Executive Board
Aadhithya Manimaran
President
Aadhithya Manimaran
he/him | Senior | Molecular and Cell Biology
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Reading, video games, anime/Marvel movies, food, and watching soccer
Service Passions:
Education, environment, and youth opportunities
About me:
Hello! My name is Aady, and I’m a 4th year MCB major from San Jose, CA! I’m honored to serve as Cal Rotaract’s President for 2022, having been a Fellowship and Interact chair in the past couple years. When I’m not in class or at a Rotaract event, you’ll probably find me working in my MCB lab, getting boba, or playing video games! I love talking about soccer, Marvel, and really anything else so feel free to say hi if you ever see me around 🙂
Why Rotaract?
As a 1st year at Berkeley, I never really considered joining any clubs, despite having been in Interact in high school. However, after a friend got me to come to my first Rotaract General Meeting I was hooked. I spent most of my time in Interact Committee that semester, helping with CBRS Stayover planning and also being a group leader to show Interactors around Berkeley! I’ve found that Rotaract is a great place to give back to the Berkeley and international community while also having a family who I can depend on for anything.
Genevieve Bellavance
Vice President
Genevieve Bellavance
they/she | Junior | Sociology
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
listening to music, playing with makeup, eating vanilla ice cream, sleeping
Service Passions:
gender equality, lgbtq+ advocacy, mental health awareness, education, environmental sustainability, Black Lives Matter and racial justice
About me:
Hello! I’m Genevieve, nice to meet you! I am currently serving as one of Cal Rotaract’s Vice Presidents, but you may have seen me as Interact Committee Stayover in 2021. Outside of Rotaract you can find me at rehearsal with BareStage, jamming out to tunes, or eating good food with even better friends! I’m super excited for another year on Cal Rotaract’s board and I can’t wait for you all to see what we have in store for y’all:)
Why Rotaract?
In high school, I joined Interact and found a place where I could befriend and collaborate with people who were just as passionate about service as I was. It was amazing to be surrounded with that energy, and I loved it so much that I even applied for District Council (shoutout to Area 10!!). I knew I didn’t want to leave it all behind in high school, so I promised myself that I would join Rotaract in college. And now, here I am! I cannot wait to continue my commitment to service with the rest of my fellow Rotaractors, and I encourage you to join us too~
Isaac Lin
Vice President
Isaac Lin
he/him | Junior | Applied Mathematics and Intended Business Administration
Contact Email:
[email protected] or [email protected]
Hobbies:
Sports, watching/binging any superhero related content, hiking/getting outdoors, content creation to some extent, baking/cooking, and any pet tbh with a preferred favorite for dogs
Service Passions:
food insecurity, anything related to basic needs, and helping out the elderly!
About me:
Hello, I am Isaac and I am from Hercules, California (major props if you know where it is :D)! I am a junior studying Applied Mathematics and Business Administration. When I’m not busy fulfilling my passion for service with Cal Rotaract, you can probably find me tabling in Upper Sproul with dogs (most likely Peter the Corgi hehe) or at the Student Learning Center! I really really love dogs and I also love to eat sooooo if you have pictures of your dog or have any recommendations for places to eat around Berkeley or recipes I should try, please let me know!
Why Rotaract?
I was in Interact all throughout high school and made some of my best friends in Interact so I decided to give Rotaract a shot. I had some doubts going into it because I was nervous I wouldn’t quite fit in. Turns out it was one of the best decisions I made in college and if I were given a second chance, I would do it all over again. I felt more at home than ever before and I am super lucky to be able to call these people my friends and some even my lifelong best friends. Cal Rotaract has soared past all of my expectations and I can’t wait to see what comes next for everyone in the club 🙂
Internal Board
Adrian Martinez
Treasurer
Adrian Martinez
he/him | Junior | Political Science
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Reading, anime, keeping up with world affairs, football (NFL and FIFA), and alone time
Service Passions:
I enjoy any type of work that allows to be outdoors for long periods of time. I also don’t mind getting out of my comfort zone when it comes to completing a project.
About me:
I am a shy but passionate person who enjoys contributing to a space of community and responsibility. I hail from Hayward, California and I commute often to check up on my folks from time to time. I’m not a fan of TV, but I do enjoy watching films that really make you think. I look forward to hearing from you all in terms of background and what you seek out of your experience here with us. 😉
Why Rotaract?
