Governance

 

At the beginning of each year, the GSA Executive Committee is elected by the broader graduate student body. The Executive Committee oversees the Senate budget and all GSA activities, can make appointments to fill Senate vacancies and can charter and disperse funds to graduate student clubs and organizations. Executive Committee members are expected to dedicate a minimum of two work hours per week.

Executive Committee

Following is a list of Executive Committee officers for the 2022-2023 academic year:

Marisa Lala
Marisa Lala
Co- Chair
Brandeis International Business School (MBA)
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Marisa is a second-year MBA student at Brandeis International Business School, concentrating on Finance and Strategy & Innovation. She has a strong background in accounting and financial consulting, starting her career as an auditor and later working as an M&A consultant at Deloitte for five years. Her academic journey began with studies in Malaysia before transferring to Albania, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Tirana.

Alongside her studies, Marisa has always been actively involved in extracurricular activities. She's been part of AIESEC, a student-run organization, where she took on the role of event manager. At Brandeis, she's taken up various positions including Teaching Assistant, Graduate Programming Assistant, and Student Ambassador, showing her enthusiasm for contributing to both academic and campus life. Marisa strives to be proactive and team-oriented both academically and professionally.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, painting and trying new cuisines.

As a co-chair she aims to increase students’ proactivity and engagement so that every graduate student at Brandeis can make the most out of their journey.

Srinidhi Lakshman
Srinidhi Lakshman
Co-chair
International Business School

Srinidhi is a second year MBA Student, specializing in Data Analytics and Marketing at Brandeis International Business School. She has diverse experience in the field of Business, Digital Marketing and Finance and is passionate about the impact that can be made through marketing, analytics and strategy. With a diverse background in business and technology, Srinidhi has gained valuable experience in various roles, including as a Marketing Analyst at GenY Medium, an Audit Assistant at Deloitte, and a Content Developer at Fast Bridge Consulting. She has demonstrated her ability to work well with clients, collaborate with teams, manage projects, and communicate effectively.

Srinidhi is quite active around the campus. She is an India Initiative Fellow, Admissions Ambassador, Library Assistant and also works for the Schumaster Center for Israel Studies, Brandeis. She is also interning at Dassault Systemes as a Digital Campaign Intern.

Apart from academics and work, she enjoys singing, Cooking and Baking, Working out and walking around Boston.

As a Co-chair, she wants to make sure the Graduate Students get to make the most of their Graduate student life and make the best use of resources GSA has to offer.

Yiqing (Sarah) Wang
Yiqing (Sarah) Wang
Director of Events & Marketing
International Business School

Yiqing (Sarah) Wang is a second-year MBA student at Brandeis International Business School, specializing in data analytics and marketing. With a strong professional journey, Sarah spent five years at HSBC Bank, dedicating four years to wealth management and an additional year to securities services. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from SUNY Buffalo.

Beyond her classes, she has also taken roles as Events and Programming Assistant of the Office of Academic Affairs and Student Experience (OAASE), Senator of the International Business School Student Association (IBSSA), and Co-President of the International Marketing Club at the International Business School.

She's all about getting things done smartly and efficiently. When she's not focusing on work and studies, you'll find her indulging in her passions for movies, Lego, and travel.

Now, in her role as Director of Events and Marketing, her vision is to break free from the confines of majors and graduate school bubbles, creating connections that go beyond the ordinary, and shaping memorable experiences for all members of graduate school.

Zijian Han
Zijian Han
Director of Treasury & Organizations

Zijian is a second year MA in international economics and finance candidate at Brandeis International Business School. He has an undergraduate degree from Shanghai University and the University of Technology Sydney, with majors in finance. He is interested in a data analysis concentration. Before his current graduate degree, Zijian did internships in China in asset management, investment banking, and marketing. He is looking forward to finding a job in asset management. When it comes to his personal interests, Zijian likes classical music and opera and watches them often. He is also a DJ and a good cook.

