De Patterson, based in Arizona, is a college student and advocate committed to improving outcomes for youth with lived experience in the foster care system. Drawing from personal experience and a passion for systemic change, De focuses their advocacy on addressing substance use and pregnancy among foster youth: two challenges that can significantly impact stability, education, and long-term opportunity.

De is currently pursuing higher education while balancing entrepreneurship and
motherhood. These experiences have strengthened their dedication to building stronger support systems for young people transitioning out of foster care. De believes that individuals with lived experience bring valuable insight to policy discussions and should play a direct role in shaping the solutions that affect their futures.

Through the National Foster Youth Institute, De channels this passion into advocacy focused on prevention, access to resources, and expanding support services for foster youth who may be at risk of addiction or early pregnancy.

Outside of advocacy and school, De enjoys creative outlets such as painting, playing the drums, and cooking and baking. De also runs a small in-home bakery business that combines creativity with entrepreneurship.

Through the Congressional Leadership Academy, De hopes to deepen their understanding of public policy, strengthen their leadership skills, and work alongside policymakers to create meaningful reforms that improve outcomes for foster youth nationwide. De is especially passionate about ensuring that young people leaving foster care have access to the resources, stability, and support needed to build healthy and successful futures. For De, every experience is a lesson learned and wisdom gained.