Meet the 2025-2026 ELLA Fellows!
The ELLA Fellowship, named after activist Ella Baker, stands for Engage, Learn, Lead, and Act. Each year, young women and gender-expansive youth between the ages of 18-22 apply to the ELLA Fellowship with a community-based project proposal they want to develop. Over the course of six months, they are able to transform their ideas to reality with the help of monthly ELLA retreats and support from their cohort.
From reproductive health education and mentorship programs to wellness initiatives and community workshops— this year’s ELLA Fellows are stepping outside their comfort zones and building networks that inspire and empower. Read more to learn about this amazing group of leaders.
INTRODUCING THE 2025-2026 ELLA FELLOWS:
Adeolu Ogunmola (she/her)
Adeolu is a first-generation college student who aspires to become a marketing leader in the beauty industry. For her ELLA Project she is creating The Project Open Doors Scholarship for immigrant students with big dreams who lack access to traditional aid. Recipients will also receive college-readiness support and a deeper understanding of financial aid.
Arunima Paul (she/her)
Arunima is a junior majoring in human biology and minoring in statistics. Her ELLA Project, The Health Literacy and Support Project is dedicated to empowering communities through education on women's health and expanding support for those without real access to care. Through engaging workshops and community collaboration, Arunima wants to break down barriers in health care and advocate for a more inclusive system where everyone has the opportunity to receive the support they deserve and need.
Avani Advani (she/her)
Avani is a sophomore at NYU Stern with a passion for entrepreneurship and loves acting in her free time. Avani’s ELLA Project brings together a cohort of women in business to create research on the impact of climate change. Avani aims to publish her work alongside academic contributors while empowering others to drive greater equity and accessibility in climate conversation.
Fatima Kaleem (she/her)
Fatima is a sophomore at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, concentrating in human services and social justice with a focus on structural inequality, particularly within healthcare systems. Through the ELLA Fellowship, she is working to address the social determinants of health by building partnerships with community organizations and centering impacted communities by developing collaborative, locally driven solutions.
Magleydis Vicente (she/her)
Magleydis is a nursing student at Binghamton University who aspires to become a compassionate, well-rounded nurse that ensures patients feel safe and cared for. Her ELLA Project titled, Healing the Healers, is an initiative that recognizes the dedication of local nurses through the distribution of wellness kits. By supporting healthcare workers, Magleydis highlights the importance of caring for those who care for others, ultimately promoting better well-being for both nurses and their patients.
Mariya Siddiqui (she/her)
Mariya is a junior majoring in biology and an aspiring physician dedicated to advancing reproductive health equity. Through her ELLA project, she is developing a reproductive health platform and leading community workshops to provide accessible education for women in underserved communities. Currently, Mariya’s project focuses on helping women understand their menstrual cycles, recognize early health concerns, and connect with affordable reproductive care, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.
Nifemi Adeyemi (she/her)
Nifemi is a student at Drew University with a passion for law, financial literacy, and leadership, and is leading an ELLA project focused on empowering high school and college students with practical financial knowledge. She is currently developing resources and workshops aimed at helping students build financial independence, confidence, and opportunities for their futures.
Rachel De Los Santos (They/them)
Rachel is from the South Bronx and currently attends FIT. Their ELLA Project Project MAKE is a workshop series geared towards unhoused youth that will use art sessions to investigate intrapersonal themes while providing resources and opportunities. Their project will culminate in a closing art exhibit.
Sarah Hortes (she/her)
Sarah is a recent NYU Bachelor of Social Work alum and is dedicated to holistic healing practices for Black women and femmes. Through her ELLA project, CHASE (Carrying Hearts Along Success Expressway), she leads workshops for Black girls, femmes, and non-binary individuals that explore love and healthy relationships. By using guided conversations and interactive activities, Sarah teaches participants about the historical and systemic influences on relationships while developing personalized, empowering definitions of self-love and romantic love.
Vanessa Wood (she/her)
Vanessa is a pre-med college sophomore who is passionate about diversity and equity in healthcare. Inspired by her passion for mentorship, her ELLA Project is about bridging the relationship between young Black women in pre-med with experienced Black women physicians, while creating a supportive space to discuss health, identity, and pathways in medicine. Vanessa’s work fosters empowerment, community connection, and a sisterhood that nurtures both personal growth and future careers in healthcare.