This summer, IGNITE welcomes 33 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, these interns will contribute 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 will be supporting IGNITE’s work this summer!
Meet the Summer 2026 IGNITE INterns
Zaira Amara
IGNITE the Vote Intern | Claremont High School
“Being an intersectional woman has taught me that our identity impacts us in many ways in our everyday lives. Because of this, i’m inspired to teach my community to stand up for their identity and belonging.”
Gagandeep Bhopal
Programs Intern | University of California, Los Angeles
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because of the amazing legislative work that they do while centering women and young girls within the movement. I value how dedicated they are to ensuring that young women, like myself, are able to engage with today’s political structure and grow into their own power.”
Catherine Blair
IGNITE the Vote Intern | DePaul College Prep
“My superpower is my public speaking skills. It is something that I have worked a lot at over my high school career through my work with IGNITE and my position on the mock trial team. I believe it is a superpower because strong public speaking skills allows me to connection with other and spread awareness about issues that matter to me."
Abigail Burke
Fundraising and Development Intern | DePaul College Prep
“I take pride in interning with IGNITE because of their consistent effort to uplift women and nonbinary individuals by giving them the tools to understand advocacy and mobilize. Without IGNITE, my perspective as a first-generation Latina would not be amplified within the legislative space as it is now. I am devoted to continuing to build this movement so that future generations of women do not have to fight for their voices to be heard. I am passionate about all of the incredible work that IGNITE has done to pioneer accessible advocacy for all young women, regardless of background and orientation.”
Mia Burzminski
Women in Student Government Intern | University of California, Los Angeles
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because I believe in a world that protects those whose rights have been historically under attack and who have been consistently underserved by their representatives. I have seen firsthand how a lack of resources and education on college campuses affects women's daily lives, whether as survivors of sexual assault, or simply not knowing what reproductive rights they have. I hope to bridge the gap of accessibility as an IGNITE intern.”
Vivian Check
Programs Intern | Westminster High School
“By using my experiences, I believe I can create a change in my community by volunteering and showing others what I have learned, influencing others to better themselves and explore new pathways, along with joining more programs to grow and spread my knowledge with others to make an impact in their lives.”
Rhonda Chrisp
Special Projects Intern | Virginia State University
“I wanted to intern with IGNITE because of the mission and the representation it’s aiming to achieve within the political climate. I myself have always been aligned with leadership, advocacy, mentorship, and pouring into the next generation—cementing a legacy for myself so that it can be built upon by those after me. Especially as a young black woman, I wanted to ensure that all of the work I do inspires another young woman to confidently use their voice.”
Maya Do
Programs Intern | La Quinta High School
“Interning at IGNITE will allow me to be a part of and support organizations that are passionate about women's career development and have a mission for uplifting women. It's inspiring to intern and support IGNITE in any way possible while also building my professional skills. Additionally, being in a professional space with other career-driven women is extremely empowering. It's a space I will be able to thrive and give back to through empowering others, sharing my insights, and giving back to the IGNITE community in any way possible.”
Nicole Duma
Data and Impact Intern | Illinois Wesleyan University
“I hope to use my lived experiences to encourage others, especially young women, to speak up, get involved, and believe their perspectives matter. I aim to help create spaces where diverse voices are valued and included in discussions about leadership and change. I’m interested in learning how nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups engage with policy and decision-makers to influence change. I want to better understand how ideas move from community needs to actionable strategies within political systems.”
Spencer English
Fundraising and Development Intern | University of Michigan
“I decided to intern with IGNITE, as I aligned with their mission and tasks. When I got into high school, I wanted to continue growing more as an individual, so I joined my school's IGNITE chapter. When I heard about this internship opportunity, it really fascinated me, as I've been getting more interested in political science and civic engagement. I wanted an activity to help me grow more as a leader and gain new experiences in networking and mentorship.”
Lora Frigerio
Programs Intern | Mount Saint Mary's University
Jade gonzalez
Legislative Advocacy Intern | Pepperdine University
“Young women deserve greater influence in political and community decision-making because their perspectives matter just as much as others. Increased representation ensures that policies are more inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the communities they serve. Empowering women to lead and participate strengthens not only their rights but also democracy and the well-being of communities altogether.”
Lauryn Guidry
Legislative Research Intern | Howard University
“From a young age, I understood that standing up for justice is a lifelong commitment, not a moment. That foundation has guided every choice I’ve made, from my education to my professional path. Whether through internships, volunteering, or academic work, I’ve consistently prioritized roles where I can contribute to social justice in tangible ways.”
Brooke Johnson
IGNITE the Vote Intern | San Diego State University
“Although it feels obvious to state, I believe young women should have increased influence over their own bodily autonomy and healthcare choices."
Anika Khanna
Special Projects Intern | Lynbrook High School
“IGNITE's mission of building women’s political power resonates with me. Growing up experiencing misogyny motivated me to get involved with politics and advocacy to create a more inclusive society. Women belong in every decision-making space, and I hope to contribute to IGNITE's mission while building my professional skillset and experiences."
Sakura Kuroda
Programs Intern | Northgate High School
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because, as a young woman interested in pursuing politics, I wasn't sure where to start. When I came across IGNITE's mission to empower women in politics, I knew I wanted to get involved and even requested information about starting a chapter at my school."
Madison Laguana
Programs Intern | Westminster
“Whenever I find myself speaking over someone, or the general case that someone is being spoken over, I ensure to clarify what they had to say before moving on; I like hearing what everyone wants to contribute to discussions and conversations"
Anika Malyala
Data and Impact Intern | Virginia Tech University
“A small daily habit that keeps me grounded as a leader is reminding myself of why I am doing what I am doing, what my purpose is, and actively thinking of how my daily actions support those two points. When I remind myself of the root of my actions, I come back to how I want to carry myself, how I want to lead, and how I want to bring people together. For me, that starts with wanting to make the world a better place and creating a positive impact in the world."
