EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kenia first joined YUCA as a core youth organizer, leading campaigns and social justice work for four years before attending UC Santa Cruz. As part of YUCA’s immigration campaign, she worked alongside other young people to collect petitions supporting the California Dream Act, lead Know Your Rights presentations, and participate in San Mateo County coalitions working to end referrals to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Growing up in East Palo Alto shaped Kenia’s passion for resisting inequality and injustice. Through YUCA’s political education workshops, toxic tours, and Breaking the Silence program, and later through her studies at UC Santa Cruz, she developed a revolutionary consciousness that continues to guide her work.

She served as YUCA’s former Social Justice and Equity Program Director, and now serves as Executive Director. Kenia is grateful to lead the organization that helped shape her and is excited to pass that same passion on to young people of color, supporting them as they engage with pressing social justice issues.

Kenia holds a B.A. in Sociology and Latin American and Latino Studies from UC Santa Cruz.

HIGHER LEARNING CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER

Filiberto joined YUCA as a Core Youth Organizer in 2019. A lifelong East Palo Alto resident, he had always wanted to help his community but did not know where to begin. After learning about climate change and environmental injustice in school, he found in YUCA a place where he could turn that concern into action.

During his time at YUCA, Filiberto has helped lead and plan numerous community events, including a housing art gallery and YUCA’s biennial haunted house. He has spoken at rallies and community events, participated regularly in city council meetings, and contributed to published projects and articles. His organizing has also taken him to conferences in Chicago and Spain.

Filiberto graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in 2021. He is excited to continue learning through YUCA, make a lasting impact in East Palo Alto, and mentor the next generation of young people working to create change in their community.

PROGRAM CO-DIRECTOR

Danae Moreno (she/they) was raised in East Palo Alto, where they attended Willow Oaks School through middle school before graduating from Menlo-Atherton High School in 2018. They later earned a B.A. in Education from UC Riverside and returned to the community they consider home.

After college, Danae sought opportunities to work with young people outside a traditional classroom setting. Having previously volunteered with YUCA, she was drawn back to the organization by the meaningful social justice work she had experienced alongside other youth. In late 2024, Danae joined the YUCA team as a Housing Campaign Organizer.

During their first months at YUCA, Danae learned about the organization’s unique leadership pipeline, day-to-day youth programming, and approach to community organizing. After more than a year and a half of leading YUCA’s housing justice campaign, they are now transitioning into the role of Co-Program Director, where they will continue supporting young people as they grow into organizers and leaders in their community.

CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER

Luis joined YUCA as a Campaign Organizer in May 2026. A lifelong East Palo Alto community member, they attended Eastside College Preparatory School and later returned to coach shot put and discus for five years. Luis first connected with YUCA and other local organizers at an East Palo Alto City Council meeting in October 2025, where they advocated against the use of Flock cameras and automated license plate readers.

During their time at YUCA, Luis has learned and practiced the organizing method by developing campaign agendas, preparing for and participating in canvassing efforts, and encouraging young people to become engaged in the East Palo Alto community. They are passionate about empowering youth to advocate for themselves and for underrepresented and marginalized communities everywhere. Luis finds their greatest joy in supporting young people—whether through coaching, teaching, or helping them navigate real-world struggles and injustices.

Outside of YUCA, Luis enjoys spending time with family, reading nonfiction books about history and politics, playing Magic: The Gathering with friends, and watching their favorite Twitch streamer, Hasan Piker.

CAMPAIGN DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Ravneel Chaudhary joined YUCA as Campaign Development Director, driven by his belief that lasting change begins with people who are willing to show up, ask questions, and work together. Curious about how communities function, he is passionate about making local government more responsive to the people it serves.

Whether reading city reports, speaking at public meetings, or exploring the reasoning behind decisions that affect everyday life, Ravneel values thoughtful inquiry and continuous learning. At YUCA, he works alongside young people to develop campaigns, strengthen their leadership, and advocate for policies that create a more just and equitable future for East Palo Alto.

Outside of community work, Ravneel enjoys gardening, caring for his chickens, and spending time outdoors. He believes every experience offers an opportunity to grow—and to help others do the same.