Annie Loya, Executive Director, Youth United for Community Action (YUCA). Annie has over 11 years of experience with YUCA. She volunteered at 13 and joined the Higher Learning Core at 14. Since then, Annie has been a key youth organizer within the Environmental Justice Accountability Campaign. Annie then transitioned into staff at 18 years old as Assistant HL Coordinator, where she then supported young people’s development into HL. She drew from her myriad of experiences as a youth to then restructure the HL program as Program Coordinator to add more components that addressed the holistic development of youth, expand the membership to offer more opportunities for young people to get involved, and expand the number of campaigns at YUCA to address both environmental and economic justice issues in the community. Annie was a crucial lead in the campaign that led to the historic shutdown of Romic, a negligent toxic waste facility in East Palo Alto. Annie has taken on a leadership role in her community and in the larger movement for environmental and social justice. At 25, Annie is an experienced organizer, trainer, and speaker. She has developed and led workshops for YUCA, spoken on panels, given keynote speeches, and led various community campaigns around issues affecting youth. She sat on the Ad Hoc Committee that led to the structure of the Funders Collaborative on Youth Organizing, was a representative to the Environmental Justice Air Quality Coalition, the East Palo Alto Air Resource Team, the Community Advisory Group, Environmental Justice Group, and the Ravenswood Business District Coalition. She brings years of experience as a previous HL Staff and core member to the Director’s position. Her passion for community change is evident in her commitment to the work. Annie also sits on the board of Greenaction. Please listen to her presentation at the BCLI Issues and Advocates Speakers Series, Protecting Communities, Securing Benefits: Lessons Learned in Silicon Valley.