Anna Nguyen
Student Voice Intern | Lincoln High School
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because of their mission to help uplift women and nonbinary people to begin and/or get involved with advocacy. I believe that being civically educated and engaged is extremely crucial in our day-to-day lives and I hope to help create projects and initiatives to help drive the next generation of leaders to tackle today's challenges, creating a positive impact on people's lives."
Hayde Perez
Fundraising and Development Intern | California State University
“Through volunteering, school organizations, and research projects, I've learned that small actions can make a meaningful impact. In college and my community, I hope to encourage others to get involved, listen to different perspectives, and work together to solve problems. I want to use my experiences to help create opportunities for others and contribute to positive environmental and community initiatives."
Lana Phu
Special Projects Intern | Westminster High School
“I decided to apply for IGNITE because I have always been interested in the well-being of my community and feeling like I am not doing my part to create positive change. As a young woman, I have always been intimidated by politics as it is a male-dominated field. However, with IGNITE, I hope to become someone who is unafraid of standing up for what I believe in."
Sai Lavanya Prem Kumar
IGNITE the Vote Intern | Ohio State University
“I see myself using my lived experiences to ensure that everyone's voice is heard, creating a platform where women feel safe and able to express their ideas. I want to dismantle the culture that deems outspoken women as argumentative and instills doubt in them from a young age, instead inspiring them to take risks and advocate for their communities."
Tanvi Rakesh
Legislative Advocacy Intern | Ohio State University
“IGNITE's mission of empowering young women and advocating for them to be recognized in the community truly resonates with me. I believe that representation and helping women develop confidence in their own abilities can help individuals grow as leaders and community members."
Anushka Ramesh
Legislative Research Intern | Foothill High School
“I’m interning for IGNITE because I want to better understand how the government works and how to use my voice to create change. I am very passionate about public policy, and I want to become more civically engaged in my community through the skills and experience I would gain from this internship. I also really care about encouraging younger generations to get involved in politics by voting, advocating for their rights, and staying informed. As someone under the age of 18, I often hear my peers say that politics do not matter because we are not old enough to vote yet. I strongly disagree with this because change does not come from voting alone. Being educated, spreading awareness, and advocating for important issues are all meaningful ways to make an impact."
Mika Raviv
Legislative Advocacy Intern | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“I am eager to learn more about local political systems, such as different municipalities' political structures, as well as local elections. I first became actively involved in politics through local campaigns, and I would love to take my current understanding to a deeper level by understanding the differences between local election processes in different municipalities and states, and how municipal governments interact with state governments."
Katelyn Shepeard
Special Projects Intern | Ocean View High School
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because I believe that leadership shouldn't be something you wait to be handed—it's something you learn, practice, and grow into. I was drawn to IGNITE's mission of empowering young women and nonbinary people to step into political and civic leadership, especially because I've seen how much perspective and voice are missing when decision-making spaces don't reflect the communities they serve."
Preet Shukla
Women in Student Government Intern | Waukee High School
“Pivotal. It's not just some word; it's a real force, A word that completely altered my perspective. I believe that if you can be that pivotal person, you can do anything, even the impossible. Because even if things may not be going your way, you can adapt, you can learn through curiosity, and use your flexibility to get back up and follow through with your full effort."
Ellis Sobers
IGNITE the Vote Intern | Oak Knoll School
“Currently, so many young people are discouraged from participating in politics because of the conflict and divisiveness between parties. It's important to empower teens and young adults (especially young women) to be involved in politics and help shape our future. I am interested in organizing programs that get young girls excited about politics despite the divisiveness that exists today."
Sailor Todd
Programs Intern | Santa Margarita Catholic High School
“I'm hoping to learn a lot more about how voting, especially during presidential elections, helps determine the future of our nation!"
Sophia Tseng
IGNITE the Vote Intern | El Modena High School
“I chose to intern with IGNITE because I want to work for an organization that doesn't just talk about representation, but actively provides the tools, training, and community network needed to help empower young women so they feel prepared to step into leadership roles. By building networks of young women on campuses and in communities, IGNITE creates a supportive ecosystem where we can learn from one another."
Zoe Uproot
Student Voice Intern | Newton North High School
“Through my interests in the overlap of quantitative analysis, finance, and public policy, I am especially excited by the chance to learn how organizations like IGNITE use data and strategic decision-making to understand their impact and constantly refine how they effectively serve their communities. During my time at IGNITE, I hope to bring my analytical mindset while also growing as a civic leader who can engage in political issues that are relevant to my generation."
Natasha Wick
Legislative Advocacy Intern | University at Albany
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because I am passionate about increasing civic engagement and empowering young women to become leaders in their communities. Through my experiences in public service and government, I have seen firsthand how important diverse perspectives are in policymaking. IGNITE’s mission to encourage young women to pursue political leadership aligns closely with my own goals of pursuing a career in law and public service. I hope to learn from other emerging leaders while gaining the skills and confidence to create meaningful change."
Rebecca Yang
Programs Intern | Orange County School of the Arts
“I’m excited to build skills in networking and community engagement, which will complement the work I’m doing in policy and legislation. IGNITE’s mission to break barriers for women also speaks deeply to me. Growing up, politics has never been viewed as a viable path for me. No one in my family has served as an elected official, and as immigrants, my parents never talked about American politics much in our home. I see IGNITE as a chance to delve into a field I’m interested in—with resources, training, and a nurturing environment—and contribute to meaningful change."
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