Misha Patel is a sophomore at Columbia University studying biomedical engineering. As Living Room Conversations Youth Council Co-Chair, she is passionate about creating opportunities and resources for youth to engage in civic dialogue and drive community impact. Misha believes that youth deserve not only to be heard, but also to be equipped with the opportunities […]
Rose Whaley is a high schooler from Massachusetts. She has been a part of Living Room Conversation’s Youth Council since April 2025 and has a passion for learning through dialogue and meeting new people. Outside of Living Room Conversations, she enjoys traveling, music, and watching and playing sports.
My name is Haya Fatmi and I’ve been a part of Living Room Conversations’ Youth Council for a few years now. I have served as the general Youth Editor for our previous op-eds and blogs, and now work with Misha on an initiative we’re launching just in a few weeks. I have a passion for
Nina is a high school student passionate about online safety, youth civic engagement, and gender equality. She co-runs SheSaid News, an online platform to inform and inspire young women, and serves as a teen advisor for HalfTheStory, an organization focused on digital wellness and empowering youth’s relationship with tech. She loves connecting with other youth
As a cultural worker, Khaliah sees herself as a bridge between changemakers across all sectors: government, non-profit, private, and beyond. Driven by her vision for a more accountable and sustainable future, she is passionate about a United States that values the earth and is led by those who are most connected to the issues at
Program & Community Coordinator – Cassidy brings a public-health perspective and a commitment to strengthening relationships and community wellbeing to Living Room Conversations. She holds a Masters in Public Health from Brigham Young University and first encountered LRC through a university public-health project. As Program & Community Coordinator, Cassidy supports the administration, logistics, and coordination that
Development & Growth Manager – Anaïs is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and community builder with more than a decade of experience teaching, mentoring, and creating spaces for belonging, dialogue, and civic engagement. At Living Room Conversations, she has played a central role in growing and elevating the Youth Council and expanding opportunities for young people
Communications & Digital Engagement Manager– Stewart brings a longstanding interest in civic life, bridging differences, and helping people connect across perspectives to his work at Living Room Conversations. With a background in political science, he has helped expand LRC’s digital presence and connect its resources and ideas with a broader audience. As Communications & Digital
Co-Founder & Senior Advisor – Joan co-founded Living Room Conversations in 2010 and continues to bring her experience, relationships, and deep commitment to bridging differences to the organization as a Senior Advisor. She is also a co-founder of MomsRising and MoveOn and co-author of The Custom-Fit Workplace and The Motherhood Manifesto. A mediator and attorney
Director of Impact & Operations – Chelsea brings a passion for creating systems that make complex work simpler, stronger, and more effective. She holds an M.A. in Educational Psychology: Learning & Cognition from the University of Minnesota, with a minor in Program Evaluation, and has long been a driving force behind the systems and infrastructure
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