Why Join Our WeRGenZ Teen Think Tank?

Amplifying the voices of a generation.

Who is WeRGenZ?
  • Our home base is in Charlotte, NC, but our virtual Teen Think Tank is composed of the best, most creative and well-informed voices of youth from all across the United States and soon the world.
  • Our mission is to amplify the voices of your generation, giving you a platform to publicly speak on your passions and the issues that matter to you. If you want to contribute to a more accurate and genuine portrait of your generation but without the bright spotlight, we have lots of ways you and your talents can make your mark on the world too.
  • Get real-world work experiences through internships and mentoring.
  • Which means more brands will create the kinds of experiences that relate and appeal to you.
  • Featured in national media including Forbes and Business Insider
Today our Teen Think Tank taps into over 1,000 teenagers from more than 7 states and we’re growing every day in the United States and around the world.
Where do I come in?
  • Take our 8-10 WeRGenZ surveys throughout the year sharing your ideas
  • Share our surveys with other teens who want their voice to be heard
  • Take our online influencer and media training to get WeRGenZ certified
  • Let your opinion be heard by weighing in on important topics and issues
  • Share your unique talents behind the scenes
Meet one of our Teen Think Tank Members
Krista Jasso is a Mexican-American 22-year-old from Charlotte, NC.

She enjoys Twitter memes, hip-hop dance, Tex-Mex, sports and Pope Francis.

Topics she specializes in are cultural diversity, and humanitarian efforts.

“Being a member of the WeRGenZ Teen Think Tank is important to me because it allows my generation to show  the world our talent.”

@KristaDestinee

Meet More of our Think Tank Team
How do you apply?

Showcase your unique talents!  Send us any creative media telling us why you’d fit in with our WeRGenZ Teen Think Tank.

Please include all your social media platforms and get creative!
Email your submission to Join@WeRGenZ.com and fill out submission form here.

Team Think Tank

22 years old
Charlotte, NC

ELISHA CUTTER

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Hello, my name is Elisha Cutter and I am a 22-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina. I recently graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising & Marketing.
I am a graphic illustrator, footwear designer, film creator, and entrepreneur of my own business called FooT Tecnqe. It’s a small business where I display my own design illustrations on sneakers and graphic tees. I have accomplished five certifications throughout high school and college including fashion merchandising, fashion design, graphic design, footwear design, and CMF (Color, Material, & Finish) design. I have traveled to London, Paris, and many states to learn my passion; also, I have mentored other inspiring designers to go after their dreams.
I am so honored to be given this opportunity to be a part of WeRGenZ and the WeRGenZ pop culture trend panel. I want to continue my journey by designing and displaying my artwork to people around the world.
Check out my designs or connect with me on Insta: @cutterelisha

Haley Hoffman Smith | WeRGenZ Advisory Board

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Haley Hoffman Smith is the author of Her Big Idea, a book on creativity, ideation, and women’s empowerment which debuted as a Top 3 Bestseller in Women & Business. She has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the Washington Examiner. A recent Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Brown University, she wrote her honors thesis on how women develop their sense of self agency in entrepreneurship and venture capital. She is the founder of the Her Big Idea Fund in partnership with Brown University’s Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship, which awards grants to women who apply with BIG ideas. Having founded an international nonprofit for girls’ literacy and empowerment at age 18, she has harnessed her own self agency to surpass doubt surrounding her age and gender.

At Brown, she was the President of Women’s Entrepreneurship and started the first-ever women’s entrepreneurship incubator. She is the Director of Community for Next Gen Summit, the premier entrepreneurship community of 2,000+ members, and sincerely enjoys consulting and connecting with other entrepreneurs. She cares deeply about identifying and obliterating the limits women feel in the pursuit of their ventures, so they may live in their full power and create their own BIG ideas.

