Meet the Team
News & Events
Kahina Cargile (she/her)
Co-Executive Director
Kahina Cargile (she/her)
Kahina Cargile brings over a decade of experience in educational leadership, nonprofit management, and equity-focused advocacy to her role as Co-Executive Director of Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT). She previously served as the inaugural Executive Director of BCDI-Wisconsin, building statewide coalitions and advancing policy and community impact for Black children and families. Kahina also led the “I Have A Dream” Foundation—Milwaukee and held leadership roles with Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS Program. She holds degrees from Robert Morris University–Chicago and Marquette University and is dedicated to advancing racial justice and expanding opportunities for youth.
Favorite Quote: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” –Coretta Scott King”
Dan Maldonado (he/him)
Co-Executive Director
Dan Maldonado (he/him)
Dan is a proud Puerto Rican, lifelong Milwaukeean, and advocate for Black and Brown youth power, racial justice, and educational equity. Raised in Milwaukee’s Riverwest & Harambee neighborhoods, as well as a graduate from Riverside University High School. Before joining LIT, he helped build district-wide strategies for young men of color in MPS’s Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement and founded the BLMA Buddies program. Dan holds a BA in English and TEFL and two master’s degrees in Educational Policy and Curriculum & Instruction/Administrative Leadership.
Favorite Quote: “Deje el mundo cambiarle y usted puede cambiar el mundo.” (Let the world change you and you can change the world.) —Che Guevara
Jaszy Segarra (she/her)
Senior Director of Operations
Jaszy Segarra (she/her)
Jaszy has 8+ years of organizing experience. She got involved with electoral organizing as a NextGen Fellow in 2018. In 2020, she joined the LIT team as one of the first LIT fellows, supported the creation of the Dare to Divest campaign, and built the College Department. Since then she has served in many roles such as part-time college organizer, full-time North East College Organizer, College Organizing Manager, Senior College Organizing Manager, College Organizing Director, Interim Co-Executive Director, and now as the Senior Director of Operations.
Favorite Quote: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style” -Maya Angelou
Solana Pérez (she/her)
Manager of Marketing & Engagement
Solana Pérez (she/her)
Solana was born and raise on the northwest side if Milwaukee, WI and was apart of the founding LIT staff in 2018 serving as a Public Ally. When Solana was hired as a full time staff member in 2020, she piloted LIT’s paid-internship program as the Intern Coordinator and later became the Intern and Volunteer Manager in 2022. Throughout her time at LIT she supported the communications department in small ways such as graphic design and marketing strategy and was named the Manager of Marketing and Engagement. In her free time, she loves to cook and spend quality time with her family and community of friends.
Favorite Quote: “Without community, there is no liberation” -Audre Lorde
Amber West (she/her)
Manager of High School Organizing
Amber West (she/Her)
Amber has been an organizer for 5+ years, born & raised on the northside of Milwaukee, and a UW-LaCrosse alum. When Amber is not at work, she spends time with her dog, Astro, or her family. She loves reading science fiction novels, gardening, and longboarding. Amber is passionate about organizing young people because she knows they have the power to change the world.
Favorite Quote: “The job of a revolutionary is, of course, to overthrow unjust systems and replace them with just systems because a revolutionary understands this can only be done by the masses of the people. So, the task of the revolutionary is to organize the masses of the people…” -Kwame Ture
Cristhabel Martinez (she/her)
Senior Manager of Civic Engagement
Cristhabel Martinez (she/her)
Cristhabel Martinez leads the Civic Department, developing and implementing statewide civic engagement, electoral, campaign, and policy strategies that build political power among young people across Wisconsin. Her organizing journey began in immigrant justice and education equity work with Dreamers of Wisconsin. Outside of work, Cristhabel recharges by spending time outdoors, boxing, and helping others reach their health and wellness goals as a personal trainer.
Favorite Quote: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” —Shirley Chisholm
Emma Frederick (she/they)
College Organizing Manager – Southern Region
Emma Frederick (she/they)
Emma just recently moved to Milwaukee, WI after holding the position of LIT’s North West College Organizer in Eau Claire for two and a half years. She joined as a member of her alma mater’s, UW-Eau Claire, campus LIT chapter in 2021 soon became a fellow. Joining LIT as a full-time staff in 2023 was a pivotal movement for them, as they found a dedicated space to serve their community and uplift marginalized voices through collaborative organizing.
Favorite Quote: “One had better die fighting against injustice than die like a dog or a rat in a trap.” -Ida B. Wells
Crystal Egbo (she/her)
Development Coordinator
Crystal Egbo (she/her)
Crystal’s organizing journey began as a need to create spaces for young Black people, by young Black people. In April of 2022, Crystal was inspired by the organizing frameworks and connections she discovered at LIT’s first Statewide Action Gathering. A few months later, Crystal joined as a full-time College Organizer in 2023 supporting our Northeast campuses. In her role as Development Coordinator, she is excited to continue grassroots justice work through fundraising and development. When Crystal is not working, you can find her listening to a podcast, learning the bass guitar, or reading a dystopian novel.
Favorite Quote: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” -Audre Lorde
Delaney Doersch (She/her)
Operations Coordinator
Delaney Doersch (she/her)
As Operations Coordinator, Delaney ensures that the day-to-day logistics run seamlessly, keeping staff supported and well-fed. She’s the behind-the-scenes problem-solver who makes sure every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed.
Selena Cruz (she/her)
Community Engagement Organizer
Amber West (she/Her)
Selena grew up in northern Illinois and is an alum of UW–Stevens Point. Selena has been in Milwaukee for over three years now and absolutely loves it here. Outside of work, Selena enjoys spending time with her partner and my two cats, Jrue and Chai. For self-care, she loves to read and do yoga.
Favorite Quote: “People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together.” -Michelle Obama
Nate Sayas-Porter (he/him)
College Organizing Manager – Northern Region
Nate Sayas-Porter (he/him)
Nate, of the White Earth Ojibwe Tribe, is a progressive organizer with a passion for social, environmental, and economic justice. Born and raised in Central Wisconsin, he went on to earn degrees from UW-Stevens Point which led him to his career in political organizing, working with unsheltered communities, and serving as a board member for an Indigenous-led animal welfare nonprofit. Nate’s work is rooted in relationship building, political/civic activism, and Tribal sovereignty. He holds close the belief that living beings and the land they reside upon are entitled to: dignity, compassion, and respect.
Favorite Quote: “We have to educate ourselves to know who we are. That’s what I mean when I say, ‘Teach the children.'” -Eddie Benton-Banai (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe)
Liz Sandmire (she/her)
MKE High School Organizer
Liz Sandmire (she/her)
Liz is a West Allis native and West Allis Central alum. After graduating from Valparaiso University in 2021, she returned to Milwaukee to continue her passion for community-centered work. Liz has been in other non profit spaces, including City Year Milwaukee and PEAK Initiative, creating environments where young people feel seen, heard, and valued. Liz is motivated by helping young people feel confident and supported, and she’s excited to keep contributing to purposeful work that strengthens the Milwaukee community with LIT.
Favorite Quote: “Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” -Chinua Achebe
