Committee Members

Meet the Founder and President

Simran Vaswani

Hi! My name is Simran Vaswani and I am in 12th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in October 2023. At first, I felt really isolated by my disease, and I did not know how to talk about it with my friends and family. I let it define me, and I was not ready to accept the new changes that it brought into my life. Yet, in June 2024, I went to Camp Oasis and I was grateful to meet so many other kids like me who were struggling with similar experiences. When I came home, I wanted to recreate that same comfortable space of camp for teens so they can talk about their experiences with IBD. By founding the Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee, I hope to help young adults like me to see themselves as more than just their chronic illness, and teach them to be an advocate.

Alexa Lyncheski

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Alexa Lyncheski, and I am in 12th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2020. The Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee means the world to me, it means hope, it means community, it means family.

Annika van der Hoek

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Annika van der Hoek, and I am in 11th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2021. I want to help young IBD patients learn to be comfortable with their IBD and to help them feel less alone with their illness, which is why I am a part of the Take Steps Teen Committee. Our mission is to help young patients embrace their IBD and feel supported.

Anvita Ambardekar

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Anvita Ambardekar and I am in 12th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Being part of the Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee means a lot to me because I can help make a difference and be a part of the IBD community.

Julian Lane

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Julian Lane and I am in 11th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2020. The Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee means a lot to me because it allows me to make a difference in a community I’m a part of. It also helps me to spread information about my Disease that a lot of the time goes unknown.

Kai Hillier

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Kai Hillier and I am in 12th grade. I was Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2022. Being part of the Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee, where we work together to support those with IBD, is incredibly meaningful to me. The chance to collaborate with others who share the same passion for making a difference is truly inspiring.

Kaitlyn Everitt

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Kaitlyn Everitt, and I am in 11th grade. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2019. The Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee is a way for me to get involved within the IBD community and help out kids who are looking for guidance or support with their diagnosis. I hope to spread awareness and support for those affected by IBD.

Lilah Zwelling

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Lilah Zwelling, and I am in 11th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2021. Being part of the Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee has meant so much to me. It has given me the opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences as well as actively contribute to raising awareness and support for those affected by IBD.

Olivia Steinberg

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Olivia Steinberg and I am in 12th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2023. To me the Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee is a way to not feel alone and to meet others who have been where you are.

Ryan Shahriyarpour

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Ryan Shahriyarpour and I am in 12th grade. I was Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2018. To me, the committee is a way to connect with other people going through the same thing as me. It gives me a chance to learn more about my condition and help others who have it as well.

Shireen Einollahi

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Shireen Einollahi, and I am in 12th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2022. The Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee is a community to me where I can connect with others like me.

Sophia Levine

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Sophia Levine, and I am in 12th grade. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2014, and I was recently re-diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2024. The CCFA has done so much for me throughout the years, and I want to give back to the cause through the Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee. I’m dedicated to raising funds to find a cure for Crohn’s and Colitis and helping kids with IBD have the experiences I did, connecting with others they can relate to.

Trevor Easton

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Trevor Easton, and I am in 9th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2022. Being part of the Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee means a great deal to me because it allows me to support young patients the same way I was supported. Through this committee, I’m able to make a real difference in the lives of others facing similar challenges.

Veronica Fierro

Committee Member

Hi! My name is Veronica Fierro, and I am in 12th grade. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2020. For me, the Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee means family and community.