Kyrene Pineda is a second year student at the University of California, San Diego, majoring in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology. As a Filipino-American and aspiring clinical psychologist/psychiatrist, Kyrene's commitment to youth mental health is shaped by personal experiences navigating cultural stigma and finding support through mentorship.

Drawn to the Thriving Asians community due to her passion for creating culturally responsive spaces where AANHPI youth feel heard, understood, and empowered, Kyrene hopes to help students build self-advocacy skills and access tools that support their mental well-being.

With a passionate mission to work closely with youth directly, Kyrene has practiced this through extensive mentoring experience, ranging from elementary classrooms, peer tutoring settings, and community-based research projects focused on mental health and social justice. These roles strengthened Kyrene's ability to lead with empathy, cultural humility, and an understanding of diverse student backgrounds, driving her to continue pursuing this mission professionally.

Through Thriving Asians, Kyrene looks forward to deepening their leadership and research skills while contributing meaningfully to youth-centered mental health initiatives.