January 21, 2025
At In/Tend, we’re on a mission to enhance the sexual and reproductive health and well-being of all young people. Through participatory research and design, we cultivate and empower teams to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
We aim to build a world that affirms every young person, ensuring they have the agency, opportunity, and 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.
Direct Health Advocates
Julia De Jesus is a student affairs professional with two years of experience in higher education, dedicated to fostering community building and empowering student growth. 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 is a Peruvian immigrant, writer, and community educator dedicated to fostering community and addressing hate rhetoric. Angie holds a BA and works as a Sexual Health Educator at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey.
ShaLisa Peterson is an advocate for social justice and policy reform with a deep commitment to supporting underserved communities. In pursuit of her Master’s in Public Policy 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.
CodED
Sam Wakefield is the Communications Coordinator for The Transformation Project. Sam grew up in Sioux Falls and developed a lot more pride and appreciation for South Dakota after leaving and gaining an expanded worldview. Now more than ever, Sam is passionate about community, our interconnected struggles, and collective liberation.
Maisy Anderson is the Director of the Prism Center, a community center operated by The Transformation Project. With a background in social work, Maisy develops initiatives like support groups, mentorship programs, and educational sessions to foster safe, accessible spaces. Passionate about social justice, Maisy is dedicated to breaking barriers and creating communities where everyone can live authentically and thrive.
Morgan Peterson is the administrative assistant and youth support staff at The Transformation Project. Growing up in a small South Dakota farming town fueled Morgan’s passion for challenging the status quo and creating spaces of healing, growth, and acceptance. Morgan finds fulfillment in mentoring rural young people and is committed to building a more just future for individuals across all backgrounds.
Researchers for Safe GameCOCKS
Allison Parsons, PhD, is a Senior Research Scientist at Rescue Agency with over 15 years of experience studying the social determinants of health, particularly the impacts of system neglect 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, 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.
Lesley Archabal, PhD, MPH, CHES, PMP, is the Executive Director of Women Thriving, leading initiatives focused on social justice and sexual and reproductive health. She provides resources to empower individuals to make informed decisions for healthier lives. She holds a PhD, an MPH, and is a certified Project Management Professional and Health Education Specialist.
The Sandlot Team
Steph Zapata is a well-seasoned, nationally recognized, award-winning, NuyoRican sexuality educator and space creator. Steph has become a long-term catalyst for change within sexuality education, using intentional approaches that call out systems of neglect and call in individuals and community to disrupt and reimagine what can be. Steph’s work focuses on innovative and honest sex ed that creates space for the whole self and the whole truth.
Melissa Pintor Carnagey, LBSW, 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.
Young Parents: Stigma to Strength Team
Kiria-Leah Johnen is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Passionate about creating welcoming 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, PhD, has recognized that her experiences as a teen parent throughout her postsecondary journey influence 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 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 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 for our next application opportunity, and in the meantime, be sure you’re on our email list!
The Healthy Teen Network In/Tend Incubator Hub is supported by the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,886,783 with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, OPA/OASH/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit opa.hhs.gov.
