CNAY’s Youth Advisory Board Announces 2025 Executive Committee

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Native youth are in the driver’s seat of the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY), guiding all the work we do. One of the most important ways we seek input and counsel from our youth stakeholders is through our Youth Advisory Board (YAB).

The Youth Advisory Board is made up of the current class of Champions for Change, along with alumni from previous classes and other outstanding Native youth leaders. Each year, the YAB holds elections for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary.

The Chair is responsible for managing and providing leadership, and acts as a liaison between the YAB, staff and Board of Advisors. The Vice Chair serves as direct support to the Chair and is responsible for sending YAB meeting agendas to CNAY staff and attending quarterly CNAY board of advisors meetings. The Secretary is responsible for documenting meetings and correspondence of the YAB. One of the most important roles of each position is how they plan on building community within the organization.

The 2025 Youth Advisory Board Executive Committee is as follows:  

Chair: Ian Teller (Navajo)

“I am extremely excited to take on the position of the CNAY Youth Advisory Board Chair, along with my fellow Champs, Sage Phillips and Wambli Quintana. This year, we are excited to use our platforms to create a strong network of Native youth within CNAY to work collaboratively to push forward each of our members’ community work. I think we find ourselves in unprecedented times and, by creating a strong Native youth coalition, we plan to support and uplift each of our efforts to make our communities better. I also look forward to continuing to work closely with the Center for Native American Youth and all of their amazing staff. A’hee’hee (thank you).”

Vice Chair: Sage Phillips (Penobscot)

“The Youth Advisory Board is essential to the development of CNAY’s programming and the advancement of youth across Indian Country who are leading efforts to create effective change for the next seven generations. As the Vice Chair of the YAB, I am grateful for the opportunity to gather the voices of our youth in a space where we can support, develop and further CNAY’s programmatic priorities for supporting Native youth.”

Secretary: Wambli Quintana (Navajo & Cheyenne River Sioux)

“The Youth Advisory Board ensures that Native youth voices truly drive CNAY’s work, shaping programs and advocacy to meet our communities’ real needs. As YAB Secretary, I look forward to building strong connections with other youth organizations, creating meaningful collaborations, and uplifting Native youth leadership.”

CNAY congratulates all candidates, and looks forward to a meaningful year with these leaders! Learn more about the YAB: https://www.cnay.org/about/youth-advisory-board/