Staff Bios

Peter Chung

Executive Director

Peter has spent his career as an advocate for children and youth beginning with countless hours spent volunteering for Save The Children Fiji. He went on to found Kids Link Fiji, which was awarded the San Marino Global Child Initiative of 2008 by UNICEF, and the first ever youth-led organization in his country. Peter moved to the U.S. after completing his studies at The University of the South Pacific. He started his career in Providence working with the YMCA of Greater Providence leading after-school programs in elementary schools across the city. In 2010, Peter joined the YV team as a Program Coordinator, marking his return to youth organizing, advocacy, and supporting the growth and development of young leaders readying them to lead in their communities. 

Throughout his time at Young Voices, Peter has completed many training opportunities as he continually seeks to grow his ability to set and attain new goals. He has completed The BEST Initiative (Building Exemplary Systems of Training) for Youth Workers, Leadership Rhode Island Core Program, and continues to be an active alum. Peter also sits on the Board of Directors for the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) and Be Well Community. Peter is currently a fellow in the Core Certificate Program by the Institute for Non Profit Practice (INP), an affiliate of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University.

Gretta Schaaf

Deputy Director

Gretta started at Young Voices in 2015 as an AmeriCorps VISTA researching and designing college access and success programs. She has since served in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls organizing high school students to advocate for the social change they believe in. For the last three years, Gretta has developed a transformative partnership with Blackstone Academy Charter School, where she facilitates the leadership transformation academy after-school program, teaches two elective courses, and advises BACS 2.0 — a student-led group leading the redesign of Blackstone Academy. She is dedicated to supporting youth and families to be equal partners in school change.

Gretta is a 2019 New Leaders Council Fellow and a 2014 Newman Civic Fellow. She is a Justice Talks facilitator and has co-taught courses at Providence College including Community Organizing
and Introduction to Service in Democratic Communities.

In her free time, Gretta enjoys going to yard sales, reading, and hiking.

Eric Calogianes

Program Manager

Eric was born on Long Island, New York and received his B.A. in English Education from Stony Brook University. In 2008 he moved to Rhode Island where he served as a City Year Project Leader and led Providence youth in an after-school service-learning program.

From 2011-2019 Eric was a high school and then later college advisor with the College Crusade of Rhode Island. In this role, he worked with over 200 first-generation students from Classical High School and the University of Rhode Island in postsecondary awareness and preparation each year. Eric is thrilled to apply his experience in college admissions, community organizing, and youth advocacy for the Young Voices team!

In his spare time, Eric enjoys running long distances, watching science videos on youtube, and spending time with his two very misbehaved cats.

Marleni Suazo

Program Coordinator

Marleni is a Providence native who grew up most of her life on the Southside of Providence. Living in the face of poverty, Marleni was able to conquer many obstacles that came her way. In 2019, she became a first-generation college graduate from Rhode Island College with a B.A. in Youth Development. As an undergrad, Marleni began her college years working in the Admissions Office at RIC. Further on, she gained a variety of experiences from being a Teacher Assistant, Youth Counselor, and College Navigator. Marleni received the Rose Butler Award for her outstanding involvement in leadership development and completing community service hours to a disadvantaged population. Among all the volunteer work Marleni has done, one that impacted her the most was a mission trip she went on to Houston, Texas to restore homes that were damaged from Hurricane Harvey. 

Upon her college graduation, Marleni started her Internship at Young Voices as the first-ever Young Voices English Language Learner Leadership Staff. Now as a Program Coordinator, she continues to pave the way for ELL students who come into Young Voices to uncover their full leadership potential. 

In her free time, Marleni volunteers at her local church, reads books, and cooks homemade Dominican food! 

Andrea Gonzalez

Program Facilitator

Andrea Gonzalez Sanchez is a young, scrappy, determined, and hungry Latinx advocate for justice, equality and education. Andrea has always been an educator, having taught math at just eight years old, and is now currently running her own programs and classes for youth. She is always eager to learn and grow more alongside the students that are in her life. As a Young Voices alumna, Andrea is honored to be a staff member, and to fight for justice with her chosen family. She knows that our fight for equality will not be an easy one to win, but will never throw away an opportunity for real change!

Ya’qub Elmi

Program Facilitator

Ya’qub Elmi is proud to say that they are one of the new Program Facilitators at Young Voices. They are a Black, Somali, Muslim, queer being, constantly learning, growing and healing with every new experience. Though they are located in the West Coast (Bay Area all day every day) their passion for youth advocacy spreads globally. Ya’qub is a recent graduate from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Their experiences with youth span from advocating, supporting and empowering Transgender women of color and their families affected by the Prison Industrial Complex, working with foster youth through mentor-based relationships, and fighting as a young person for equity and liberation through critical and reflective education. Ya’qub is excited to work with the ever-evolving young minds at Young Voices as they teach them how to make the world a better place.