Ayushree Dahal is a Lead Mentee at Girls Write Now and the founder of Opportunity Knockks, an initiative created through the Lead 360 programs to empower first-generation students through soft skill development, networking, and professional growth. She has taught the Girls Write Now Community Studio Speak Up: Developing Effective Communication Skills for Life and is currently co-leading the Civil Discourse Journey. A dedicated debater and jury member in competitive debate, Ayushree brings her passion for communication and advocacy into every space she enters. A high school student from the Bay Area, she enjoys ceramics, watching romance TV shows and movies, and falling down research rabbit holes on Google. Whether she’s writing, running, or refining her latest debate case, Ayushree is always eager to learn and connect.

AnnMarie Baines, PhD, is an educator, researcher, and public speaking coach dedicated to self-expression, literacy, and agency through inclusive education. She facilitates kind, welcoming places for people to develop their voice and navigate inequities to become transformative leaders. AnnMarie started her career as a volunteer speech and debate coach for her high school and a special education teacher. She still gives back to the program that developed her voice as a quiet Filipina who was petrified of public speaking. Her work in speech and debate with The Practice Space was recognized by the National Speech & Debate Association for an Activating Equity Award. AnnMarie has held faculty positions at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State and was a program officer at the George Lucas Educational Foundation. She is a TEDx speaker and author of two books. She received her PhD in Learning Sciences from University of Washington, where she was recognized with the 2023 Distinguished Graduate Award, and also has a Master's in Education Policy from Harvard, a teaching credential from Boston Teacher Residency, and an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley.