SFVYD 2025-2026 Executive Board Members

President - Juan Solorio Jr.

Since 2020, Juan has served in various roles on the board, such as the Legislative Director, Political Director, and most recently as Public Relations Director. Juan also serves as the Vice-President of Programming for the Los Angeles County Young Democrats. 

Juan recently completed his Master’s in Regional and Urban Planning at UCLA, where he contributed as a part-time graduate student researcher with the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies conducting  research on the  public perception of public safety in the City of Los Angeles. Prior to pursuing a Masters degree, Juan dedicated six years to various roles in the Office of Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. Starting as a Field Deputy, then transitioning to Area Director, and culminating in his role as Planning Aide. As a Planning Aide, he spearheaded local business development initiatives, reviewed local development projects, and vetted conditional use permits.

Juan's dedication to civic engagement extends beyond his professional roles. He served as a delegate to both the Los Angeles Democratic County Central Committee (2020- 2024)and the California Democratic State Central Committee, representing Assembly District 39th (currently the 43rd Assembly District) in 2019 and 2020. He also serves as an At-Large Member for the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley.

Vice President - Teodora E. Reyes 

Teodora E. Reyes (she/her/they) is a passionate community organizer and advocate for environmental justice, currently serving as Vice President for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats. Raised in Pacoima by a resilient single mother, Teodora navigated her early years throughout the San Fernando Valley, confronting and overcoming the unique challenges of being a first-generation student. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Resource Studies with a Minor in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. Teodora’s professional background includes serving as a Policy Associate at a local environmental nonprofit, where she connected COVID-19-impacted members to essential rental and utility debt relief and led environmental justice campaigns like the Shutdown Whiteman Airport Campaign/Coalition achieving significant community building and policy changes to improve public health and environmental safety in Pacoima. Teodora is also a Co-Founder of Voces Unidas en Pacoima, a collective focused on movement building and storytelling.

Teodora has been instrumental in shaping the club’s communications strategy. After joining in 2022 as an At-large Board Member, she later served as Social Media Director, where she honed her skills in digital media management and grassroots engagement. As Communications Director, Teodora proudly served on SFVYD’s first all-women executive board, supporting events and initiatives such as Board Retreats, GOTV efforts, and club newsletters. She also coordinated media for key events like the Holiday Party Fundraiser and Annual RFK Awards.

Teodora currently serves as a District Representative in the Office of State Senator Caroline Menjivar, staffing the Senator on issues related to Water, Housing, Women’s Issues, and Public Safety.

Treasurer - Brandon Whalen-Castellanos

Brandon Whalen-Castellanos (he/him) is the Treasurer for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats. Professionally, Brandon is an environmental planner specializing in land use planning and housing development. He works with project applicants and local government to bring critical environmental clearance necessary for construction projects. Originally from Orange County, he volunteered during the 2018 Blue Wave, helping flip all four historically conservative seats with the Orange County Young Democrats. He was elected in 2023 as an Assembly District Delegate for the California Democratic Party, representing the 44th Assembly District. He also serves as an At-Large Board Member for the Stonewall Young Democrats and is an appointed member of the Democratic Party of San Fernando Valley.

Communications Director - Zayurit Gordillo-Lopez

Zayurit Gordillo-Lopez serves as the Communications Director for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats. This is her second term on the board, previously serving as the Social Media Deputy. A San Fernando native, she focuses her efforts on uplifting community spaces, small businesses and local elections.

Zayurit’s impact on the city’s economic landscape is significant; following the pandemic, she partnered with the San Fernando Mall Association to revitalize the downtown San Fernando Mall. By leading digital marketing and outreach efforts for the city’s monthly outdoor market, she helped grow the event into the largest of its kind in the Valley, the San Fernando Outdoor Market. Her expertise in digital transformation also extends to local media, where she was hired on by the traditional print newspaper San Fernando Valley Sun/El Sol to pioneer their launch into the digital space as their Social Media Coordinator.

