Recognition & Media

Speaking, Facilitation & Storytelling

Whether delivering a guest lecture, moderating a panel, or sharing lived experience in service of policy change, I approach public speaking as a form of storytelling. My engagements span nonprofit spaces, statewide conferences, and academic institutions—always grounded in clarity, connection, and a commitment to advancing equity.

Power, Policy & the Right to Exist: How Device Access Shapes Daily Life
Facilitator, Think Dignity's Basic Dignity Coalition (May 2025)

Building on the momentum of the relaunch for Think Dignity's Basic Dignity Coalition (BDC), I facilitated the second convening of the BDC 2.0. This participatory session invited unhoused San Diegans, service providers, local policymakers, and advocates to co-create potential solutions to issues around device access and secure charging infrastructure. The dialogue centered lived expertise and emphasized coalition-driven advocacy as a pathway to restoring dignity and digital agency.

Marketing for Nonprofits & Ethical Storytelling
Guest Lecture, SDSU Marketing Department (Feb 2025)

I was invited to speak in Dr. Kristine Ehrich’s “Marketing for Social Impact” course, where I shared my real-world experience leading communications for Think Dignity. The discussion explored storytelling as a tool for advocacy and funding, with a focus on dignity-centered messaging, ethical representation, and campaign strategy for mission-driven organizations.

Transfer Student Perspectives on ZTC at the CCC, CSU, and UC
Panelist, California Open Educational Resources (Cal OER) Conference (Aug 2023)

As a featured student panelist, I spoke on the lived experience of navigating the California higher education system as a transfer student, particularly how Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) initiatives shaped my academic trajectory. I offered insight into financial accessibility, resource equity, and the systemic gaps between community colleges and four-year institutions—emphasizing the need for coordinated, student-centered policy implementation across all levels of public education.

Investing in Students’ Success
Featured Speaker, San Diego Miramar College Foundation Annual Fundraising Event (Oct 2022)

At the Foundation’s annual fundraising event, Invest In Success, I addressed donors, community leaders, and educators to highlight the transformative impact of philanthropy on student lives. I spoke about my work supporting diverse students—offering a firsthand perspective on how resource equity fuels academic success.

Undocumented & LGBTQIA: Intersections of Identity
Moderator, LGBTQX Community Days Forum (Apr 2021)

I led a student-organized panel on the complex realities of being both undocumented and queer—facilitating a dialogue among activists, students, and educators. My role included curating the conversation, grounding it in relevant policy contexts, and ensuring it remained accessible and intersectional for a diverse audience.

LGBTQ+ Student Experience in Community College
Panelist, Miramar LGBTQX Alliance Forum (Apr 2021)

In this open-format Q&A, I spoke candidly about the challenges and joys of navigating higher education as a queer student. Alongside fellow panelists, I answered questions from faculty and peers, offering insights on inclusive classroom practices, campus culture, and building community through student organizing.