Yaneli Gutierrez was born and raised in Oakland, where she grew up witnessing a lot of injustices, discrimination and violence in her community . When Yaneli got accepted into the Summer Legal Fellowship Program in UC Berkeley of Law, she learned about the system of law and government by participating in academic classes, exercises and mock trials. By doing so, she developed leadership skills, critical thinking and emotional intelligence.

Yaneli later graduated with an Associates Degree in Sociology with Honors and continues to support her community through her volunteer work. She has previous management and customer service experience which has contributed to her passion to help others through tough times. On her days off, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, taking road trips and spoiling her pup.