Wednesday, September 30, 2026
7:00–8:30 AM
Phoenix Country Club
WELCOME!
Today, you will meet inspiring teen entrepreneurs and see how Aspiring Youth Academy helps Arizona teens build confidence, develop skills, and imagine new possibilities for their futures.
ORDER OF EVENTS
7:00-7:30 AM
Camp Exploration and Networking
Visit teen business booths, shop student products, participate in the silent auction, and enjoy coffee and networking.
7:30-7:35 AM
Welcome and Camp Roll Call
Bridget Costello, Executive Director, Aspiring Youth Academy
7:35-7:40 AM
Campfire Sing-Along
“Wonderwall,” featuring AYA camper Leon Joot
7:40-7:50 AM
Sunrise Breakfast
7:50-7:55 AM
Creating Possibilities for Arizona Teens
Ashley Woodburn, AYA Program Manager, followed by the AYA Camp Video
7:55-7:56 AM
Meet Our Panel Facilitator
Lara Svedin, co-host of the Unbuttoned CEO Podcast
7:56-8:26 AM
Trailblazer Panel Discussion
AYA teen business owners and future innovators share their entrepreneurial journeys.
8:26-8:28 AM
Fuel the Journey: Call to Give
8:28-8:30 AM
Camp Closing and Final Remarks
Bridget Costello, Executive Director, Aspiring Youth Academy
Meet Lara Svedin
Lara Svedin is an entrepreneur, REALTOR®, athlete, mother, and co-host of the Unbuttoned CEO Podcast. Through the podcast, she shares the honest stories behind entrepreneurship and celebrates the grit, setbacks, and lessons that shape successful leaders.
Learn more about Lara
and her partner Callandra Bodilis,
CLICK HERE.
Meet Our Teen Trailblazers
Visit the Teen Entrepreneur Vendor Village during today’s Camp Exploration and Networking! Meet the young people behind the ideas, discover what they’re building, shop their creations, and support Arizona’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Aaron Castro-Corral
Pure Harvest
High school sophomore and member of Team Pure Harvest, which grew from AYA’s Spring Innovation Camp to 1st Place at the Arizona State Invention Convention and the Henry Ford Invention Convention National Competition. Aaron is now an AYA intern through the State Forty Eight collaboration.
Today: Hear how an idea at Camp grew into something much bigger.
Seojoo Shin
FinLit Pop
High school senior and second-year AYA Future Innovators mentee who has participated in Spring Innovation Camp, financial literacy programming, and volunteering with other youth. She is now developing FinLit Pop, a youth-focused financial literacy campaign.
Today: Hear how her AYA experiences inspired her to create an initiative of her own.
William “Will” Leckey
Pure Harvest
High school junior and member of Team Pure Harvest, which advanced from AYA’s Spring Innovation Camp to 1st Place at the Arizona State Invention Convention and the Henry Ford Invention Convention National Competition. Will is now an AYA intern through the State Forty Eight collaboration.
Today: Hear what the journey taught him about teamwork, entrepreneurship, and pushing beyond his limits.
Yamily Macias
SincerelYours
Recent high school graduate, GCU student, and founder of SincerelYours. An AYA Future Innovators mentee, Aspire to Pitch! participant, and Spring Innovation Camper, Yamily became the youngest graduate of Local First Arizona’s small business program and a featured designer at Latina Fashion Week.
Today: Hear how Yamily turned her creativity into a growing business—and visit her SincerelYours pop-up in the Vendor Village.
Leon Joot
Today’s Musical Guest
Recent high school graduate and ASU student studying Chemistry, with an interest in Materials Chemistry Research & Development and a future career as a materials scientist. Leon is also a returning AYA Spring Innovation Camper and musician who enjoys playing guitar.
Today: Leon takes the stage as our musical guest, helping us relive a favorite moment from the 2026 Spring Innovation Camp with a special performance of “Wonderwall” by Oasis — and everyone is invited to sing along!