As the first DACA recipient to serve as an At-Large Board Member for the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, Zayurit is a trailblazer in inclusive governance and leads as Chair of the Communications Committee. She is dedicated to making politics accessible to everyone. Her frontline advocacy was instrumental during the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires, where she coordinated relief for families alongside the non-profit Immigo, LA DREAM CENTER, & FEMA. Furthermore, she was a central figure in the grassroots movement that pressured the San Fernando City Council to reverse its initial stance and adopt sanctuary city policies, providing a critical shield for the immigrant community during the Trump Administration's ICE enforcement actions.

When she isn't organizing in her hometown, Zayurit works as a Community Outreach Coordinator for Street Level Strategy, focusing on funneling economic resources and opportunities into the Los Angeles Gateway Cities.

Social Media Deputy - David Ramirez 

David Ramirez is an Associate at California Strategies, where he supports clients on environmental, energy, water, Tribal affairs, and technology policy matters. He regularly monitors and assists clients in proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission. He previously interned with Starbucks Workers United, AFSCME Local 3299, and the Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. He currently serves as an appointee of Governor Newsom to the Associate Degree for Transfer Intersegmental Implementation Committee. He previously served as an appointee of LA Mayor Bass on LA Metro's San Fernando Valley Service Council, where he provided feedback on operational service and policy changes impacting local riders.

Ramirez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography/Environmental Studies and Labor Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, and is a graduate of the Coro Fellowship program. 

Political Director - Walter Garcia

The son of Mexican immigrants, Walter was born and raised in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. He is the proud graduate of local public schools: Telfair Elementary School, San Fernando Middle School, and San Fernando High School.  

Walter headed east for college and graduated with honors from Brown University. While at Brown, he majored in Political Science and was a White House Intern during the Obama Administration. He moved to Washington D.C. after finishing college, where he was a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellow for Congressman Tony Cardenas and the U.S. State Department. Walter was subsequently hired by the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 presidential election and was ultimately promoted to be Western Regional Communications Director.  

He moved back to California following the 2016 election and served as Press Secretary for then-California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. That experience motivated him to attend law school. He graduated with honors from the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago in 2021. 

He currently works for California Attorney General Rob Bonta as a Media Relations Manager. He resides in Pacoima.

Legislative Director - Andrés Garcia

Andrés (he/him/his) was born in Panorama City and was raised across Southern California. He currently serves as the Legislative Director of the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats. Andrés is a District Representative in the Office of State Senator Caroline Menjivar. He staffs Senator Menjivar on Healthcare and Veterans issues, and also serves as the district office’s Internship Coordinator.

Andrés is highly knowledgeable in both national and state politics. In 2022, he helped elect and re-elect Democratic governors across 36 gubernatorial races, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, while working at the Democratic Governors Association in Washington DC. Previously, he served in the Office of US Senator Elizabeth Warren in Boston, Massachusetts, where he helped manage a robust internship program, drafted and and submitted federal grant letters of support, and assisted with an increased constituent casework load during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, he conducted political research and contributed to the re-election of 36 Hispanic and Latino Members of Congress while at CHC BOLD PAC. That same year, he received his BA in Political Science and Legal Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

As the son of hard-working Guatemalan and Mexican immigrants, and a first-generation college graduate, Andrés believes serving others and building strong relationships are essential in professional and personal life. In his free time, he enjoys baking pies, learning to play the ukulele, and immersing himself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Legislative Deputy - Abby King

Abby King is the Legislative Deputy for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats. Professionally, she serves as a Housing Production Policy Analyst in the Office of Mayor Karen Bass. In this role, Abby works alongside various city departments to research and implement policies aimed at streamlining and promoting more affordable housing production throughout the city. Prior to her role with the Mayor’s office, Abby served as a Legislative Manager with the Valley Industry & Commerce Association. 

In addition to her work with the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats, Abby also volunteers with Abundant Housing LA as a member of their Southeast San Fernando Valley Chapter steering committee. She also works with the Stonewall Young Democrats, where she serves as an alternate for the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley Representative. She is a proud alum of Whitman College, where she received a BA in Politics. 

Fundraising Director - Kendra Burns-Edel 

Kendra Burns-Edel is a Los Angeles based political and social impact consultant with over a decade of experience in fundraising and political consulting for campaigns, non-profit organizations, and strategic philanthropy.

