Council Member - Current

Franz Utomo is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attends Temple University and is majoring in Political Science with a focus on Public Policy and is minoring in Geographic and Urban Studies. Franz identifies as an LGBTQIA+ multiracial Immigrant. Franz was born in Indonesia to a multiracial family. His father passed away... Read more

Johnoi Shaw is a Jamaican National that came here in his early teens and ended up in care. He obtained his Bachelor’s of Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience and aspires to get a degree in nursing. After experiencing and witnessing discrimination because his of sexual orientation, he decided to... Read more

Veronica is an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and also has Jemez and Navajo heritage. Veronica spent several years in the New Mexico foster care system before being adopted at 10 years old, along with her younger sister. After graduating from Fort Lewis College with a Bachelor... Read more

Ke'Onda spent 19 years in Florida's foster care system - including time in extended care. During that time, she experienced over 20 different placements in group homes. Currently, Ke'Onda is studying political science and working at United Way in an AmeriCorps Vista position where she supports financial literacy for young... Read more

Born and raised in New Jersey, Stephanie has always had a passion for creating change and giving back to her community. Currently enrolled at Rutgers University, Stephanie hopes to become a professional in the field of civil rights. Her passions include advocacy for youth in foster care, disability rights, accessibility... Read more

Recognized as an Outstanding Young Leader by Foster Club in 2019, Courtney has utilized her unique lived experience in Washington State’s foster care to make a positive impact on the system she and her sibling were forced to navigate. She has spent time in employment roles as a Case Manager... Read more

Brittney Lee experienced 17 foster homes in the span of 17 years of her childhood. Brittney’s current aspiration is to utilize her growth and knowledge gained from resilience, community involvement and employment opportunities with youth who have experienced foster care. She consistently involves herself in community conversations on child welfare... Read more

Brittany Paige Mihalec-Adkins was in congregate and foster care in Indiana through middle and high school, before heading to college at 17. Brittany is now a PhD student in Human Development and Family Studies at Purdue University. Prior to beginning her PhD work, Brittany completed her Master’s in Educational Psychology... Read more

Joshua spent 18 years in the State of Indiana’s foster care system. Joshua is someone who helps others without giving it a second thought because everyone deserves a chance. He is very ambitious, strong willed and always ready to stand up for what he believes in his heart to be... Read more

Katarina Sayally is a mother, writer, and community organizer. In 2019, she graduated with a Masters in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley and had a baby the same week. As a single mother she relies heavily on love, community, and ancestral knowledge in her familial healing journey... Read more