RYSE is thrilled to announce our Youth Power Building Coordinator, Ann Guiam as the recipient of the prestigious Julie Wright Changemaker Award for 2025! This recognition celebrates Ann’s exceptional leadership, dedication, and tireless commitment to creating positive change in her community. She started as an intern at RYSE in Richmond, and now she’s a full-time staff member, serving as a Youth Power Building Coordinator. She also currently serves as a staff representative on the YO! California Steering Committee, where she works to build connections with youth leaders, organizers and funders at both regional and state levels, while centering BIPOC youth in grantmaking and decision making. We are lucky at RYSE to experience Ann’s deep commitment to social justice, healing, community engagement, and creating spaces where youth can thrive and lead.
“Every day, these young people continue to remind me of why I do this … They embody hope and they’re so resilient and strong in their approach. A lot of the youth I work with have unstoppable mindsets, and that is what continues to give me hope and to motivate me to do the work that I do. I learn so much from them.”
The Julie Wright Changemaker Award honors courageous, equity-focused education advocates working to improve student success in West Contra Costa public schools. Launched in 2022, the award celebrates the life and legacy of Julie Wright, who served as Executive Director of the Chamberlin Family Foundation from 2012 to 2018, and passed away in 2020. Through this award, the Chamberlin Education Foundation recognizes those who embody Julie’s unwavering pursuit of education equity and access to high-quality public schools in West Contra Costa.
Throughout her time at RYSE, Ann has worked relentlessly to uplift youth voices and foster a culture of collaboration between young people and adult allies. Her work, rooted in empathy and understanding, continues to spark change, making her a true changemaker in every sense of the word.
““I craved community healing. As a young person, I felt like I already knew what needed to be changed in the community. I just needed to find the right people. And being led to RYSE was the perfect way to be introduced to what community healing means.””
We are proud to celebrate Ann’s accomplishments and are excited to see the continued impact of her work. Congratulations, Ann, on this well-deserved recognition! Your vision and leadership inspire us all to keep working toward a brighter, more inclusive future for the youth in our community.
To read more about Ann’s story, visit https://chamberlinfoundation.org/profiles/ann-guiam/