PRESIDENT

Jovan C. Richards is an Entertainment, Political, and Hospitality Professional. He specializes in government relations, communications, political consulting, non-profit advocacy and volunteerism, and the art of mixology.

Jovan currently serves as the Media & Government Relations Manager for the NYS Society of CPAs; the President for the NYS Young Democrats; the Executive Director for the Westchester County Democratic Committee; the Vice President of Operation Prom National Network; and the Chair of the Association of Chartered Unit Presidents (ACUP) for the Young Democrats of America.

Before becoming active in politics, Jovan spent a majority of his time dedicated to the arts. He has performed all over the world, including in the United Kingdom.

Jovan also has an extensive career in the radio, film, and television industries. He has worked in front of and behind the camera for commercials, films, and sitcoms. Jovan has hosted numerous radio talk shows and podcasts throughout the New York Metro area.

Jovan has worked with or been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, the New York Post, City & State New York, Spectrum News, Broadway World, the Journal News (LoHud.com), News 12 Westchester, News 12 Long Island, Fios 1 News Hudson Valley, Patch.com, WVOX-AM, WVIP-FM, Westchester Radio, Westchester Talk Radio, and Public Access Channels throughout the Hudson Valley.

Outside of Jovan’s work in politics and the arts, Jovan is a Mixology Expert and a training Sommelier. He has had the honor of working with spirit brands such as Bulliet Bourbon, Tres Agaves Tequila, Goslings Rum, Shipwreck Rum, and White Girl Rosé. He has also designed cocktail menus for places like Yankee Stadium, the Prudential Center, and Hilton Hotels.

Jovan studied Film and Video at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Sophie Secor is a New York City-based legislative and political professional with experience at every level of government. She currently serves as Legislative and Budget Director for NYC Council Member Virginia Maloney and as a senior political advisor to Assemblymember Alex Bores.

Sophie also serves as Chief of Staff and Political Director of the Manhattan Young Democrats. She is currently pursuing a part-time J.D. at Pace Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Boston University.

TREASURER
Jared Goerke brings years of hands-on experience and a steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and grassroots leadership. With a strong background in campaign finance, he has served as treasurer for dozens of candidates and political committees across New York State, bringing a detail-oriented and financially sound approach that supports both compliance and strategic growth.

Jared is the Founder and President of Empire State Compliance Solutions, a consulting firm that helps campaigns, committees, and organizations navigate compliance, reporting, and financial operations with clarity and confidence. Through Empire State Compliance Solutions, he works closely with clients to build strong financial systems, ensure regulatory compliance, and support sustainable organizational growth.

He holds an M.A. in Public Administration from St. John’s University, where he focused on responsible fiscal governance and effective governmental operations. He previously worked for several years in the New York State Assembly, serving under Judiciary Chair Charles Lavine, where he gained a deep understanding of state-level policymaking and constituent service.

Beyond campaign work, Jared serves as the Fund Coordinator for the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund, helping further its mission of providing camp scholarships to at-risk youth in honor of Scott’s legacy. As NYSYD’s former Jewish Caucus Chair, he was a vocal advocate against antisemitism and worked to amplify Jewish voices within the Democratic Party, fostering inclusion, representation, and solidarity across communities.

Now, as Treasurer of the New York State Young Democrats, Jared is proud to bring his technical expertise, commitment to service, and passion for progressive change to empower young Democratic leaders across the state. He is especially passionate about helping young candidates run smarter, more transparent campaigns—and believes that building organizational strength begins with good data, fiscal clarity, and inclusive leadership.

SECRETARY

Naishaly Vélez Galán is currently the Secretary for NYSYD. They are a proud University at Albany Alumni, having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Sociology.

Naishaly has served in numerous roles within Democratic organizing spaces, including terms as President of University at Albany College Democrats, the inaugural DEI Director for College Democrats of New York, Political Director of College Democrats of America, and currently serves as Vice President of Albany County Young Democrats as well as Committee Member of the Albany County Democratic Committee.
In her free time, Naishaly enjoys volunteering, spending time in the outdoors, and supporting live music.

NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER

Mashaal Bhatti (pronounced MUH-shell BAH-tee) was born and raised in Queens, New York, the daughter of Peruvian and Pakistani immigrants. She currently serves as President of the Queens County Young Democrats.

She is a lifelong advocate for civic engagement and has been an active member of the Young Democrats for nearly a decade. Beginning in her home chapter of Queens, Mashaal has held multiple positions at the local, state, and national levels within the organization.