Kendra formerly served as Chief of Staff at a boutique public affairs consulting firm where she specialized in government relations, public affairs, and fundraising consulting. Her clients included high-net worth individuals in the entertainment industry, foundations, non-profit organizations, and Fortune 500 corporations.

Previously, she served as a Senior Political Accounts Supervisor at Kaufman Legal Group, a premier compliance law firm where she managed the treasury and campaign finance for over fifty federal, state and local clients including candidates, elected officials, ballot measures, PACs and unions.

Kendra serves as the Vice President of Finance for the Los Angeles County Young Democrats, and is a board member of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley and San Fernando Valley Young Democrats, a co-founder of Angel City Collective, a LA-based donor collective, and a former Finance Chair for California Women's List.

Kendra lives in the San Fernando Valley with her husband and daughter.

Membership Director - Ana Karen Estrada 

Ana Karen Estrada (She/Her/Ella) serves as the Membership Director for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats (SFVYD) in her third term. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her B.A. in Political Science from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Growing up in a working-class household in the San Fernando Valley as the eldest of four children, Ana takes pride in her Mexican-American heritage and is passionate about serving the Latinx community and promoting reproductive health and rights.

In May 2025, Mayor Bass appointed Ana to serve on the Commission on the Status of Women for the City of Los Angeles, where she is the youngest board member and only Latina. She currently works as the Campaign Manager for California Environmental Voters, spearheading an affordability campaign. Her dedication to youth engagement and political activism has been recognized through numerous honors, including being named Youth Activist of the Year by State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel in 2023 and receiving California Enviro Voters' Badass Green Award in 2024 for amplifying youth political power through her work with Project Super Bloom PAC.

Ana's experience includes serving as President of the Matador Democrats, Political Director of Project Super Bloom PAC, and Raíz Organizer for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. She has worked with elected officials, including State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Rep. Brad Sherman, and Rep. Tony Cárdenas, building a strong foundation in legislative and civic engagement. Ana is committed to fostering inclusivity, expanding opportunities for students, and creating spaces for increased youth involvement in politics throughout the San Fernando Valley and beyond.

Programming Director - Genesis Discua

Genesis Discua (She/Her/Ella) is the Programming and Events Director for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats, channeling her passion for community service into giving back to the community that raised her. Inspired by her parents’ immigration journey and her experiences growing up in a low-income, predominantly brown community, she has committed herself to advocacy and community education.

As the Public Affairs Specialist at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, Genesis fiercely advocactes for sexual and reproductive health justice. Her work is driven by a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and tackling the complex intersections of immigration status, skin color, and socio-economic class in accessing quality healthcare. Additionally, Genesis serves on the board for Latinas Lead California's Young Professionals Network, where she works toward electing Latinas to office across the state. In her previous role at Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), she focused on fostering solidarity among Latinas, many of whom were first- and second-generation workers in white-collar professions.

A proud daughter of Central American immigrants, Genesis is also a first-generation graduate of California State University Northridge, where she earned a degree in Political Science.

Programming and Events Deputy - Emma Abramyan

Emma Abramyan serves as the Programming and Events Deputy for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats. This is her second year on the SFVYD board. Emma is a recent honors graduate of CSUN, where she earned her bachelor's in political science and a minor in writing and rhetoric. During her time at CSUN, Emma did many internships, including the CSUN Judicial Internship and CSUN in DC program, where she interned for Congressman Adam Schiff in Washington, D.C.

She has also worked on multiple political campaigns, including Councilwoman Imelda Padilla’s campaign, Adam Schiff’s Senate campaign, and State Senator Caroline Menjivar’s campaign. Emma is also a social activist and has served on committees for several forums and marches, including Councilwoman Padilla’s Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day March, Pueblo y Salud’s Affirmative Action Forum, and Pueblo y Salud’s Cesar Chavez March for Justice. Emma is currently a caseworker for Councilwoman Imelda Padilla. 

Programming and Events Deputy - Emelly Villa

Emelly Villa currently serves as Programming and Events Deputy for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats. Emelly is also Project Manager with UCLA Government and Community Relations. In this role, she works alongside the local government team to manage projects and initiatives that strengthen UCLA’s mission and impact within the community.

