Our Team
Meet Our Leadership Team
Dante Plush, he/his
Executive Director
Melissa Ballard, she/her
Board President, Founder
Dante Plush is a committed advocate dedicated to addressing the educational barriers confronting underserved youth, currently serving as the Executive Director of the United States Youth Forum. With a background as a former Title 1 public school educator in the Bronx, Mr. Plush witnessed firsthand the multifaceted challenges impeding students' access to quality education, including but not limited to chronic absenteeism, language barriers, food insecurity, homelessness, poverty, and non-citizen status. Motivated by these experiences, Mr. Plush has undertaken a steadfast commitment to empowering young people globally with the necessary tools to advocate for themselves and effectuate meaningful change. Recognizing that self-advocacy is pivotal in overcoming educational barriers, he endeavors to instill in youth the skills needed to navigate and challenge systemic inequities. In his role as Executive Director, Mr. Plush is resolutely dedicated to guiding the USYF team in the fulfillment of its mission, which centers on enabling youth nationwide to discover and amplify their voices through youth-led civic engagement. Mr. Plush is esteemed as a member of the junior board of the Renaissance Youth Center, underscoring his commitment to community engagement and youth empowerment. His dedication and leadership have been recognized through accolades such as inclusion in the prestigious Pace University 30 Under 30 cohort and the receipt of Pace University's Ainsley Adams Memorial Award in 2023, honoring his exemplary efforts in dismantling educational barriers and advancing equity for youth on a global scale. In his spare time he likes to do stand-up comedy and play chess and Yu-Gi-Oh!
Savitha Sithartha, she/her
Operations Manager
Savitha is a proud Texan and is currently pursuing a B.S. degree in biomedical sciences with Spanish and psychology minors at Texas A&M University and has plans to attend medical school. Beyond her experience in healthcare, she is committed to being directly involved with the community around her and has over 5 years of experience working in the youth non-profit space. Savitha is most passionate about the issues of health advocacy, homelessness, and providing the resources and support to socially and economically disadvantaged youth. When she’s not scrolling through her YouTube playlist, she loves to sing, volunteer, and binge-watch Netflix shows.
Meet Our Associates
Jamie Panko, she/her
Fundraising Associate
Jamie is a passionate young professional working in healthcare policy in Richmond, VA. She volunteers her time with USYF in order to grow in nonprofit skills and contribute to USYF's message of encouraging youth civic engagement. She is particularly passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, rural poverty, homelessness and housing equity, and refugee resettlement. In her free time, Jamie likes to attend concerts, learn line dances, and spend time with her cat, Lulu.
Brianna Vanderstelt, she/her
Editorial Associate
Raised in Michigan (and proud to be!), and currently living in the state of Indiana, Brianna graduated with her BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University. Right now, she is finishing her MA degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Social Psychology at Ball State University, and is accepted into Ball State’s 2025 Counseling Psychology PhD cohort. It is through her years of education, experience, and training she has discovered her enthusiasm for all things social justice, advocacy, and mental health. While she is pursuing a career as a therapist, she holds a special appreciation for writing and the power of language as a way to enact change. With USYF, and as the editorial team leader, Brianna aspires to further the mission of empowering youth voices in the political sphere, as well as share her passion across a variety of topics, especially those pertaining to mental health and uplifting underprivileged and historically oppressed populations. For fun, Brianna likes to play video games, explore new places, be outside, and read.
Imani Prince, she/her
Project Coordinator
David Jackson, he/his
Social Media Coordinator
Imani is originally from the D.C. Maryland & Virginia area where she eventually attended and graduated from Howard University. While at the university she studied Health Science with a minor in Business Administration. She has over 15 years of experience in healthcare and is currently transitioning to the technology/information field as a Project Manager. In her free time, Imani loves to practice hot yoga, play with her dog, and play video games. Imani has been working with people for many years and wants to tap into encouraging the youth through the United States Youth Forum!
Davíd brings his growing passion for storytelling and a knack for creating content and visuals to the team. His career began with a love for building meaningful connections online, which evolved into a dedication to helping businesses and organizations amplify their unique voice and vision. Beyond his creative work, Davíd finds inspiration in exploring new cities and cultures, prioritizing self-care and wellness, and cherishing quality time with family. He is honored to be part of an organization led by youth that uplifts youth voices and empowers meaningful change.
Meet Our Impact Agents
Justice Obisike
Impact Agent
Ryiesha Cochran
Impact Agent
A passionate pursuer of social progress, Justice brings fresh perspectives and proven leadership to youth advocacy. With a foundation in Agricultural Economics and training in project management, Justice excels at creating platforms where young voices can shape policy decisions. Through his blog "Stories of OJ" on Substack and Medium, he harnesses the power of storytelling to inspire personal growth and self-improvement. Justice's expertise in humanitarian principles and strategic communication empowers him to bridge the gap between policy makers and young changemakers. He believes that youth don't just need a seat at the table—they need to help build the table itself. When not championing youth causes, Justice enhances his impact through continuous learning, having earned certifications in project management, humanitarian practices, and digital solutions.
Ryiesha holds a Master’s in Education and has 10 years of experience as a Mathematics Educator. Throughout her career, she has developed systems to improve teaching efficiency and student engagement, including creating resource databases and leading professional development workshops. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology with minors in Education and Mathematics and is pursuing certifications in Project Management and Nonprofit Management. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring nature, particularly hiking trails. Spending time outdoors helps her recharge, find inspiration, and appreciate the beauty of the environment. She is excited to use her skills in education and engagement to support the mission of the United States Youth Forum and empower young voices.