This fall, IGNITE welcomed 22 phenomenal interns from across the country. These young leaders bring wide-ranging experiences, creative ideas, and a deep commitment to IGNITE’s mission.
From high school and college students to recent graduates, each intern contributed to IGNITE’s mission through advocacy, alumni engagement, program development, research, storytelling, and youth organizing. Their passions span education justice, immigrant equity, mental health, political representation, reproductive rights, and strengthening democracy.
Meet the inspiring young people who helped shape IGNITE’s work this fall.
Meet the Fall 2025 IGNITE INterns
Rania Bhalla
Programs Intern | Henry M. Gunn Senior High School
“Two of my biggest passions are women’s rights and politics, and I want to work toward building opportunities for women in political office, which I hope to continue to do so here at IGNITE.”
Hannah Christopher
Special Projects Intern | University of Maryland, College Park
“IGNITE’s mission resonates with me because young women should feel confident stepping into leadership roles.”
Kayla Davis
Women in Student Government & Candidate Training Intern | Florida A&M University
“The part of IGNITE’s mission that resonated most with me is its focus on encouraging young women to take space in politics. As a political science major, I have always loved seeing other women passionate about politics, and I have climbed into the political sphere. I would love to create space for more women to feel comfortable and lead in politics as well.”
Keerthi Eranian
Youth Advocacy Programs Intern | California High School
“I love advocacy and storytelling, especially for women, and I believe there should be a place for girls to learn how to feel that their voice is heard and speak up!”
Helen Hu
High School Outreach Intern | Mission San Jose High School
“I’m passionate about how policy and legal systems shape everyday lives, and I want to help make those spaces more equitable and inclusive. IGNITE is the perfect place where I can advocate for the issues I care about while helping build a community that supports and uplifts future women leaders!”
Leila Mayorga
Media Advocacy Program Development Intern | University of Texas at El Paso
“The chapter at my university has given me many opportunities to learn about local government, policy, and civic engagement. IGNITE has made me feel supported, empowered, and confident in a space where women’s voices matter. I wanted to give back by connecting more with the national team and helping other young women find their place in leadership.”
Danasia Montgomery
Women in Student Government & Candidate Training Intern | Howard University
“I come from a woman-led home, and I have always seen the power in women and I felt that interning with IGNITE would be me spreading that power and igniting that power in every woman around me.”
Funke Olayinka
Chapter Communications Intern | University of Texas at San Antonio
“I love that IGNITE inspires a diverse group of women to use their voices and advocate for what is right. That mission really resonates with me, and I believe it’s exactly what we need in this day and age.”
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Aliya Purnell
Chapter Advocacy Intern | Tuskegee University
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because its mission aligns with my passion for advocacy, civic engagement, and empowering young women, especially women of color, to lead in political spaces. Through my campus roles and legal internships, I’ve seen how important representation and youth leadership are. IGNITE is the perfect place for me to grow as a leader while helping other young women find their voice and influence change.”
Mackenzie Wynn
Training Programs Intern | University of the District of Columbia
“‘I chose to intern with IGNITE to continue my experience empowering other women who want to pursue careers in politics.”
Nico Blue Less
Legislative Advocacy Intern | Redwood High School
“The part of IGNITE's mission that resonates most with me is part of their motto, 'Political Power In Every Young Woman.' Specifically, the emphasis on EVERY young woman. I firmly believe that every young woman can get something out of politics, local and federal. We all are affected by the actions in this space, and we all deserve to be part of this space.”
Ardita Dervishi-Anderson
Legislative Advocacy Intern | Cal Poly Humboldt
“My work with IGNITE began in my undergraduate, when I joined my university's local chapter and it became one of those impactful parts of my college career. Being surrounded by other women who were not only passionate about politics, but also actively engaging in local government, was so inspiring for me. Through the support of those women, and the events and knowledge I gained through IGNITE's programing, I developed so much confidence in my own abilities to engage politically in a way I never had before. It was such a positive experience and I've wanted to work with IGNITE again since.”
Marin Funderburg
Civic Leadership Research Intern | The Ohio State University
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because I think encouraging women to get involved civically is so important for creating a just and equitable society.”
Juliana Garcia
Legislative Advocacy Intern | University of Texas at San Antonio
“Being a woman and civically engaged is powerful. For so long women have used their voice to create change and I want to be a part of that story. IGNITE has given me a sense of purpose and I want to dedicate my time to repay what they gave me.”
Kinza Muhammad
Advocacy Research Intern | University of Illinois-Springfield
“I am passionate about amplifying the voices of women, especially when it comes to our safety. There are still communities where women receiving an education is taboo or disliked, and even pursuing a career is discouraged. I want women to be able to explore different career paths, understand resources that are available to them and I want women to follow their passion!”
Caroline Shin
Creative Advocacy Intern | Sunny Hills High School
“I am passionate about increasing youth civic engagement and bridging partisan divides by focusing on central issues that affect everyone. I decided to intern with IGNITE because I want to connect with and learn from amazing young women leaders who inspire change and creativity in the political space.”
Ryiah Suazo
NYC Advocacy Intern | Borough of Manhattan Community College
“I’ve always been passionate about advocacy, especially creating opportunities for young women like me to have a voice in decisions that affect our communities. Growing up in a low-income household as a woman of color, I've always had a desire to be a beacon for the underrepresented, making a true impact.”
Nicole Tarragona
IGNITE the Vote Intern | University of Texas at Austin
“I am most eager to deepen my understanding of how meaningful voter engagement can strengthen democracy and restore trust in public institutions. I hope to explore how effective communication, inclusive outreach, and transparent policymaking can transform civic participation from a single act into a sustained relationship between citizens and their government. I am also interested in developing strategies that make voting more accessible and personal, particularly for those who have long felt alienated from political power. Working alongside other young women who view leadership as a form of public stewardship, I hope to learn how advocacy, storytelling, and coalition building can expand civic belonging and ensure that every individual feels both seen and represented within our democracy.”
Martina Brinkley Flores
Alumni Engagement Intern | Ithaca College
“I was inspired by IGNITE's commitment to mentoring young women seeking a future in public office. IGNITE's programs allow passionate students to find a supportive network and instruction on how to begin a career in public office and advocacy.”
Milena Guevara
Development Intern | Recent graduate from Rutgers University
“As I take a gap year before law school, I wanted to gain experience in the nonprofit sector, and IGNITE’s mission, empowering young advocates to become the next generation of political leaders, resonated with me. I’m excited to serve as a development intern and to learn how IGNITE engages with funders and communicates its mission to inspire even more people to get involved.”
Nataly Luna
Development Intern | Pepperdine University
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because I believe that women and young girls should have a space where they are supported, encouraged, and heard.”
Greta Magendantz
Development Intern | New York University
Greta returns to IGNITE after previously serving as an IGNITE Fellow.
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