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< Back Andrew Park Core Staff andrew.park@ourtimetoact.org

< Back Hadil Salih Executive Assistant Hadil Salih (she/her) is a senior at San Diego State University studying Comparative International Studies with a double minor in interdisciplinary studies and Arabic and Islamic Studies. Born in Germany, raised in Sudan for five years of her life, and migrating to the United States contributed to Hadil’s passion to learn more about foreign relations as well as legal diplomatic procedures. This led her to study abroad via the federally funded and operated Critical Language Scholarship, intern for the Superior Court of San Diego, become the External President of the national club Empowering Women in Law, and branch into other forms of public service. Hadil was also a resident advisor for two years, and she was trained to help first-year college students through many hardships. This includes economic instability, mental health problems, and Title IX cases. Currently, Hadil is Our Time To Act’s executive assistant. She manages the schedule for the Executive Director, the Office of the Executive Director, and Senior Management. She also fulfills various administrative tasks and has been aiding in drafting the Standard Operating Procedures. Hadil is new to Our Time To Act and is excited to continue to watch OTTA grow and reach various communities. hadil.salih@ourtimetoact.org

< Back Aidan Lin, Executive Director, awarded "2022 Community Service Award" from SD Pride Thursday, June 30, 2022 Our Time to Act United Our Time to Act United is pleased to announce that our Executive Director, Aidan Lin, has been awarded the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall Community Service Award from San Diego Pride. Aidan has been honored for his work with OTTA United in the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process where he sought to uplift the many diverse groups of San Diego—including the LGBTQIA+ community. Aidan shares his sentiment of Pride: Pride is a celebration, but it is also a powerful demonstration of collective power and collective action. It is a demonstration of a world where love always prevails over hate, where pain is soothed by community, and where diversity is our strength. That is why Pride means so much to me, and why I am honored to receive the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall “Community Service Award” from San Diego Pride. Please join me, Our Time to Act United, and our wonderful community in marching in the Pride Parade on July 16th. Join Aidan Lin, OTTA United, and the San Diego community in marching in the Pride Parade on June 16th at 9am! Sign up to march with OTTA's contingent here . sdpride.org Community Service Award Community Service: An individual who is recognized as an up-and-coming leader within the LGBTQ community or whose contribution to the community in the past year was of particular significance. Next Previous

< Back Aidan Lin-Tostado President Aidan Lin-Tostado (he/him) is the President of Our Time To Act. He co-founded Our Time To Act in 2018, serving as Executive Director during its rise as a powerful youth organizing nonprofit in San Diego. As President, he is honored to lead the volunteer Board of Directors in matters of general governance, budgeting, and mission advancement. Aidan works full-time at Nonviolent Peaceforce, an international civilian protection nonprofit. He also serves on the new California State Youth Empowerment Commission advising the State Legislature and Governor, the City of San Diego Youth Commission, and the San Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium Steering Committee. Aidan has received recognition for his work in the community, including the 2022 Community Service Award from San Diego Pride and the 2022 Bridge Builder of the Year from the API Leaders of the Year Awards. He is a student at UC San Diego and a 2024 McNair Scholar. aidan.LT@ourtimetoact.org

< Back Donovan Schipper API Voter Engagement Project Coordinator Donovan (he/him) is a Political Science and Sociology Double Major with a Minor at Economics at UC San Diego. Donovan serves as the VP External for Eleanor Roosevelt College, is a Sports Editor at the UCSD Guardian, and is the President of Pi Sigma Alpha, a National Political Science Honors organization. He joined Our Time To Act in July 2022 as API Voter Engagement Project (AVEP) Coordinator, and is interested in expanding access to voting across San Diego for the AAPI community, while working to build youth power in local politics that historically exclude youth. Donovan seeks to attend law school upon graduation from UC San Diego, where he will pursue a career in immigration law. After a career in helping immigrants like his mother acquaint themselves with the complex legal processes involved in immigration, he will seek public office to represent and serve the citizens of California. donovan.schipper@ourtimetoact.org