Mashaal is a legislative and community affairs professional with a proven track record in policy development, New York City and State budget work, community organizing, political campaigns, and event planning.

NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER

Harry Bittker (he/him) serves as the National Committee Member and Parliamentarian for Young Democrats of America. He is also the President of the Westchester Young Democrats, having served since being elected in 2024. He graduated from Binghamton University in 2019 with a degree in Political Science.

COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS CHAIR

Manik Elahi is a grassroots organizer serving as President of the Albany County Young Democrats, first elected in 2024 and re-elected unanimously in 2025. He represents thousands of young Democrats across Albany County while organizing to expand progressive power beyond the status quo.
Manik also serves as Capital Region Regional Vice President on the New York State Young Democrats' Executive Board, where he leads regional organizing efforts and helps build a multiracial, working-class Democratic movement. He previously served as Chair of the NYSYD AAPI Caucus, fighting to elevate underrepresented voices.

A proud immigrant and lifelong public servant, Manik believes the Democratic Party must unapologetically deliver for working people—on affordability, climate justice, and real equity. He currently works in the United States Congress and has previously served in the New York State Senate, the Office of Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, and SUNY. A proud product of public higher education, he is an alumnus of the University at Albany and Hudson Valley Community College.

Driven by urgency and conviction, Manik is committed to empowering young people and building the next generation of leaders.

DOWNSTATE VICE PRESIDENT

Sean (he/him) is an Adjunct Professor at NYU Wagner: Graduate School of Public Service, a former teacher, and a former coach for swimming, karate, and soccer. His work in teaching and education policy spans over a decade, from New York and New Jersey to the Middle East to teaching middle school in Baltimore. He worked for four years in administration and communications at Princeton University’s School of Public & International Affairs and the Department of East Asian Studies. After this, he worked at the Harlem Children’s Zone, co-leading new college and CTE completion programs. He joined YI in 2022 and has helped secure over 30 NY state, city, and federal policy wins and counting. He leads our NY research, campaigns, and partnerships with city, state, and Congressional legislators, CUNY and SUNY, the Hochul Administration, and previously with several Biden Administration agencies. Their team has trained and employed over 160 diverse college and graduate student leaders and produced novel research on issues like NYC’s student homelessness crisis, the disparate impacts of medical debt on adults in New York, transcript withholding, and New York’s higher education funding formula. He also organizes and facilitates the state’s first and only Postsecondary Basic Needs Coalition.

Sean served on two mayoral committees and the Princeton Civil Rights Commission. He’s been a guest lecturer at American University’s School of Education and the NYC DOE’s Office of DEI. Sean is also a Community Liaison at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, where he’s passed policies to defend civil liberties and human rights.

He holds a master’s degree in education policy and leadership from American University, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ursinus College, a management certificate from Princeton University, and a campaign management certificate from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.

Sean is a proud UAW 9A Union member and organizer (local 7902), Astorian, cat dad, and active participant in several political clubs, including, but not limited to, Queens County Young Democrats, Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Club, Queens Working Families Party, and DSA.

HUDSON VALLEY VICE PRESIDENT

Zak Constantine was raised in Orange County and is a proud graduate of Goshen Central High School, where he was the President of the State Championship-winning Mock Trial Team, a member of the Varsity Cross Country Team, and the Student Representative to the Board of Education. Currently, he is finishing his studies in Public Policy and Management at SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs. Throughout his schooling, Zak has lived and worked full-time in Orange County–focusing on community development and activism.

Zak is the President of the Young Democrats of Orange County and a Vice-Chair of the Orange County Democratic Committee. Previously, Zak served as Community Outreach Coordinator to NYS Senator Jen Metzger, where he oversaw her office’s robust events and awards programs while specializing in connecting constituents, organizations, and community leaders with their representative in Albany. He served as her Deputy Campaign Manager for her 2020 re-election campaign, and he has also managed several county-wide and local campaigns throughout the Hudson Valley. Currently, Zak serves as a strategic advisor to candidates and organizations that seek to uplift and empower the working families of New York State. His true passion is helping his fellow young leaders find a passion for public service. Keeping with his commitment to our next generation of leaders, Zak served as a Project Manager for the Leadership Orange Class of 2021’s class project, where they developed the Larkin Family Young Professionals Program. He currently serves on their advisory committee.

