Meet the Team

We believe in the power of collective leadership and bringing different perspectives together to create a transformative and equitable organization, especially by involving people who are most impacted. The Youth Leadership Initiative is led by a team of youth and adults, organized into three teams: Board of Directors, Youth Mentors, and Operational Staff.

Staff

Adele Songalia | Groundwork Fellow

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A lifelong resident of Saint Paul’s West Side, I’ve returned back home after graduating from Syracuse University in May 2025 to reinvest in my hearty midwestern community! I became involved with YLI through my Groundwork Fellowship with AmeriCorps, and have been overjoyed to be welcomed into such an energetic and passionate organization. I greatly admire YLI’s commitment to investing in and spotlighting youth perspectives, and am excited to learn how my strengths and vision will meld with, influence, and be influenced by our Youth Mentors and youth cohort. In my free time, I enjoy oil painting, reading, watching movies, fiber arts, and going on walks with my two dogs!

Haley Vien | Program Manager

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Hello everyone! I’m Haley (pronounced like Halle Berry) and I’m a Minnesota transplant from Oakland, California who has been a youth worker since I was 15. As someone who grew up as an after school kid and would not be who I am without out of school time programs, it is only natural that I have a deep love and passion for quality youth programming. I mean, how else could I have done circus in elementary school? YLI was actually where I built my foundation for my values around youth work when I was a college intern years ago, so I’m excited to be back with YLI as its program manager to continue to uplift young leaders in our community. My superpower is being a belonging builder that is always striving to create communities of care through teamwork and collaborative connections. For me, joy comes from the little things like sharing a meal or watching TV with my loved ones or playing cozy games on my Switch!

Ntxheb Chang | Executive Director

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As a young person growing up within the intersections of social injustices struggling to find purpose, YLI was where I realized the power of my voice, honed the art of asking critical questions and built my community. In my role at YLI, I am intentional in sharing power with youth, role-modeling vulnerability, and leading with curiosity. My superpower is co-creating possibilities with young people rooted in their lived experiences. In moments of chaos, I find joy in cooking and playing board games with friends, hugging my cats, photosynthesizing in the sun, and finding the best matcha in the Twin Cities.

Youth Mentors

Youth Mentors are previous participants who have gone through a peer nomination and selection process to be youth leaders and facilitators of the program for the program year. The youth mentor team ensures everyone stays engaged in all program activities, plans and facilitate retreat activities, mentors youth participants, provides valuable feedback to the program, and plays a key role in the success and growth of the Youth Leadership Initiative.