NATALIE BRAY

Host Office Placement: Coming Soon

Natalie Bray is a rising senior at the University of Southern California. She is studying political science with a concentration in law and human rights, and has a minor in news media. Attributing both growing up in Orange County, California and being Laotian/Japanese allowed Natalie to foster her passions for civil rights and advocacy, especially in regard to individuals within AAPI+ communities like her own.

At USC, Natalie has been a part of various academic and personal endeavors, including writing for the Annenberg Media's politics column, and holding an executive position in the Delta Tau chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She has interned with the USC Dornsife College focusing on environmental activism within political transitions, and with the Norman Lear Center's partnership with Good Energy analyzing climate issues and environmental justice in film.

Natalie found her passion for civic engagement through her time at the ACLU’s National Advocacy Institute, where she learned about grassroots organizing and political advocacy when it came to lobbying for political reform she was passionate about. This led her to further expand upon these skills through her internship with the National Civic League, where she worked to create their Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map connecting individuals with organizations that promote civic participation. 

As a pre-law student, Natalie has also had professional experiences within the legal field. She interned under Judge Olivia Rosales at the Los Angeles County Superior Court where she gained firsthand knowledge of courtroom proceedings, and interactions between attorneys, clients, and judges alike. This allowed her to further develop her legal skills with Easton & Easton, LLP, a personal injury firm highly regarded for its service in Southern California. 

Natalie is very excited to continue her efforts towards both promoting civic engagement and empowering individuals within the AAPI+ community through the CAUSE Leadership Academy. 

ABHISHEK JAGANNATHAN

Host Office Placement: Coming Soon

Abhishek “AJ” Jagannathan is a rising third-year Public Affairs student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is particularly interested in how public policy and social welfare intersect, and the ways in which policy can be implemented and communicated to best serve the public.

AJ has interned at the City Manager’s office in Simi Valley every summer since 2022, where he has had the opportunity to understand how a municipal government functions from the inside, the issues prevalent in his hometown, and the impact of local policies on neighborhoods. He has experience in youth service programs, legislative work, social media and public relations. In June 2025, he volunteered for Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign in the New York Primary elections via phone banking efforts. 

Informed by his coursework at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs and his real-world experiences, AJ’s career goals are centered on government service, public policy, and campaign management. He is looking forward to joining CAUSE this summer to deepen his understanding of advocacy, policy impact on communities, and build practical skills through the mock electoral campaign project. 

In his free time, AJ enjoys playing the guitar and composing music. He is also part of UCLA’s student-run record label, Cherry Pop Records, where he will serve as President starting in Fall 2026.

KARA MAK

Host Office Placement: Coming Soon

Kara Mak is a rising sophomore at Claremont McKenna College, where she is double majoring in Economics and Data Science. Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, she is deeply motivated by a commitment to giving back to her community—particularly by expanding access to educational, economic, and civic engagement opportunities for AAPI families.

Inspired by her experience growing up with a Chinese immigrant father who faced language barriers, Kara co-founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Turning Pages Together alongside her younger sister. Recognizing a significant gap in literacy resources for non-English-speaking parents, the organization has hosted over 30 community events, reached more than 3,600 community stakeholders, donated over 450 books to local children, and generated more than 70,000 social media impressions. This work remains Kara’s proudest accomplishment, reflecting her dedication to supporting families like her own.

On campus, Kara serves as a research assistant in the History Department, a student researcher studying computer vision, and a teaching assistant for an environmental science computing lab. She is also a member of the nationally ranked Model United Nations team and tutors underserved 4th–7th grade students in the greater Claremont area.

Looking ahead, Kara hopes to leverage her background in research and data analytics to address complex community and policy challenges.

KAYLA MAR

Host Office Placement: Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hanh (SD 4)

Kayla Mar (she/her) is a rising fourth year student at Scripps College double majoring in Politics and Writing and Rhetoric. Born and raised in the South Bay region of Los Angeles, Kayla has been immersed in strong AAPI advocacy, organizing, and leadership throughout her upbringing. With a deep commitment to public service, multiracial solidarity, and grassroots movements, Kayla strives to effect change in her communities and beyond. 

On campus, she serves as a Student Coordinator for the Claremont Colleges Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Advisory Board, where she bridges institutional gaps that further AAPI student empowerment between and among the Claremont College Consortium. She is also the president of the Scripps College Asian American Student Union and the Collaboration Coordinator for the Scripps College Asian American Sponsor Program. Her involvement with on-campus AAPI organizations sparked her passion for community building as a vehicle for shared education, unified political activism, and community organizing. 

