Abigail Rubtsova (she/they) is a Los Angeles-based Senior Policy Intern at the National Foster Youth Institute and a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a B.A. in Anthropology and Political Science. Drawing from over a decade of lived experience in foster care, Abigail is committed to advancing equitable child welfare reform through policy development, research, and youth leadership.

Throughout her academic and professional work, Abigail has engaged in youth participatory research, cross-sector collaboration, and advisory efforts focused on improving outcomes for transition-aged youth. She co-authored research published in the July 2025 edition of Child Protection & Practice, contributing to policy conversations centered on youth voice and systems accountability.

At NFYI, Abigail develops youth-informed policy recommendations and supports engagement with decision-makers to strengthen public systems. Her work centers on translating lived expertise into meaningful structural change and ensuring that system-impacted youth are leaders in shaping reform.