Our Team
Meet the leaders behind youth-led impact
NC Youth Impact is guided by young leaders and an advisor who work together to create meaningful opportunities in service, culture, civic engagement, technology, and leadership development.
How We Lead
- Youth voice in decision-making
- Shared responsibility and teamwork
- Learning through real projects
- Service grounded in community needs
Leadership Team
Students leading with purpose
The team helps guide programs, coordinate projects, build partnerships, and create opportunities for other young people to contribute and grow.
Founder · President
Jake Xu
Jake Xu is a senior at Enloe Magnet High School. He is passionate about civic engagement, education, and using technology for social impact. Jake leads several intercultural education programs and has received recognition for his community service. He also has interests in public policy, mathematics, and computer science. His experiences include developing an award-winning AI recommendation system and conducting research on AI regulation. As President, Jake guides the organization’s direction, supports the leadership team, and helps ensure that its programs remain aligned with NC Youth Impact’s mission.
Founder · President
Sunny Zhao
Sunny Zhao is the Co-Founder and Co-President of NC Youth Impact and a senior at Cary Academy. She is passionate about law, public policy, and civic engagement, and has been involved in community advocacy since elementary school. Sunny helped advocate for Lunar New Year to become an official teacher workday in Wake County and has supported several local election campaigns. As a dedicated Public Forum debater, she enjoys researching policy issues, exploring diverse perspectives, and using her voice to make a positive impact. Outside of school, she enjoys playing the violin, cooking, writing poetry, and exploring new restaurants with friends.
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Vice President of Operations
Leia Dupre
Leia is currently an 11th-grade student at Cary Academy. As a vice president, her responsibilities include managing internal systems, timelines, and documentation; overseeing onboarding and member engagement; and supporting logistics for events and meetings.
Vice President of Programs
Leo Gao
Leo is a senior at East Chapel Hill High School who enjoys cooking for his family and values cultural exchange. As Vice President of Programs, he coordinates service, cultural, and educational initiatives, supports committee chairs, and helps ensure programs reflect the organization’s mission and create measurable community impact.
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STEM & Technology Chair
Vita Fu
Vita is a student leader who is passionate about innovation and expanding digital literacy. As STEM & Technology Chair, Vita organizes workshops on AI, coding, and emerging technologies, leads technology-for-good initiatives, and supports the organization’s website and other digital tools.
Cultural Exchange & Heritage Chair
Charlotte Wang
Charlotte is a high school freshman who enjoys languages, history, music, tennis, and learning about cultural traditions. As Cultural Exchange & Heritage Chair, she leads heritage celebrations, exhibitions, contests, and workshops while collaborating with schools and libraries to build an inclusive community where every culture and story is valued.
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Founder · Advisor
Mason Dupre
As Advisor, Mason provides mentorship, continuity, and strategic guidance as student leaders develop programs and strengthen the organization.
Our Leadership Approach
Leadership is something students practice – not just study.
Listen First
Understand community needs and welcome different perspectives.
Take Ownership
Plan carefully, communicate clearly, and follow through.
Work Together
Share responsibility and recognize every member’s contribution.
Help Others Grow
Create opportunities for new members to become future leaders.
Leadership grows when more young people have a chance to contribute.
Connect with NC Youth Impact to participate in a project, volunteer, mentor, or explore a community partnership.