Keilani has nearly a decade of experience as an energetic mentor, advocate, and educator for LGBTQ+ youth and the adults who care for them. They received their BA in Sociology and Feminist Studies from the University of California Santa Barbara. In Santa Barbara, Keilani worked at Pacific Pride Foundation, Santa Barbara’s LGBT center, leading youth programming, supporting the syringe exchange program, and providing HIV/ Hep C test counseling. Additionally, Keilani was a co-organizer for the People’s Pantry, a mutual aid group providing free necessities and services to unhoused neighbors in Santa Barbara. She was essential in stocking pantry locations with key harm reduction items such as Narcan, fentanyl test strips, condoms, and lubricant; as well as creating a monthly zine that contained a calendar of free services for houseless folks, information about forageable plants, poetry, and puzzles. Keilani began working at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in the Youth Services department as part of the RISE team providing technical assistance and coaching to professionals working with LGBTQ+ youth. Additionally, they taught a recurring class for transition-aged youth interns and seniors to prepare them to enter into the social services field. Notably, Keilani co-facilitated a keynote presentation at Penny Lane Center’s 2023 EDGY Conference titled “Sex is Not The Enemy: Reproductive Justice for LGBTQ+ Youth”, and presented at UCLA as a guest lecturer. Keilani brings a youth-specific lens to the work that the National LGBTQ Institute on IPV provides. Outside of work, Keilani is an avid roller derby player and loves to spend time with her dog, Ludo.