Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation Announces New Advisory Board of Young People to Kick Off 2023 

Born This Way Foundation, co-founded by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, announced on January 31, 2023 their new group of 31 Advisory Board members ages 15 to 24 years old who will inform the Foundation’s work.

The 2023 Advisory Board is composed of young people making a difference in their communities around the globe who will help advise on challenges facing young people, inform the initiatives and resources to support youth wellness, and serve as ambassadors for Born This Way Foundation’s work and resources. 

The Foundation received over 360 applications from around the world and selected a thoughtful group of inspirational and engaged youth who are making a meaningful impact in their communities.

Jennifer L. from South Jersey

In South Jersey, Jennifer L. (she/her) is from Edgewater, NJ, and the Founder of the Asian Americans with Disabilities Initiative (AADI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that amplifies the voices of disabled Asian Americans nationwide.

Jennifer is particularly passionate about the role intersectionality and inclusion play in disability justice, and serves as a 2022 ‘Youth to the Front Fund’ Frontliner from the We Are Family Foundation, 2022 Coelho Law Fellow at Loyola Law School, and 2021 Heumann-Armstrong Education Award recipient.

After completing her undergraduate studies in public policy at Princeton University, she will attend Harvard Law School, where she intends to specialize in disability and civil rights law.

Jennifer, and the team of Advisors, will play a pivotal role in the planning and execution of programs and campaigns core to the Foundation’s mission to make kindness cool, validate the emotions of young people everywhere, and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. 

“We are honored to introduce our newest Advisory Board and kick off 2023 with such an inspiring group of young leaders,” said Cynthia Germanotta, Co-Founder and President of Born This Way Foundation. “Born This Way Foundation’s work is done for and in partnership with young people, and we are grateful for the perspectives, knowledge, and experiences that each Advisor brings to our team and work. We are moved by this group of individuals’ commitment to building a kinder and braver world and look forward to our work alongside them.” 

“Our 2023 Advisory Board will be instrumental in forming the future of Born This Way Foundation’s programs and play a critical role in shaping the organization’s work moving forward,” said Shadille Estepan, Communications and Creative Manager and former Advisory Board member of Born This Way Foundation. “As part of Born This Way Foundation’s first Advisory Board, I am personally aware of the impact advisors have on our work, and I’m excited for how this opportunity will support their growth and provide a unique platform for their voices. This incoming group of young changemakers will provide invaluable insights, creativity, and energy to our team in our pursuit to build a kinder and braver world.”

Advisory Board members will collaborate with Foundation staff on a regular basis; advise the Foundation on programming; serve as ambassadors of Born This Way Foundation and its work online and in their communities; and share their experiences on Channel Kindness, a digital storytelling platform created by Born This Way Foundation that serves as a safe space for young people to share stories of kindness, resilience, and community and take intentional kind action in support of themselves and others.

Find the complete list of Advisory Board members here. 

About Born This Way Foundation 

Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, supports youth mental health and works with young people to build a kinder and braver world.

Through high-impact programming, youth-led conversations, and strategic, cross-sectoral partnerships, the Foundation aims to make kindness cool, validate the emotions of young people, and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.

Learn how Born This Way Foundation encourages people to practice kindness toward themselves and their communities through its website bornthisway.foundation and its storytelling platform Channel Kindness at channelkindness.org.