Children First’s Young Professionals Advisory Council is a diverse group of enlightened and engaged young leaders from across the Philadelphia region who have come together to support our mission and work. The purpose of this Advisory Council is to build the strength of the pipeline of leadership, networkers, advocates and donors for Children First’s work well into the next 40 years!
With guidance from veteran Children First Board Members, Javier Suarez and Lindsay Albright, Council members will:
- LEARN. Engage with the Children First Board and staff in education sessions and through reading Children First’s materials and e-blasts to become more informed about issues impacting children in our region and strengthen your advocacy skills to actively participate in Children First’s advocacy efforts at the local, regional and state level.
- ADVOCATE. Participate, when possible, with Children First’s leadership at specific events to advocate for policy change for children and youth.
- ENGAGE. Leverage your social media networks (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) by commenting, sharing, re-tweeting Children First activities to help us reach more
audiences - RAISE MONEY. Serve in a fundraising capacity for Children First by tapping into personal and professional networks for sponsorships and tickets sales for Children First events, grant opportunities and individual fundraising efforts.
- EXPAND. As an Advisory Council create and implement at least 2 friendraising and low dollar events each year to support and broaden awareness of Children First and its work across the region with 20-40 year olds.
For more information about the Young Professionals Advisory Council, contact Steven Fynes at stevenf at childrenfirstpa dot org or call 215-563-5848 x11.
2025 Council Members
Saumya Ayyagari
Saumya is the Director of Special Outreach Services, a preventative oral health care program for individuals with intellectual disabilities and behavioral health challenges in PA. Her background is in public health nursing and maternal and child health nursing. She started volunteering with Children First (then PCCY) as a health policy intern in 2017. Since then she continued to volunteer for the organization in various capacities. Today she is part of the Lead Free Promise Project that is working to prevent lead poisoning in PA from the policy level.
Ramune Bartuskaite
Ramune is a licensed architect and Associate at FIFTEEN Architecture + Design in Philadelphia—a practice driven by the desire to affect positive change. At FIFTEEN, Ramune has led Playful Learning Initiatives that create and amplify opportunities for children to learn outside the classroom. As CEO and Founder of Spec Matters, an advocacy platform for healthier buildings and materials, Ramune champions environments that enhance the well-being of diverse communities and building users of all ages. A passionate advocate for equity, she has initiated and led numerous advocacy efforts, including serving as a ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative Co-Chair, publishing and co-editing Women [Re]Build: Stories, Polemics, Futures, and being recognized as a 2024 ULI WLI Prologis Leader. Ramune also serves on the board of Rise First, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting first-generation and low-income students and professionals, working to bridge the achievement gap.
Elizabeth Bates
Elizabeth is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in NE Philadelphia and pursuing a degree in public health. She is committed to being a big voice for little kids and partnering with community organizations to improve the health, development and well-being of children across Philadelphia. She is excited to be a part of Children First!
Tom Brown
Tom is of counsel at the law firm of Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller. A graduate of Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs and Montgomery County public schools, he has been a Children First volunteer since 2018.
Katie Chisholm
Katie Chisholm is an HR Manager with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), where she partners with stakeholders to build culture and engagement enterprise wide. Katie’s professional career has focused on mission driven work. She is committed to finding opportunities to give back, get involved and make a difference within the Philadelphia community. Joining the Children First Young Professionals Advisory Council is an incredible way to have an impact!
Zoraida Cordero
Zoraida is the Chief of Staff for Companion for Animals Reform and Equity (CARE) Program Director for Safe-Hub Philly, where she ensures that the organization and team are all working together to improve the lives of BIPOC Folk in Rural and Urban communities using a holistic and REDI lense through strategic planning, leadership, and management. Zoraida is a dedicated Latina Servant Leader with experience in community organizing, child welfare, youth program development, organizational leadership, advocacy, and human service management. Additionally, she is an Army Veteran who has discovered a strategy for applying learned military skills, Macro Social Work best practices, and lived experience to support individuals, communities, and organizations with strategizing and organizational development through her business Impactful Solutions.
Tamir D. Harper
Tamir is the Director of Community Engagement for City Councilmember Rue Landau, in his role he focuses on strategic stakeholder engagement and assists with intergovernmental affairs. Prior to working for City Council, Tamir was a School District of Philadelphia teacher and climate manager.
Cory Johnson
Cory Johnson is a Philadelphia resident and current Program Coordinator for Drexel University’s Action for Early Learning, an early childhood education improvement initiative in West Philadelphia. Strongly committed to equitable quality education, she completed a PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning Policy Fellowship in 2018 and is a former Children First intern, supporting the Pre-K for PA Campaign.
Chau Wing Lam
Chau Wing has worked in and around human services and K-12 education for over 10 years. Having immigrated to the United States when she was young, and now a mother of a young child, Chau Wing believes deeply in our collective ability to improve communities by ensuring the health, education and safety of young people and their families.
Jessica Lax
JLy (John Mauricio Lyons)
JLy (they/them) explores the intersection of philanthropy and whole-person health, currently managing a portfolio of grants to community health centers and clinics across Southeastern Pennsylvania. Their prior work in both nonprofit and for-profit financial services, along with their ongoing engagement in Philadelphia’s arts community, furthers their understanding of equitable communities.
Kyle McMillen
Kyle is a Senior Project Manager at ParkerPhilips, a women-owned consulting firm tailoring their expertise to meet each client’s unique needs. Prior to joining ParkerPhilips, Kyle was the for Children First leading the Child Care Voter campaign to build a community of Early Childhood Education professionals and the families they serve to vote for quality child care for all of Pennsylvania families and kids.
Juliana Melara
Juliana Melara is a Policy Advisor with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families where she has conceptualized, developed, and implemented brand-new national social service programs for underserved families and communities, including the first-ever federal diaper distribution program. Prior to joining federal service, Juliana worked in both disaster management consulting, helping families stay safe in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic and social service nonprofit, providing crisis intervention and case management to children and families experiencing domestic violence. Juliana is passionate about advancing social service programs, fostering equitable solutions, and creating positive outcomes for families across Pennsylvania.
George Morse
George is a seasoned law enforcement officer and serves as a Deputy Sheriff Sergeant in Philadelphia. George gives back to his community by volunteering as a Mentor with the 100 Black Men of Philadelphia Chapter. George also serves as a Board Director with the Center for Families and Relationships.
Rosa Parks-Green
Rosa currently works at Temple University as the Assistant Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance. Prior to this, Rosa was a child welfare attorney at the City of Philadelphia Law Department and she also worked at the School District of Philadelphia in the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. She is excited to serve and advocate for young people in and around Philadelphia.
Ashley Rosario
Ashley brings a wealth of experience across the human relations spectrum. With a versatile background that encompasses roles as an advocate, non-profit founder, educator, and philanthropist, Ashley has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on individuals and communities. Ashley’s expertise extends to providing direct services, professional development, managing, and shaping organizational culture. Her ability to translate knowledge in areas such as restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and youth development into practical, strategic applications has proven invaluable in schools, organizations, and relationship development.
Joy Soto
Philadelphia native Joy Soto currently works as the Community Voices and Engagement Fellow for WHYY, cultivating partnerships and executing various civic dialogue events. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for Greenlight Fund Philadelphia, Treasurer for LULAC Philly, and Board Member for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Philadelphia.