Malia grew up in Redondo Beach, California, where she developed a love for the beach, reading, and playing sports. With both of her parents working in education, she was especially inspired by her mother, a Special Education teacher, whose dedication to advocating for better accommodations and opportunities for her students left a lasting impact. That example fueled Malia’s own passion for community engagement and advocacy.

Now a senior at UCLA majoring in Political Science with a minor in Disability Studies, Malia plans to attend law school to pursue a career focused on social justice. She is deeply involved with Special Olympics and Unified at UCLA, where she works with a team of coaches to provide athletic training and social opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Malia also serves on the Outreach and Communications teams for UCLA’s Daily Bruin, where she helps foster community among the publication’s 600 members and works to connect the newsroom with the broader UCLA student body.

In her free time, Malia enjoys listening to music, reading, and playing basketball. She’s a dedicated Lakers fan and loves seeing the continued growth and visibility of the WNBA.

Malia joined Level Up Solutions as a Direct Support Professional and Overnight Staff Member for the Pathway Program. She is excited to build meaningful connections with participants and support them in leading empowered, independent lives.