Breanna Chavez
Hello! My name is Breanna Chavez. I am a Denver Native. I am a Fiscal Administrator for the Department of Finance at the City and County of Denver. I have been with the City for 8.5 years and continue to grow and learn. This is my third year as an adult commissioner on the MYC. Being a part of the City and making a positive impact in as many ways as possible is a personal mission.
Ellie White
Ellie is a 3rd-year commissioner and senior at St. Mary's Academy. She has long been interested in government, public policy, and social movements. She has a passion for filmmaking, and has used this interest to create marketing videos for Denver non-profit organizations, including Denver Tennis Park -- to further its goals around equitable access. She is committed to supporting community-based organizations in their work to remove barriers to racial justice, improving equity and access, and building community capacity to address their own challenges. She is a commissioner because she believes in the power of youth input and loves collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Dani Bekele
Dani Bekele is the Branch Supervisor at the Denver Public Library's Hadley branch, bringing nearly a decade of experience in public libraries to his role. He holds a Master's degree in Library Science and Information and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado. Now in his second year serving on the Denver Mayor's Youth Commission, Dani is dedicated to supporting youth commissioners by sharing genuine efforts and resources available in Denver. Working in one of the most underserved areas of South Denver, he brings firsthand experience in engaging with youth and addressing their needs. His commitment to fostering safe and supportive environments for young people continues to drive his work both at the library and within the community.
Esthyr Stucky
Hello! My name is Esthyr, and I am 17. This year I am in 12th grade, attending Denver South High School. I have worked in the Denver Public library system for the last 3 years and absolutely love what I do, contributing to my community and learning something new every day inspires me and motivates me to continue to work towards my goals. I also run cross country, my favorite is pink, I love camping and backpacking, and I paint in my free time. I am excited to be on the Mayor's Youth Commission because I want to see a real and quantifiable change within my community, not only for myself and my own family but for all those who live alongside me; from the food that we eat, to how we get to school and back, I want to make Denver a better place for kids just like me.
Emily Gomez
My name is Emily Gomez, and I am 17 years old. I attend Rocky Mountain Prep SMART high school as a senior where I am president of National Honor Society, an officer on student council, and student representative. As a passionate Latina woman, I am deeply committed to activism, helping others, and creating meaningful experiences. My motivation for becoming a commissioner stems from my belief that I can contribute to change and create opportunities for others to use their voices. I hope to affect change by advocating for underrepresented communities and ensuring that everyone has a platform to be heard.
Dominic A. Diaz
Dominic A. Diaz is a dedicated husband, father, and seasoned public servant with over a decade of experience working in various departments within the City and County of Denver. For the past three years, he has played a pivotal role in the Office of Children's Affairs, where he oversees contract compliance for youth development and out-of-school time initiatives. A proud Denver native, he is deeply rooted in his community, living in the vibrant Sun Valley neighborhood with his wife and two young children. Beyond his professional commitments, Dominic is an active volunteer, lending his time and expertise to various community efforts. Dominic is marking his third year as an adult commissioner on the Mayor’s Youth Commission. He is a passionate advocate for civic engagement, mentorship, and empowering others by connecting them to valuable resources and opportunities. An avid Denver sports fan and cycling enthusiast, Dominic embodies the spirit of our city in both his personal and professional life.
Alyssa Kaufmann
Alyssa Kaufmann is a senior at Denver Jewish Day School. She plays varsity basketball and soccer and this is her third year on the commission! Fun fact: Alyssa’s favorite WNBA player is Cameron Brink.
Fortunate Madueke
My name is Fortunate Madueke. I am a Nigerian-American and a senior at DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School. In addition to being a Youth Commissioner I am also a Public Health fellow and Researcher for another organization.
I've been privileged to engage in meaningful work through various opportunities , such as being a public health fellow and researcher for another organization, which deepened my understanding of educational and racial disparities.
I'm also deeply committed to public health, having conducted research to raise awareness about critical community health issues.
As a Youth Commissioner, I aim to amplify young voices and advocate for equitable policies that serve all members of my community. I am passionate about education, especially in the African American community; not enough people talk about education and the effects of not talking about it. I believe in equity, and the only way to achieve that is through change.
