SpeakUp!

Ashley Wang, Founder & Teacher

Hi, my name is Ashley and I’m a senior at The Branson School. I started SpeakUp in public libraries in hopes of fostering an early love for sharing your voice. In middle school, I was a part of the Speech Team for all three years and attended the Margie Burke Speech Tournament, where I became 8th Grade All-Around Champion.

In school now, I am Co-Captain of the Branson Debate Team where I am a Policy Debater, placing top 16 in my division my sophomore year at the UC Berkeley Debate Tournament. I am also involved as a Community Engagement Coordinator, member of the Girls Varsity Tennis Team, and leader of the Asian American Affinity. Outside of school, I am an Elections Ambassador with the League of Women Voters and intern at the Marin History Museum.

Keo Robinson, Teacher

Hi, my name is Keo Robinson, and I am currently a junior at Marin Academy. I attended Mount Tamalpais School for elementary and middle school, where I was a member of the speech team for two years, led by Deborah Malcolm. During this time, I participated in Dramatic Interpretation, Impromptu, and Original Prose and Poetry. Over those two years, I competed in the Margie Burke Speech Tournament, earning several awards, including the 2nd Place Overall Champion in 8th grade.

At Marin Academy, I have been actively involved in various academic extracurriculars. I am the co-creator and co-lead of the Debate Team. I have participated in Mock Trial for two years; as a freshman, I served as the Pretrial Defense Attorney where I earned an Outstanding Performance Award, and this year, as a sophomore, I am a Defense Attorney. Additionally, I have been a part of Model United Nations for two years, participating in DISEC at the 2024 Nueva Conference, and the African Union at Stanford Model United Nations Conference 2024.

Elsie Chamberlain, Teacher

Hi, my name is Elsie, and I’m a senior at Cate School. I work at SpeakUp to inspire younger students to share their voices and build confidence through speech and debate. I discovered my own love for public speaking in middle school, where I earned Gold at the Margie Burke Speech Tournament.

At Cate, I am a dedicated member of Model UN, where I had the opportunity to attend the Harvard Conference in 2025. I also serve as Captain of the Girls Varsity Tennis Team and as a Round Square Delegate, which allows me to take part in international conferences and service projects with students from around the world.

Speech and debate have shaped my leadership and confidence, and through SpeakUp, I hope to pass that experience on to the next generation of young speakers.