Meet Ryan + Sara

Welcome back to our YF Mentor Spotlight series!

In this edition, we’re turning up the volume with rock star-turned-tech CEO @Ryan Star, who mentored Alex Owens and Diana Turner of Be Loud Studios, and learning from youth advocate and community-based funder, Sara N. , who mentored Domenico Ruggerio of We Are Family (WAF).

These extraordinary mentors have helped Young Futures Innovators amplify their impact in youth mental health and technology. Let’s hear their reflections on mentorship, the unique challenges and opportunities they’ve faced, and the incredible work of their mentees.

Why Youth Mental Health and Technology Matter

For Ryan, the mission is deeply personal. As a father, artist, and tech leader, he’s seen the isolating effects of technology and is passionate about preserving genuine human connection:

"This idea of loneliness connected to technology impacts me as a tech CEO, a father, and an artist. It’s important to harness the ideals of real-life connection into the digital world so we don’t lose our humanity and our true connection through collective experiences."

Sara shares a similar commitment but focuses on the opportunity to redefine how youth interact with technology. She’s excited about the creative ways young people can shape their own narratives:

"I’m drawn to learning how youth want to connect and create meaning. We often hear only about the negative impacts of social media, but youth rarely get to define how they’re seen by adults. Hearing their experiences is so exciting to me."

What Stood Out About Their Mentees

Ryan was inspired by Alex Owens and Diana Turner of Be Loud Studios, who empower youth to find their physical voices amidst a sea of digital noise:

"Educators are more on the front line of this digital battle than tech leaders. Empowering kids through their physical voice is profound, and Alex and Diana are doing just that. It’s real, impactful work."

Sara was equally impressed by Domenico (Dom) Ruggerio of WAF. She highlighted Domenico’s collaborative leadership and commitment to community-building:

“Wow. Dom was truly incredible. They work so collaboratively with their team to create community and provide support to young people. I also was so impressed at Dom's thoughtful and connection-laden vision for WAF and the organization's growth. Dom also created their own community locally and nationally and was always touting the strengths of not only WAF, but other organizations in the youth/LGBTQ+/BIPOC spaces in SC and nationally. Dom has incredible acumen in all the ways you would want an ED to excel.”

Mentorship in Action: Tackling Challenges Together

Starting a nonprofit is tough, and balancing day-to-day challenges with big dreams can be overwhelming. Ryan helped Alex and Diana focus on small steps toward a larger vision:

"Thinking big while just trying to get to the next day is hard. We focused on normalizing that struggle, so making a massive impact felt realistic. Going from zero to one is a huge step—it’s the signal you need to go bigger."

For Sara and Domenico, the challenge was sustainability. They worked together to refine fundraising strategies, and their collaboration coincided with WAF receiving its first federal grant:

"We talked a lot about long-term sustainability. Dom already had creative ideas for fundraising, but the real progress came from listening and learning together. Supporting Dom and WAF was all about collaboration."

Big Opportunities for Nonprofits

Ryan’s advice to nonprofits? Think big, tell your story, and celebrate every win:

"Use unique storytelling to fit into the marketing value of bigger companies. Small successes speak louder than they might think in our noisy, vanity-driven world."

Sara emphasized the importance of diverse funding and staying true to your mission:

"Extraordinarily diverse funding can shield against changes in government and philanthropic support. Partner with funders who are excited about your mission without asking you to drift from it."

Ryan and Sara’s journeys remind us that mentorship is about more than just sharing expertise—it’s about connection, resilience, and dreaming big. We’re grateful for their contributions to Young Futures and inspired by the incredible work of Alex, Diana, and Domenico.

Interested in becoming a YF Mentor? Fill out our interest form and join us in shaping the future of youth mental health and technology!