Find A Youth Mentor

Hi everyone! My name is Liberty Dorsey. I'm 20 years old, originally from Central Pennsylvania, but I recently moved to Blacksburg, Virginia! I attend Arizona State University, where I study Nutrition and Dietetics. In my free time, I love running (just ran my first half-marathon!), swimming, hanging out with friends, and cooking new foods. My alopecia journey started when I was in 6th grade at 13 years old. I grew up with long, blonde, curly hair, which was always such a large part of my identity. Once I got diagnosed, I struggled so much, especially as a middle schooler going through my teenage years. I went through all stages of relapses and regrowth. I tried treatments like scalp injections and topical steroids, but as I got older, the treatments had no effect, and deep down I knew I was only doing them because I had insecurities about losing my hair. It was at that time that I decided to embrace change and trust myself. In my senior year of high school, I shaved off all my hair and welcomed the patches:) I have had my ups and downs with this disease, but I will never forget the support I received and the confidence I felt. Shaving my head made me realize I am more than just my hair! I have learned to embrace what makes me different. You are not alone! Your journey is so important, but it does not define you! It would be an absolute honor to be part of someone's support system, because I know how important it was for me. I hope to bring light and laughter as a mentor:) I cannot wait to meet you!

Before my diagnosis, my family and I had never even heard of this autoimmune condition. Suddenly, I found myself having to navigate it largely on my own at boarding school. I experienced hair loss, anxiety over washing my hair, and mornings spent carefully covering bald spots. I developed new habits—sleeping face down, checking my hair constantly, and making early trips to the school health center for treatments. Friends started noticing the bald patches, and their comments, even when unintentional, were difficult to process. Mentally, it was overwhelming, and my school life changed overnight. Coming home didn’t feel much easier. With only 4-5 days at home between school terms, I had to fit in doctor visits, painful scalp injections, and extensive blood work. I have a strong fear of needles, so going through these treatments was particularly challenging. But over time, I learned how to manage both the physical and emotional aspects of alopecia. I’ve become more confident at school, and while the pain of living with alopecia hasn’t disappeared, I’ve learned to control my reactions and focus on what I can handle. I want to share that growth with others who are just starting this journey. Alopecia can feel isolating, but talking to someone who understands can make it easier. I look forward to supporting my future mentees, helping them feel heard, understood, and less alone because I know exactly how it feels to be in their shoes. I want to be the mentor I wish I had when I was first diagnosed, someone who understands fear, frustration, and isolation but can also share hope and ways to feel more confident. You’re not alone, and together we can make this journey a little easier.

Hi everyone! My name is Kaedyn McManus. I am a dedicated future nurse with a strong passion for the medical field. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata in November of 2023, just a month after the unexpected passing of my father. Experiencing these unfortunate events during the first two months of high school took a toll on my mental and physical health, but through the support of my family and friends I learned to navigate through the challenging aspects of having Alopecia. This helped me regain my confidence and a full head of hair by 2025. Academically, I am a 16 year old junior at Raritan High School in Hazlet, New Jersey. I am dual-enrolled in the Health Science Academy at Rutgers University. I take a variety of honors and AP courses and am on track to earn a Health Science sash at graduation. I am also an active member of HOSA (future health professionals) club and a cadet with my local First Aid Squad, where I'm learning to become an EMT. Outside of academics I stay active through soccer, swimming, and flag football.

Hi, my name is Alli! I graduated from UCLA in 2024 with my bachelor's in English and am aiming to earn my masters in Library and Information Science! Most days, you can find me at my local climbing gym or hanging out with friends. I love trying new things and love to explore! Since being diagnosed with alopecia universalis at eleven years old, I've gone on a journey of love and self-acceptance that has significantly shaped my life and worldview. While it was difficult to adjust to the physical changes that come with alopecia, I've since learned to deeply appreciate the unique experiences and look that the condition has given me. It has also solidified my firm belief in the power of empathy and optimism. I'm incredibly glad for the opportunity to give back to the community through mentorship and hope to meet you soon.

Hi! My name is Elena Le and I am an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Florida. Before I share my story, I want to introduce myself as someone who is more than just a person with alopecia. I am an enthusiastic and positive person who always try to smile in any situation. I enjoy running, working out, hanging out with my friends, eating food, getting ready, getting work done and taking pictures. I am a going-out person as much as a staying-in person, so I love indoor and outdoor activities. I am 100% Vietnamese and my favorite drink is brown sugar milk tea boba! A little bit about my story, I was recently diagnosed with alopecia areata in May 2025, just two days before my high school graduation. This summer, my hair continued to fall out until September 2025 all of my hair was gone. Especially as someone who just entered college, expecting to live the college experience, alopecia has taken over my lifestyle. I am currently going through the recovery process and this ongoing experience with alopecia has encouraged me to help others.

