Democracy Camp in DC

Dilraj Singh Thandi

Class of 2026
2025 Democracy Camp in DC

Dilraj Singh Thandi (he/him)

Dilraj Thandi is a junior at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in political science. Immigrating to the United States in 2022, Dilraj views the law as a powerful tool for driving meaningful change. Guided by this belief, he served as an immigration fellow, assisting with DACA applications to support undocumented youth. His commitment to public service deepened during his time at the Fresno District Attorney's Office, where he gained valuable experience in the legal field.
Dilraj sees the federal government as a vital
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2026 Democracy Camp Info Session

September 16, 2025 6:30pm - 8:00pm Are you a UC Berkeley undergraduate student who is driven to serve others and be a change-maker? Seeking a career path to public service? Attend our Democracy Camp info session to learn more! 2026 DEMOCRACY CAMP IN BERKELEY

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Chan Venh (John) Lam

Class of 2024
2024 John Gardner Fellowship
2023 Democracy Camp Student Director
2023 Democracy Camp in DC
2022 Democracy Camp in DC

Chan Venh (John) Lam, a first-generation Chinese-America from Sacramento, California, has embarked on a remarkable journey of resilience and advocacy. After spending 16 years incarcerated, Chan's path took a transformative turn when his sentence was commuted by Governor Brown in 2018, igniting a passion for social justice that continues to drive his advocacy efforts today.

Throughout his time behind bars, he played a pivotal role in shaping legislative change, collaborating with Human Rights Watch and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition to advocate...

Tatiana Butte

Class of 2024
2024 John Gardner Fellowship
2023 Democracy Camp Student Director
2023 Democracy Camp in DC
2022 Democracy Camp in DC

Tatiana Butte, a Geography Major with a Minor in Public Policy, is dedicated to empowering individuals and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities in environmental justice. A first-generation Afro-Latina, Tatiana grew up in Southeast San Diego in a single-parent, Caribbean-immigrant household under challenging circumstances. Throughout her life, Tatiana has shown her exemplary leadership talents: from heading her high school JROTC battalion to advocating for outdoor equity and environmental education programs for Black and Brown youth to being a student leader...

Janet Mendoza-Partida

Class of 2025
2025 Democracy Camp Student Director
2025 Democracy Camp in DC
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Ken Burt Fellow
2024 Schaeffer Fellowship
2023 Democracy Camp in DC

Janet Mendoza-Partida (She/They)

Janet Mendoza-Partida is a rising senior at the University of California, Berkeley studying Legal Studies and Chicanx/Latinx studies. She was born and raised in Watsonville, California by Mexican migrant agricultural workers. While in high school she volunteered at multiple elementary and middle schools around her community, leading her to understand the many disparities predominantly impacting students of color. Working with students in her community she realized the barriers in accessing adequate...

Nouhamin Leoulekal

Class of 2025
2025 John Gardner Fellowship
2024 Democracy Camp Student Director
2024 Democracy Camp in DC
2023 Democracy Camp in DC

Nouhamin Leoulekal, the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants, is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, aiming to reshape the system to better serve those historically marginalized and excluded from legal relief. She is dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers at the intersection of criminal justice and immigration, with a particular focus on expanding access to post-conviction remedies for Black and Brown communities.

At UC Berkeley, Nouhamin majored in Legal Studies with a minor in African American Studies. As a Legal Studies Honors...

Daniela Franco

Class of 2024
2024 Democracy Camp Student Director
2023 Democracy Camp in DC

Daniela Franco is a resilient first-generation college student at UC Berkeley who was born and raised in East Los Angeles. While growing up, she frequently witnessed Latinx laborers criminalized, struggled with financial security, and navigated an underfunded educational system. Through these experiences, Daniela became passionate about uplifting individuals negatively impacted by the criminal justice system, increasing financial resources for low-income families, and supporting minorities in their access and success in higher education. Now at UC Berkeley,...

Naydelin Chimil

Class of 2025
2025 Democracy Camp Student Director
2025 Democracy Camp in DC
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Diversity & Entrepreneurship Fellow
2024 Democracy Camp in DC

Naydelin Chimil (she/her)

Passionate about the intersection of environmental and social justice, Naydelin Chimil, an indigenous woman majoring in society and environment, is a recent transfer student. Fueled by firsthand experiences of environmental and social injustice in her community, she actively advocates against systemic racism. With a relentless curiosity and commitment to public service, Naydelin contributes a unique perspective to public policy. As a former Youth City Council Member for City District 1 of Los Angeles, she brings a passion for further learning about...

2025 Democracy Camp Info Session

September 18, 2024 6:00pm - 7:30pm Are you a UC Berkeley undergraduate student who is driven to serve others and be a change-maker? Seeking a career path to public service? Attend our Democracy Camp info session to learn more! 2025 DEMOCRACY CAMP IN BERKELEY

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