Meet our 2026 Steering Committee!

Marcel-Omar Joya serves as Chair of Pass Young Democrats, helping build a political home where young people can organize, lead, and shape the decisions affecting their communities.

Marcel brings a background in youth and LGBTQ+ advocacy, including work as a Transitional Age Youth Program Coordinator with Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance and public education around Trans Day of Visibility. As Chair, Marcel is focused on growing young people’s political power across the San Gorgonio Pass and building a region where everyone can belong, participate, and thrive.

Megan Garcia is a Beaumont community leader, esthetician, and fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and stronger public schools across the San Gorgonio Pass. She serves as Secretary of the Pass Community Foundation, sits on the Inland Equity Community Land Trust board, and is running for Beaumont Unified School Board, District 4. Through her work with PYD, Megan is focused on making local government and education more responsive to young people, working families, and communities too often left out of the decisions shaping their lives. 

Marco Santana is a Banning community leader, housing professional, and Historic Preservation Commissioner. He works with Riverside County Housing & Workforce Solutions and has spent his career helping people experiencing homelessness access stable housing and supportive services. Marco is also a co-founder of A Better Banning and is running for Banning City Council, District 4. Through PYD, he brings a strong focus on housing, public accountability, and making local government work better for working families.

Joselyn Garcia-Rojas is a Banning native, Banning High School graduate, and workforce development professional with Riverside County. Her background spans employment services, education, and career training, including work with San Bernardino County, the Los Angeles Job Corps Center, and Beaumont Unified School District. She also serves on Banning Unified’s Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee and as Treasurer of Pass Community Foundation. Through PYD, Joselyn brings a strong commitment to expanding educational and economic opportunity for working families across the Pass. 

Francisco Ramos is a founding member and alumnus of Pass Young Democrats, a longtime Whitewater resident, and a retired historian with the Banning Library District. With more than a decade of experience working and volunteering on campaigns, Francisco brings deep knowledge of the Pass and a long commitment to helping residents understand local government, run for office, and build political power in communities too often left out.

Chris Castorena is a co-founder of Pass Young Democrats, a Banning Planning Commissioner, and a Project Manager with Pass Community Foundation. His work focuses on inclusive economic development, civic participation, responsible growth, and making sure working-class communities have a real voice in the decisions shaping the San Gorgonio Pass. Through PYD, Chris helps build young people’s political power and push for good jobs, affordable living, stronger public institutions, and government that answers to the people who live here.