Rotaract is one of the clubs here on campus where one’s background or discipline does not determine how much you can contribute to the club. It also allows me to have access to a network of people that have experience in the fields I’m considering pursuing in the future. Overall, I’ve found rotaract to be a place full of folks who want to serve the greater welfare while also have a space to be themselves.
Cynthia Shi
Design
Cynthia Shi
she/her | Senior | Molecular and Cell Biology
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Art, tetris, reading
Service Passions:
Education, public health, human rights
About me:
Hi! I’m Cynthia, your design chair for this year. I’m from the Bay Area and am currently a senior studying Molecular and Cell Biology with a CalTeach minor. I tend to rotate through hobbies very quickly but am always down to pick up new ones! I hope to be able to get to know everyone this semester!
Why Rotaract?
I wanted join a club that would allow me to give back to the community in a meaningful way while at Berkeley. Rotaract allows me to do that and provides an inclusive and welcoming community with lots of cool people. The club has given me the chance to have many unique experiences and meet a lot of passionate people!
Guisselle Salazar
Design
Guisselle Salazar
she/her | Sophomore | Political Science
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Doodling, Making Cards, Playing Card Games!
Service Passions:
Working with Children/Youth
About me:
Hi all, my name is Guisselle and I am from San Bernardino, California. I enjoy crafts like doodling and making Christmas cards. Charades and card games are my go to for a relaxing time. At home, I spend time with my family playing games, and having big family dinners. In Berkeley, I enjoying staying in and going out to try new food.
Why Rotaract?
I did Rotary in high school, and enjoyed the program. I wanted to continue my relationship with Rotary. Rotaract at Cal does an amazing job at recognizing individuals who enjoy acting above self to serve their community. Being in a room with people who have the same values is important at such a large school.
Jasmine Tran
Treasurer
Jasmine Tran
she/her | Sophomore | Statistics
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
reading, exercising, watching trash tv 🙂
Service Passions:
Equal access to education, mental health awareness, gender equality
About me:
Hi! My name is Jasmine, and I’m from San Diego, California. I love the beaches and nature around there, so I would definitely recommend coming to check out the area sometime. The hiking trails there are amazing, just like some of the trails here in Berkeley, so if you ever want to check out a new hike, I am always happy to join! I have two dogs, one of which is a pug, and I would love to hear about any of your pets. Feel free to reach out!
Why Rotaract?
I was a part of a variety of community service organizations in high school, so I decided to continue that trend of service in college. In addition, I participated in the Rotary Club’s RYLA summer program, and I found that I truly enjoyed having the opportunity to meet the kind and generous individuals there. Much like that program, our own Cal Rotaract is an amazing group of people that are a true joy to be around, all while sharing the same goal of Service above Self.
Mo Mao
Historian
Mo Mao
she/her | Sophomore | Molecular and Cell Biology & Art Practice
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Reading (prone to ancient literature, fantasy and classics), Drawing/Painting, Gaming (trying to make it more of an occasional event), watching anime/reading manga, going outdoor adventures (travel, hiking etc).
Service Passions:
Quote from Megumi Fushiguro: “I’m going to help people unequally.”—-Access to healthcare, mental health awareness and socioeconomic inequality
About me:
Hi y’all, My name is Mo, your Historian co-chair for this year:) I am originally from Beijing, China, and I came to the U.S when I was 14 for high school. You can easily find me doodling on my IPad/sketchbook, and most of them are nature stuff, game/book characters out of my random creativity (and possibly procrastination). I have a general interests in stories (can be basically any tales I would be interested, even research papers), especially mythology, fantasy (who doesn’t love LOTR?), and anime/manga. I am also very found of ALL ORGANISMS and LIFE in general so most BBC documents about nature are my go-to shows. Last but not least, although I can’t say I’m the most social person, I’m quite easy going and always down to a food/boba run!
Why Rotaract?
Throughout high school I’ve done a lot of community service and I want to continue it in college since those are one of the few most rewarding experience I’ve had! Coming from another country/the east coast (where I went to high school), I longed for a sense of belonging and an inclusive community. With both Cal Rotaract provides me more than I expected—-new skills and new insight into issues around the world and around Berkeley. I don’t think I’d be able to know all these without Cal Rotaract.