Teen Entrepreneur Vendor Village
Visit the Teen Entrepreneur Vendor Village during today’s Camp Exploration and Networking! Meet the young people behind the ideas, discover what they’re building, shop their creations, and support Arizona’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
AYA INTERNSHIP TEAM × STATE FORTY EIGHT
Designed by Students. Created with Purpose.
Meet Aaron Castro-Corral, Aaradhya Panda, Anna Cabrera Laureano, Asher Perez, Isaac Saucedo Duran, Adelina “Lina” Herrera, and William “Will” Leckey — seven high school students from across Arizona behind Aspiring Youth Academy’s first fundraising T-shirt collaboration with State Forty Eight.
Through a 30+ hour hands-on internship offered through AYA’s Future Innovators Mentorship Program, the students gained real-world experience in design, marketing, fundraising, and launching a real product.
Working alongside State Forty Eight, one of Arizona’s most recognizable local brands and a supporter of local entrepreneurship, the students brought their ideas, creativity, and voices to the process — creating a shirt with intention and a purpose beyond the design.
THIS SHIRT GIVES BACK.
The AYA × State Forty Eight T-shirt was created to help raise funds for opportunities for Arizona teens.
Your support helps send teens to Innovation Camp and keeps AYA’s entrepreneurship, financial literacy, mentoring, internships, and hands-on learning opportunities free for youth and families.
GIVE TODAY. WEAR THE IMPACT.
Make your Arizona Tax Credit contribution today, and as a special thank-you for investing in Arizona youth, receive the first AYA × State Forty Eight T-shirt — a $48 value — while supplies last.
2026 ARIZONA TAX CREDIT GIVING
- Individual Married Filing Jointly
- QCO Tax Credit Up to $506 Up to $1,009
- QFCO Tax Credit Up to $632 Up to $1,262
- QCO + QFCO Up to $1,138 Up to $2,271
Designed by students. Powered by community. Creating opportunities for Arizona youth.
The AYA × State Forty Eight T-shirt (retail value $48) is offered as a complimentary donor appreciation gift during the Community Breakfast, while supplies last.
Olina Fong
The Colors of Kindness
Discover The Colors of Kindness, a children’s book created through AZ AANHPI for Equity’s 2026 Youth Fellowship Group. Follow Kai on a colorful journey through Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander cultures, food dishes, friendship, and belonging.
Support: Visit Olina’s booth to learn more and make a donation to receive a copy of The Colors of Kindness.
Book Order/Donation Form: CLICK HERE
Julian Reyes
AZ Turns, Burns & More
At just 15, Julian has been building his woodworking business for a year and a half, creating hand-turned fine pens, bowls, pizza cutters, and other one-of-a-kind pieces designed to last for generations.
Support: Visit Julian’s booth to shop his handcrafted creations and enter the raffle for his handcrafted Zenith Pen.
Shop & Learn More:
https://www.azturns.com/
Braden Shuster & Sahil Aggarwal
Dollars & Decisions
Braden and Sahil are the teen founders of Dollars & Decisions, a youth-led financial literacy program helping young people build confidence around saving, budgeting, investing, and making informed financial decisions. Both are also leading members of SWIFT, continuing their commitment to youth leadership and community impact.
Connect: Interested in program delivery or exploring a partnership with Dollars & Decisions?
Email: dollarsdecisionsaz@gmail.com
Support SWIFT: Help support youth-led programs and opportunities by making a donation.
Donate to SWIFT
Yamily Macias
SincerelYours
Yamily transforms secondhand clothing into stylish, creative, and one-of-a-kind fashion through her growing business, SincerelYours. Inspired by creativity, sustainability, and faith, her work celebrates individuality and reminds others that they too are one of a kind.
Support: Shop Yamily’s creations, book a styling consultation, or make a donation to support her growing business.
Shop/Book a Style Consult: https://sincerelyoursaz.com/
Thank you to our Invest in Innovation Breakfast Sponsors
Support Arizona Teens
Your support provides free entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial education programs for Arizona teens.
DONATE
To Make a Donation and Tax Credit Contribution, CLICK HERE.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteer or become a mentor, CLICK HERE.
