Find A Youth Mentor

Hi all, my name is Kate Zipperer, and I’m a medical student living in Galveston, Texas. I’m originally from the Austin area, and studied biology at UT. I love to exercise, go to the beach, and travel. Snow-skiing is my favorite! I’m applying to dermatology residency next year, and I look forward to spending my life treating alopecia and connecting with my patients over this common bond. My alopecia story began when I was in the first grade, and was diagnosed with alopecia areata around the same time as my mother. As a child I was ashamed of this part of my life and kept it a secret. Once I started discussing it with others, it lost its power over me and I felt more free to be myself. I hope that I can be a friend to be there for others who are struggling with this condition. I currently mentor and tutor my fellow medical students as well as undergraduate students who are pre-med, and I look forward to connecting with my future mentees over this disease which has been so formative for me and many others.

Hi! My name is Laura and I am 17 years old. I live right outside of Philadelphia, PA and I am a junior in high school. I really enjoy playing volleyball, going to the beach, and traveling! During the summers, I volunteer at a hospital as I am planning on studying biology in college. I was diagnosed with alopecia areata when I was five years old, but it quickly progressed to universalis after all my hair fell out during the summer before first grade. My experience with alopecia was difficult at first, but being a part of the NAAF community has helped me embrace my alopecia! One thing I really look forward to every year is going to the NAAF conference. It is a lot fun and I have made so many friends who I keep in touch with throughout the year. I really look forward to getting to know you and helping you in any way that I can!

“Hi everyone! My name is Julissa. I am 23 years old and I am from Newark, New Jersey. I was diagnosed with alopecia universalis at 1 years old. I’ve experienced hair loss throughout my childhood. As a child, I depended on wigs to be my safe haven. After years of inner conflict, I was finally able to embrace who I am and not hesitate to share my beautiful story with the world. I aim to encourage others to feel free in their own skin. I remember as a child how difficult my journey and sometimes it still is. However, with my experiences I know I can have the opportunity to impact and be a part of someone else’s journey. Hair does not determine your worth or who you are as a person, only you determine that.”

Hey everyone! My name is Rachel and I'm a social worker & educator from Milwaukee, WI currently living in Chicago, IL. I love traveling, dancing, singing, baking, and connecting with others. My Alopecia journey began at 8 years old when I lost all the hair on my head, my eyebrows, & eyelashes. My hair grew back when I was 14 and for a few years I only had the occasional small bald patches. My alopecia journey came full circle this past year when all of my hair started falling out again. This time around, I decided to throw a party with friends and family & I buzzed all my hair off. I understand that Alopecia can come with so many different mixed feelings, approaches, and questions - no matter where you are in your Alopecia journey as a young person or as a caregiver, I'm here to help! I have experience with wigs (care, cut, color, options for every day use & options to wear for fun), different forms of treatment (cream, injections, thermal caps, etc.) navigating the emotions behind living with Alopecia, and practicing self care + stress management. I understand it might take awhile to feel comfortable sharing about your experience with Alopecia, so I'm comfortable moving at your pace. Reach out anytime :)

Hi, I’m John! I am a recent college graduate from Clifton Park, NY who now lives in Boston, MA working in employee benefits consulting for an insurance company. My interests include exercising, serving those in need, having deep conversations, listening to music, sports, and chilling with friends. I was diagnosed with alopecia areata when I was 7 years old and this shortly developed into alopecia universalis. At the time, I had difficulty accepting this disease, especially because my family moved shortly after I lost my hair, so I had to leave my childhood friends and start fresh in a new location. My parents always did their best to make me feel comfortable, but I never wanted to talk about it and I never met anyone who had alopecia. This led me to develop anxiety and depression in my late teenage years and early adulthood. Through my hardships, I found people who really care about me and who love me unconditionally in school, soccer, and volunteering. Now, I feel more at peace with myself than ever and am now ready to share my story. I am more than excited to be a part of this great program and let young kids with alopecia know that they are not alone!

Hello! My name is Mikayla Mango. I am 18 years old, I was diagnosed with alopecia when I was 13 and a 7th grader in middle school. I lost all of my hair and wore a wig for 3 years, I now get spots at random around my scalp. I kept my alopecia very private up until March of 2022. I want to show everyone that their voice matters, I want to help be the light at the end of the tunnel for those who feel in the dark. I have been a part of NAAF for 3 years now and continue my advocacy work but am very eager to help others along their amazing journeys!