Previously, Kayla interned at California Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi’s District Office, representing the South Bay of Los Angeles County. There, she supported legislative staff with day-to-day operations, managed constituent communications, and tracked and analyzed relevant legislation. Her experience sparked her passion for education policy, particularly regarding educational equity and using education as a means for liberation. Kayla also interned at the K.W. Lee Center for Leadership based in Koreatown, Los Angeles, where she helped organize a rally in support of immigrant rights in collaboration with national community organizations. Her experience directing the rally’s national outreach campaign while situating her family’s immigration history within the physical space of Koreatown galvanized her into the fight for immigrant justice. 

Through CLA, Kayla looks forward to learning how to best serve her community and deepen her commitment to creating change. 

GABRIEL MOLINA-KONG

Host Office Placement: Coming Soon

Gabriel Molina-Kong is a recent graduate of New York University, where he earned a degree in Politics. Born and raised in Southern California, he developed an early interest in public policy and civic engagement, with a focus on how government can better serve diverse and underrepresented communities. His academic experience at NYU strengthened his understanding of political systems, public service, and the importance of community-centered advocacy.

During his time in New York City, Gabriel was a poll worker in Chinatown where he supported voter access and helped ensure smooth election operations in a multilingual community. This experience deepened his commitment to civic participation and highlighted the importance of language access and representation in the democratic process, specifically for AAPI communities. In the 2024 election cycle, he also worked on the Harris campaign 2024, engaging in grassroots outreach and voter engagement efforts that further solidified his passion for political organizing.

Looking ahead, Gabriel hopes to pursue a career in government where he can amplify the voices of underrepresented communities, particularly within AAPI groups. He is committed to advancing equitable policies and strengthening civic engagement to help build a more inclusive and representative democracy.

SOPHIA PU

Host Office Placement: Coming Soon

Sophia Pu is a rising third-year at the University of California, Los Angeles studying Public Affairs with a minor in Community Engagement and Social Change. Raised in the San Gabriel Valley as a third-generation Chinese American, she is passionate about environmental justice and language access.

At UCLA, Sophia is a news writer for the Daily Bruin and managing editor for the AAPI Pre-Law Society Undergraduate Law Journal. She works in communications at the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute. Sophia’s campus involvement reflects her commitment to highlighting underrepresented stories and advocating for minority communities. She has organized rallies and voter outreach, crafted social media campaigns, and interned abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Sophia has a deep appreciation for Los Angeles’ tapestry of communities and cultures. Growing up in a majority foreign-born city shaped her drive to give back to the communities that raised her through policy change and political representation.

KAITLAN SAKUMA

Host Office Placement: Office of Assemblymember Mike Fong (AD 49)

Kaitlan Kiku Sakuma (she/her) is a rising second-year at Pitzer College, with an interest in pursuing interdisciplinary work at the intersection of Psychology, Sociology, Political Studies, and Asian American Studies. Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Kaitlan’s upbringing has grounded her commitment to diversifying political spaces, amplifying the presence of AAPI+ voices, and expanding educational access for underrepresented identities primarily through structural, top-down reform. 

Amongst Kaitlan’s advocacy work, she serves on the Student Senate Academic Standard Committee at Pitzer and holds a First Year Representative role in the Pasifika Asian Student Union (PASU). Beyond campus, she is also an active member of the Independent California Colleges Advocacy Program (ICCAP) 2026 cohort, where she collaborates with California advocates to secure funding pathways for students who receive Cal Grant and to support outreach efforts for policy making decisions that affect higher education. 

As an advocate in high school, Kaitlan served as a Student Assembly member on the Pasadena Unified School District board, bringing student voices into district-level decision-making and facilitating spaces for communities often absent from these conversations. She also served as a Southern Director for CASL (California Association of Student Leaders), a student-led nonprofit dedicated to uplifting the next generation of civic leaders. Through CASL, she traveled across California, developed and delivered her own presentations, and helped host a statewide conference where student delegates broadened their leadership and advocacy capabilities. 

Outside of the classroom, Kaitlan can be found on the basketball court, volunteering as a teacher assistant at a local elementary school, or exploring new cuisines across the SGV. 

She is beyond ecstatic to join the CAUSE Leadership Academy, and hopes to be a catalyst for change alongside the next generation of leaders. 

IVORY SIHASHATH

Host Office Placement: Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla

Ivory Siri Sihashath is a recent graduate of Pitzer College in Claremont, California, majoring in Political Studies with a minor in Asian American Studies. Recently,  Ivory was accepted to Arizona State University’s master’s in public administration (MPA) program. Growing up in Phoenix as a daughter of Lao refugees, Ivory saw firsthand how residents felt disconnected from government and other institutions. Helping her family and community members navigate language and institutional barriers helped her realize that she is passionate about connecting communities to institutions and resources and helping government work for the people it serves.

