Failed youth advisory boards are not neutral missteps—they create measurable organizational risk. When youth engagement is under-designed, organizations face reputational damage, staff burnout, governance confusion, ethical exposure, and program instability. These risks stem not from youth participation, but from the absence of clear roles, decision-making authority, and protection structures. Without intentional design, youth initiatives become liabilities that weaken trust, operations, and long-term sustainability

Youth Leader shares how his lived experience in foster care fuels his commitment to ensuring youth are seen, heard and valued. He expresses that youth perspectives aren’t just important; they’re essential to building systems that are supportive, stable and compassionate.

Youth Leader shares how being part of this work has given her a sense of belonging and purpose. She chooses to advocate for youth with lived experience, bringing overlooked issues into the light so systems cause less harm. Through this structure and community, she’s learned more about legislative and funding challenges affecting youth and discovered the power of staying loud until youth are heard.

Why Most Youth Advisory Boards Fail (and How to Fix Them)

Built from lived experience and years of leading a state-funded Youth Advisory Board, this insight explores why youth voice so often stalls at feedback, and what it takes to design youth engagement that leads to real systems change.