Hailing from a first-generation, low-income background, Emily is a driven and enthusiastic advocate who amplifies student voices from across California and the nation. Emily strives to exemplify service above self while fostering the next generation of student leaders.

Emily is most proud of the transformative initiatives she’s fostered as the statewide Communications Director at the California High School Democrats. She’s built mentorship programs connecting high school girls to political organizing professionals and has fostered youth political engagement as the sole Orange County Mental Health Policy Fellow with the Youth Leadership Institute, conducting community research to expand the Behavioral Health Services Act while advocating against cuts to youth mental health programs.

Emily also leads both congressional and supervisorial campaigns, crafting brand identity, capturing social media content, and securing PAC endorsements for candidates. She empowers young girls in politics by interning with IGNITE National, organizing lobby days at the California capitol and running local voter registration drives. At school, Emily is the head fundraising chair for her bronze-medalling Colorguard ensemble and Secretary-General of Committees for her school’s Model UN program. In her community, Emily drives youth involvement as the sole Teen Advisory Board Volunteer Leader at her city library. She is a proud 8x Recognized Carson Scholar, Simon Scholar, and is the current Distinguished Young Woman of Tustin.

Emily is inspired by her Mexican and El Salvadorean heritage which motivates her to advance feminism for underserved minorities. Emily aspires to amplify her community as an Immigration attorney before running for the California State Assembly.