the dream

team

We are a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit, an international team creating change from every corner of the world. Together, we’re proving that when young voices rise, anything is possible.

new leadership!!!

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new leadership!!! 〰️

Andrea Morales
(Bolivia, 20)

Leader

  • Andrea Morales Peña is a Bolivian youth leader passionate about community building, mental health, and youth empowerment. She is currently pursuing degrees in Public Administration and Psychology. As a Community Leader at She is the Universe and co-founder of the youth organization Roma, she has led programs that connect and inspire young people across Latin America. As a member of the 7th generation of the IAP Research Group “Atrévete,” Andrea is currently working on a research project about youth mental health, examining challenges and solutions through participatory and community-based approaches. She previously served as an intern at the Administrative and Financial Directorate of the Judicial Court, strengthening her experience in public management. Recognized by programs such as Youth Ambassadors, Women and Tech: The 360 Women Effect, and Girls Galaxy Journey, Andrea continues to bridge dreams with opportunities and advocate for a world where young voices and well-being matter.

Naath Lima dos Anjos
(Brazil, 20)

Leader

  • Naath is a 20-year-old from Brazil with an endless curiosity for learning and a heart full of energy. She’s an enthusiastic runner who finds joy in movement. Fascinated by technology and communication, she loves exploring programming and developing her language skills as ways to connect with the world around her.

    She often says she lives in two worlds:  the real one, full of experiences and people, and the world of books, where imagination knows no limits. Her favorite genres, fantasy and biographies, mirror her personality: a dreamer grounded in reality, always eager to learn from both magic and truth.

Maria Julia Vale
(Brazil, 23)

Leader

  • Maria Julia Vale, known as Maju, is a dedicated women’s rights activist driven by a passion for building empowering communities for girls and women around the world. A purpose-driven problem-solver, she thrives on learning new skills that allow her to create efficient and meaningful impact.

    A firm believer in the power of intercultural connection, Maju’s participation in organizations such as LALA, Tilting Futures, and UPG reflects her conviction that collaboration is key to fostering tolerance and collective action. This commitment is also evident in her work with Engajamundo, a Brazilian climate activist network, and as the founder of GT Ela/Dela, a university initiative combating gender-based violence.

    As part of She is the Universe, Maju continues to amplify her mission, building spaces where young women lead with empathy, courage, and purpose, shaping a more just and connected world.

Priscilla Valdez
(Dominican Republic, 23)

Leader

  • Priscilla Valdez Navarro is a preschool teacher and clinical psychologist passionate about enhancing well-being, fostering human connection, and embracing new experiences. She holds a BA in Clinical Psychology from UNIBE and a Master’s in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology from ISEP, Spain.

    She deeply values communication, respect, kindness, and empathy, and lives by the belief of “painting broken pieces with gold”—transforming challenges into art. Beyond her clinical and educational work, she leads a book club, Arrinconados, and loves creating spaces where people can connect meaningfully.

    Through She is the Universe, Priscilla translates science-based knowledge into practical tools that empower girls to thrive. Her goal is to contribute meaningfully while having fun, discovering new sides of herself, and helping girls shine with confidence and resilience.

Kudakwashe Hofisi “Chantly”
(Zimbabwe, 17)

Leader

  • Kudakwashe “Chantly” Hofisi is a vibrant youth activist and a education advocate from Zimbabwe, passionate about creating a world where every youth  feels seen, heard, and safe. As an ambassador for One Girl, and a voice within her community, she uses storytelling and activism to promote girls’ education, digital safety, and leadership. Chantly believes that empowering the youth is not just a mission it’s a movement, and she’s proud to be part of it.

Brittany Loor
(
Ecuador, 19)

Leader

  • Brittany Loor is a youth advocate and digital activist from Quito, Ecuador, passionate about communications, technology, art, and girls’ empowerment.  She pioneered Ecuador’s first digital activism event in the Metaverse, uniting youth across Latin America. Collaborating with UNICEF and U-Report Ecuador, she has championed child rights, digital inclusion, and ICT education for underserved and indigenous communities. Brittany is designing innovative and socially responsible initiatives to amplify youth voices, inspiring them to drive digital transformation.   A storyteller at heart, she believes in the power of narratives to inspire change. Brittany truly affirms that girls can achieve anything they dream of, because together, we are one.

    As part of She is the Universe, Brittany continues her mission to empower girls worldwide—proving that when young women lead with courage and creativity, anything is possible.