ALEX HEINTZE | WeRGenZ Advisory Board

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Alex Heintze is a proud Gen Z-er and has been an entrepreneur all of his life — whether he’s known it or not. Over the past few years, Alex has founded a company and two student organizations, and he does not plan to stop there. He has interned at Steve Case’s venture capital firm, Revolution, and at innovative technology companies like General Assembly and AvidXchange. Most recently, he wrote The Generation Z Entrepreneur — an Amazon best-seller that teaches young people seven key principles to fast-forward their careers by adopting an entrepreneurial mindset and positioning themselves to one day launch their own ventures. He is also a student at Georgetown University where he is majoring in Management, Leadership, & Innovation and minoring in Cultural Anthropology.
22 years old
Charlotte, NC

KRISTA JASSO

 
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Hey there! My name is Krista Jasso and I am 22 years old. I’m a recent graduate of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Texas born, I am the daughter of a Mexican-American family that loves to embrace our unique heritage. Who says you can only have tacos on Tuesday? Family and religion hold true to our culture and are two core values that shaped me into the person I am today.

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15 years old
Charlotte, NC

LEAH JARRELL

 

17 years old
Charlotte, NC

Lindsay Jones

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Lindsay Jones is one of the summer interns for WeRGenZ. She is a rising senior in high school and is in the IB program. She has participated in DECA all through high school and has qualified for international competition the past two years, placing top 10 globally this year! She runs year round for her school and is on leadership for DECA and service club Feed 42. She has a passion for marketing and helping others and hopes that the experience she gains this summer will give her a headstart in these areas! 

19 years old
The College of Saint Rose
Gilroy, CA

Jyothi Kavil AKA Jyo (Joe)

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Hey there Lovely people! My name is Jyothi Kavil, but most people can’t pronounce it so I go by Jyo (joe). I was made and raised on the west coast in a little town in Gilroy CA and have traveled all over the world before I was able to walk. From Chile to Morocco, India to Puerto Rico I have made like a bird and have gotten a slight addiction to learning about others and where they come from. When my wings could fly I let my curiosity get the best of me and dabbled in every hobby possible. I use to play water polo and swim on the school swim team. I am passionate about the arts and have been in numerous plays in San francisco and performed in my high school’s marching band and chamber choir. Fighting to make our voices heard I joined the speech and debate team and jumped on every opportunity in the community to make opinions known. Once I got my diploma a did a hop skip and jump all the way over to where I currently live at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York , where I am studying Forensic Psychology in hopes of becoming an FBI agent. Here I share my voice through my advocacy in the ALANA program and spoken word. I am excited to be a member of WeRGenZ’s new “What’s Hot What’s Not” trend panel and to talk with you guys about what movies are popping in our world today. Through WeRGenZ’s movie reviews, together we’ll take a look and see how hollywood is doing at making sure that the messages and the reality that we feel like should be put on the big screen (or little screen) are being portrayed. WeRGenZ is a place where you don’t have to worry about filtering your thoughts and opinions, we’re here to hear you! So grab a bag of popcorn and join me as we watch the greatest and the latest.
18 years old
Atlanta, GA

LYDIA LARAMORE | WeRGenZ Advisory Board

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Hi, my name is Lydia Laramore and I’m 18 years old. I go to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia studying Computer and Information Sciences.

If I can’t be found reading a book, it’s because I’m writing one and although I can only write fiction in English, I love studying the French language and culture. I spend my weekends biking around Atlanta and trying out new restaurants. Oddly enough, I hate chocolate but I make an excellent brownie. I was voted least likely to spoil the next Avengers movie and while I’m waiting to see my favorite characters on screen again, I’ll be practicing on my five Rubik’s cubes and yes, I can solve them all.

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16 years old
Fishers, IN

NOAH LARAMORE

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Hi, I’m Noah. I’m 16 years old and I’m from Fishers, Indiana.

In a world that’s becoming more and more turbulent I’m just striving to do me. I am a nerd, a runner, an activist, a proud black man, an artist, and so much more. I’m interested in fashion, technology, politics, rap and hip hop, and things that make up our evolving culture. I’m a member of the WeRGenZ What’s Hot, What’s Not Insider Panel.

In the future I hope I’m able to continue being me. I want to be an animator, and go on to work for the Cartoon Network. I will always fight for social justice and bettering the world. At the end of the day, I just want what I do now and in the future to make me happy.

