Leadership

The California Young Democrats Executive Board is composed of ten elected executive officers, eleven Regional Directors, and the Presidents of the California College Democrats and the California High School Democrats. Scroll down and get to know our 2025-2026 Executive Board Officers!

Want to meet our Regional Directors? Click here.

PRESIDENT

Giovanni Chavez

Home Chapter: Avance Democratic Club of Orange County

Giovanni Chavez is the son of Mexican immigrants, a personal injury attorney, and the President of the California Young Democrats. As the son of a carpet installer and a caregiver, Giovanni never thought he would be involved in politics. However, whether it's representing everyday people in the courtroom or young people in the democratic process, Giovanni’s life experiences inspired him to fight for marginalized communities. Under his tenure as CYD President, CYD has had its strongest fundraising ever, elected a record number of Young Democrats to Party and elected offices, built a record amount of partnerships, and turned out the vote in key swing districts.

VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP

Maiya De La Rosa

Home Chapter: San Bernardino County Young Democrats

Maiya De La Rosa brings a rich background in communications, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. She was most recently a senior analyst at Physicians for a Healthy California, where she led strategic communications and project management. Previously, she organized for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, working with officials and partners to expand healthcare access and helped pass a landmark sound ordinance protecting patients. Maiya has also written for the Capitol Morning Report, covering California politics. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from USC and a BA from UC Davis. In her free time, she enjoys coffee shops, her dog Tiny, and friends.

VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE

Anissa Raja

Home Chapter: Los Angeles County Young Democrats

Anissa Raja is the President of the Los Angeles County Young Democrats and has led the organization towards building a stronger financial strategy, expanding membership engagement, and advancing progressive causes across the region.

As a dedicated advocate for CYD’s growth, Anissa has played a pivotal role in helping CYD achieve its best fundraising year since its establishment. She is committed to building on this momentum and pushing CYD to achieve its best fundraising year yet again, ensuring that young voices are heard loud and clear—fighting for progress, justice, and a Democratic Party that fully reflects the values we hold dear.

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Ryan K. Brown

Home Chapter: Sacramento County Young Democrats | Learn More about Ryan

Ryan K. Brown is a local government enthusiast, organizer, and political consultant who currently serves as Chief of Staff to Sacramento City Councilmember Caity Maple and as the Immediate Past President of the Sacramento County Young Democrats. Since 2022, Ryan has run Golden State Public Affairs, a firm that is dedicated to electing young, progressive, and diverse Democrats to local office – and that notched eight major wins in its first two years. Ryan lives in Sacramento with his fiancée, Gianna, and practices carpentry in his spare time.

SECRETARY

Rae Seneff

Home Chapter: San Diego County Young Democrats

As a lifelong leader, Rae has no hesitation being a voice for those who have none. Being outwardly Transgender and LBGTQ+, Rae’s leadership achieves the representative guidance that is too often missing in our world, especially in political arenas. They plan to peruse a career in minority advocacy, elevating those who have been historically marginalized.

NATIONAL COMMITTEEWOMAN

Mana Shooshtari

Home Chapter: San Joaquin County Young Democrats

Mana Shooshtari is a first-generation Iranian American community organizer that proudly hails from Stockton. As the Field and Communications Director for the Grassroots Democrats HQ for the 2021-22 Election Cycle, she oversaw a field program that delivered 11 million voter contacts into key swing states and districts across the nation, and now serves as the HQ’s Executive Strategist.

As a twice-elected ADEM for AD13, Mana co-authored and successfully passed a resolution honoring the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution. She’s also a co-founder and former Central Valley Regional Chair of the Iranian American Democrats of California. She now serves as a Congressional aide.

NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN

Navkaran Gurm

Home Chapter: Fresno County Young Democrats | Learn More about Nav

Nav Gurm, a proud Fresno native and passionate Central Valley advocate, brings a dynamic background in politics and public policy. He has experience working in local government, for a statewide nonprofit, and the private sector. Nav earned his B.A. in Economics and Public Affairs from UCLA and his J.D. from UC Davis School of Law. Currently, Nav is running to represent District 7 on the Fresno City Council.

PARLIAMENTARIAN

Malik Thornton

Home Chapter: San Diego County Young Democrats

Malik Thornton currently serves as CYD Parliamentarian, having formerly been South State Regional Director (San Diego & Imperial Counties). Malik brings five years of experience in campaigns and leadership across the San Diego County Democratic Party and Young Democrats. He is also Director of Community Engagement for the City of San Diego, and he got into politics because of his lived experiences navigating broken systems—healthcare, housing, and low-wage, high-demand jobs. He knows that young people aren’t the future, they’re the present, and he is ready to work with Young Democrats in his region and across the state to build the future we all deserve.

POLITICAL DIRECTOR

Alondra Esquivel Garcia

Home Chapter: San Francisco Young Democrats

Alondra, a proud alumna of San Francisco State University, began her public service journey as a Willie Brown Fellow at the SF Municipal Transit Authority. Inspired by this experience, she committed to serving her local community. She previously worked as a Financial Analyst at the Department of Public Health for the City and County of San Francisco. Today, Alondra is the Director of the SF Youth Commission, where she advocates for youth and works to shape local policy. She also leads the SF Women’s Political Committee, supporting women in leadership, and enjoys life in San Francisco with her cat, Tigger.

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Bryan Beltran

Home Chapter: Fresno County Young Democrats

Bryan Beltran is a first-generation graduate of SFSU with a degree in Mass Communications. Born and raised in Southeast Fresno in a union household, Bryan is passionate about workers’ rights and economic justice. He previously served as a Digital Organizing Manager for CADEM, interned for then-Senator Kamala Harris, and worked on Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign. With deep roots in Fresno politics, he has managed school board and city council races and worked as a substitute teacher, organizing with SEIU-521.

Passionate about empowering young voices, he serves on the CYD board to connect young democrats and rebrand the Democratic message to reflect California’s next generation.

PRESIDENT, CALIFORNIA COLLEGE DEMOCRATS

Jack X. Howard

Home Chapter: San Diego County Young Democrats

Jack X. Howard is the President of the California College Democrats, one of the youngest elected members of the Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC), and a researcher at the University of California, San Diego. In the face of a storm of onslaughts being cast upon higher institutions of learning across the United States, he is explicitly dedicated to effective advocacy for higher education throughout the state. With extensive experience in both the official government sector and campaign spaces, Jack brings a robust background that acts as a foundation for his advocacy on behalf of California's 2.5 million college students.

PRESIDENT, CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL DEMOCRATS

George Balan

Home Chapter: Miramonte High School Democrats | Learn More about George

George Balan, a junior at Miramonte High School, serves as Chair of the California High School Democrats. Based in the Bay Area, George previously served as Finance Director for CAHSD where he worked to build a strong financial foundation. Appointed to the California Department of Education’s LGBTQ+ Task Force last year, George strives to uplift traditionally underrepresented voices. Aside from his advocacy, George has achieved recognition as a State Finalist in Congressional Debate and as a three-time National Tournament Qualifier. George is enthusiastic about driving meaningful change and is committed to building the next generation of advocates.

Want to get involved with the Executive Board or even run for a position yourself? Start by familiarizing yourself with the Bylaws of the California Young Democrats, contacting our team, and attending our regional and statewide events.