Olivia Huang
Human Relations
Olivia Huang
she/her | Junior | Computer Science and Cognitive Science
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
playing the piano, drawing, listening to music, Minecrafting
Service Passions:
Education, basic needs, and public health issues
About me:
Hi friends! I’m Olivia, a junior studying CS and cognitive science from Whippany, NJ (or to most people, 30 mins outside of NYC)! You can usually find me at Doe enjoying the academic ~vibes~ or trying new boba shops on campus! I’ll usually be listening to kpop, watching a kdrama, or just enjoying videos of cute cats. If you ever want to hang out, I’m always down to try new things and food (not too much exercising though, please!). So excited to meet everyone and make new friends this semester! :DD
Why Rotaract?
I first discovered Rotaract in the depths of remote learning. With a three hour time difference and knowing only one other person at Berkeley, I was pretty desperate to make some friends! Interact was one of the highlights of high school, and the club I dedicated the most time towards (so much that I was always in the top 10 for most hours!). I really loved the local hands on service projects in high school, and seeing the visible impact it made on people. Rotaract is all this and more, with more connections to rotary and projects that affect an even greater scope of people, even from online. I’ve met the most passionate and kind people in just a few semesters at Rotaract, and I believe I’m quite lucky to have met these people 😀
Paula Chen
Human Relations
Paula Chen
she/her | Sophomore | Molecular Environmental Biology (intended minor of toxicology)
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Drawing, Embroidery, Skating, Growing Succulents, Journaling, Weightlifting, Listening to Music and True Crime (highly recommend rotten mango on Spotify), Hang Out with Friends, Cooking, Tennis
Service Passions:
Mental Health Awareness, LGBTQ+ Rights, Education System and Opportunities, Personal Development, Gender Equality
About me:
Hi! My name is Paula, one of your HR co-chairs. I was born and raised in the BAY Area and am currently a second year studying Molecular Environmental Biology. I love listening to true crime and music all the time (I highly recommend rotten mango (podcast) and Stephanie Soo (YouTube)). I love being active and playing sports, so if you need a tennis or gym buddy I’d be happy to go. I hope I will be able to remember everyone’s names and get to know everyone better this year!
Why Rotaract?
I heard of Rotaract from a friend and since the first meeting, I really enjoyed to welcoming community that this club has. Everyone I have talked to in this club has been extremely nice and considerate. Everyone in the club really cares about others and works hard to help the world become a better place. The talent and fun everyone brings to this club drew me in and now I have an officer position.
Vighnesh Nagpal
Historian
Vighnesh Nagpal
he/him | Junior | Physics and Astrophysics
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
photography, making music, watching anime, sports with friends
Service Passions:
education, the environment, and trying to have a positive impact, no matter what form that takes
About me:
Hey everyone, I’m Vighnesh, one of your historian co-chairs for this year! I’m from Delhi, but via a couple of stops in the UK and Australia, live in the Boston area now. I’m currently a junior studying Physics and Astrophysics. Besides being majorly into most things outer space, I really enjoy photography, most racquet sports, watching anime (Attack on Titan, Fruits Basket and Ping-Pong are some favourites) and improvising or composing music on the keys! Post college, I hope to pursue a career in research (probably in astrophysics). I love meeting and getting to know new friends, so feel free to hit me up 🙂
Why Rotaract?
Throughout high school, I’d wanted to get involved in service and give back to the community, but always struggled to make time for it. So it was one of my goals to join a service organisation at college, and am so glad I chose Rotaract! In Rotaract, I’ve been lucky to find such a loving and supportive community filled with wonderful people that have come together to make a positive difference in our society, and am super excited to continue our journeys of service in semesters to come! If you’re looking for a club with a true commitment to service, a great community and just good vibes, give Rotaract a shot: we’d love to have you!
External Board
Allison Lee
Interact Committee
Allison Lee
she/her | Junior | Molecular Cell Biology
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Dancing, film photography, video producing, going on nature walks/hikes, visiting shops with friends, discovering new food places!
Service Passions:
I love working with kids or mentoring younger people!
About me:
I view myself as a creative, passionate individual who loves to express my creativity through various outlets such as photography, video, dancing, etc. It’s also the best when I can share my passions with others, hence why I love doing these things with friends! I also enjoy making others happy, so service is an essential part of my life.
Why Rotaract?
Rotaract was the obvious next step after my memorable experience in Interact. I love the community and I’m always learning from and becoming inspired by my fellow Rotaractors. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for me to give back especially through the Interact committee!
