Find A Youth Mentor

Hi, my name is Stepheny, and I'm a sophomore at UIUC! I'm majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and hope to pursue a path of medicine in the future. I love exercising, advocating for mental health, and the color pink! I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata as a sophomore in high school, and since then I've learned to regain my confidence and love for myself. It's easy to feel alone with Alopecia, so I hope I can be a source of community for you. More importantly, however, I hope I can be a friend!

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!

Hi! My name is Ronit, and I’m a high school senior from Virginia. I attend boarding school in Delaware, where I enjoy playing basketball, being involved in student life, and serving as a manager for our football team. I’m interested in data science, engineering, and research, and I love sports and spending time with my friends. I’m also involved with NAAF as a Teen Advocacy Fellow, which has given me the opportunity to connect with and advocate for the alopecia community. My own journey with alopecia began during high school. Before my diagnosis, my family and I had never even heard of alopecia areata. What made the experience especially difficult was that I was away at boarding school when it started, so I had to learn how to deal with much of it on my own. At first, alopecia seemed to change the smallest parts of my everyday life. Washing my hair became stressful because I worried about how much would fall out. I would spend mornings trying to cover bald spots, constantly check my hair throughout the day, and even change how I slept because I was afraid of losing more hair. I made early-morning trips to our school health center for treatments and worried about whether friends or classmates would notice. When they did notice or made comments—even when they meant no harm—it could be difficult to know how to respond. Going home often meant fitting dermatologist appointments, scalp injections, and blood work into the few days I had between school terms. I have always had a strong fear of needles, so treatments were another challenge I had to learn to manage. Over time, though, something changed. Alopecia didn't necessarily become easier, but I became better at living with it. I learned that I couldn't control whether another patch appeared or what someone might notice, but I could control how much power I gave those moments. I became more comfortable talking about alopecia, more confident around my friends, and more willing to ask for support when I needed it. That experience is a big part of why I wanted to become a NAAF Youth Mentor. When I was first diagnosed, I would have loved to talk with another teenager who actually understood what it was like—not just the hair loss, but checking the mirror, worrying about what people might say, going through treatments, and trying to live a normal school life while all of this was happening. I want to be that person for someone else. If you're newly diagnosed, having a difficult day, worried about school or friends, frustrated with treatments, or just want to talk to someone who gets it, I'm here to listen. I won't pretend that I have every answer, because everyone's experience with alopecia is different. But I can share what I've learned, listen without judging, and remind you that you don't have to figure everything out by yourself. Alopecia is part of my story, but it isn't my whole story—and it doesn't have to be yours either. I hope I can help make your journey a little less lonely and 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 a student 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 tries to smile in any situation. I enjoy running, working out, hanging out with my friends, eating food, getting ready, getting work done and thrifting. 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 diagnosed with alopecia areata in May 2025, just two days before my high school graduation. All of my hair was gone within 3 months. Especially as someone who just entered college, expecting to live the college experience, alopecia has taken over my lifestyle. This ongoing experience with alopecia has encouraged me to help others.

Hi, my name is Emeline Lasseter and I am an 18 year old senior 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 :)