Team

Talia Cole

Founder & Executive Director

With a deep passion for empowering youth through education, Talia Cole founded Media Savvy Teens to tackle the growing challenges of misinformation in the digital age. Drawing from a strong background in internet safety and policy, Talia leads the organization’s mission to equip teens with critical media literacy skills.

Through their leadership, Media Savvy Teens has become a trusted resource for students, educators, and parents, offering tools and programs that promote responsible online engagement. Talia’s vision continues to inspire meaningful change, fostering a generation of confident and informed digital citizens.

Maddie Homer

Secretary

Maddie is a sophomore in high school who loves traveling and spending time at the beach. She is passionate about media literacy and believes that Media Savvy Teens plays a crucial role in helping young people navigate the digital world. With so much information available online, it can be difficult to determine what is true and what is misleading. Maddie understands how easily misinformation can spread and why it’s important for teens to develop critical thinking skills when engaging with media. Through Media Savvy Teens, she hopes to help others become more informed, responsible, and confident digital citizens.

Isabelle Arguirre

Volunteer Director

Isabelle Aguirre is a sophomore at Southwest High School in the Imperial Valley. Passionate about medicine, global issues, and advocacy, she is dedicated to promoting equality in all aspects of life. Through Media Savvy Teens, Isabelle hopes to help reduce teen unawareness of media cues and critical thinking skills, empowering young people to interpret information accurately and responsibly. She believes that media literacy is essential in today’s digital world and wants to equip teens with the tools to navigate it effectively.

Alex Heller

Outreach Director & Chapter President

I am passionate about helping teens harness the power of media to connect with their communities while also empowering them to think critically and engage responsibly with digital content. In today’s fast-paced, media-driven world, young people have endless opportunities to use social platforms and digital tools to share their voices, advocate for important issues, and build meaningful connections. I believe that by equipping teens with the right skills and knowledge, they can become more confident, informed, and proactive in shaping positive change within their communities. Through media education and awareness, I hope to inspire young people to use digital platforms not just for entertainment, but as a force for engagement, empowerment, and impact.

Alex lessen

Researcher

My name is Alex, and I’m a junior in high school. I have a passion for both athletics and finance, playing tennis competitively while also dedicating time to studying the stock market. In my free time, I enjoy trading stocks, watching sports, and researching businesses and their trends over time. I find it fascinating to analyze how companies grow and adapt in an ever-changing market. Whether on the court or in the world of finance, I am always looking for ways to challenge myself, improve my skills, and deepen my understanding of the strategies that lead to success.

Yael Fishman

Managing Director

Hi, I’m Yael Fishman, and I’m the managing executive for Media Savvy Teens. I help oversee the programs that Media Savvy Teens offer. With great responsibility and dedication, I help ensure that the organization effectively meets its mission and productively accomplishes all that we strive to achieve. I’m incredibly passionate about Media Savvy Teens pivotal role in educating and providing international help with efficiently navigating our digital world. Paving the way for improving media literacy and doing so with great confidence.

Emma Burke

Student Intern

Hi, my name is Emma Burke, and I’m a student intern for Media Savvy Teens. I help with fundraisers, events, articles, and anything else I am needed to do, and I joined because I am passionate about creating a safer internet for us and for the future. Being part of Media Savvy Teens has allowed me to combine my interests in technology, media, and community service, while giving me the opportunity to plan events, write articles, and support initiatives that spread awareness about online safety. As a student, I know how important it is for young people to feel empowered and informed online, and I love being part of an organization that helps build digital literacy and creates a positive impact for my generation and those to come.

Maya kaplan

Chapter President

Hi, my name is Maya! I am a student at Spanish River High School, and I’m passionate about supporting my peers and helping them succeed. Through my involvement with media, I enjoy guiding students as they learn how to use technology and digital platforms in positive and effective ways. Beyond just academics, I care about helping others navigate the challenges of high school, whether that means offering advice, encouragement, or simply being someone they can count on. My goal is to influence those around me in uplifting ways and contribute to creating a school environment where everyone feels confident, supported, and empowered.