January 21, 2025
At In/Tend, we’re on a mission to advance health equity and enhance the sexual and reproductive health and well-being of all young people. Through participatory research and design, we cultivate and empower diverse teams to develop innovative, equity-focused solutions to real-world challenges.
We aim to build a world that affirms every young person, ensuring they have the agency, opportunity, and equitable access to prioritize their bodies, relationships, and futures. Today, we’re thrilled to introduce the remarkable innovation development teams joining the first cohort of the In/Tend Incubator Hub.
Diverse Health Advocates
Julia De Jesus (she/her) is a student affairs professional with two years of experience in higher education, dedicated to fostering inclusive environments and empowering student growth. Passionate about youth development, Julia is excited to bring fresh perspectives to reproductive education with In/Tend. She also teaches and choreographs traditional Filipino dances, proudly showcasing her students’ talents at events like the NJ Devils’ Filipino Heritage Night.
Angie Tamayo León (she/they) is a queer Peruvian immigrant, writer, and community educator dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces and addressing anti-Black and anti-queer rhetoric in immigrant and Latine communities. Rooted in anti-capitalist and decolonial practices, Angie envisions equitable education, healing spaces for intergenerational trauma, and protection for undocumented immigrants. Angie holds a BA in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and works as a Sexual Health Educator at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey.
ShaLisa Peterson (she/her) is an advocate for social justice, equity, and policy reform with a deep commitment to supporting underserved communities. Passionate about amplifying and learning from the experiences of Black Women, ShaLisa works to advance reproductive health policies and ensure equitable access to higher education. In pursuit of her Master’s in Public Policy with a concentration in social and gender policy studies at the George Washington University, she brings a problem-solving mindset to her work, combining her academic knowledge with a dedication to fostering positive change.
QueerED
Sam Wakefield (they/she) is the Communications Coordinator for The Transformation Project and manages their social media and website. They grew up in Sioux Falls and developed a lot more pride and appreciation for South Dakota after they left and expanded their knowledge and worldviews. Now more than ever, Sam is passionate about community, our interconnected struggles, and collective liberation.
Maisy Anderson (she/they) is the Director of the Prism Center, South Dakota’s only LGBTQIA+ community center, operated by The Transformation Project. With a background in social work, they develop initiatives like support groups, mentorship programs, and educational sessions to foster safe, inclusive spaces. Passionate about social justice, Maisy is dedicated to breaking barriers, advocating for transgender individuals, and creating communities where everyone can live authentically and thrive.
Morgan Peterson (they/she) is the administrative assistant and youth support staff at The Transformation Project. Growing up queer in a small South Dakota farming town fueled their passion for challenging the status quo and creating spaces of healing, growth, and acceptance. Morgan finds fulfillment in mentoring rural queer youth and is committed to building a more equitable future for queer individuals across all backgrounds.
Researchers for Safe GameCOCKS
Allison Parsons, PhD (she/her) is a Senior Research Scientist at Rescue Agency with over 15 years of experience studying the social determinants of health, particularly the impacts of structural racism on child and family health. An ethnographer and qualitative methodologist, she focuses on amplifying individual voices in research and intervention designed to dismantle systems of oppression.
Dawnyéa D. Jackson, PhD (she/her) is an accomplished public health professional with over a decade of postdoctoral expertise in research and evaluation with experience across clinical, academic, for-profit, and government organizations. Her career is marked by a commitment to advancing a wide spectrum of health behavior research, including reproductive health, mental health, and substance use. In every role, Dawnyéa brings her authentic self and is always eager to listen, learn, and connect with those with diverse perspectives.
Lesley Archabal, PhD, MPH, CHES, PMP (she/her) is the Executive Director of Women Thriving, leading initiatives focused on social justice, gender equity, and sexual and reproductive health. She provides resources to empower individuals to make informed decisions for healthier lives. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her kids, traveling, painting, and writing. She holds a PhD in Health Promotion, an MPH, and is a certified Project Management Professional and Health Education Specialist.
The Sandlot Team
Justine Ang Fonte, MEd, MPH (she/siya) is an award-winning sex educator, consultant, and professor based in New York City. A child of Philippine immigrants, she holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Hawai’i and a Master’s in Public Health in Sexuality from Columbia University. Featured in The New York Times, NPR, and BBC, Justine is the author of How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex and contributes to Scientific American’s textbook on child and adolescent development. Known as “Your Friendly Ghostwriter” on Instagram, she’s recognized for helping people set boundaries and teaching essential sex education.
Steph Zapata (she/her, they/them) is a well-seasoned, nationally recognized, award-winning, NuyoRican sexuality educator, and space creator. They have become a long-term catalyst for change within sexuality education through their radically intentional approaches that call out systems of oppression and call in individuals and community to disrupt and reimagine what can be. Their work focuses on collective liberation tactics through innovative and honest sex ed that creates space for the whole self and the whole truth. Steph is a self-titled Unprofessional Professional who offers no apology for the disruption of white supremacy through the joy of decolonial sexuality education.
Melissa Pintor Carnagey, LBSW (she/they) is a renowned sexuality educator, best-selling author, and a leading voice for sex-positive education for young people and families. Her work with Sex Positive Families has been featured in major media outlets like Huffington Post, CNN, and BBC, reaching thousands globally through social media and virtual workshops. Guided by the belief that all children deserve holistic, shame-free sexuality education, Melissa is committed to empowering families to foster informed, safer lives. She believes this vital work begins at home.
Young Parents: Stigma to Strength Team
Kiria-Leah Johnen (she/her) is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Passionate about creating inclusive learning environments, she believes every child deserves to feel accepted and valued. As a young, single parent, Kiria has developed strong organizational skills to balance academics and parenting. She actively contributes to the Young Parent Collective, supporting access to resources and building community for young parents.
Kate Westaby’s, PhD (she/her) experiences as a teen parent throughout her postsecondary journeyinfluences her motivation for supporting young parents. Kate is the founding director of the Young Parent Collective and a researcher at the Urban Institute. She conducts mixed-methods and community-engaged, participatory research to explore college opportunity, health and well-being, and dignity for young and student parents.
Liz Burnette (she/her) is a student, mother of one, and enthusiastic member of her Madison community pursuing a BA in English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Liz is passionate about reproductive justice, parent advocacy, and education accessibility, working alongside Madison’s own Young Parent Collective since its inception in 2023 to meet the needs of growing parents locally and beyond.
These teams embody the spirit of In/Tend—our commitment to innovation, equity, and action. Together, we’re planting seeds for a brighter, more just future.
Stay tuned as we share their progress and impact!
Interested in how you can join In/Tend in our next cohort of teams? Stay tuned in the coming weeks for our next application opportunity, and in the meantime, be sure you’re on our email list!