< Back Holly Harwood Board Member Holly (she/they) is a dedicated Vietnamese-American educator, project manager, and organizer born and raised in Eastside San Jose. Currently, Holly is Chief of Staff at Sustainable & Just Future, expanding solution-based environmental curriculum around the United States. Their work focuses on intersectional environmental justice, youth empowerment, and international climate policy. Their unique background in the legal industry, non-profit sector, creative storytelling, and climate education have strengthened their dedication to serving communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Holly believes it’s imperative that movements that center human rights and dignity must work together to create a more equitable and harmonious future. holly.harwood@ourtimetoact.org

< Back Rhianen Callahan Community Coordinator Rhianen is majoring in Sociocultural Anthropology with a minor in Ethnic Studies at UCSD. Their current passions are queer and disability justice as well as being open about their journey with PTSD. Rhianen's two modes are productive working at a local cafe or playing on their Switch, curled up on their couch. They consider themselves to be the part-time cool uncle of Isaac's yorkie. rhianen.callahan@ourtimetoact.org

< Back OTTA United celebrates three new board directors, two youth and one youth ally Sunday, October 9, 2022 Our Time to Act United After confirmation at our October 9th Board Meeting, OTTA United is honored to welcome three new volunteers to our Board of Directors: Leana Cortez, Former OTTA United Advocacy Director & Clean4Kids Board Member Abbey Reuter , Former OTTA United Advocacy Director & current Community Representative for County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher Scott Warren , Co-founder and former CEO of Generation Citizen & current Youth Civic/Political Engagement and Leadership Specialist at USAID These individuals bring incredible lived experiences, unique perspectives, and the right mindset to our organization. Together, with their diversity and skills, we are better equipped to tackle our mission to "organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future." Next Previous

< Back Aidan Lin, Executive Director, awarded "Bridge Builder of the Year" for API Heritage Month Thursday, May 19, 2022 Our Time to Act United On May 19th, 2022, Aidan Lin was awarded the "2022 Bridge Builder of the Year Award" at the Asian Pacific Islander Leaders of the Year Awards hosted by the San Diego Business Journal and Asian Business Association San Diego . Aidan was recognized for his work with Our Time to Act (OTTA) United in his capacity as Executive Director for his leadership during the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process, during which OTTA United partnered with dozens of community-based organizations to push for equitable representation for the Asian, Latine, Black, and youth communities of San Diego. OTTA United is honored to have its principal leader recognized for his work in the community—particularly as a force for coalition-building and intersectional collaboration. As we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, we are proud of Aidan's accomplishments and the invaluable relationships we have built with San Diego's API community. Next Previous

< Back Allison Park Treasurer Allison is a high school senior who enjoys learning about the world and people around her. She is an avid clarinet player with various honor band and youth orchestra experience, and she serves as a drum major for her school marching band. When not hurdling or throwing for her school track and field team, Allison can be found hanging out with friends, watching movies, solving different types of puzzles, or organizing things around the house. allison.park@ourtimetoact.org

< Back Selena-Marie Espinoza CYAN Lead Organizer Selena-Marie Espinoza (she/her) is a dedicated San Diegan and Global Health major from the University of California - San Diego, committed to fostering healthier, more inclusive communities. Guided by the principle to “leave things better than how they were found,” she serves as Lead Organizer for Civic Youth Action Engagement, where she spearheads a campaign against price gouging to support low-income families and vulnerable communities. Passionate about building lasting change, Selena-Marie believes that vibrant, resilient communities aren’t just created—they are cultivated through intentional advocacy and care. With aspirations to advance her impact as a public health researcher and advocate, she is focused on achieving health equity as a reality for all. In her free time, she enjoys connecting with family and friends, always drawing inspiration from her San Diego roots. selena.espinoza@ourtimetoact.org

