Abigail Verino is a first-generation Filipina-American born to courageous Filipino parents, with roots in Bulacan and Tarlac City of the Philippines. Born and raised in Daly City, Abigail is immensely grateful to be surrounded by such rich history and diversity in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. She is an incoming fourth-year student at the University of California, Berkeley obtaining two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Ethnic Studies & Legal Studies. Through servant leadership, Abigail has been able to find her passion for charity, echoed through her volunteerism in public service, community events, and through starting her own nonprofit. She aims to increase the dialogue for social justice, and the diversity and equity inclusion of minorities through education, providing individuals with better education resources on the topic of sexual violence prevention.

Aidan Panotes-Bengzon is a rising junior at Tufts University, majoring in International Relations and Economics with a minor in Japanese. His passion for public service is deeply rooted in his family’s history—his grandfather was one of the first immigration lawyers on Ellis Island in the 1960s, dedicating his career to helping Filipino immigrants navigate the legal system and build new lives in the United States. Inspired by this legacy, Aidan has developed a strong interest in immigration policy, international law, and the broader socioeconomic challenges that immigrant communities face both in the U.S. and on a global scale. With a deep passion for global governance and economic justice, Aidan hopes to pursue a career in public policy or international law, focusing on immigration, economic development, and human rights. Outside of school, he enjoys listening to music, spending time with friends, and playing basketball.

Chloe Marie Juni is a Public Policy major at the University of Southern California, with a minor in Law and Social Justice. Chloe currently interns with the League of Women Voters of Greater Los Angeles, where she frequently meets with state representatives to document their legislative priorities and coordinates volunteer scheduling for legislative interview sessions. She also represents over 350,000 students across 80+ independent colleges as a member of the Independent California Colleges Advocate Program with the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, working to expand financial assistance for students. Chloe has gained policy experience as a Policy Associate for Dear Asian Youth, an international nonprofit dedicated to activism for the Asian community, developing skills in both legislative research and advocacy. She is passionate about civil rights and ultimately aims to advocate for policies relating to education, poverty, mental health, immigration reform, democracy, and social justice.

Marissa Duterte (she/her) is a rising Senior at Cornell University pursuing Industrial Labor Relations (ILR) with a minor in Policy Analysis and Management (PAM). A first-generation college student and second-generation Filipino-American from Stockton, CA, Marissa is passionate about improving the rights and policies that protect Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Her work is centered on the intersection of Filipino-American communities and labor movements, with a focus on creating sustainable employment in Metro Manila to reduce the Philippines' reliance on its labor export program. Marissa's policy experience includes an internship in the U.S. Senate with the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) during the 2024 election, where she worked on bipartisan legislation related to work visas and reproductive healthcare, helping to craft legislation with broad support across party lines. In her free time, Marissa enjoys watching Marvel movies and DC shows. When she’s not studying or watching Grey’s Anatomy, you’ll find her weightlifting or singing Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” with her mom at karaoke.

Chloe Manilay is a rising sophomore at Harvard University majoring in Social Studies, Economics, and East Asian studies with a citation in Korean. Daughter to Filipino and Korean parents, Chloe grew up in Los Angeles with her younger brother and aunt. Chloe is passionate about global affairs, cross-cultural exchange, and policymaking, and hopes to contribute to direct impact through hands-on experience. At Harvard, she’s involved in nonprofit consulting work for international humanitarian aid organizations like UNICEF, volunteering with the Y2Y youth shelter and the Small Claims Advisory Service, and cultural affinity clubs like the Harvard Phillipine Forum and the Asian American Dance Troupe. Her commitment to involve as many communities as possible in policy conversations is driven by the diverse city she grew up in, as well as her own multicultural background. In the future, she hopes to work at the intersection of international relations and economic development—facilitating the growth of global markets and strengthening diplomatic partnerships. 

Chelsea Antero is a second-year student at The George Washington University, majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in International Economics and a minor in French. Born in the Bay Area and raised in London, Copenhagen, Dubai, and Massachusetts, Chelsea’s diverse international upbringing and extensive travel to over 46 countries have shaped her broad, global perspective. Since she did not grow up in Philippines, she felt disconnected from her Filipino heritage, unsure of how to fully embrace her identity. A pivotal moment came at age 14, when she met former Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo after writing her a letter about education disparities in the Philippines. This encounter ignited Chelsea’s passion for public policy and deepened her connection to her Filipino roots, which are tied to Manila and the Bicol region. Since then, Chelsea has been committed to advocating for social issues related to Filipinos, embracing her Filipino identity, and supporting Filipino communities worldwide. In the future, Chelsea wants to pursue a career in consulting, venture capital, or international business, hoping to drive meaningful change through her work.

Tatiana Caballero (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of North Florida with degrees in Political Science and Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in International Education. Raised by her Dominican mother and Filipino father, Tatiana was inspired by her family’s commitment to education and cultural awareness. She seeks out opportunities to connect to her multicultural heritage, engage in language exchange, and study geopolitics. This developed into an academic focus on international development and foreign affairs, where she spent time researching the impacts of policymaking between the US and the Indo-Pacific region. Under the guidance of former UN Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, she researched the multinational production of fentanyl and presented policy recommendations to combat the crisis in offices throughout Washington D.C., including several embassies and the State Department. Tatiana is also passionate about community development and works as a consular assistant at the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Florida, and is a founding board member of the nonprofit Jax Filipinos.