The youngest in the room

For most of my life I have been the youngest person in any room I’m in. I think it’s awesome to be surrounded by people who have more experience. I try to absorb everything I can from those around me, as they often have great lessons and information to pass on.

Board Chair

I took over the position of board chair at El Grupo Youth Cycling in May 2025. I was, and still am the youngest voting member on the board, I’m also entrusted to make decisions that will reflect across the organization for decades to come. Since I joined the board in December 2020 I have provided fiscal oversight, policymaking, and advice to the other members on the board. I have also received advice from people with much more experience than I. I appreciate when people share their ideas, as it helps us make better decisions long term.

This opportunity has been immensely helpful in developing my confidence, decision making, and understanding the bigger picture. I think people my age get so caught up in the present and the past that they fail to see the next step or the next 10 steps. It’s a skill that I have started to leverage every day, in both my professional and personal life. I have also developed a much stronger set of communication skills, I have gotten better at understanding where people are coming from and how I can bridge the divides.

Service Desk

When I was with the University at Health Sciences, I was the youngest person on the team. There were 2 student workers who were older than I am. But I learned that age does not equate to experience. Just because they were older than I am did not mean that they had a better understanding of how things worked or how to solve issues.

This is also where I realized that people are bad at guessing ages. Most of my colleagues thought I was in my thirties. (What 20-year-old wants to work a full time job? (I do.)) I absorbed so much from the people around me while I was there. I took every opportunity to learn and get involved where I could.

Let the results speak

I have learned that my age is a blocker. Most places and people don’t want to risk it on someone who is young. I’ve learned that it’s better to let the results speak for themselves. I underpromise and overdeliver, I take pride in the work I do and how I do it.

I hope more places take the chance and give younger people space. We’re the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and doers. The people who empower younger generations set our world up for success.