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Guidance & Expertise

Board of Advisors

Our Board of Advisors brings together distinguished leaders from government, diplomacy, academia, and public policy, offering invaluable expertise and guidance to empower the next generation of civic leaders.

Martha Cardenas-Singh

Martha Cardenas-Singh

Vice Chairwoman, Imperial County Board of Supervisors

Former Mayor, City of El Centro (CA)

Martha Cardenas-Singh serves as Vice Chairwoman of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, becoming the first Latina elected to the board in 2024. Previously Mayor of El Centro, she has championed workers' rights, economic development, and affordable housing. She also serves on the national board of MANA, an organization dedicated to Latina empowerment.

Lakshmi Puri

Lakshmi Puri

Former Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations

Former Indian Ambassador

Lakshmi Puri is a former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and founding Deputy Executive Director of UN Women. She previously served as India's Ambassador to Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina. With decades of experience in international diplomacy, she has played a leading role in advancing gender equality, women's empowerment, and international cooperation.

Maurits Acosta

Maurits Acosta

Founder, Virtutem Populo, Inc.

Maurits Acosta is the founder of Virtutem Populo, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to expanding civic engagement and government participation. A student at Harvard University, he previously served as Student Advisor to the Miami-Dade County School Board, representing over 350,000 students. He also serves on the National PTA Board of Directors.

Nitesh Patel

Nitesh Patel

Mayor, City of La Palma (CA)

Nitesh Patel serves as Mayor of La Palma, California, having first been elected to the City Council in 2018. His public service extends to regional leadership roles with the Orange County Fire Authority and California Joint Powers Insurance Authority. He has also worked on initiatives supporting local businesses and economic development.

Zeel Ahir

Zeel Ahir

Councilmember, City of Artesia (CA)

Zeel Ahir is a member of the Artesia City Council, elected in 2024. With a background in psychology, social work, and grassroots advocacy, Ahir has worked extensively in education and community engagement. Their work focuses on youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and creating more opportunities for residents to participate in local government.

Frank Yokoyama

Frank Yokoyama

Councilmember, City of Cerritos (CA)

Former Mayor, City of Cerritos (CA)

Frank Yokoyama is a Cerritos City Councilmember and former Mayor, having served as Mayor from 2025 to 2026. A graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School, he is an attorney and longtime community leader. He also represents the region on the Southern California Association of Governments and has held leadership positions in statewide municipal organizations.