FEMA ANNOUNCES 2022 YOUTH PREPAREDNESS COUNCIL [https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20220628/fema-announces-2022-youth-preparedness-council] Release Date: Jen 28, 2022 WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the 2022-2023 Youth Preparedness Council members today. FEMA selected 15 new members to join 10 returning council members. Members were selected based on their dedication to public service, community involvement and potential to increase levels of community resilience throughout the country. This year, FEMA celebrates the council’s 10th anniversary. FEMA created the council in 2012 to bring together diverse young leaders interested in strengthening disaster preparedness across the nation and within their communities. “Today, we welcome and celebrate the new Youth Preparedness Council members, who represent the next generation of emergency managers,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “This culturally diverse, creative and dedicated group of young leaders will build upon the significant contributions made by past council members over the last decade, helping to make their communities more resilient to disasters.” YOUTH PREPAREDNESS COUNCIL MEMBERS THE NEW 2022 COUNCIL MEMBERS Sophie Fares of California Lauren Coval of Colorado Taylor Worbington of Florida Vaishnavi Kumbala of Louisiana Navin Ramesh of Massachusetts Theo Illarionov of Massachusetts Janice Saji of Michigan Aarushi Bute of Missouri Meher Harjani of New Jersey Amanda Cisse of New York Kemi Heyward-Rotimi of North Carolina Neha Srinivasan of Oregon Ryan Liu of Texas Layla Ibrahim of Virginia Katie Clark of Washington THE RETURNING COUNCIL MEMBERS Isaac Doll of Colorado Aubrey Dockins of Florida Miles Butler of Idaho Beitris Boyreau-Millar of Maryland Ranjana Ramesh of Massachusetts Alexia Nastasia of Missouri Mirika Jambudi of New Jersey Megan Cameron of New York Amira Seay of Texas Shivani Jayaprakasam of Washington The council demonstrates FEMA’s commitment to promote and sustain a prepared nation. The council provides an avenue to engage young people by considering their perspectives, feedback and opinions. Council members meet with FEMA staff throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives and projects. This year, each council member, all eighth through 12th graders, will participate in the Youth Preparedness Council summit held virtually in late July. During this annual event, members will participate in online preparedness activities, learn from senior leaders in national preparedness and engage with FEMA community preparedness staff who offer support and mentorship throughout their term. To learn more about FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council, visit: fema.gov/ypc [https://www.fema.gov/ypc]