Governor Newsom announces appointments

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

Kaitlan Sakuma, of Monterey Park, has been appointed to the California Student Aid Commission. Sakuma has been an Intern for the Center of Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment Leadership Academy at the Office of Assemblymember Mike Fong since 2026. She was a Summer Intern at the Pasadena Convention Center in 2024. Sakuma was a Summer Intern at Pasadena Media in 2024. She is a Co-president Representative at Pasifika Asian Student Union and a member of the Pitzer Student Senate. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Sakuma is a Democrat.

Autumn Ragone, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the Youth Empowerment Commission. Ragone has been a Public Affairs Fellow at the Office of Mayor Daniel Lurie since 2025. She has been Co-Founder and Director at San Francisco Futuremakers Summer Program since 2025. Ragone has been an Executive Assistant at Asian American Voices Foundation since 2025. She was Director of Chinese Community Outreach at Marjan for Supervisor from 2023 to 2024. Ragone is President of the Admiral Callaghan Society, President of St. Ignatius Young Democrats Club, and Co-Captain of the St. Ignatius Varsity Speech and Debate Team. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ragone is not registered to vote.

Fabian Molina, of Stockton, has been appointed to the Youth Empowerment Commission. Molina has been a Climate Leader and South Stockton Community Representative at Public Health Advocates since 2026. He has held several positions at Stockton Service Corps since 2025, including Advisory Board Member, Building Blocks Fellow, and Youth Council Lead. He has been Founder of Serve Stockton since 2025. Molina was an Office Intern at the Office of Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom in the California State Assembly in 2026. He was a College Access Mentor at Improve Your Tomorrow from 2025 to 2026. Molina was a Peer Advocate at TRIO Transfer Student Support Services from 2024 to 2025. He was a Student Trustee at San Joaquin Delta College Board of Trustees from 2022 to 2023. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Molina is registered without party preference.

Leilani Wong, of Huntington Beach, has been appointed to the Youth Empowerment Commission. Wong has been a Young Adult Rare Representative since 2026. She has been a Founder and Author at Inclusive Stories Project since 2026. Wong has been Business Advisor and Social Media Manager to Komeya since 2025. She has been an Advocate and Story Contributor at Patients Rising and EveryLife Foundation since 2025. Wong is a Founder of Shine Bright Studios and Hearts & Harmony, a Youth Advisory Council Member of Support for Families, and a member of Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Wong is not registered to vote.

Eunice Kingsley Abel, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Youth Empowerment Commission. Abel has been a Server at Il Fornaio since 2025. She was Liaison at Youth Action Board, Waking the Village from 2025 to 2026. Abel was Youth Leadership Coordinator at Family Assistance Program from 2024 to 2025. Abel was an Intern for the Office of External Affairs at Office of Governor Gavin Newsom in 2024. She was Youth Advocate at Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc., from 2023 to 2024. Abel was Youth Ambassador at Operation New Hope from 2022 to 2023. She is a member of California Coalition of Youth. Abel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from the University of California, Riverside. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Abel is not registered to vote.