Introducing the Young Futures Advisory Board
A big step forward for our work
Young Futures Community,
As we head into December, I have been reflecting on what this past year has meant for our work. It is a natural moment to look back at how far we have come and ahead to what is next.
This year was a defining one for Young Futures. With the launch of the YF500, our mission to support innovators on the front lines of youth wellbeing grew in powerful ways. Building something national in scale and deeply personal in impact has made one thing very clear: we cannot do this work alone.
I am grateful to share an important milestone, the launch of the Young Futures Advisory Board.
This inaugural group is outstanding. They bring deep expertise across mental health, philanthropy, technology, media, and culture, and they have already made a meaningful impact behind the scenes. They have helped shape complex RFPs, guided challenging decisions, and ensured our strategy stays grounded in what young people and families need right now.
We are honored to have these leaders walking alongside us:
Dr. Lisa Damour: Best-selling author and clinical psychologist helping the world understand what young people are navigating and how adults can support them.
Kelsey Noonan: A visionary leader at Pivotal and an early champion of Young Futures whose commitment to equity continues to center the wellbeing of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth.
Kevin Connors: Managing Director at Susan Crown Exchange and an early champion of Young Futures, bringing long-term systems thinking and invaluable thought partnership.
Dylan Keith Humphrey: Award-winning storyteller and Emerson College student ensuring youth voice remains central to our strategy and decisions.
Marisol Jimenez: Computer science researcher and YF Innovator alum focused on responsible, inclusive, and ethical technology.
Marc Boyan: Founder of Miroma Group, lending expertise in media and creative strategy to help shape narratives around youth and digital life.
Margaret Laws: President and CEO of Hopelab, bringing decades of leadership in healthcare innovation and venture investment across the youth wellbeing ecosystem.
We are grateful for their leadership and partnership as we continue building the future young people deserve.
You can learn more about each of them in our full article.
Warmly,
Katya Hancock
CEO, Young Futures
Young Futures in the News
Dec 2, LinkedIn Article, YF’s CEO, Katya Hancock unveils our inaugural Young Futures Advisory Board, enlisting Dr. Lisa Damour, Kelsey Noonan, Kevin Connors, Dylan Keith Humphrey, Marisol Jimenez, Marc Boyan, and Margaret Laws. She highlights that their collective expertise in mental health, tech, and philanthropy is essential for scaling the ecosystem and ensuring the mission remains deeply grounded in the voices of the young people they serve.
Dec 1, Life With Machines podcast (Pt. 2) hosted by Baratunde Thurston and in partnership with Young Futures, dropped its latest episode critically exploring the intersection of AI and education. The short version: AI won’t fix education. People will.
Oct 23, Life With Machines podcast (Pt. 1) dives into how Gen Z is navigating a world where AI is normal tech and what that means for connection, empathy, and their future. Hear more from YF’s CEO, Katya Hancock and COO, Kristine Gloria, as they discuss what it will take to provide the right support for young people in an AI-driven world.
Young Futures Innovators in the News
Under Pressure Cohort YF Innovator Anahita Dalmia of Agents of Influence (Alterea) was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List in Education, along with cofounders Jasper McEvoy and Alexander Whitover. Their game, Agents of Influence, teaches media literacy and digital safety to adolescents, reaching over 120,000 teens through in-school settings.
Lonely Hearts Cohort YF Innovator Trisha Prabhu of ReThink Citizens was spotlighted by NCTV17 to share her journey from teen innovator to global changemaker, highlighting how her anti-cyberbullying app uses technology for good to help young people pause, “ReThink,” and prevent digital harm before it happens.
Here Comes The Fun Cohort YF Innovator Dr. Lynn Fiellin of play2PREVENT released their latest study in Nature Health, detailing the results of a randomized controlled trial with 532 adolescents to evaluate “PlaySmart,” a video game designed to mitigate opioid misuse. The findings reveal that the game significantly improved participants’ knowledge and negative expectancies regarding opioids, underscoring the efficacy of digital interventions in engaging diverse youth populations.
Here Comes The Fun Cohort YF Innovator Beth Rosenberg of Tech Unlimited joined The Curious Incident podcast with attorney and host Adam Dayan, to explore how technology and social-emotional learning help students build confidence, independence, and real-world readiness.
What We’re Reading (& Watching)
A Smartphone Before Age 12 Could Carry Health Risks, Study Says (The New York Times, Dec 1)
The Real Way Schools are Failing Boys (TIME, Nov 24)
Roblox Rolls Out Age-Verification Requirement for Chat Amid Child Safety Criticism (CNET, Nov 18)
Talking to Teens
Wondering why your son is suddenly adopting sexist views or falling under the spell of toxic influencers? The Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens podcast, in episode 246: My Son is Becoming Sexist. How Do I Stop This?, explores how developmental lags and academic struggles make boys vulnerable to these messages, urging parents to respond with empathy rather than outrage. By understanding the biological challenges unique to early adolescence, parents can look past the shocking behavior to address the underlying fragility, helping their sons build genuine confidence and resist harmful ideologies.
Friends of YF
One of our grantees from the Here Comes the Fun Cohort, Next Gen Men, is seeking US-based gamers aged 13-17 to join their 2026 Youth Advisory Council and co-design the expansion of their supportive Discord community. Selected advisors will earn an honorarium and access free therapy while shaping strategies around mental health, esports, and online safety. Forward this application to young leaders who would be a great fit before the December 19 deadline.
Our friends at the Jed Foundation recently spotlighted the critical intersection of technology and youth wellbeing in their response to the American Psychological Association’s new advisory on generative AI. JED emphasizes that while young people increasingly turn to AI tools to bridge gaps in accessibility and affordability, these platforms often lack necessary safety regulations and can create risky emotional dependencies. They argue that to truly protect youth, AI must be governed by strict standards of evidence and transparency, serving only as a supportive supplement rather than a substitute for the vital human connection and professional care that young people need.