I live in Chestnut Hill, MA, and work at the Animal Rescue League of Boston and Gillette Stadium (Go Pats!). I have had alopecia since kindergarten, but lost the majority of my hair the summer before my senior year of high school. I remember going for my first wig, absolutely hating it, and not only being devastated, but furious because I felt as though my hair had been taken away from me. That was the summer of 2010. In the spring of 2012 I lost my eyebrows, and in the fall, my eyelashes. I remember learning how to draw on my eyebrows and watching YouTube videos to learn how to wear fake eyelashes. Soon after losing my eyebrows, I got them tattooed on, and in 2015, I got my bottom eyeliner. Yes it kills, but yes I love them. Ever since, I am in full hair and makeup almost every day. From crying so hard I could barely stand, to showing the boyfriend I thought I would never find what I look like without my hair on, I know what it feels like to hate being bald. I’d be lying if I said I was comfortable with my alopecia, but after my first NAAF conference in 2013, my world started turning in a different direction, in a positive direction. I want everyone to know that it is okay to wear a wig, and that you can still be your super awesome self with one on! I love talking to people and would love to talk to you about wigs, make up, and cute animals!

My name is Sam, and I am originally from Utah, but I spent much of my life in New Hampshire and Idaho. I am now back living in Utah for school. I am student at Utah Valley University studying Digital Marketing and Business Administration. I lived in the Dominican Republic for a year and half, where I became fluent in Spanish, and also where my struggle with alopecia began. A couple months before I returned home from my time there, I noticed a bald spot on my head. I got treatment for it and didn’t have any more fallout until a month before I got married in August of 2017. Since then I’ve pretty consistent loss, and although I still have my own hair, it gets thinner and I find new spots every day, so it’s just something I have learned to accept and own. Alopecia runs in my family, and I witnessed my mom struggle with it pretty much my entire life. I watched how hard she took it and how much she struggled with confidence and feeling normal, so I decided to become a mentor so I could help someone to own their alopecia at a young age, so they don’t go through the same struggles my mom has as an adult. I’ve learned you can’t let alopecia get in the way of you living your life and it is so important to continue doing all the things you love. I love to be outdoors, I am really in to skiing, rock climbing, hiking and biking. I hope to be a friend, a support, and a guide, and to be more involved in the alopecia community.

Hello, my name is Luke Krupski and I am from Canton, Michigan. I am currently a junior attending Grand Valley State University pursuing a degree in biomedical science. I aspire to become a physician assistant in the future and love science. I enjoy hiking, watching movies, and golfing. My alopecia journey started when I was in 5th grade when I noticed that I had two bald spots on my head. During this time, I was self-conscious about being different and sought treatment. I grew my hair out a little longer to cover up the spots and I received injections in my head for multiple months. Eventually, my hair grew back and it stayed that way for two years. Once again, in 7th I found multiple bald spots on my head and I went back to the dermatologist to receive treatment. Soon enough, my hair grew back again and everything went back to normal. In 9th grade my hair started to fall out again and this time it fell out faster and in a much larger area. I went back to recieve treatment but nothing seemed to work. Eventually, my hair completely fell out and after many treatment attempts I decided that I was comfortable without hair. I stopped treatment and have had alopecia universalis ever since. Today, I couldn’t imagine myself with hair. I truly think that I became a much more confident person through the process. Overall, alopecia was scary at first but it brought out the best in me.

My Name is Kylie Clowney, I’m 22 years old and I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, right outside of Philadelphia. I currently work at Blue Moon Florist in Chester County and love it! I love plants, flowers & the outdoors! I love going on hikes, dancing, yoga, exploring new places, trying new foods and hanging out with my friends. Philadelphia has my heart, and it’s one of my favorite places to be. I have had alopecia areata universalis almost my whole life, with my hair falling out and coming back up until 3rd grade. It then thinned out pretty heavy, until I finally shaved it all in 7th grade! I have never worn a wig, and love being bald. Alopecia has become a big part of my life, and I love talking to others and educating them about it. NAAF has been an amazing part of my life since I was young, and a great tool in helping me tell others about my alopecia. I am so excited to be a part of this program, and hopefully change lives as NAAF helped change mine!