Leadership
Board Members
College Members
Founder & President
Walter Payton College PrepSenior
Hayden is a Junior at Walter Payton College Preparatory. He is an All State Orchestra musician and is a recipient of the American Multicultural Society Junior Global Leadership Award of Excellence. Additionally, he is an essential member of his school's Math Team, fluent in three languages, and is also a member of his school's Varsity Golf Team. Hayden's passion for service led him to create In the Beginning (ITB) and aid refugee children and their families as they transition to life in America.
Vice President
John Hersey High SchoolSenior
Jayne is a Senior at John Hersey High School. She is part of the Executive Board at her school’s Scrubs Club and Orchestra Council at JHHS’s Symphonic Orchestra. She enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, and traveling. Jayne is excited to bond with culturally diverse students, and she values growing together in the ITB community.
Foreign Language Director
Chloe Miller-Niharra is a member of the Class of 2028 at Evanston Township High School. She is fluent in Spanish and comes from a multicultural family, with parents who immigrated from Spain and Poland. Chloe spends each summer in Spain visiting extended family, which has strengthened her connection to the Spanish language and culture and inspired her passion for language learning and cultural exchange. At ETHS, Chloe serves as the Head of the 504 and IEP Plan Committee within Student Union and is also a Student Ambassador, helping create an inclusive and supportive environment for students. She has a strong interest in government, politics, and current events and enjoys learning about different cultures and perspectives from around the world. Outside of school, Chloe works as an A-Caddie at Evanston Golf Club, where she has developed leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills while interacting with industry leaders. She is excited to help students build confidence in their language abilities and strengthen their connection to education.
Communication Director
Clear Creek High SchoolJunior
Michael Koyfman is a dedicated student-athlete at Clear Creek High School, where he combines his passion for business, leadership, and basketball. As the founder and president of the school’s Investment Club, Michael leads his peers in exploring financial markets, developing analytical skills, and promoting financial literacy on campus. In addition to his academic and leadership roles, Michael is a committed varsity basketball player known for his strong work ethic and competitive mindset. He is also an influencer who actively manages the Investment Club’s social media presence, helping grow engagement and expand the club’s reach through strategic content and online community-building.
Event Director
Adlai E Stevenson High SchoolSenior
Dianne is an incoming senior of the class of 2027 at Stevenson High School. She excels at studies regarding music and art participating in the highest level at her school for both passions. She is a leader within her schools marching band and drumline and loves creating music with others. She participates in her school band whilst also playing the piano and singing. At her schools, she has sang at multiple events along with other band members. While she has won many competitions in art, she enjoys doing it the most around her friends which spark her passion in the field. She is an active member of the National Art Honor Society ( NAHS ) and fulfills service opportunities through her artwork. Her passion for creating music and sharing art has motivated her to participate in In the Beginning as a music coordinator and poster maker behind the scenes.
Arts and Music Director
Niles West High SchoolJunior
Candice is in the class of 2028 at Niles West High School, where she participates in clubs and sports. She is apart of the girls gymnastics team, and is also a member of the HOSA club, where she placed 3rd for her event at state conference, and qualified for 2025-2026 internationals in Indianapolis, Indiana. Outside of school, she likes to play the piano, read, and spend time with her friends. She speaks Cantonese, English, and is learning Spanish at school. She hopes to help make a difference for the kids, and grow a friendship with them.
Glenbrook South High School2027
Daniel Yoon is a Senior at Glenbrook South High School. Being a part of the Science and Engineering Learning Community, where he explores ways to improve lives both locally and globally. He is also a member of the varsity debate team as well as the speech team, where he practices voicing his thoughts and ideas. He tutors young children as an officer at Onward House and serves as the vice president of HOPE Club, working to uplift the community alongside middle schoolers and other schools. Beyond service, Daniel enjoys playing the guitar for friends and family. He is active physically though basketball and volleyball. Guided by the belief that “if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” (Wayne Dyer), he is committed to making a lasting impact on those around him.
Education Director
Barrington High School2028
Paul Kim is a Junior at Barrington High School. He is a state qualifying journalist. He helps lead his school’s journal as an editor and writer. His passion for journalism extends to spreading awareness within his community. In his spare time he volunteers at his church, and works with kids as a bible study leader. His passion to help others is most strongly founded in his christian faith. His other hobbies include exploring philosophy as club leader at his school, writing stories, playing basketball, and lifeguarding at his local park district. Despite his passions for religion, sport, and his own education, his foremost desire is to make a lasting impact in his community and gain experience as a youth leader.