Ivory has built a dedicated record in civic engagement and public service. Beginning in 2019, Ivory outreached to AANHPI and other undercounted communities for the 2020 Census for OCA Greater Phoenix. She also worked to increase political participation among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities for AZ AANHPI for Equity by registering voters. During her undergraduate summers, Ivory interned for the City of Phoenix Housing, Prosecutor’s, and Law Departments. 

Last fall, Ivory spent a semester in Washington, D.C. as a Legislative Intern for U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (Arizona), assisting constituents, attending briefings, learning how policy is developed, and assisting with communications. Ivory balanced her internship with a full course load through Claremont McKenna College's Washington Program, involving capstone research on Southeast Asian American political engagement.

At Pitzer College, Ivory held elected and nominated leadership positions in student organizations, including the Pasifika Asian Student Union and Claremont College’s Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies (IDAAS). As her college’s co-representative to the IDAAS Board, Ivory organized a film screening about the secret Vietnam War-era bombing of Laos to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American migration to the U.S.

Ivory is excited to join the CAUSE Leadership Academy to learn all she can about politics, policy, and civic engagement from changemakers, new networks, and her cohort. 

JADA SIRIVISUT

Host Office Placement: Coming Soon

Jada Sirivisut (she/her) is a rising third-year student at Los Angeles Pierce College preparing to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. A Thai-American born and raised in Los Angeles, Jada is an aspiring lawyer and advocate committed to advancing restorative justice through legal and policy work. Her interests lie at the intersection of criminal justice reform, labor rights, and AAPI community empowerment.

Jada’s experience spans the legal, legislative, and nonprofit sectors, where she focuses on advancing justice through legal research, policy advocacy, and community-based work. As a judicial intern at the Van Nuys Superior Court, she conducts legal research and observes proceedings across multiple areas of law. She also serves as a legal intern with the Loyola Law School Project for the Innocent, where she contributes to wrongful conviction casework through document review, client communication, and investigative support. In addition, Jada is a student intern with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) 1521, where she advocates for labor protections and promotes student civic engagement.

On campus, Jada serves as Co-President of both the Pre-Law Society and Pierce Democrats, where she leads initiatives in legal education and voter outreach. She is also a peer-to-peer mentor, supporting students in their academic journeys and personal endeavors. Her commitment to civic responsibility is reflected in her work with the Thai Community Development Center, where she supports disadvantaged ethnic communities through human rights advocacy and immigration resources.

Beyond the courtroom and classroom, Jada’s vision for change is global. Selected for the Mayor’s Young Ambassador (MaYA) 2025 Cohort, she represented Los Angeles in international youth diplomacy, including a transformative fieldwork experience in Vietnam. This global perspective informs her ultimate goal: being a rising force dedicated to bridging the gap between frontline legal work and systems-level public policy.

JAYDEN TRAN

Host Office Placement: Coming Soon

Jayden Cho Tran (any pronouns) is a rising senior at Williams College, double-majoring in Political Science and American Studies with concentrations in Asian-American Studies and Justice and Law. A Korean-Chinese-Vietnamese-American hailing from all over the San Gabriel Valley, Jayden draws on their upbringing in one of the country’s most diverse Asian-American communities to guide their commitment to coalition-building and community-centered advocacy.

At Williams, Jayden works to build spaces that bring communities together. They serve on the boards of the Vietnamese Students Association and Chinese-American Students Organization, coordinating events like the annual Night Market where Minority Coalition organizations share cuisine and culture. As the Boba and Specialty Nights Manager at Goodrich, the college’s student-run cafe, Jayden partners with campus organizations to bridge communities, celebrating diverse identities with curated menus. They also compete in Mock Trial, design the Journal of Foreign Affairs, manage the PC Gaming Club, and dance for the Asian Dance Troupe.

Off campus, Jayden is a Communications Intern with AJSOCAL, supporting digital campaigns on issues like voting rights and sexual assault awareness. They also work as a Diversity and Inclusion Specialist with Dear Asian Youth, amplifying Asian narratives from across the globe. Previously, Jayden has interned with IssueVoter, a mobile app promoting accessible civic engagement, and Matriculate, a college advising program expanding educational access for low-income high school students, as well as Mannion for Congress and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC.

Jayden is particularly passionate about the intersection between storytelling and policy, believing that meaningful change begins with listening to community voices, building pathways for marginalized communities to participate civically. They are excited to bring their passion for communication and community-building to CAUSE while growing as an advocate. Outside of their work, you might find Jayden barricading at concerts, playing video games, learning choreography, or cosplaying at a convention.