19 years old
Lynchburg, VA

MADDIE MARTIN

 
17 years old
Arlington, VA

MAGGIE MCDONOUGH

 
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My name is Maggie McDonough, I am 17 years old (October 6, 2000) from Arlington, Virginia. I have been involved with Notre Dame’s Play Like a Champion today program, founding a club at my school and spreading the message of being a christian athlete to my community. I also volunteer at Nat’s Academy teaching math to inner city kids, which allows me to be involved in both my passions cultural diversity and humanitarian efforts. You can find me on Instagram (Maggie_McD7), VSCO (Maggiemcdonough7), and Snapchat (Maggalooo7)!
17 years old West Palm Beach, FL

QUINN MCKENNA

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Hi! I’m Quinn McKenna, I’m 17 years old, and I’m a senior at Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. In my free time, I enjoy sailing on my school’s varsity team, listening to good music, attending youth group, and hanging out with my friends! Additionally, I’ve always had a very strong academic drive. I’ve studied at Cambridge University, analyzing the relationship between literature and the conflicts that arose during different British monarchs’ reigns. Additionally, I’m currently conducting break-through research on toxic algae in my area with the help of University of Miami professors. For as long as I can remember, I’ve genuinely enjoyed school. I know this is fairly uncommon, but I actually love studying; I find it super relaxing! More than that, though, I’m very passionate about serving. As National Honor Society President at my school, I am in charge of coordinating community-outreach events in my area, and I’ve also lead a school-wide initiative focused on sending Valentine’s cards to orphans in Tanzania through an incredible organization called The Foundation for Tomorrow. Also, I spend each summer volunteering somewhere different—this past year it was San Ramón, Costa Rica, where I worked at an orphanage and worked with children under 10 years old. I’m super excited to be a part of the WeRGenZ Teen Think Tank, because I think it’s incredibly important that our voices are heard and individuals from older generations gain and better understanding of what motivates us and what our collective passions are. You can connect with me on Instagram (@quinnmckennaa), vsco (@quinnmckenna), or snapchat (@quinn_mckenna).
17 years old
Charlotte, NC

KEATON RHINEHARDT

 
17 years old
San Jose/Gilroy, CA

Kaleb Rodeo

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I’m Kaleb. I’m an ill-defined artist, but more easily defined as a working college student. I’m a Filipino seventeen-year-old from the Bay Area that is easily excited by the relation between art, human nature/interest, and ethics. I work at a McDonald’s for the moment (although as of writing this bio, I have another job offer to decline or commit to within the next couple hours) to pay for school, travel, and my pursuit of whatever artistic opportunities I can find. I’m lucky to have been born into and lived in the intersection of many communities and insights; I was born into a strongly rooted islander family but also was the first of my family to be born in the U.S. rather than Saipan, Philippines or Guam, I lived the first half of my life in urban south side San Jose but now live in the suburban styx of Gilroy, and I am lucky to have lived my whole life in the Bay Area, a unique hub for art and culture, but simultaneously for politics, social justice, business and tech. I have much to say and believe think the marketplace can gain something from listening to me. I am a proud member of WeRGenZ ‘s Think Tank and What’s Hot What’s Not Trend panel.  Get in touch with me on Instagram @y2kaleb!
16 years old
Charlotte, NC

HARMONI RIGGINS

 
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My main priority is to have a true sense of happiness. To ensure this, I spend time on things that I am passionate about. Such as drawing, designing, painting, and just simply creating things as often as possible. Or, being informed about events, whether they’re happening right here in my community or across the world.

Through these examples of something I am passionate about, I’m able to tie that passion into my extracurricular activities. These include; sports (volleyball and soccer), Yearbook, Student Government, Charlotte Mecklenburg Youth Council, Young Black Leadership Alliance, National Society Of High School Scholars, Debate Club and so much more! All of these contribute to my future.

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16 years old
Charlotte, NC

AVA ZUYUS

 
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Hi, my name is Ava Zuyus. I am sixteen years old and I am a WeRGenZ ambassador! I am from Charlotte, North Carolina. Even though I am landlocked, I love surfing! Any chance I get, I head down to the beach to get a surf session in. I also love traveling, eating healthy, and running cross country. Most recently, I travelled to the jungle in central America. Experiencing different cultures and fully immersing myself in another country is where I thrive.  One hobby I am passionate about is service work. Traveling the world and helping individuals who need it the most is my kind of vacation! Also, health and fitness is an important part of my life. If you ever want to know how to make vegan cookies, I’m your girl! I believe that eating a whole food based diet can be life changing! My education is extremely important to me. I work hard to prove myself and get the best grade I can get!   I am a member of the national honors society and the global service club.

Follow me on instagram @avazuyus.