Mental Health Policy Fellow

Ana O’Quin, LMSW

Education:

• Bachelor of Social Work from Baylor University 

• Master of Social Work from the University of Texas 

Experience: Ana brings with her a passion for and diverse experience in macro-level policy work and youth engagement. She has been a camp counselor and youth mentor numerous times at camps and programs such as Kids Across America, Camp Nikos, and PALs. 

While at Baylor, Ana engaged in a community-based participatory research project on the SNAP program through the Center for Public justice that sparked her interest in the connection between youth voice and policy change. At the University of Texas, she led the National Alliance of Mental Illness’s (NAMI) youth and mental policy work at the 87th legislature, and most recently served as the mental health referral coordinator with Dell Medical School’s psychiatry and behavioral health TCHATT program. Ana cares deeply about creating systems that help Texas girls thrive. When she is not doing policy work, she runs an Austin matcha review account, reads by the pool, and plays piano. 

What I love about Girls Empowerment Network: I am the woman I am today because of the powerful women I was mentored by and looked up to, and the ways that their guidance helped me believe in myself. Our organization sees the power and capability of girls, and advocates for policies that holistically supports them and their strength. I love the way GIRL’s advocacy work centers the real voices and lived experiences of youth in a way that is vital but unique to nonprofit work. 

Contact me if you have inquiries about:

• Policy advocacy at Girls Empowerment Network 

• Grassroots organization opportunities

• The Spark Change Project’s connection to our policy work