Grace Catan
(Philippines / USA, 20)

Leader

  • Grace Catan is a Filipina American writer of poetry, plays, and budgets. Her work focuses on the personal impacts of national politics, and she strives to create spaces where local love and community care can overcome global hardships. Her writing has been published by the Women’s Media Center, Scarleteen, Kahani, and more. Her first play, “Not For Public Consumption,” was produced in Spring 2025 and explores the legacy of hurt that stays with us even after progressive laws try to save the day. Through the DACE Summer Arts Residency, she has begun the development of a new musical that asks: what would it take for one queer family to give up on the American dream—and choose each other instead? On the leadership team at SITU, Grace is excited to use her mathematical expertise in partnership with her passion for girls’ empowerment to grow our impact and strengthen our community.

Yara Fernandes Trigo
(
Brazil, 20)

Leader

  • Yara Trigo is a 20-year-old design student from Brazil who is passionate about art, music, literature, and comedy series. Curious and open-minded, she is always seeking to learn, explore new perspectives, and experience different worldviews. She believes that communication and vulnerability are powerful tools to create positive impact, bring people together, strengthen empathy, and transform our reality—helping us dream big and achieve our goals.

    Yara wants to be inspired and also be an inspiration to other girls around the world, showing that their dreams and voices have strength and importance. As part of She is the Universe, she continues to grow, create, and use her voice to remind others that every story has the power to change the world.

Sheily F. Valerio Sapeg
(Dominican Republic, 21)

Leader

  • Sheily Sapeg is a Dominican aerospace engineering student in South Korea, founder of Educación en Órbita, and a proud member of She is the Universe since 2022. Within the SITU community, she has collaborated in multiple roles, from mentoring to amplifying projects that empower girls worldwide. At 19, Sheily became the first Dominican to win the Space Leaders Award from the Space Generation Advisory Council, representing North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. 

    Sheily believes that representation is power. When girls see someone like them reaching for the stars, they realize they can too. Her mission is to open doors, spark curiosity, and remind young women that space is not reserved for a few—it’s for all of us. Her dream is clear: to make space exploration a collective journey, with women not only participating, but leading the way.

Paola Palacios Betancourt
(Venezuela, 21)

Leader

  • Paola (Pao) is the creator of To Be Honest with Pao, a bilingual podcast and community for raw conversations that invite connection and growth, one conversation at a time. Not perfectly, just honestly. She also brings her creativity to She Is The Universe, a youth-led global movement empowering girls, where she serves as Social Media Manager.  Beyond digital storytelling, Paola volunteers in international programs and community initiatives, from mentoring young people in public speaking to supporting projects that celebrate culture, diversity, and female empowerment. 

    At her core, Paola believes in the transformative power of honesty, creativity, and community. Whether behind a microphone, building digital campaigns, or mentoring youth, she is dedicated to creating spaces where people feel seen, connected, and empowered to dream boldly.

María Fernanda Gutiérrez B.
(Venezuela, 19)

Leader

  • Maria Fernanda Gutiérrez is a Venezuelan student with a deep love for exploration, human connection, and cultural exchange. Currently studying at UWC Robert Bosch College in Germany, she finds joy in creative projects, meaningful conversations, and initiatives that foster positive change in her community.

    Proud of her Venezuelan roots, she shares her culture through music, food, and storytelling—bridging worlds and inspiring understanding wherever she goes. Curious and adventurous, Maria Fernanda believes that transformation begins with empathy and connection.

    As part of She is the Universe, she continues to build bridges across borders, using her voice and creativity to help shape a world where young women can lead with authenticity, joy, and purpose.


Board of Directors

Laura Peña

Founder / Board member

  • Laura Peña is a Dominican-American speaker, filmmaker, storyteller, entrepreneur, creative producer, motion designer, traveler, proud Latina, and supporter of girls. She is on a mission to support the next generation of leaders–teenage girls from around the world. And she is going about this as if our future depends on these girls, because it does.

    After traveling to 5 continents and interviewing 100+ girls for her Youtube docu-series of Stories for Girls told by Girls, a question sparked in Laura’s heart: What do girls need from all of us to get to where they want to be in life? Listening to girls from all over the world inspired Laura to found She is the Universe, a non-profit and global movement for girls’ empowerment.

    As an international workshop leader and speaker, Laura has shared her story at TEDx, Creative Mornings, and schools globally.  Learn more

Kalpana Bhandarkar

Board member

  • Kalpana brings to SITU a wealth of experience in health care administration and program development, non-profit management, and civic engagement. She spent 15 years working with and at safety net hospitals in New York City and has dedicated her career to improving access to health care for individuals in low-resource settings. She has worked at NYC Health + Hospitals, Maimonides Medical Center, Manatt Health and the Children's Defense Fund and participated in voter registration efforts and canvassed in many local, state and presidential elections.

