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Team Members
Serene Duan
Founder & Executive Director
serene@yesaction.org
Serene, Founder and Executive Director of YESAction, was inspired during COVID-19. Witnessing the global response to the pandemic, from mass PPE production to vaccine research and social distancing, she envisioned a united effort against issues like global warming. Her mission: empower students to champion environmental sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint for a sustainable future. Beyond YESAction, Serene is a trained pianist, often preparing for competitions or volunteering her talent at senior care centers on weekends.


Keely Aguilar
Executive Assistant
contact@yesaction.org
Keely, the Executive Assistant of YESAction's National Team and a freshman chapter leader, passionately champions sustainable policies. Collaborating with local firms to elevate environmental standards, she conducts advanced research aimed at forging a sustainable future. Driven by the belief that united efforts can transform the world, Keely balances a rich extracurricular life—rock climbing, martial arts, cross country, soccer, and track—with volunteering at animal shelters, eyeing a future as a wildlife veterinarian.
Iryna Levada
Director of Business Development
iryna@yesaction.org
Iryna, the Director of Business Development for YESAction and a senior at Altoona High School in WI, also leads the local YESAction chapter. As an exchange student from Ukraine, she passionately shares her nation's heritage and culture. In addition to being involved in Speech Club, Mock Trial, history, volunteering, and tennis, she enjoys playing strategic board games and hiking. Iryna is deeply committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and believes in the power of collective minor actions. Guided by the belief that each individual has a unique narrative, she aspires to become an international urban planner, creating avenues for sustainable living.​
Pranav Tholeti
Director of YESEducation
pranav@yesaction.org
Pranav is the National Initiative Director for YES Education and a team member at YES Action's social media division. Attending high school in New Jersey, he founded his school's environmental club and leads a local YESAction chapter, promoting sustainability. With a strong belief in youth education for sustainability, Pranav intends to study environmental science and biology in university, aspiring to influence national environmental policies.Additionally, he plays varsity volleyball and competes at a national club level. As an active Boy Scout, he's keen on outdoor activities. 

Alexis Anderson
Director of YESHorticulture
alexis@yesaction.org
Alexis Anderson, Initiative Director for YESHorticulture, is a senior at Belle Fourche High School. Involved in NHS, book club, student council, and FFA, she founded a YESAction chapter and is driving a school recycling initiative. With a background in Midwest farming, she's poised to major in ecology and environmental sciences, explore renewable energy engineering, and minor in horticulture. Beyond school, Alexis engages in community clean-ups, guitar playing, and gardening.
Ellen Fan
Director of YESWater
ellen@yesaction.org
Ellen, Director of the YesWater Initiative at YesAction and a senior at Miramonte High School, CA, has championed environmental science since her freshman year. Her achievements include developing a smart planter, designing a food waste processor that converts waste to fertilizer, and partnering with an MIT Ph.D. on carbon nanotube applications in water filtration. Driven by collaboration, she's dedicated to forging a greener tomorrow. She founded Respresso, a startup offering essentials crafted from recycled coffee grounds to combat plastic usage. Outside her entrepreneurial endeavors, Ellen's interests span tennis, golf, and crafts.
Shruti Bommareddy
Director of YESCooking
shruti@yesaction.org
Shruti serves as the Initiative Director for YESCooking. Holding roles such as Red Cross Club president, advisory council member for the Environmental Club, and student ambassador, she's deeply involved in school activities. With aspirations to major in biomedical engineering and pursue a medical degree, Shruti is focused on a future in medicine. Outside of academia, Shruti volunteers at community organizations, tutors children, and heads a local YESAction chapter, championing sustainability. Her interests span cooking, travel, photography, badminton, and reading