Marketing Director
Irvington High School2028
Ian is a Junior at Irvington High School with interests that span technology, athletics, and community service. A dedicated distance runner, he has been a member of his school’s Cross Country team for four years and has completed multiple half-marathons and a full marathon. He is also an aspiring developer currently building a social app and a long-time chess player who has enjoyed strategy and problem-solving since the age of four. Outside of school, Ian enjoys exploring New York City and discovering new neighborhoods on foot. He also loves photographing sunsets and has collected hundreds of sunset photos over the years, finding the daily ritual both calming and reflective. Ian is passionate about serving others and has made a personal habit of helping members of New York City’s homeless community whenever opportunities arise, often offering food and conversation during his visits to Manhattan. As a volunteer with In the Beginning, he also helps organize food donations, recruit student volunteers, and write blog content for the organization’s website. He hopes to use his experiences in sports, technology, and service to encourage others to make a positive impact in their communities.
Science Lead
West Ranch High School2027
Justin is a junior at West Ranch High School in California with a passion for neuroscience, biology, and medical research. He enjoys exploring scientific questions through research, academic competitions, and hands on STEM learning. As an officer of his school’s Biology Olympiad club, Justin enjoys sharing his love of science with others and encouraging curiosity in young learners. Outside of academics, he plays the cello in a youth orchestra, volunteers in healthcare settings, and enjoys helping younger students through tutoring and academic mentoring. Through In The Beginning, Justin hopes to inspire refugee students by making science engaging, accessible, and fun while helping create greater educational opportunities for children and families.
English Lead
Glenbrook South High School2028
Ethan is a junior at Northside College Prep who combines academic rigor with a strong commitment to leadership and athletics. He balances his studies with a position on the varsity track and cross-country teams. Ethan is also the founder and Vice President of the Red Cross Club at Northside, where he plays a key role in organizing events, managing club operations, and promoting community service initiatives. He hopes to use this experience to support programs such as ITB that assist international refugees.
PR Lead
Clear Creek High School2029
Emily Koyfman is a high-achieving student known for her academic excellence, strong work ethic, and diverse extracurricular involvement. A dedicated tennis player, she brings focus and discipline to both her athletic and academic pursuits. Passionate about medicine, Emily is deeply interested in becoming a pediatric emergency room doctor, driven by her desire to help children and make a meaningful impact in high-stakes medical environments. Beyond the classroom, Emily serves as a violinist in her local chamber orchestra, where she contributes both talent and leadership to the ensemble. She is also an active community volunteer and a committed math tutor at her school, supporting her peers through patience, clarity, and mentorship. Emily’s blend of ambition, compassion, and leadership sets her apart as a well-rounded student with a promising future.
Online Tutoring Lead
Los Alamitos High School
Music Lead
Adlai E Stevenson High School2030
Katelyn is a freshman in Stevenson High School. She participates in the school band and choir. She enjoys playing the trombone and listening to music. Katelyn is also eager to sing classical vocals. Also, Katelyn shows strength in making friends at school and socializing with other people, and is involved with many communities. She also loves helping students that are not familiar in English get used to the school, enjoying working with people of different ages and backgrounds.
Math Lead
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy2029
Minchan Kim is a sophomore at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). He is an active swimmer who swims for both his school and club team. He is also passionate about veterinary science and healthcare, and competed at the Illinois HOSA State Leadership Conference. In addition, he shadows at a veterinary clinic, where he learns animal medicine and patient care. Minchan likes to learn and share his knowledge with others. Through In The Beginning, he hopes to help children and families feel supported and welcomed in the new community. He also looks forward to building connections while making positive impacts through his services.
Website Lead
Northside College Prep2028
Ethan is a sophomore at Northside College Prep who combines academic rigor with a strong commitment to leadership and athletics. He balances his studies with a position on the varsity track and cross-country teams. Ethan is also the founder and Vice President of the Red Cross Club at Northside, where he plays a key role in organizing events, managing club operations, and promoting community service initiatives. He hopes to use this experience to support programs such as ITB that assist international refugees.
Rick Reedy high school2029
Eunice is a high schooler who volunteers to tutor math and science
Branham High School2030
Robyn is a freshman at Branham High School. An active campus leader, she is involved in ASB and Marching Band, where she excels at collaborating with diverse groups. As a clarinetist and performer, Robyn has served as Drum Major, earned multiple awards, was selected for the All-State Honor Band and CMEA Honor Ensemble Choir, and starred in several musicals. Her passion for service drives her to create welcoming environments for those in need, dedicating her time to helping others feel supported as they transition to new environments.
Adlai Stevenson High School2027
Annalise Song is a senior at Adlai E. Stevenson High School with a passion for education and community involvement. She enjoys working with children and helping them learn, grow, and build confidence. Outside of her work with the nonprofit, Annalise plays the violin and hopes to share her love of mentorship while making a positive impact on younger students.
