NEWSTiburon Teen Avery Fisher Appointed to California’s Youth Empowerment Commission
Oct. 15 2026, Published 2:55 a.m. ET
Tiburon teenager Avery Emerson Fisher has spent much of the past six years inspiring people to care about the ocean. Now, the 16-year-old will have a voice in California government.
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Fisher to the state's Youth Empowerment Commission on October 9, bringing a young Marin County conservation advocate onto a panel that advises state leaders on issues affecting Californians ages 14 to 25.
Fisher's background is rooted in the Bay Area's marine community. She is an ambassador for San Francisco's Aquarium of the Bay and a 2026 PADI AmbassaDiver, a role that involves promoting scuba diving and ocean conservation.
She began diving at age 10 during the COVID-19 pandemic, training at the Marin Diving Center in San Rafael and practicing at the Tiburon Peninsula Club. What started as a way to explore something new quickly became a serious interest. Fisher continued earning diving certifications and found opportunities to introduce others to marine life.
According to PADI, she has since helped raise more than $500,000 for marine conservation initiatives. Her involvement has included public speaking and encouraging other young people to explore the ocean themselves.
Earlier this year, Fisher became a PADI AmbassaDiver, expanding that work beyond Northern California. The role has taken her to diving destinations including Monterey and the Bahamas, where she has continued advocating for greater youth participation in the sport.
"I see my partnership with PADI as a way to help make diving cool for people my age and to be as knowledgeable as possible about the ocean to help save it," Fisher told diving publication Divernet in March.
Her new position introduces her to a different form of advocacy.
California's Youth Empowerment Commission was established to bring younger residents into discussions about state policy. Its 13 voting members advise the governor and Legislature on matters affecting young people, with particular attention to communities whose concerns may receive less attention from policymakers.
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The commission's work covers issues well beyond environmental protection, including education and housing. Members participate in public hearings and help develop recommendations for state leaders.
Fisher has not announced specific policy priorities following her appointment. Her previous work has largely involved helping people understand ocean conservation, while the commission will ask her to consider concerns raised by young Californians from across the state.
Newsom's announcement confirmed that Fisher's appointment does not require Senate confirmation. The position pays $100 per diem.
The commission's next scheduled meeting is November 21 in Fresno, following a youth forum the previous day. Fisher's appointment comes as the panel continues its efforts to bring young residents into California's policy discussions.
