Dakota Hall is a renowned national leader, organizer, and strategist with nearly a decade of experience in leading youth organizations and movements. With expertise in fundraising, organizational development, and campaign and organizing strategies, Dakota has made a significant impact on the landscape of youth civic engagement.

Dakota holds degrees in Finance and American Indian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His passion for organizing led him to found Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) in Wisconsin, which has become the state's largest youth civic engagement powerhouse. Starting with just $5,000 in seed funding, LIT grew under Dakota's leadership from a city-based group to a statewide force with over a dozen chapters and a $4 million budget by the time of his departure. LIT mobilizes Black and Brown young people through legislative campaigns, base building, and political initiatives.

As the Executive Director of the Alliance for Youth Action and Alliance for Youth Organizing, Dakota oversees the largest grassroots youth organizing network in the United States. In this role, he provides strategic direction and support to a vast network of youth-led organizations across the country, empowering them to engage in effective advocacy, build power within their communities, and drive progressive change. His leadership fosters collaboration and innovation, ensuring that young organizers have the resources and guidance they need to succeed in their advocacy, base building, and civic engagement campaigns.

A hallmark of Dakota's career is his exceptional fundraising ability, having raised over $50 million to support various initiatives and organizations. His strategic vision and leadership have led to multiple campaign victories, most notably the successful effort to remove Milwaukee Police from Public Schools. This campaign not only addressed systemic issues but also created a safer, more inclusive environment for students, demonstrating Dakota's commitment to transformative change.

Dakota's work has been featured in numerous publications, including CNN, Pod Save America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, VOX, and The Washington Post. He is also the co-author of the report "From Freedom to Failure: Dismantling Milwaukee’s School to Prison Pipeline" with the Youth Power Agenda.

Dakota's dedication to empowering youth and building equitable communities continues to drive his efforts, making him a pivotal figure in the movement for social justice and civic engagement.