Glenbrook South High School2029
Joonie Lee goes to Glenbrook South High School and is in the class of 2028. She is a part of the Glenbrook Symphony Orchestra and has been playing violin since the third grade. She is also a part of the girl’s cross country team and the girl’s badminton team. Her favorite part of In the Beginning is creating friendships with the students.
John Hersey High School2030
Eugene is a freshman at John Hersey High School with a passion for playing the cello and volleyball. Through In the Beginning, he values the opportunity to support refugee students in their learning and enjoys building friendships with them.
Valencia High School2028
Ura Ella Lee (Valencia High School, Class of 2028) is a dedicated scholar-athlete with a strong passion for service and leadership. Known for her empathy and work ethic, Ella maintains high academic standards while actively competing in lacrosse, flag football, and swimming. Beyond athletics, she is fluent in Chinese and deeply engaged in music through guitar and vocal performance. Ella brings a balanced combination of physical resilience, communication skills, and genuine character to everything she pursues, driven by a commitment to serve her community.
Walter Payton College Prep
Full bio coming soon.
Granada Hills Charter High School2028
Taylor attends Granada Hills Charter High School with a passion for serving his community by volunteering at various non-profit organizations in the area. He plays the cello in a student-led nonprofit orchestra and serves as the President. He is a member of the school math team, science bowl and plays on his school baseball team as a pitcher and volleyball team as a middle blocker/hitter. His passion for serving those in need led him to join In the Beginning (ITB) to help make an impactful change to the refugee children and their families as they acclimate to their life in America.
Hawthorn Middle School North2031
Grace is a talented artist who enjoys drawing anything that inspires her. Through In the Beginning, she has gained a deeper understanding of the challenges refugees face, which has inspired her to help by teaching them and supporting their education. She enjoys connecting with the refugees and looks forward to spending more time with them.
Chaminade College Preparatory2028
Chandler Kim is a high school junior at Chaminade College Preparatory. He is the founder and president of the Chaminade Rescue Committee, a club dedicated to raising awareness and providing direct support to refugees and displaced people around the world. He has also been learning Arabic since 6th grade, and is deeply passionate about Middle Eastern languages and culture as well as international relations. He has been playing the drums since he was four as well as the saxophone since he was twelve, and is part of his school’s Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, as well as the marching band, where he is the drum captain. Chandler is driven by a desire to make a positive impact on those in need, and hopes to help refugee children and help them to feel welcomed.
Justin Wakeland High School
Woodland High School
Alexander Lee is a varsity golfer, Eagle Scout candidate, and student at The Woodlands High School whose journey brings together academic curiosity and a commitment to community leadership. Passionate about scientific inquiry—particularly neuroscience, medicine, and environmental sustainability—he approaches both research and service with discipline, critical thinking, and vision. Through varsity athletics and Scouting, he has built a strong foundation in teamwork and leadership, learning that meaningful progress comes from consistent effort and leading by example. His personal philosophy, "Start Small. Grow Big.", reflects his belief that rigorous study and small, intentional acts of service can grow into lasting impact. To synthesize his experiences and share what he learns along the way, Alexander writes as Alex L (@beyondthescorecardgolf) on Substack, offering reflective insights at the intersection of golf, science, leadership, and personal growth. Whether in the lab, on the course, or contributing to local sustainability initiatives, he remains committed to continuous improvement and inspiring others to create positive change.
Vernon Hills High School2028
Iris is a sophomore at Vernon Hills High-school. She is in VHHS bands/Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. She is involved in school clubs including FCA and FLAG. She believes that every refugee has the ability and chance to learn, and she is eager to help these students reach their goals. She is grateful she has the chance to partake in this opportunity. Iris enjoys spending time with young students and playing with them every Saturday.
Korea International School Jeju2030
Cathy is a freshman at KISJ High School who is passionate about STEM, especially in mathematics, science, and space exploration. She enjoys challenging herself both academically and athletically and has received recognition in mathematics as well as the Athlete of the Year award. Outside of school, she enjoys playing the flute and socializing with her friends. Cathy is excited to support refugee students through tutoring and hopes to help create meaningful opportunities for students to succeed both in and outside the classroom.
Glenbrook North High School2029
Kacey Lee is a freshman at Glenbrook North High School with a strong passion for volleyball, actively competing on both her school and club teams. Known for her drive and positive attitude, Kacey balances her competitive spirit with a love for spending time with friends and supporting meaningful causes. She is goal-oriented, responsible, and always eager to take on new challenges. With a growing interest in entrepreneurship and business, Kacey is excited to explore opportunities that help her learn, lead, and make an impact. Whether on the court or in the community, Kacey brings energy, focus, and a commitment to personal and collective growth.
Rick Reedy high school2030
Joon is freshman at Reedy high who volunteers to math and English.
