Miss USA Savannah Gankiewicz 'Very Empathetic' Toward Noelia Voigt After Her Resignation (Exclusive)

Gankiewicz tells PEOPLE she's hoping to 'uplift' the organization after both Voigt and former Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava stepped down

• Savannah Gankiewicz was crowned Miss USA 2023 on May 15 following Noelia Voigt's resignation earlier this month

• "I'm so glad that the former title holder is getting ... help," Gankiewicz tells PEOPLE after Voigt cited mental health reasons for stepping down

• Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava announced she was resigning from her title just days after Voigt

New Miss USA Savannah Gankiewicz is speaking out about taking over the crown following Noelia Voigt's recent resignation.

While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the GRAMMY Museum Inaugural Hall of Fame Gala in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 21, Gankiewicz, 28, insisted she wanted to "uplift" the organization amid the controversy surrounding it over the past few weeks.

Former Miss USA 2023 Voigt, 24, and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, both resigned from their titles within days of each other earlier this month.

Voigt, who was crowned in September, confirmed she was stepping down on Instagram on May 6, citing her mental health. She later told PEOPLE that she’s “always going to be an advocate for mental health awareness and support."

“The fact that I've been able to kind of shed a light on that and be someone that people can look up to in that sense — and let people know that if something isn't good for you, it's okay to step away from it," she added. "I'm grateful to be that beacon of light for people."

Related: Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt Didn't Know Miss Teen USA Was Also Resigning, Calls Her a 'Strong Young Woman’ (Exclusive)

Srivastava then announced her decision to relinquish her crown two days after Voigt, sharing that her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”

Commenting on the resignations, Gankiewicz tells PEOPLE, "I definitely am very empathetic toward the former title holders, and I'm so glad that the former title holder is getting ... help."

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Gankiewicz was crowned the new Miss USA at a ceremony in her native state of Hawaii on May 15. "This is a huge opportunity and a responsibility and I'm just so honored that I was able to take this position as Miss USA." she tells PEOPLE of receiving the honor. "And I really, really hope that I can really uplift this organization and keep it going because this is something that I truly believe in."

Insisting she wants to "be able to use my voice and spread awareness" about things important to her like speaking out about the deadly Maui wildfires, Gankiewicz tells PEOPLE, "Not only that, all the new girls coming in the class of 2024, they deserve to have a Miss USA and I just want to be here and to support them."

Gankiewicz's comments come after she spoke about her decision to accept the crown while taking to the stage at last week's ceremony at Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach.

Related: Before Miss USA Resignations, Ex-Employee Spoke Out About Alleged 'Toxicity' and 'Bullying' at the Organization

“While this decision was not made lightly, I firmly believe that this opportunity was meant for me and I am ready to make a positive impact with this organization that I hold dear to my heart,” she said, per CNN.

“I am dedicated to taking action and making a difference. With my background as a certified mental health first aid responder and training in anti-bullying suicide prevention, I understand, the importance of prioritizing your well-being and advocating for those in need," Gankiewicz added, according to the outlet. "I believe that the true change starts from within and I am determined to lead by example and empower the class of 2024 and beyond."

Gankiewicz had previously discussed Voigt's resignation in a statement shared on Instagram. “I fully support and respect Noelia’s decision to step down, and I stand in solidarity with mental health awareness,” she said.

“I accept the crown knowing that I have been uplifted by my supporters, family, friends, and the people of Hawaii throughout this journey. I accept this title on their behalf," she added.

Amid the controversy following Voigt and Srivastava's resignations, their mothers Jackeline Voigt and Barbara Srivastava sat down with Good Morning America to call for changes within the Miss USA pageant system.

“I want to make [it] clear, it’s not about what they can get, the prizes … it’s about how they were ill-treated, abused, bullied and cornered,” Barbara claimed. "The job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare."

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"We are committed to fostering a healthy, communicative and supportive environment for all contestants, state titleholders, national titleholders and staff," the Miss USA organization told ABC News in a statement.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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