Jaya is a Nepalese American graduate of Occidental College. As an undergraduate, Jaya assisted low-income clients with their immigration cases at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, and worked with the Education Rights Project at Public Counsel to advocate for marginalized students in school discipline and special education cases. She became dedicated to ending mass incarceration through her work at the Justice for Girls Coalition, where she facilitated a youth advocacy program for incarcerated girls. In her free time, Jaya enjoys trivia, ultimate frisbee, and flea markets.