Andy Beyer
Local Committee
Andy Beyer
Any pronouns | Sophomore | Political Science
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Reading, journaling, playing with my cats, walking, and going to bed at 9:00 pm
Service Passions:
Human rights, LGBTQ issues, social justice
About me:
Hello! I’m Andy, and I’m excited to be one of your Local Committee co-chairs this semester. I’m a second year originally from Murrieta, California. I am planning on majoring in Political Science and minoring in Spanish, with the goal of pursuing law school after I graduate. I spend most of my spare time over-caffeinating myself, watching Jeopardy!, and reading. I will read just about anything, and I always appreciate recommendations for new books. I’m also a huge animal person. Please show me pictures of any pets that you have so that I can fall in love with them too. Finally, I’m happy to make new friends in Rotaract, so feel free to say hi to me at meetings! (If you don’t know which twin I am, that is okay — I will respond to either my own name or my twin’s.)
Why Rotaract?
I was involved in Interact in high school, so Rotaract seemed like a perfect fit to get involved in community service. Within the first week of being in Rotaract, I had already met a lot of amazing people, so I knew that it was something that I wanted to keep doing. The opportunity to help my local community as part of a team of altruistic (and very cool) people has been rewarding thus far, and I look forward to future semesters!
Annelise Prince
International-Rotary Committee
Annelise Prince
she/her | Sophomore | Molecular Cell Biology
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Spending time with family, music (rocks), watching movies, cooking/baking everything.
Service Passions:
Mostly basic needs, the environment, education
About me:
Hello internet person! My name is Annelise. I am originally from San Bernardino, aka SoCal. When I am not being studious or at Rotaract participating in service I love, I do enjoy cat memes (hence, my famous plethora of cat masks), rock music, and chocolate. So, if you see me, you know automatically already how to become friends.
Why Rotaract?
I was lucky enough to participate in the Rotary Life program during high school, which sparked my love for community service. I have found like minded people in Rotary. Rotaract has not been an exception, as I have made family and given back to the community at the same time. Plus, it’s a ton of fun!
Da’Shaun Stewart
Fellowship
Da’Shaun Stewart
he/him | Sophomore | Molecular Environmental Biology
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
cooking, playing video games (my fav at the moment is Genshin), watching anime/reality tv, playing ping pong, anything Marvel or DC related, and talking about literally everything.
Service Passions:
addressing and working to rectify the opportunity gaps in underserved communities, birth justice, mental health awareness, and racial justice
About me:
Hello everyone! My name is Da’shaun and I’m super excited to be a Fellowship Chair this year! I currently reside in Sacramento, CA and I’m a sophomore here at Cal. I’m planning to major in molecular environmental biology and minor in African American studies. I love to hang out with friends, cook, watch anime or trashy reality tv, play video games (probably Genshin or Smash Bros), hike/explore, anything related to Marvel/DC/Star Wars, and talking about literally everything. Some random facts about me: I have a fraternal twin brother, my sun sign is Aquarius, and my personality type is INTP 🙂
Why Rotaract?
I was a member of Interact during high school, and I knew that I wanted to continue giving back to the community in some way when I got to college. I vaguely knew Rotaract existed, but hadn’t looked into it much. At the beginning of the semester, the welcoming and positive energy that the Rotaract officers tabling on Sproul were giving off ensured me that this was a club worth joining. At such a large school, it’s easy to get lost in the competition and crowds. Rotaract is very grounded in the sense that you are able to serve the community with a group of awesome people who genuinely care about what they are doing.
Jack Swenson
International-Rotary Committee
Jack Swenson
he/him | Sophomore | Econ/Data Science
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Tennis, chess, hanging with friends, hiking, watching movies related, and talking about literally everything.
Service Passions:
Educational opportunities, global issues, and human rights
About me:
Hi everyone! My name is Jack Swenson and I am the International Committee chair alongside Annelise. Throughout my life, tennis and chess have been my main passions as I competed in national tournaments in both. Other than that, I love watching movies like Inception, Anchorman, and Spiderman, and watching TV shows like Breaking Bad, The Office, and Black Mirror. I’m excited to meet everyone this (hopefully not online) semester!
Why Rotaract?