Rick Reedy High School2028
Elizabeth is a rising junior passionate about teaching reading, math, and art.
Centreville highschool2028
Elliot is a Sophomore who is becoming Junior in Centreville who volunteers to teach math.
Glenbrook North High School2028
Michael is in the class of 2028 at Glenbrook North High School. He enjoys playing tennis with his friends and high school team. He also has an appreciation for music, which leads him to serve as a drummer for his worship band. As a small group leader in the kids ministry, he likes to figure out how to explain concepts in a way that kids can understand. Finally, he admires the French language and enjoys traveling so he can learn about different cultures. He would like to give back and work with In The Beginning to mentor the students for eventual success in the classroom, and to make them feel welcome.
Adlai E Stevenson High School209
Noah is going to be a freshman at stevenson high school. He played percussion in the school band. He is not interested in sports but really enjoys computer games. He recently volunteered to teach math and english to refugee children. He hopes that he may be helpful to them and learn from the experience. Noah is uncomfortable connecting with others yet hopes that he may become more open with others.
Field Middle School
Walter Payton College prep2029
Amelia is a freshman with a passion for learning and a love for challenging herself academically. She enjoys reading a good book, spending time in the kitchen baking, and participating in competitions that push her to grow. Amelia has been involved in events like MATHCOUNTS, the Chicago Metro History Fair, and the Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS), where she’s demonstrated both curiosity and determination. Whether she's researching a historical topic, solving complex math problems, or conducting a science experiment, Amelia brings creativity, focus, and enthusiasm to everything she does. She looks forward to high school as an opportunity to explore new ideas, build her skills, and continue striving for excellence.
Pioneer Heritage Middle School
Dartmouth Middle School2033
Ryan is asixth grader who enjoys playing soccer for Bay Area Surf. He also has a passion for playing the trumpet and loves reading in his free time.
Walter Payton College Prep2029
Madina Mavlyankul is a curious and motivated student who enjoys exploring new ideas and challenging herself in and out of the classroom. She has participated in IJAS (regional and state), CONSEF, the History Fair (regional and state), and various math competitions. Outside of academics, she loves baking, reading, listening to music, and volunteering. Madina is proud to be part of In the Beginning, a nonprofit where she contributes to meaningful community work and continues to grow through service.
Allen High School2027
Madison is a senior who is a positive and outgoing volunteer who always carries a smile on her face when teaching her students.
Woodlawn Middle School2031
Daeun is 6th Grade. She enjoys rhythmic gymnastics and dreams of becoming a pilot someday.
Lincoln High School2028
Chayce is a passionate and dedicated volunteer who loves working with children and making a positive impact in their lives.
Valencia High SchoolJunior
Ellie is a junior at Valencia high school. She participates in both club and high school volleyball as her passion. She had a strong drive and work ethic to strive for her best accidentally to succeed. She is passionate about animals and interns at a veterinary clinic with hands-on experience. By working with In The Beginning, Ellie hopes to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for both children and families. She is also exciting to meet new people and connect with diverse people from all different backgrounds.
Amina is a driven and compassionate student who is committed to giving back to her community and making a difference in the lives of others.
Carolyn is a hardworking and enthusiastic volunteer who is dedicated to supporting her students and creating a positive learning environment.
Shepton High School2030
Belle is a freshman at Shepton High School in Plano, Texas, and a member of the Class of 2030. She has a passion for dance and proudly serves as a 2nd Lieutenant on her school’s drill team. She also enjoys tutoring and helping others learn and grow. Fluent in English and Korean, Belle has lived in Beijing, China, and Vancouver, Canada, giving her a unique appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. She looks forward to using her leadership and experiences to make a positive impact in her community.
Aiden is a friendly and helpful volunteer who enjoys working with children and making a difference in their lives.
Attea Middle School2030
Minha is an eighth grader at Attea Middle School. She enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with her friends and family. She is passionate about mathematics, tennis, and playing the violin. Ever since she was introduced to this organization, she has been dedicated to making a positive impact on the community. She hopes to help these refugees feel welcomed and supported throughout their time here.
Adlai E. Stevenson2029
Eliana is an freshman at Adlai E. Stevenson high school and has a passion for working with children, finding joy in helping them grow both academically, musically, and personally. She values the opportunity to make a real impact in children’s lives—especially by creating a fun, encouraging environment where every learner feels supported. Alongside her volunteer work, Eliana is an accomplished violinist with over ten years of experience. She has won numerous competitions and performed solos with orchestras, sharing her love for music with others. In her free time, she enjoys baking, skiing, surfing, and discovering new music.
Youth Development Director
Brown University
Johns Hopkins University
Purdue University
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Washington St. Louis
UIC GPPA
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Notre Dame
Bradley University
Loyola University
Harvard University
