Gilbert Achay spent over a decade in local and national nonprofits, engaged in youth programs and health advocacy. For nine years he worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, serving the company’s philanthropic initiatives on racial and health equity. He was also involved in Blue Cross’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as the chair of an employee affinity group. Gilbert has sat on several nonprofit boards, including his current service at Voices for Racial Justice. Originally from Hawai’i, Gilbert grew up learning about his grandparents’ experiences as union workers in the sugarcane plantation fields. This spurred his interest in organizing and contributing to social causes that address power imbalances. He studied for his B.S. Degree in Developmental Psychology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where he recently returned to study Holistic and Integrative Health at the Center for Spirituality and Healing. Gilbert aims to combine community work with his passion for wellness, purpose, and meaning.