< Back OTTA United hosts first-ever gala in December 2022 with awards, food, and celebration Sunday, December 11, 2022 Benjamin Wang, Staff On Sunday, December 11th, Our Time to Act (OTTA) United was pleased to conclude our eventful 2022 year under “A Sky Full of Stars,” the theme for our first-ever gala. This gala provided the perfect opportunity to thank the community leaders who give us their much-appreciated support and to recognize the passion and dedication of the OTTA United team. Hosted at the Multipurpose Room at the University of California, San Diego, OTTA United was pleased to welcome San Diego leaders such as Mayor Todd Gloria, Councilmember Joe La Cava, and Councilmember Kent Lee to the gala. While the audience enjoyed local San Diego Chinese food from Fan-Fan and butter mochi from KatKatxMochi, Mayor Gloria kicked off the night by delivering his remarks to the OTTA United crowd through a personalized video. Aidan Lin, OTTA United’s executive director, followed up by sharing four vignettes that encapsulated some of the lessons that he learned over the course of OTTA United’s growth and development. Authentic empowerment, leading by nature, and sharing our resources freely were some of the insights shared. Tommy Jung, OTTA United’s Director of Operations, then proceeded to present the internal awards, which celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of individuals within OTTA United. Afterwards, Executive Director Lin returned to the podium to present the external awards, which acknowledged San Diego community groups and individuals who went above and beyond in their support of youth causes and issues. Melanie Cohn, Alex Villafuerte, Jean-Huy Tran, and Tama Becker-Varano received the Youth Ally Award, which recognized the relentless commitment of these individuals to uplift youth voices. The San Diego Communities Collaboration Map Coalition and the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition both received the Coalition Builder Award, which recognized coalitions who did an exceptional job in shaping and leading our communities as a whole. Youth Will and the Asian Business Association of San Diego received the Outstanding Community Partner Award, an award that acknowledged and appreciates those who have demonstrated their steadfast support for OTTA United. Rhianen Callahan received the Legacy Award, a nod to a former member of OTTA United who made a lasting impact on our organization, and Judy Ki received the Legendary Youth Champion Award for fearlessly commanding respect for youth and youth leaders and for her support of youth causes using her own resources and networks. Next, President Janice Park, Ethics & Policy Committee Chair Gabrille Darisme, and Director Manu Agni of OTTA United’s Board of Directors answered the question “Why OTTA?” by delivering an interactive presentation about OTTA United’s values, determination, and accomplishments. Board Directors Park, Darisme, and Agni argued that supporting OTTA United is a phenomenal future investment – one that supports youth and the community. Finally, Councilmember Kent Lee delivered the closing remarks, wrapping up a monumental gala as he drew upon his own lived experience as a student at UC San Diego and a youth leader to reflect on the impact that the OTTA United youth have been able to make in the local community. Ultimately, this gala was a celebration of the bridge that OTTA United has built between youth and youth allies, a bridge more than 75 attendees and OTTA United board and staff are now able to cross for the benefit of the San Diego community. OTTA United would like to thank everyone who took time out of their day to share this special moment with us. OTTA United would also like to give a special thank you to Viet Vote, the Asian Business Association San Diego, and the YMCA of San Diego County for sponsoring our organization and gala! We would also like to thank Alex Villafuerte, the Asian Solidarity Collective, Judy Ki, Marina Tostado & Oliver Lin, Melanie Cohn, the Organization of Chinese Americans of San Diego, Ron Cho, Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Social Artistry, Tama Becker-Varano, and Trinh Le for being our lovely co-hosts. Because of your support, we are better equipped to fulfill our mission of organizing powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. We would also like to thank Councilmembers Joe La Cava and Kent Lee for making time to come to our gala. Last but not least, OTTA United would like to give a huge thank you to all of the volunteers, staff, and board members who helped make this night possible. In particular, this event would not have been possible without Isaac Lara and Rachel Choy, OTTA United’s Director and Assistant Director of Communications. 2022 was a wonderful year of organizing, mobilizing, and advocating, and we here at OTTA United look forward to another year of great success. Next Previous