Maya Chandler is from Crested Butte, CO, and is currently based out of Denver. She is passionate about juvenile justice, substance abuse treatment, housing access, youth attendance in hearings, and youth advocacy. They dedicate their time to studying public policy, political science, and law studies, while advocating for youth voice as an expert for the state and serving on more than five panels, boards, and workgroups. As the current liaison for the Office of the Child’s Representative (OCR) Lived Experts action Panel, an intern for a Colorado Representative, and a paralegal for a law firm, she brings many skills that benefit policy improvement. She also considers herself very lucky to be able to enjoy the Colorado scenery every day with her boyfriend and cat!

Believing that every young person deserves a voice in policy, Maya channels their passion into action through NFYI, focusing on helping youth obtain a sense of normalcy while in care. Outside of NFYI, they are also involved in many state and national advisory boards, workgroups, help youth with testimony prep, and train lawyers who interact with or represent foster youth in Colorado.

Beyond their advocacy work, Maya Chandler enjoys traveling, attending and hosting concerts, and lives by the motto: “No matter where life takes me, find me with a smile!”

Through the Congressional Leadership Academy, they hope to gain more knowledge about policy work that is affecting youth across the nation and apply it to Colorado to impact state policy work.