Jwan Magsoosi
Director of YESOutreach
jwan@yesaction.org
Jwan, the Outreach Initiative Director at YESAction, champions sustainability and climate awareness among the nation's youth. Residing in Washington state, nature's beauty fuels her commitment to environmental preservation. Driven by firsthand experiences of climate change in Iraq, she allied with YESAction, aiming for a brighter, sustainable future. Beyond her advocacy, Jwan indulges in expressive art, travel, tutoring, and school volunteering.
Claire Hayashi
Director of YESHabits
claire@yesaction.org
Claire, the Initiative Director and Coordinator for YESHabits, is a junior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Engaged in the school's YESAction chapter and other clubs, she's also a dedicated competitive gymnast. Outside her school commitments, she manages YESHabit's Instagram and is active in volunteer groups. With a passion for biology and aspirations to become a nurse practitioner, Claire's mission is to promote sustainable habits among youth, aiming for a greener future.
Lannie (Lan Anh) Hoang
Director of Fundraising
lannie@yesaction.org
Lannie, the Director of Fundraising, is a junior at Millennium High School, founded her school's first environmental club and serves as Vice President of a Key Club with 150-200 members, boasting 7 trophies from a division of 4,000 students. Outside of academics, she's passionate about animal welfare, volunteers regularly at her local library, and is driven to improve local recycling policies. Lannie aspires to major in zoology and pursue a career as a wildlife biologist.
Dayra Pérez Bazán
Director of Recruitment
recruitment@yesaction.org
Dayra, the Director of Recruitment, is a senior at CapeMay County Technical High School studying Allied Medical. Originally from a rural region in Mexico, she recognized the escalating environmental decline and, driven by this concern, aligned herself with YESAction's student leaders who resonate with her cause. Dayra aspires to advance the medical field, emphasizing the integration of eco-friendly practices for future generations' benefit. Outside academic, Dayra's interests encompass reading, exploring diverse cultures, and long walks
Diana Birnbaumer
West Coast Recruitment Officer
recruitment@yesaction.org
Diana, the West Coast Recruitment Officer, is a Junior at North Hollywood Senior High School in the LA Zoo/Biological Science Magnet program. Diana spearheads her school's YESAction chapter and serves as a Junior Senator in Zoo Crew. As an artist, she creates projects for YESAction emphasizing climate change mitigation. Hailing from Bolivia, she joined YESAction to bolster animal centers, amplify environmental concerns, and champion community-driven efforts to preserve natural habitats. Beyond school, Diana enjoys reading, playing the piano, and animal care.
Arifah Chowdhury
Recruitment Officer (East Coast)
recruitment@yesaction.org
Arifah, the Recruitment Officer for YESAction on the East Coast, is a senior at Queens Gateway to Health Sciences High School. Eager to establish a new YESAction chapter upon her school's reopening, she has a keen focus on environmental initiatives. Committed to addressing climate change, Arifah collaborates with like-minded individuals for a sustainable future. Outside her academic journey, she rehabilitates injured and neglected birds. She enjoys drawing, painting, poetry writing, and religious studies. Arifah aspires to major in Environmental Science in college.
Anthony Jin
Coordinator
contact@yesaction.org
Anthony, the Coordinator for YESAction, is a rising senior at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. He is actively involved in activism through the Green Team and Arrupe Social Justice Council at his school. Anthony and his peers advocate for environmentally sustainable policies and work to amplify the voices of youth in relation to climate justice. They strongly believe that climate justice is an intersectional issue that requires collective action, both big and small, to create a future that prioritizes the well-being of our shared planet. Outside of school, Anthony enjoys playing music, participating in bands as a trombone player and performing piano at competitions, concerts, and senior homes.
Chloe Hayashi
Coordinator
contact@yesaction.org
Chloe, the Coordinator for YESAction, primarily focuses on supporting all initiatives related to YESCooking. She is a junior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School and actively participates in various clubs and activities within her community. With a goal of pursuing a career in the medical field, Chloe aspires to contribute to creating a healthier future for children. In her free time, she dedicates herself to competitive gymnastics, as well as volunteering, working with kids, baking, drawing, and reading.
Zoey Liu
Coordinator
contact@yesaction.org
Zoey, the coordinator of YESAction, is a senior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. She is involved in the STEM club, serving as vice president, and steers its focus towards renewable energy, particularly exploring the potential of wind turbines. Her accomplishments include completing a research paper on Alzheimer's disease, aiming to contribute to the understanding of this challenging condition. Her ambition is to make lasting and positive impacts on ecological issues.
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