Hi, my name is Emeline Lasseter and I am a 17 year old junior in high school from Franklin, Tennessee. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata when I was 9 years old. It happened in the middle of my 3rd grade school year. It was tough leaving school for winter break with a (mostly) full head of hair and then coming back a few weeks later with a diagnosis, extremely patchy hair, and a baseball cap to hide it. Two weeks later, I lost 90% of my hair and I got fitted for my first wig. Through the rest of my elementary school career, I wore wigs. Then, when I got to middle school, I decided enough was enough and I started wearing these swim hats and I haven’t looked back since. There are not a lot of girls with Alopecia Areata, and even less who choose to not wear a wig. When I look around my school, or the mall, or on vacation, or touring colleges, or on TV, I never see anyone who looks like me. That is why I want to be a part of this amazing organization and be a mentor to kids who are experiencing the same thing. My Alopecia does not define me, and it also does not exempt me from wearing a hair net. I decorate cakes in a bakery at a local grocery store on the weekends, and one day someone from corporate came in and yelled at my boss for not making me wear a hairnet. Later, my boss and I laughed about this because there was no hair to fall out, and I was already wearing a hat to cover anything that would fall out. Now I am the most diligent hairnet-wearer you will ever meet. When I’m not studying or at work, I love shopping, hanging out with my friends and family, reading, going on walks, and playing field hockey. I am also an officer of my school’s HOSA chapter, an active participant in Model UN and Youth in Government, as well as a member of several Honor societies including NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Science Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. Alopecia is such a life-altering diagnosis, and I want to help kids on their journey to regaining confidence in themselves and their appearance. I would love the opportunity to be a mentor and guide you on your alopecia journey!

Hi friends! My name is Sankee Mummareddy, and I’m 25 years old. I was first diagnosed with alopecia in 3rd grade. It started as a few small patches but quickly progressed to alopecia totalis and then universalis. A couple of years later, my hair made a big comeback… and then when I was a sophomore in high school, it all said goodbye again. This time, it stayed gone — and so did all my worries about it! I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and what helped me most during my journey was the incredible support of my friends, family, and my amazing dermatologist. My dermatologist gave me the confidence to embrace who I am, and he inspired me so much that now I’m in medical school, training to hopefully one day become a pediatric dermatologist myself! I’ve always loved working with kids, and I’ve had lots of experience: • Tutoring math, reading, and writing for K–12 students across Memphis • Volunteering with pediatric dialysis patients, helping with arts, crafts, and homework • Coaching elementary school tennis and soccer clinics • Leading STEM workshops and summer science camps, exploring fun experiments together • Hosting book drives and reading circles to help kids find joy in learning I know how confusing and overwhelming alopecia can feel — not just for kids, but for their families too. That’s why I’m happy to meet with and support both kids and their parents as they navigate this journey. I’ve been where you are, and I’d love to be someone in your corner who truly understands. That’s why I wanted to become a mentor. I know what it feels like to have questions or tough days, and I also know how much it helps to hear from someone who’s been through it before. Whether it’s about navigating school, sports, or just figuring out what works for you, I’m always happy to listen and help however I can.

Very excited to be a mentor for the NAAF! My name is Benjamin Skolnick and I am a 24 year old living on the west side in Los Angeles. I am very active and love going to the beach, the gym, and doing anything fun my friends convince me to do. I went to school in San Diego, where I’m originally from and work in Century City. I’ve worked with middle schoolers and high schoolers my whole life through other experiences and love hearing about what’s new. I have had Alopecia on the side of my head and face this last year. My image on my profile is me last month at a team lunch by the way. I respect people who are honest and have quality values such as openness, reliability, sincerity, etc. I want to support families and understand each person’s emotional impact. I have a unique ability to be a good ear to offer a great space to share how people feel. Feel free to reach out if you want to connect soon!

Hi! My name is Nikita and I’m 24 years old and I live in San Francisco. I’ve had Alopecia Areata since I was 10 years old and it’s really shaped me as a person. My Alopecia comes in cycles and I’ve tried everything from topical immunosuppressants to steroid injections. Even though living with Alopecia has been a constant journey of learning and resilience, I’ve become more comfortable with it over the years. I’m familiar with the anxiety of losing hair and how it affects a young woman’s image of herself and I feel grateful for the opportunity to help build a community around this experience that I never had. In San Francisco, I work as a software engineer but outside of work, I really enjoy reading, going on walks, yoga, tennis, dance, and music :)

Hi everyone! My name is Emma Cass, I’m 22 years old, and am originally from Denver, Colorado. I recently graduated from the University of Kansas, where I studied Management & Leadership, International Business, and Spanish. I now live in Chicago, and in my free time I love being outside, going to baseball games, hanging out with friends, cooking meals, and seeing live music! My journey with alopecia began in 6th grade, with a soccer teammate pointing out a bald spot I hadn’t even realized that I had. I spent all of middle school and high school navigating the emotional and physical tolls of losing my hair, experimenting with injections and medications, and battling self-doubt, insecurity and anxiety. By the end of my sophomore year, I had lost about 90% of my hair, and made the empowering decision to shave my head. This was the most liberating thing I have ever done, and finally felt free from hiding the bald spots I had spent so many years afraid of. I have tried 4-5 different medications throughout the years, and even on medicine now, I still have bald spots that come and go. I have truly been through all the ups and downs of this disease, but have grown in my confidence, empathy, and strength through it all. My younger brother also has alopecia, and having him, my parents, and my friends as my support system throughout the years has made me so excited for the chance to become a part of somebody else’s support system through their journey! This disease can be scary and emotional, but it can also be incredibly empowering and formative. No matter where you are in your alopecia journey, I can’t wait to be there to support you through it all!!