I was a part of the Rotary Club at my school and always enjoyed working alongside my peers to help the community in any way. I love meeting people who share my passion for giving back to those in need and spreading awareness about important issues in society. Most importantly, I believe that Rotaract is the perfect place to put “service above self” while learning new things along the way.
Carla Moreno
Fellowship
Carla Moreno
she/her | Sophomore | Microbial Biology
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Hanging out with friends, playing tennis, thrifting, reading, making playlists
Service Passions:
Human rights, health equity, underrepresented communities, literacy resources and access
About me:
Hi everyone! My name is Carla and I am a sophomore from Covina, California (a small city east of Los Angeles). I am super passionate about community service and helping those around me! During my free time, I will most likely be chilling at Mulford’s Resource Center or at Doe Library. I have a good memory and will remember the most random facts ever (did you know that there are eight bones in your wrist?) I like giving music recommendations, I love playing tennis and I like reading classics. I am a Libra sun, Taurus moon, and Libra rising! I am very excited to serve as one of the Fellowship Co-Chairs!
Why Rotaract?
I was in Interact for four years in high school and it was truly one of my favorite clubs! I was in District 5300, which allowed me to attend leadership programs to strengthen various skills such as RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). I wanted to continue to give back to my community so when I got into Berkeley, I decided to join Rotaract. The club members and officers were extremely welcoming and kind, which motivated me to participate in service events and eventually to apply as an officer. I love the feeling of being able to aid those around me and help put a smile on everyone’s face. I hope that I can continue to make an impact in my community and be a guide for others! I am thrilled to be a part of the board this semester and I cannot wait to continue to serve my organization.
Kit Beyer
Local Committee
Kit Beyer
Any pronouns | Sophomore | Political Science
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Reading, hiking, journaling, drinking excessive amounts of coffee, painting rocks
Service Passions:
Women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, animal welfare, education equity
About me:
Hello, I’m Kit, and I’m excited to be serving as one of your Local Committee Co-Chairs this spring! I’m a second year originally from Murrieta, California. My intended major is Political Science, and in the future, I plan to become a lawyer in the field of human rights. In my free time, I write about politics, listen to music, buy books faster than I can read them, and take care of my plants. Although I can be quiet at first—that is, unless you ask me about my pets, in which case I won’t stop talking for the foreseeable future—I really enjoy meeting new people in Rotaract, and I look forward to getting to know everyone over the course of the semester! I’m always up to check out a bookstore or go get coffee.
Why Rotaract?
After serving as an Interact officer in high school, I knew that I wanted to continue into college, so I joined Rotaract. Community service is immensely important to me, and Rotaract provides so many amazing opportunities to make a difference. I’m glad to have joined Rotaract and can’t wait to see what the years will bring—it’s already connected me with a wonderful, passionate group of people that I’m proud to belong to. I highly encourage anyone else to join us, too!
Sydney Tran
Interact Committee
Sydney Tran
she/her | Junior | Psychology
Contact Email:
[email protected]
Hobbies:
Trying new foods (food is my one true happiness), bopping along to BTS, watching dramas and anime, ranting on the phone to my sister, sleeping, and taking nature walks
Service Passions:
Equity issues (educational, socioeconomic, health, etc.), language equality, and mental health awareness
About me:
Hello~ My name is Sydney and I am immensely excited to be working as one of your Interact Committee Co-Chairs for 2022! I’m from Sacramento, CA and am currently a third-year studying Psychology, with an intended minor in Linguistics. I’m really interested in Developmental Psychology, in particular, as I love working with kids and learning how their minds work. Another thing that I love is food! I love trying new foods from different cultures and checking out new food places, so please give me all your food recs! I’m literally the least picky eater ever and will try anything–the only things I won’t eat are avocado and mint chocolate chip ice cream (please don’t attack me). If there’s a food place that you want to check out, I would be more than happy to tag along (eating with friends makes the food even yummier, I think). I really enjoy meeting new people, so feel free to come up to me at any of our meetings to talk about anything I mentioned above, or about anything really!
Why Rotaract?
I first joined Rotaract in my first semester here at Cal, and I remember just being in awe at how this club had so many of the most genuinely kind people I have ever met, who were all so passionate about service. This is still true right now, and I feel so lucky to have found this group of people. I was actively involved in the Interact Club at my high school, so I wanted to continue to be an active member in the Rotary community. Little did I know that I would make so many great friends and memories here at Cal Rotaract and it would be one of the best decisions I ever made.