In his free time, Zak is an avid hiker, runner, cyclist, and coffee enthusiast who frequently enjoys exploring new corners of the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions. You can follow his travels on Instagram @zakconstantine; or reach him by email at zmconstantine@gmail.com.

SOUTHER TIER VICE PRESIDENT

Reed ‘RC’ Cleland is a credentialed policy development professional who is deeply passionate about building grassroots community networks through service-oriented organizations. Reed is the TDM (Transportation Demand Management) Program Manager for GO ITHACA, a nonprofit organization that oversees mobility management policy - from an ecofriendly approach - in Tompkins County and the greater-Ithaca region.

Reed is highly active in his community and believes strongly in the ethos of the Social Gospel. Since age 23, he has had the honor of representing his community in part-time elected office on the Cortland County Legislature. He volunteers with and serves on community boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Cortland ReUse Center and Cortland Repertory Theatre. Reed enjoys supporting community arts programs and can often be found on walks around town with his dogs. In his personal life, he is deeply committed to various forms of physical fitness, including the martial arts.

Reed is a lifelong resident of Cortland County. He holds his Master’s of Public Administration (M.P.A.) with a concentration in National & International Security Policy, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Security Studies, from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Theater from Colgate University (Class of 2022), where he graduated summa cum laude with two departmental honors distinctions.

WEST VICE PRESIDENT

Kathleen, who also goes by Kat, started her journey in politics in 2017, working on a Judicial re-election Campaign for Buffalo City Court Judge Betty Calvo-Torres, the first Latina to serve on the Buffalo City Court bench appointed by Mayor Byron W. Brown. During her time in politics, Kathleen has worked on numerous political campaigns in Western New York at the Federal, State, and Local level. As a political staffer, she has worked for New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer. She is now a Senior Associate at Bolton St. Johns LLC.

Kathleen was raised in Syosset, NY, and is a graduate of the University at Buffalo. She is the WNY VP of the New York State Young Democrats and serves on the Eleanor’s Legacy Innovation Council.

CENTRAL VICE PRESIDENT

Colton was born and raised in Central New York. He received his B.A. in Political Science from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, and his Master of Public Policy from American University. He’s also currently working toward his Master of Science for Teachers in Childhood Education from SUNY Plattsburgh.

Colton has been involved in politics and policy since middle school, when he advocated for greater funding for public schools. Since then, Colton has worked with lawmakers in Washington, DC to support the interests of Central New York and New York State as a whole. He also worked in climate education and advocacy with the Climate Reality Project, where he supported programs that empowered local leaders across the globe to help implement climate-friendly projects and policies in their own communities. Colton is passionate about making space for young people in the rooms where decisions are made, advocating for greater youth involvement in local committees, and supporting the election of young leaders to local, state, and federal offices.

If you can’t find Colton knocking doors, you’ll find him passionately teaching his elementary students or traveling the world.

NORTHERN VICE PRESIDENT

LEGAL DIRECTOR

Trek Fulater is an attorney with strong skills in legal and policy advocacy, with a passion for Constitutional and appellate law. He has served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Buffalo, as well as managing attorney of the housing unit at Western New York Law Center.

He currently serves as Director of Policy for Erie County, and in 2025, was recognized in Buffalo Business First’s 30 Under 30 for his work in the legal community.

Trek formerly served as Chief of Staff to the President of NYSYD, Jovan C. Richards, and currently serves as Legal Director for the organization.

CHIEF OF STAFF

Avi Presberg believes that Democratic politics works best when it starts local and builds up. A Rochester native and graduate of American University, Avi has spent his career working to build the kind of infrastructure, pipelines, and institutions that give people a real entry point into civic life and a reason to stay. Avi also holds a paralegal certificate from Monroe Community College.

Avi currently serves as Executive Director of the Monroe County Democratic Committee, where as the organization’s sole full-time staff member Avi manages everything from candidate support and fundraising to data systems and volunteer development. Avi also represents Legislative District 24 on the executive committee of the Monroe County Democratic Committee. Before joining MCDC, Avi served as Public Information Officer at the Monroe County Board of Elections, where Avi worked directly with members of the public who were exploring or actively pursuing a run for office, and as President of the Monroe County Young Democrats, where Avi worked to create sustainable pathways for young people entering local politics.

As Chief of Staff of NYSYD, Avi brings that same local-first mindset to a statewide stage. Avi’s focus is on helping build an organization with the reach, capacity, and relationships to support young candidates running for office, create a real political pipeline for people who want to serve on the state committee, and make that work feel possible for young Democrats in all 62 counties.