Meet the team: Introducing 2025 Youth Advisory Board

Emma Strudwicke

Emma is all about connection, advocacy, and creating real change, and she’s not afraid to dive in headfirst. After stepping into the role of Chairperson of the YLAA Youth Advisory Board, she realised this was exactly where she was meant to be; a powerful reminder that when one door closes (like not getting College Captain), another one can open. Commited to creating change and creating a space for others to flourish, she developed and hosted her own Youth Leadership Summit at her school after attending YLAA.  Emma is currently studying Bachelor of Education (primary and secondary) and works as both a swim teacher and a support worker, bringing her passion for growth and empowerment into everything she does. She wants every young person to feel inspired to lead, confident to speak up, and proud of who they are. Her mission? To help others realise that no matter how big or small the action, their voice has the power to shape communities and spark lasting change.

Soraya Abdel Aal

Soraya is a proud YLAA alum whose leadership journey started back in Year 12 when she attended the YLAA Brisbane conference. Inspired by this experience she has continued to apply these values throughout her career. Currently, she’s the leader of Griffith University's Voices of International Affairs and works with UN Youth QLD and multicultural organisations to connect young people with global issues. Gold Coasts Young Woman of the Year, Soraya is a fierce advocate for women’s rights, mental health, and youth empowerment. She’s all about courage, compassion, and creating spaces where young people feel genuinely heard. She brings to the board years of experience in governance, community leadership, and advocacy. As a member of the YAB she hopes to inspire the next generation of leaders, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to make a meaningful impact.

Ashutosh Vaitha

Ashutosh Vaitha is a dedicated young leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for inclusivity and innovation. With a strong passion for creating meaningful change, his journey has been defined by a commitment to empowering others and ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background or abilities, has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.
As the Founder and CEO of Ashan Industries, Ashutosh is pioneering solutions that support people with disabilities. Inspired by his younger brother, who has non-verbal autism, he developed PEETA, an app designed to bridge communication gaps through sign language, body language, and speech. This project embodies his belief in empathy-driven innovation and his mission to create tools that give every individual a voice. Ashutosh is eager to bring his entrepreneurial mindset, problem-solving skills, and advocacy experience to the YLAA Youth Advisory Board. He hopes to collaborate with like-minded changemakers, grow as a leader, and help shape a future where young people are empowered to drive positive change in their communities. His goal is to inspire others to lead with compassion, creativity, and purpose.

Grace Strang

Grace Strang is a passionate young leader committed to creating safe, supportive environments where young people can thrive. She has held multiple leadership roles, including Year 12 House Captain, a member of her school’s Year 9/10 Leadership Team, and Head of the Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association Junior Sub-Committee. In 2024, she attended the Magic Moments Youth Leadership and Business Summit, an experience that reinforced her belief in the power of leadership, community, and personal growth.
Through her work with Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association, Grace leads the Aussie Hoops Beginners Clinic, helping children aged 4-9 develop confidence, teamwork, and resilience through sport. She strongly believes that sports can teach life skills that schools often cannot, providing children—especially those who struggle in traditional school settings—with a positive space to grow. Her goal is to expand her program to include older children, ensuring that all young people have access to an inclusive sporting environment.  
Now beginning university studies in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Grace is excited to bring her optimism, leadership, and experience in youth empowerment to the YLAA Youth Advisory Board. She hopes to collaborate with like-minded changemakers and continue making a lasting impact on young Australians.
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Cooper McIntyre

Cooper McIntyre is a passionate and driven young leader dedicated to fostering leadership, discipline, and resilience in young Australians. His leadership journey began early, serving as Junior School Captain in 2020, before progressing to Middle School Captain in 2023, and now Chairperson of Canterbury College’s 2024 Student Parliament. Beyond school, he has built an impressive leadership portfolio within the Australian Army Cadets (AAC), where he has played a key role in coordinating training programs, leading teams, and mentoring younger cadets. His commitment to service and leadership was recognised when he was named 2024 Cadet of the Year and received the ADF Long Tan Leadership Award.
For Cooper, leadership is about respect, integrity, and honesty—values he embodies in everything he does. Whether he’s leading cadet exercises, delivering speeches, or coordinating large-scale events, he remains focused on bringing people together, solving problems, and making a real impact. He thrives in structured environments that challenge him to grow and adapt while empowering those around him to do the same. Through the YLAA Youth Advisory Board, Cooper hopes to expand his leadership skills, gain new perspectives, and collaborate with other changemakers. His ultimate goal is to continue shaping strong, confident young leaders—whether in cadets, school, or the wider community.

Neerja Singh

Neerja Singh is a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment, leadership, and equity. Growing up as a migrant, Neerja initially struggled to find confidence in her own voice. Attending a YLAA event transformed her perspective, showing her the power of youth leadership and the importance of amplifying diverse perspectives. Since then, she has worked to create opportunities for young people to feel valued, supported, and capable of driving change.  Her current focus is Youth 4 Youth Inc (Y4Y), an initiative she founded to address the lack of educational and career pathways in Melbourne’s western suburbs. With only 12% of local youth entering higher education, Neerja is determined to expand opportunities beyond traditional routes, ensuring every young person has the tools and support to succeed, whether in education, employment, or entrepreneurship.  As a member of the YLAA Youth Advisory Board, Neerja is eager to collaborate, innovate, and contribute to shaping a more inclusive future for young Australians.

Shraddha Makkr

Shraddha, from Brisbane, is a passionate learner with a love for music, sports, art, academics, and much more. She thrives on exploring the world around her and continually expanding her skills and knowledge across all areas of life. At the heart of her drive is a strong belief that everyone deserves to feel valued, safe, and included. She believes that every individual should have the freedom to pursue their passions with confidence and embrace their personal journey.  She is a keen change maker in her community being a Year 10 Peer Support Leader, a member of Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor's Youth Advisory Council and a Student Voice Consultant. Shraddha is deeply committed to empowering others to uncover their hidden potential and raise their unique voices. As a member of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), she looks forward to developing key personal and professional skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and problem-solving. She sees the YAB as a platform to live out her passion and contribute meaningfully to transforming lives across Australia. She is excited to help champion a world where every voice truly matters.

We’re incredibly lucky and proud of this group and can’t wait to see the incredible impact they’ll make as part of the YLAA movement. So whether you’re a student, teacher, educator or someone who believes in a young person, watch this space. Big things are coming.

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