Mildred Delgado
Mildred Delgado
Director of Advocacy & Collaborations
Brandeis International Business School

Mildred is an MBA candidate at Brandeis International Business School with concentrations in Data Analytics and Marketing. Her undergraduate studies were in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing at Keiser University Latin American Campus. After her studies, Mildred started her career of 6 years in marketing and sales roles with exporting companies in the food industry, where she developed several skills such as leadership, creativity, work ethic, and teamwork. In 2022, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to pursue a Master's degree in the United States. At Brandeis, she is a member of the Fulbright Chapter, Director of Marketing of ALPFA chapter, and Co-president of International Marketing Club. She loves traveling, dancing, and meeting people from different cultures.

Benedict Dankwa Owusu
Benedict Dankwa Owusu
Director of Communications

Trained as a Journalist and a Public Relations personnel, Benedict has been working as a Sports Journalist for over 10 years and is also passionate about helping the poor in the community and the general development of society. He has covered major international sporting events including FIFA World Cups and contributed to global networks like the BBC, Aljazeera, etc, and won awards for producing compelling documentaries. He has successfully combined his work as a journalist and a social worker since 2019 when he worked with the National Health Insurance Authority, a pro-poor health system designed by the Ghana government to take care of the health needs of Ghanaians as their Digital Media Manager.  Benedict is now pursuing a Master’s in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management.

Quentin Cox
Quentin Cox
Board of Trustees Representative

Quentin Cox is a Social Policy doctoral student at Brandeis University. His research focuses on how historically Black institutions can leverage policy to reduce the racial wealth gap. He is a Racial Justice x Technology Policy Ph.D. Fellow at the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
 
Quentin earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Religion and Economic Justice from Vanderbilt University. While at Vanderbilt, he earned graduate certificates in “African American Diaspora Studies” and “Black Church Studies.” Additionally, he was awarded both the distinguished Umphrey Lee Dean’s Award and the Divinity Student Government Association Service Award.
 
Quentin served as an Air Force officer and is a former retail executive. He is also the founder of the Center for Urban Economic Justice (CUEJ), a non-profit organization committed to closing the racial wealth gap by building Black economic power and dismantling the “Road to Zero Wealth.” In this capacity, he leverages his military and corporate leadership experiences along with his academic scholarship to guide the CUEJ’s work.

The Graduate Student Senate makes important decisions on bettering the lives of graduate students.

The Senate is composed of one member from the Heller Student Association, one member from the International Business School Student Association and two members from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, one from the division of sciences and one from the division of humanities. social sciences, and the arts. The body meets monthly throughout the academic year to discuss issues, work on initiatives and gather feedback from the graduate student body.

GSA Senators

Akanksha Majumder
Akanksha Majumder
GSA Senator
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Akanksha is a driven professional with an enthusiasm for social development and is currently pursuing a Social Impact MBA at The Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Hailing from Northeast India, her journey has been defined by relentless dedication to making a positive impact on society. Akanskha has worked with various nonprofits across India, aiming to address core social issues surrounding dignity, rehabilitation, livelihood, and sanitation.

Sayan Biswas
Sayan Biswas
GSA Senator

Sayan is a third-year graduate student in the Molecular Cell Biology Program. From his earliest days at Brandeis, Sayan's passion for community engagement and advocacy was evident. Through GSA Senate, Sayan strives for an environment where all his peers can access highest quality support and resources. He is committed towards not just racial and gender diversity but also diversity in thoughts where everyone can freely express themselves. Understanding the unique challenges of international students, Sayan is particularly focused towards an inclusive environment beyond academic excellence where everyone can feel that they truly belong.

George Nekwaya
George Nekwaya
GSA Senator
International Business School

George is originally from Namibia. Since coming to Brandeis to pursue his MBA, George has been involved with various clubs and organizations. He is also passionate about social impact, volunteering with organizations focused on education and entrepreneurship. In his role as a GSA Senator, George hopes to bring his diverse professional and cultural perspectives to advocate for students and contribute positively to the Brandeis community.

Rafael Abrahams
Rafael Abrahams
GSA Senator
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (History PhD)

Rafael is a fourth-year History PhD student and Graduate Worker at the Brandeis Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. He researches Native American land claims in the early twentieth-century United States. He also teaches a University Writing Seminar for first-year undergraduate students on Autobiographical Comics. Rafael is a proud member of the Brandeis Graduate Workers Union, and believes that all workers at Brandeis deserve livable wages and complete healthcare packages. Outside of Brandeis, Rafael enjoys drawing comics and napping with his cat.