    She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a Masters in Business Administration from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, and a Bachelors of Arts degree from Tufts University.

Sara Surani

Co-founder / Board member

  • Sara is a facilitator, an entrepreneur, a writer, a storyteller, and co-founder of She is the Universe. She graduated from Harvard University and Tsinghua University, and is currently pursuing a Masters at New York University in Art Psychotherapy.

    Sara has led projects in healthy living and nutrition across South Texas, researched women’s health, domestic violence, and girls empowerment across Africa and South America, COVID response across New Mexico, and the impact of storytelling on teen girls’ health in Peru. She has worked with storytelling and community empowerment all over the world - from government-funded projects in the Amazon rainforest to training community activists at Harvard. Sara’s poetry collection, “Songs of My Grandmother”, was published by HayHouse/Penguin Random House in March 2025.

Niti Parikh

Board member

  • Niti Parikh is the founding director of Cornell Tech’s academic MakerLAB and an experienced designer/maker with over 15 years of expertise in Interior Architecture and Sustainable Manufacturing. As a current Engaged Faculty Fellow, she is recognized for her work in community-engaged programming through initiatives such as "Craft @ Large" and "Make:Health". Niti’s current focus is on designing learning environments that inspire people of all ages and abilities to bring their ideas to life using digital modeling and fabrication.

Laura K Rose

Board member

  • Laura Rose is a passionate youth empowerment and cultural exchange specialist who has dedicated her life to the creation of young global leaders through her work in cultural exchange, purpose work, mentoring, public speaking, and philanthropy. She is a Co-Creator of Purpose Earth dedicated to launching, funding and mentoring grassroots projects that provide creative solutions to some of our greatest challenges.  She’s also Co-founder and CEO of Greenheart International, a nonprofit organization that has facilitated the cultural exchange experiences of more than 170,000 participants from 85 countries worldwide, while supporting fair trade artisans from developing nations through its fair trade division, Greenheart Shop.  

    In 1995 she co-founded Fundación por El Futuro in Spain devoted to the creation of environmental and educational programs for American and Spanish youth, and has been a key supporter of the growth and mission of the Casita Verde, an educational eco-center in Ibiza which showcases sustainable living and alternative energies and is visited by thousands of students and adults each year.

    Laura recently served on the executive committee for the Council on Standards for International Education and Travel, and was Vice Chair for the board of the Alliance for International Exchange based in Washington, DC.

    She was recently invited to become a member of  Evolutionary Leaders, an illustrious group of thought leaders from diverse disciplines who come together in synergy to support a global shift in consciousness, and is a board member of Empowerment Collective  dedicated to the eradication of modern-day slavery by giving marginalized women in Nepal & India, the skills they need to ensure self-sufficiency and dignity.  Laura also serves on the board  of Unity Earth, a global network whose mission is to accelerate the realization of unity and peace on Earth.  

    As an experienced public speaker, she has facilitated public speaking workshops for youth, and been a panelist and keynote speaker in numerous forums.  She’s worked closely with members of the U.S. Department of State, community leaders and international representatives to further the causes of public diplomacy and mutual understanding.  

Katia Petersen

Board member

  • Katia Petersen PhD is currently the co-chair at Sage-ing International. She also the President of Petersen Argo Inc. fan organization focusing on Transformational Leadership.

    She brings decades of experience as a clinical psychotherapist, educator, author, and is an Emmy award recipient for outstanding educational programming. She is known for her ability to touch and open the hearts of individuals in dynamic and healing ways, and is in demand as a motivational speaker, master trainer and coach.

    As Executive Director of Education at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, she led her team in the translation, curriculum design, and delivery of evidence-based methodologies that build leadership and self-efficacy skills.

    Dr. Petersen’s work also focuses on systems change through a collaborative process,

    meaningful conversations, and shifting perspectives to arrive at solutions through

    action. Her passion resides in creating hospitable spaces within organizations by tapping into the collective wisdom of the group, to increase their capacity to create positive change while reaching their full potential. Her experiential work, including the Worldview Explorations and Conscious Aging programs, are designed to shift one’s perspective on life, while re-igniting our sense of purpose and meaning.


I stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me thinking what can I do to make this mountain taller so the women after me can see farther
— legacy - rupi kaur

girls are the future

 

Curious about getting involved?

Want to make a difference with other amazing girls around the world? 💜 Check out our volunteer opportunities and connect with us right here!