About Us

Meet the District 39 PB Youth Committee

Ilana Cohen, Founder & Facilitator

Ilana Cohen is a senior at The Beacon School and a resident of Park Slope. She pursues her passion for government and public policy as a leader of her school's Model UN and Model Congress clubs, and her passion for journalism as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper The Beacon Beat. Outside of school, she serves as the Media Advocacy & Public Relations Director of the Youth Progressive Policy Group. After working on youth outreach for the District 39 PB process as an intern at the Office of City Council Member Brad Lander two years ago, Ilana was appointed to her current role in the District Committee and helped found the PB Youth Committee.

"What amazes me most about the PB process is its inclusivity. The requirements for voter eligibility for PB are much more open than those for state and federal elections, giving many city residents who would otherwise never be able to cast a vote the opportunity to have their voices heard. This capability to empower is one that I feel is so ingrained in the work of the PB Youth Committee, which I hope will show teens around the district that they are not powerless in the chaos of the post-election political climate--that they have the ability to effect real change right now."

Chris Stuaffer, PB Youth Ambassador

Chris Stauffer is a senior at Bard High School Early College in Manhattan and is from Park Slope. As a co-chair of the Youth Progressive Policy Group, Chris pursues his passion for expanding youth engagement in public policy and government. He also is on the leadership team of his school's Model UN team and is a captain of the track and field team. Chris became interested in PB last summer when he worked in Council Member Brad Lander's office, and is now dedicated to getting more youth involved in the process through the PB Youth Committee.

"I love the idea of allowing the community to decide what they need most--[PB] allows for everyone's voices to be heard. This process allows so many more people to get involved in their community, and help improve the quality of life for everyone!"

Eliza Callahan, PB Youth Ambassador

Eliza Callahan is a senior at The Beacon School and lives in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. She is a member of the Beacon Reads book club and pursues dance outside of school. Eliza started working with the PB Youth Committee in 2016 after hearing about the amazing projects PB brings to the local community.

"I think the best part of PB is the sense of leadership it gives to youth. Teens work together with other teens and young adults to create and fund projects to better their own community. PB allows students to really show the community what they care about and their ideas for how to make [the district] a cleaner and more inclusive place."



Lara Schuman, PB Youth Ambassador

Lara Schuman is a senior at Midwood and a resident of Park Slope. In addition to being a peer tutor and a writer for Midwood's Argus, Lara is a dedicated athlete, pursuing both tae kwon do and soccer. Lara learned about PB through her friends and decided to join the PB Youth Committee this year to become more involved in the process.

"Being a part of the PB Youth Committee has allowed me to learn more about local democracy, and made me feel like more of a part of the community. I hope to help improve our neighborhoods and make a difference in the district."

Claire Foley, PB Youth Ambassador

Claire Foley is a resident of Kensington and a student at the Bard High School Early College in Queens. In her free time, Claire takes ballet, pointe, and modern dance classes, peer tutors, and serves as a member of the World Science Academy club at her school. Claire joined the PB Youth Committee this year and is proud to serve as a PB Youth Ambassador.

"I joined the PB Youth Committee because I love my neighborhood so much that I think of it as an extension of my own home, and so I think working on improving my neighborhood with other people who also love the neighborhoods they live in is a really valuable way to spend my time. My favorite part about PB is being able to meet so many different people with so many different backgrounds, who all come together for the sole purpose of improving the community we live in."

Stasya Rodionova, PB Youth Ambassador

Stasya Rodionova is a resident of Park Slope and a senior at Bard High School Early College in Manhattan. She is a member of the Bard Model UN team, and engages with government and politics outside of school through the Youth Progressive Policy Group. She is also the captain of her school's Cross Country and Track teams and enjoys alla prima studio painting. Stasya learned about Participatory Budgeting after interning for Assembly Member Robert Carroll.

"PB allows people to feel empowered in a climate where many feel like their voice is not being heard. It is an incredibly way to inform and engage the entire community, and makes a long-lasting impact on neighborhoods. It creates connections between people of different backgrounds who share the goal of making local change. Through PB, both individuals and their communities grow."

Steele Miller, PB Youth Ambassador

Toby Posner, PB Youth Ambassador

Sydney Ellison, PB Youth Ambassador

For more info on how you can become involved in the PB Youth Committee, use the contact form on the blog to send us an email!