January Highlight: 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Profile - Cindy Chen

Cindy Chen, a senior at Walnut High School, serves as the sole student representative from her school on the Los Angeles County Office of Education Student Advisory Council, where she helps shape policies impacting more than 1.3 million students countywide. A passionate youth advocate, she leads “Know Your Rights” initiatives and community projects that have empowered hundreds of young people across Los Angeles County.

Cindy is the founder and CEO of IgniteHER, the first nonprofit dedicated to rhetorical feminism, transforming youth advocacy into global policy action. Recognized by the United Nations, IgniteHER has grown to over 100 chapters across 66 countries, reaching more than 1 million people and training 50,000 girls. Selected as the sole U.S. United Nations Ambassador for Gender Equality, Cindy, represents the U.S. in international peace dialogues and youth diplomacy forums. She aspires to serve as a California legislator, one of the youngest U.S. Senators, and ultimately a Supreme Court Justice, bringing grassroots ideals into lasting law and policy.