Amplifying the impact
A diverse range of backgrounds, each bringing their unique experiences and perspectives on menstrual equity.
The Days for Girls Youth Leadership Committee was created in 2025 to bring youth voices and insights to the heart of our global work. This advisory committee plays a vital role in amplifying the impact of our mission and deepening our commitment to meaningful youth engagement.
Applications for the 2027 Youth Leadership Committee
Applications for the 2027 -2028 Youth Leadership Committee are open until August 31, 2026.. We encourage youth leaders ages 18–24 across the United States to apply and join an advisory committee that amplifies our mission, strengthens meaningful youth engagement, and integrates youth perspectives into our work.
2025-2026 Youth Leadership Committee
Sam Backus
Sam Backus is from Cleveland, Ohio, and is currently a senior at Pepperdine University studying Art History. This is her fourth year being involved with the Days for Girls Club at Pepperdine. She is super excited to serve on the DfG Youth Leadership Committee to learn from others and help create an environment where there are fewer stigmas surrounding women’s health.
Elise Chang
Elise Chang is a sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill studying public policy, history, and French. She grew up between Virginia and North Carolina. She started a local menstrual equity organization called Freeperiod in her school district and has been an advocate ever since. She cannot wait to learn from all the talented advocates at DfG and to ensure that all have access to necessary hygiene products.
Emily Cotrufello
Emily Cotrufello (she/her), originally from Broomall, Pennsylvania, is a Master’s in Information and Library Science student at University at Buffalo and future librarian. While earning a B.A. in English and a B.A. in International Politics at Penn State, she served as Administrator and Advocacy Team Member for the Days for Girls Club at Penn State and wrote her honors thesis on menstruation in Shakespeare’s plays. Emily is especially devoted to expanding product access and allocating resources to trans and nonbinary people with periods.
Abby Hartlieb
Abby Hartlieb is a recent graduate of Fordham University where she studied International Studies and Peace and Justice Studies currently residing in Baltimore, MD, serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Loyola University Maryland. Previously, she interned for the Days for Girls NYC Chapter and published two research articles on period poverty at both local and global levels. Abby is eager to collaborate with fellow student leaders and the Days for Girls team to advance menstrual equity.
Maya Iyengar
Maya Iyengar is a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley from Irvine, California. She is studying Business Administration at the Haas School of Business and pursuing a double major in data science. Maya previously served as President of the Northwood High School Days for Girls Club. Maya is very excited to continue her involvement with the DfG Youth Leadership Committee, as she is extremely passionate about menstrual equity and women’s health as well as business and strategy on a professional level.
Alisa Nudar
Alisa Nudar is from New York City. She is currently studying public health at Hunter College and working as a research assistant on reproductive health, men’s healthcare, and abortion rights. She has been and remains involved with different period initiatives including founding PERIOD @ Queens NY, co-founding and co-leading the New York City Menstrual Equity Coalition, and co-founding the Have the Talk Now campaign for puberty education.
Aditi Subramanyam
Aditi Subramanyam is from Seattle, Washington. She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in neuroscience and is currently working as a medical assistant. She is a research volunteer with Days for Girls in addition to serving on the Youth Leadership Committee and is very excited to advance menstrual equity worldwide and work to empower every person who menstruates to take charge of their health and rights!
Angela Yuan
Angela Yuan, from Boston, MA, is a student at Columbia University studying Computer Science and Biology. She has previously served as a research volunteer with Days for Girls and co-authored the 2025 Period Positive Workplace Impact Report. Angela is excited to bring her passion for advocacy and innovation to the DfG Youth Leadership Committee, where she hopes to help shape strategies that expand access to menstrual equity worldwide.