Prior to joining UCLA, Emelly served as a Community Engagement Manager at Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). There she supported the planning and execution of the organization’s events and conferences, providing Latinas throughout California with financial literacy, personal development, and community education workshops. Emelly also served on the Youth Advisory Council for U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, advising on key legislative issues affecting youth, ranging from climate change to mental health to economic mobility and more.

She is a proud first-generation college graduate and holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies from UCLA. Born and raised in Whittier, she is passionate about giving back to the community that has raised her into the person she is today.

Mobilization Director - Will Dahlin

Will Dahlin serves as the Mobilization Director for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats. He currently works for the City of Los Angeles and brings a strong background in housing and community development to his role, having previously served as an Assistant Project Manager at Thomas Safran & Associates.

Will holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he also served as both a Teaching Assistant and a Research Assistant. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from the University of Redlands. During his undergraduate years, he was highly active in student leadership, notably serving as the Director of Operations for the Convocations and Lectures Committee (A.S.U.R.).

With his extensive academic and professional experience in policy and project management, Will is dedicated to organizing and mobilizing the next generation of leaders in the San Fernando Valley.

CSUN Rep - Marcelo Cabrera

Marcelo Cabrera currently serves as the CSUN Representative for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats. Marcelo is an aspiring biotechnology patent lawyer and politician dedicated to ensuring that government accurately represents the people by learning from others and implementing informed solutions.

Prior to his current role, Marcelo dedicated extensive hours to volunteer work, including canvassing for the Nevada Democratic Party and working with the Breathe Initiative Coalition. During his time with the coalition, he contributed to the successful passage of a complete no-smoking policy at Los Angeles Pierce College.

A student within the California education system, Marcelo believes in the importance of fundamentally understanding diverse fields, particularly as technology continues to outpace the growth rate of knowledgeable representatives. He approaches every learning opportunity with a perseverance cultivated through ten consecutive years of martial arts training and intends to continue climbing in his service to the community.

Parliamentarian - Adam Pryor

Adam Pryor is the Parliamentarian of the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats and a Co-Lead of San Fernando Valley for All, a chapter of Abundant Housing LA. A passionate housing advocate and former State Assembly candidate, Adam works to make Los Angeles more affordable, inclusive, and livable for everyone. He brings experience in policy, organizing, and community engagement to every role he takes on, helping connect young people to meaningful action and local impact.

Alumni Relations Director - Xochitl Medrano

Xochitl Medrano serves as the Southern California Political Coordinator for the District Council of Iron Workers of the State of California and Vicinity, organizing around labor rights, infrastructure investment, and public policy that uplifts working families. Previously, she served as President of the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats, where she focused on building power through youth leadership and grassroots organizing. Xochitl proudly serves on the board of Ready to Launch, a nonprofit committed to empowering young leaders through mentorship, civic education, and career development. With a background in Political Science from California State University, Northridge, bringing a strong foundation in public service and a deep commitment to equity, empowerment, and representation in all that she does. She brings expertise in political strategy, community organizing, and labor advocacy.

Her work spans campaign management, coalition building, and civic engagement, with a focus on empowering underrepresented communities. With experience in both grassroots activism and government relations, Xochitl combines policy insight with hands-on project coordination to drive meaningful change for our communities.

President Emeritus - Mayra Valadez 

Mayra was born and raised in Pacoima in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. She serves as President Emeritus and has previously served as Vice President and Political Director of SFVYD. Mayra is a political and communications professional with expertise in coalition-building, policy analysis, and community outreach. During the last redistricting cycle, her work at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) helped draw Latino opportunity districts across the state at different levels of government. Mayra is an alum of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Office of Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. 

In April of 2024, Mayor Karen Bass appointed her to serve on the five-member Board of Library Commissioners for the City of Los Angeles, where she is the youngest and only Valley-resident Board member. She also serves on the Boards of the Mid-Valley YMCA and the Latinas Lead California Young Professionals Council. 

Mayra is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Passionate about representation and voter mobilization, Mayra hopes to one day found a nonprofit focused on civic engagement in the San Fernando Valley. She lives in North Hollywood with her chihuahua, Kiwi, and loves cycling the Chandler bike path in her free time.