Melissa Chai

Melissa Chai is a high school student in Southern California with experience in civic engagement, youth representation, journalism, and legal advocacy. At YIP, she serves as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff and Interim Chief People Officer, where she supports internal communications, people operations, and cross-departmental collaboration. Outside of YIP, she is the first-ever Student Board Member for her school district, where she advocates for student voice in district policy. She is the co-founder of a regional organization connecting students to community service opportunities and serves on the youth advisory board of the California Association of Youth Courts. She has also led a student newsroom, founded an arts production organization, and received regional recognition for her work in technology, law, and art.