Thank you to all the individuals who contributed biographies, and thanks to everyone on the circuit for participating in recognizing their peers for leadership in the community! This year’s biographers represented some of the top delegates on the circuit that were friends, teammates, and competitors of the Best Chairs and Directors.
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All names are in alphabetical order by first name within each tier.
Best Chairs and Crisis Directors
Arpit Bhate
Harvard University
Is that Barbie? No—it’s Arpit in his all-pink suit. During his time at Harvard, Arpit has been a dominating force over the crisis committees, particularly the daunting UNSC. He channeled this experience into spearheading the first Ad Hoc UNSC of its kind featured at HNMUN 2024! When he’s not snacking on popcorn while watching heated Authors’ Panel selection, Arpit is a beloved pillar of Model UN at Harvard. Having previously served as Head Delegate/“Mommy” of ICMUN, Under-Secretary-General of the Specialized Agencies at HNMUN, and Secretary-General of HMUN India, Arpit has revolutionized the meta of collegiate Model UN and what it means to be a delegate. This past year, Arpit swept the circuit, winning a gavel at every conference he attended—a true testament to his expertise as both a delegate and committee director. Arpit has also grown into a tremendous mentor on the team, helping to inspire and support our newest babies as they slay across the circuit. Arpit supplements his hefty Model UN workload with his studies as an Applied Math concentrator, a leisurely bike ride, and complex/brain-boggling research projects. We are devastated to see our Mommy go, but are so excited to see all that he achieves gaveling the unmods of the real world!
Bailey Vanderwalle
Florida State University
Bailey Vandewalle graduated from Florida State University this spring, after running the committee she’s been planning since her freshman year of college. During her time with the World Affairs Program, she has served as the Secretary General for NoleMUN II and the Director of The World Affairs Program. As Secretary General for NoleMUN II, she oversaw the conference and thoroughly enjoyed being a part of every committee no matter how big or small. Throughout all her experience in the world of Model UN and all it entails, she was one of the most creative and innovative Committee Directors NoleMUN has ever seen. During NoleMUN III she directed the “American Gods” Ad-Hoc committee. As Crisis Director she made sure her delegates had a unique, engaging, and imaginative committee that continued to puzzle them at every turn. Making cryptic playlists and buying crystals were only part of the Ad-Hoc journey, but the stops at creative updates and unique note responses built this committee into a truly great experience. Bailey was able to bring delegates to the very edge of the world, and only let a few apocalypses through. Reaching great heights was never difficult for you, congratulations Bailey and don’t forget the sky is your limit!
Calvin Osborne
Harvard University
It was once said that the Ad Hoc is a “two-gavel game” when Calvin competes—luckily, at HNMUN he swapped his delegate badge to direct the first-ever double-delegate Ad Hoc committee! There’s no one who knows the Ad Hoc quite like the Ad Hoc KING himself. So it comes as no surprise to find Calvin on this list for arguably the most innovative Ad Hoc on the circuit yet. Calvin is currently a senior at Harvard College studying Mathematics and Philosophy. In his three years on the collegiate circuit, Calvin has left an incredible legacy on both sides of the Dais. He has directed the HNMUN Ad Hoc two years in a row, served as Head Delegate of ICMUN, and will lead our high school conference HMUN as Secretary-General this coming year. This past year, Calvin put his 12 gavels (11 of which come from the Ad Hoc!) to the test as he conjured up the biggest twist and turns (or should we say swaps) the Ad Hoc has ever seen. There’s no one who brings the vibes like Calvin with his quirky crisis arcs, silly spotlight fingers, and colorful notepads/highlighters. Next year, as he returns as the Director of the Ad Hoc, we cannot wait to see what tricks he has up his sleeves to make it the best one yet!
Cameron Katz
University of California, Los Angeles
If you are ever looking for a fun and chill time in committee, look no further than a committee chaired by Cameron Katz. Even though he spent his Sophomore and Junior year stuck in CD jail, Cameron came out swinging this year as the chair for the now iconic LAMUN Ad Hoc. Through his calm demeanor and impeccable skill at timing jokes, Cameron has brought some of the best energy to UCLA Model United Nations. His chair skills are so good that he somehow convinced the Ad Hoc delegates this year to allow him 4 extra votes to use at his own discretion – a shocking feat for any committee let alone a crisis Ad Hoc. But what delegates didn’t see this year from Cameron is his behind the scenes dedication and love. The Ad Hoc staff became like a family over these past few months, and Cameron has served as father. Outside of Model UN, Cameron could be found taking classes for his double majors in Political Science and Psychology, serving as President for Bruin Democrats, or commuting an hour and a half to work on the lot at NBCUniversal. Hopefully, he can successfully evade LAMUN next year even though he will be working five minutes away from the hotel. (P.S. Hazel deserves a shoutout for being your partner-in-crime during LAMUN – *chains breaking reaction image*)
Charlie Biggs
Georgetown University
Known for his culture of timeliness, iconic dance moves, and eccentric music taste, Charlie Biggs has been an incredible leader both on the Georgetown University Model United Nations team (GUMUN) and across the circuit. This past year, Charlie served as GUMUN’s Conferences Coordinator and Head Delegate. While many know him for his tendency to excel in UNSCs, a committee he has run at NCSC for the past two years, Charlie’s Model UN range is even more impressive. From large double delegate GAs to Ad-Hoc crisis simulations, there is no committee size or style he can’t handle! Charlie concluded his collegiate Model UN career with seven gavels, earning three at UNCMUNC, McMUN, and VICS this past year. Under his leadership, GUMUN walked away with seven delegation awards across the 2023-2024 season from CMUNNY, MUNE, UPMUNC, UNCMUNC, VICS, ChoMUN, and &MUN. Charlie’s positive attitude has also been instrumental to the team’s success, as demonstrated by his energetic pre-committee hype speeches and hilarious one-liners in Conferences Staff meetings. The entire Georgetown University Model United Nations community could not be more proud of Charlie, and we look forward to watching him continue to succeed in the future!