I look forward to contributing to the positive growth of Denver.
Patrick Efferson
Naomi Golden
Augie Reichert
Naima Criss
Tasnim Boukhris
Tasnim Boukhris is a sophomore at DSST Cedar High School. This is her first year on the Mayor's Youth Commission, where she joined to advocate for the youth in her community and beyond. Apart from her academic pursuits, she dedicates her time to soccer, basketball, Speech and Debate competitions, and spending time with her family and friends. Tasnim's determining commitment to serving others reflects her goal to pursue a career in the medical field, where she hopes to continue advocating for the health and well-being of her community, particularly for the youth.
Maile McManis
Mia McManis
My name is Mia McManis, I'm 15 years old and am a Sophomore at Northfield High School (NHS). Soccer is a big passion of mine - I'm one of the Captains on my Rapids Club soccer team, I also play for NHS and coach little kid soccer. I love to hang out with friends, travel, and volunteer. As a youth commissioner, I hope to bring the hopes, voices, and experiences of Denver's teens to the table to help make our City a great place for young people and adults.
Itiah Gonzalez
Despina Balafas
My name is Desi Balafas, I'm 14 and currently attending Kent Denver School as a freshman. The main reason I wanted to get involved with MYC is to focus on mental health, nutrition, housing affordability, and youth engagement programs. I want to be a voice for the youth because the youth may feel as if they have no voice. Some of my passions include education, sports, traveling, and learning other languages. I hope to affect change by listening to those in our community and responding with action.
Sofia Ayala
Jada Pace
Paul Markson IV
Taurion Shelvin
Taurion Shelvin is a native of Houston, Texas who is an ambitious and inexorable leader, filled with tenacity. Driven to generate results through promoting integrity, teaching, training, and enforcing correct behavior. Enthusiastic about building strong, fearless teams through servant leadership, inclusivity, and accountability. He currently serves as the Small Business Development Administrator for DEN Concessions. He has a deep passion for aviation and traveling, fueled by his fascination with aircraft and the thrill of exploring new destinations. Whether it's immersing himself in different cultures or seeking out unique flying experiences, he is always eager to embark on new adventures and expand his knowledge of the world through aviation. He brings diverse life experiences and perspectives to the role of adult youth commissioner for the City and County of Denver. He is passionate about advocating for the needs and rights of young people, and as a commissioner, he hopes to affect change by fostering dialogue between generations, promoting policies that support youth empowerment, and providing mentorship opportunities that can positively impact their lives. Through his dedication to amplifying youth voices and nurturing their potential, he aims to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future for all young individuals in our community.
Ailee Doniger
My name is Ailee Doniger, and I am a 16-year-old junior at Colorado Academy. At Colorado Academy, I am involved in speech and debate, varsity rock climbing, and math club. I chose to become a commissioner to learn more about the problems facing Denver's youth and try to help solve them. Specifically, I aim to help youth learn more about the importance of their health—both mental and physical. This year, I plan to work with schools/non-profits to create a curriculum that will increase health literacy among youth, fostering a greater understanding of how to maintain their well-being.
Anya Sharma
My name is Anya Sharma, and this is my second year on the Mayors Youth Commission of Denver. I’m a sophomore at Northfield Highschool and play varsity tennis for the schools team. I’m quite the enthusiast when it comes to any physical activities and sports. Weightlifting and volleyball are hobbies and something I prefer to do in my free time. Last year, I had entered the commission with hopes of spreading awareness about mental health among youth. This year, my goal remains the same, teaching youth to prioritize themselves as well as striving to directly reach out to larger organizations about such topic and reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental health issues.
Holden Demain
Holden Demain is a junior at Denver Jewish Day School with a strong interest in affecting change through the political process. At his school, he participates in Moot Court, Model UN, and Student Council as well as playing basketball and baseball. You can find him watching Seinfeld, reading historical biographies, or practicing his Spanish fluency. Holden sees many inequities in education in Denver and wants to work with the Denver Mayor’s Youth Commission to address these issues in the coming year.
Dane Washington Sr.
Ariackna Gonzalez
Cassie Williamson