Our Team

Mya Whitaker

Executive Director

Mya is the first Bay Area Urban Debate League Champion. She received her Bachelor's degree in Communications from San Francisco State University. As an Emerge graduate, her long-term plan is to run for Congress. Mya organized a roundtable for youth to speak directly to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Superintendent Antwan Wilson. Students came together to speak to powerful policy makers about their education. Mya makes a difference & empowers Oakland youth.

Sekayi Bardell

Program Director

Sekayi is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Political Economy and over six years of experience in the nonprofit sector. A BAUDL alum, she is deeply committed to creating opportunities for young people to develop their voices and leadership skills through debate. As Program Director, Sekayi oversees program strategy, partnerships, and operations to advance educational equity and youth empowerment across the Bay Area.

Val Axtle

Middle School Program Lead

A Bay Area Urban Debate League alumn, Val has dedicated more than seven years to the organization. Now a college student studying International Relations and Comparative Politics, she plans to earn her law degree and advocate for human rights at the United Nations. Val's commitment to BAUDL and Oakland runs deep. She aims to inspire local youth, proving they belong in any space they choose, and considers her work with BAUDL a lifelong aspiration fulfilled.

Amy Gorell

High School Program Manager
& Student Leadership Coach

Amy brings over 12 years of competitive debate experience—as a nationally-ranked competitor, judge, and coach. As a BAUDL policy debate coach, she's guided students to NAUDL nationals, state championships, and national tournament elimination rounds. Amy's passion lies in empowering BAUDL students with critical thinking, public speaking, and argumentation skills, and she aims to ignite their enthusiasm for speech and debate.

Ne'Jahra Soriano

Regional Coordinator

Ne’Jahra is an Emery High School alum who competed in BAUDL in 2019. Ne’Jahra is the first BAUDL debater to go undefeated at six consecutive tournaments, and our Season Opener debate tournament was named after her. We are excited to welcome another Bay Area youth onto the BAUDL Staff. It speaks volumes when youth who participated in program apply for positions to continue making an impact in their hometowns. Tell Ne’Jahra congratulations! Train Bay Area youth, Hire Bay Area youth.