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EMPOWERING

National Youth Advisory Board

The National Youth Advisory Board is at the heart of Vote16USA’s mission. Made up of passionate 16- and 17-year-olds from across the country, the board brings youth perspectives directly into our strategy, campaigns, and advocacy.

These young leaders don’t just advise, they shape the movement by ensuring that the voices of those most impacted are front and center in the fight for youth voting rights.

Ruby Brandenburg

Director of Vote16CC

Ruby Brandenburg is a driven, community-focused student leader with a strong commitment to youth empowerment and civic engagement. As a member of the Culver City High School graduating class of 2026, Ruby is highly involved with her campus and community, striving to foster a generation of politically active students. She is the rising president of Vote16 Culver City, and currently serves as the manager of communications. She leads outreach and communication between student advocates and local government officials. Ruby is also the founder of the Culver City Babysitters Club, where she grew a local initiative from a team of 3 to 16 sitters, now serving over 30 families. In this role, Ruby developed organizational skills, delegated responsibilities, and launched an annual summer camp, all showcasing her entrepreneurial leadership and management skills. Ruby's leadership extends into the arts through her work as stage manager for countless theatrical productions. She is honored to join Vote16USA's Youth Advisory Board, and is looking forward to collaborating with others to further grow the Vote16 initiative.

Kyle Chen

Founder of Vote16MN

Kyle Chen, sophomore of Eagan High School, MN, is a student passionate about youth expression and advocacy. He directs his attention to the performance arts and well as involving himself in politics and legislative action.

Yenjay Hu

Co-Founder of Vote16NJ

Yenjay Hu is a New Jersey native and rising freshman at Yale University. He is executive director of Vote16NJ, a student-led advocacy organization dedicated to lowering the voting age to 16 for local NJ elections. Vote16NJ has made significant progress in its advocacy, gaining NJ Governor Murphy's full endorsement and successfully campaigning for Newark, NJ to adopt the policy. Among Yenjay’s varied political experiences, he has also interned for Senator Cory Booker, volunteered for Congressman Tom Malinowski’s 2021 re-election campaign, and worked with the Hoboken Strategy Group.

Anya Khera

Board Chair & Founder of Vote16MA

Anya Khera is a high school junior in Wellesley, Massachusetts, involved in local and state efforts to lower the voting age to 16. Anya leads a Vote16 Massachusetts Coalition and is working to progress the movement in her hometown. Her advocacy tactics range from lobbying council members and leading educational sessions to thought leadership, including running a stakeholder podcast, “Voices for Vote16”. She is an elected member of Wellesley’s Town government and has worked for MassDems and Warren for Senate. She is also a member of the Massachusetts MetroWest Athena Council, Young Leaders Learning Community at Tufts CIRCLE, and of the League of Women Voters (Wellesley). She founded and leads a Youth Civics Club and chapter of Amnesty International at her school, and is an active member of Girl Up and Model UN. Outside of school and work, she enjoys fencing, playing violin, and writing poetry.

Vanessa Li

Co-Founder of Vote16MD

Vanessa Li is a Vietnamese-American high school student in the DMV area active in the world of student advocacy, youth leadership, and public policy. She serves as a student representative on the local and state level as the Division 5 Liaison for the Maryland Association of Student Councils, 1st Vice-President of the St. Mary's Association of Student Councils, and as the President of her school's Principal's Advisory Council. She also serves as a leading candidate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and has raised over $33k for blood cancer research in honor of her family members. In her free time, she enjoys performing and sings in her school's chamber choir and as a music volunteer in her community. Vanessa is honored and excited to advocate for student voting rights as a part of the National Youth Advisory Board for Vote16USA.