Aiyana Spencer-Lakes is a Boston native who grew up in Mattapan and Dorchester and was inspired by her parents' dedication to public service. She participated in the METCO program (Boston's historical, voluntary school integration program) and graduated from Brighton High School – experiences that fueled her passion for education and community engagement. After  receiving her MBA from Fisher College, she went on to work as program manager for YouthBuild Boston and then as Manager of Accountability and Sustainability for Boston Public Schools, where she focuses on expanded learning opportunities for students. In 2019, she founded MetaFold, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting METCO students and families.