassador Speech Coach. Even with a full plate, Ken has remained committed to his values of inclusion, diversity, and service. And the YLC has offered him so many invaluable opportunities for developing skills to be an effective leader.

Kiontis Gallion

Wisconsin, USA

First Year Member

Digital Media Initiative

Kiontis’ 6+ years of experience within Best Buddies have granted him invaluable insight into the world of inclusion. The way he puts it: “[I joined the YLC] because it’s about making an impact, to make sure everyone in this nonprofit organization can follow their dreams.” Best Buddies has impacted Kiontis to be himself: “I don’t have to act like a person that I’m not.”

Layla Kaiden

New York, USA

First Year Member

Digital Media Initiative

A Best Buddies participant of 5+ years, this Cornell University student’s perspective on the meaning of true support and acceptance has changed through Best Buddies. Layla has built close connections with so many individuals through Best Buddies and joined the YLC in search of a platform that would bring those experiences into the spotlight. “The YLC lets me work on initiatives that really matter to me and gives me a way to give back to a community that’s given me so much.”

Lipika Narisetti

Tennessee, USA

Second Year Member

SAB Initiative

Over her 5+ year career with Best Buddies, Lipika has transformed her view and vision of inclusivity. “When I first got involved, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I quickly realized how powerful the organization is in creating real, meaningful connections.” A returning member of the YLC, Lipika strives to deepen the relationships she’s already begun to foster and help new members navigate their own journeys — now, through the stronger voice she’s attained for advocacy, inclusion, and social change.

Marlo Roberts

California, USA

Second Year Member

Blogs Initiative

A champion of inclusion of 3+ years, Marlo has truly made a difference to her community and the world of Best Buddies. Best Buddies has empowered her to realize and defend against inequities present in her community. The way she puts it: “Best Buddies has not only allowed me to make so many new and amazing friendships, but also learn about the discrepancies that occur in my high school life as well as in the world around me.”

Matthew Vila

Florida, USA

First Year Member

Blogs Initiative

An energetic advocate of the Best Buddies mission and a firm believer in the strive for a fair and equitable society, Matthew has steadily climbed the ranks within our organization. He serves as the Chair of the Miami SAB, Chapter President of his high school, and is a 2024 Champion of the Year candidate. His journey to Best Buddies was not planned but a beautiful accident for which he is eternally grateful. “Before embracing the mission the international non-profit boasts across the world, I was never raised nor spent my days with people ostracized for their uniqueness and therefore found myself implicitly biased toward the world around me.” His reason for joining the YLC was simple: it provided an opportunity for him to coalesce his passions for writing and disability advocacy and disseminate them across the country.

Meredith Corwin

South Carolina, USA

Second Year Member

SAB Initiative

A Best Buddies participant of 3+ years, this Clemson University student’s passion for storytelling was a driving factor toward her commitment to the YLC. Best Buddies has held a unique role in her life, proving to her the transformative power community support and shared experiences can have on bridging divides and fostering meaningful relationships. “Collaborating with other young leaders has enhanced my ability to think strategically and foster meaningful dialogue within a community.”

Michelle Yoshimine

California, USA

Second Year Member

Ambassadors Initiative

Michelle has been involved with Best Buddies for more than 6 years. They are a part of the Ambassador and Citizens programs. Michelle joined the YLC to give back and continue growing professionally. Last year, they served as the Blogs Initiative Coordinator and gained confidence in their leadership abilities. Michelle is committed to advancing the Best Buddies mission through the YLC.

Samantha Jong

Texas, USA

Second Year Member

SAB Initiative

Samantha has been involved with Best Buddies for 5 years. She is part of the University of Texas at Austin chapter. Through the YLC, she has collaborated with people nationwide and gained leadership experience. Best Buddies has had a huge impact on her family, especially her younger brother, who is a Buddy. Samantha is passionate about advancing inclusion and advocacy through the YLC.

Sara Morgan

Kentucky, USA

First Year Member

Digital Media Initiative

Sara has been involved with Best Buddies for more than 6 years. She co-leads the College Friendship Chapter at Murray State University. Being part of the YLC has expanded her leadership skills, and she looks forward to creating content that amplifies the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies has influenced Sara’s career path in education, motivating her to focus on making classrooms inclusive for all students.

Sashan Umashankar

California, USA

Second-Year Member

SAB Initiative

Sashan has been involved with Best Buddies for 3–4 years. He is part of the Ambassadors Program in California. He joined the YLC because it’s a platform for young leaders to make a change in their communities. Best Buddies has taught him the importance of inclusivity, and he’s worked to foster this on school campuses.

Tarak Oak

Texas, USA

First Year Member

Digital Media Initiative

Tarak has been involved with Best Buddies for 5 years. He is part of the Liberty High School chapter and North Texas SAB. He joined the YLC to elevate his advocacy and make a global impact. Best Buddies has provided him with a supportive community and helped him challenge social labels. He’s excited to work on the social media team to increase outreach and foster a globally inclusive community.

Terence Moore

New York, USA

Second Year Member

Chapter Engagement Initiative

Terence has been involved with Best Buddies for more than 6 years. He participates in the Citizens, Jobs, and Ambassador programs. Best Buddies has helped him build confidence in making friends, public speaking, and leadership. He hopes to continue growing as a leader and make a bigger impact within the organization.

Victoria Giarrusso

Rhode Island, USA

Second Year Member

Digital Media Initiative

Victoria has been involved with Best Buddies for more than 6 years. She is part of the University of Rhode Island chapter. Through the YLC, she has expanded her leadership and social skills. Best Buddies has broadened her horizons and deepened her passion for community engagement. She hopes to continue developing her leadership abilities and contribute to the organization’s growth.

Wesley Cooksy

California, USA

First Year Member

Chapter Engagement Initiative

Wesley has been involved with Best Buddies for 5–6 years. He is part of the SDSU chapter and Best Buddies San Diego chapter. He aims to expand Best Buddies across San Diego County to reach more universities and communities. Best Buddies has made him feel valued and accepted, and he looks forward to helping grow the organization’s presence in his region.