Christina Mueller
University of California, Berkeley
You know her, you know her story: this is Christina Mueller’s territory. Our amazing GA Head Delegate turned External Vice President accomplished more in two years than most people do during their entire college MUN journeys. Having competed in more than ten committees, ranging from small non-traditional committees to huge General Assemblies, her talent and power make her a force to be reckoned with in every committee room she steps into. She’s a natural at giving speeches; her quick wit during authors’ panels is legendary. Her understanding of parliamentary procedure and resilience also make her one of the best Chairs on the circuit. The committee she chaired at UCBMUN XXVIII, Ad-Hoc GA, was inventive, well-run, and incentivized delegates to tackle a new topic every session. Beyond her brilliance as a leader, she genuinely cares about everyone she meets on the circuit and always goes out of her way to befriend other delegates. She is a true role model who, breaking barriers, paves the way for future generations of female leaders in MUN and beyond. Christina’s dedication, charisma, and unwavering support for her teammates demonstrate that power can also be synonymous with grace and integrity. Despite juggling numerous commitments, she has never given less than 200% to UCBMUN, making her one of the most dependable Officers our team has ever had. Most importantly, Christina lights up every room she enters, bringing infectious energy and incredible humor to our team. We are thrilled to announce that Christina will serve as one of our co-presidents next year. With her leadership, we are confident that the upcoming year will be phenomenal for UCBMUN. Christina, UCBMUN is incredibly lucky to have you!
Emmanuel Louis
Concordia University
Emmanuel is CED’s Heartthrob, having begun his fourth and final year of medical school, Emanuel has left his mark on the Concordia delegation. Despite his rather unexpected field of study, he has been active in the Model UN circuit for the past 7 years, solidifying his expertise as a GA delegate. Besides his experience as a head delegate, Emanuel fulfilled the role of Director of Committees for ConMUN 2023, helping establish ConMUN’s reputation within the North American circuit. Apart from his background as a delegate and secretariat member, Emanuel also chaired multiple committees in the Montreal MUN circuit over the past years, such as the UNGA Sixth Committee in ConMUN 2021. This year, he chaired several Concordia delegation scrimmages, and most notably, he fulfilled the mandate of chair for the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) committee of ConMUN 2024. With the topic being “Automation of Medicine”, Emanuel brought together his knowledge of medicine with his expertise in MUN to put forth a committee that challenges beginners and veterans alike. Delegates were able to push the limits of their imagination and propose innovative solutions in an era of rapid development of biomedical technologies. Regardless of how busy he may seem, Emanuel is always up for a challenge, even if it means shaving his head in committee for the conference charity this year! His passion for Model UN will always shine bright, and he is incredibly grateful to have been a part of the Concordia’s delegation’s journey.
Joel Shapiro
Boston University
From serving as the Secretary General of BarMUN XV to returning to competing this year, Joel has made a great impact on BarMUN, MUN@BU, and the Model UN circuit. After a hiatus during his Paris study abroad last spring, Joel returned to Model UN in the fall as if he had never left. At his final BarMUN, he served as the Crisis Director for the National Security Council. Joel’s years of experience staffing and competing in Model UN make him both an incredible crisis director and delegate. From single to double delegate, crisis to ad hoc specialized, Joel has succeeded in every type of committee. Joel’s ability to adapt and excel in any situation is admirable and has made him an inspiration for the team. Joel’s kindness, hospitality, and humor make him a great team member, travel buddy, and competitor. A recent graduate of Boston University, Joel was able to make time for Model UN while pursuing a degree in both International Relations and Computer Science! Joel finished off his Model UN career with a gavel in The Argentinian Elite Crisis Committee at LAMUN this spring! MUN@BU is so happy for Joel and proud of his accomplishments but will miss him greatly. The team wishes him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors. Congratulations Joel!
Kevin Yao
University of Chicago
Having the most incredible mind in the history of backroom is no easy feat, yet Kevin has been able to accomplish it within his time at UChicago. Running Build Your Own Committee this past ChoMUN, Kevin put that title to the test having the delegates decide their fate. From training to conference, Kevin took the time to ensure that his knowledge was passed down to coming generations of CDs as they aspire to meet the high bar that he consistently sets.
Madison Emerick
University of Alabama
Madison Emerick just graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in History and a minor in Spanish. Madison has been an ever present and driving force behind the Alabama International Relations Club from conference preparation, recruitment, to CDing and chairing committees at AIRMUNC and ALMUN. As the Director of External Affairs for the 2023-2024 year, Madison has worked to make AIRC’s team a collaborative and welcoming environment for all incoming members. She has spent countless afternoons mentoring other delegates at coffee and restaurant meetups (be sure to ask her about her Tuscaloosa recommendations). During this past iteration of AIRMUNC, UA’s ranked collegiate conference, Madison served as the Crisis Director for the Ad-Hoc of the Secretary General. She created an unforgettable, engaging, and fun conference weekend for delegates that is the embodiment of the AIRC MUN ideals. Her extreme hard working spirit and her enthusiastic approach to crisis arcs, conference weekend stylings (shout out to the onecler suit), restaurant suggestions, and travel quips are going to be deeply missed. AIRC is truly grateful for Madison and we are so excited to see what she does next! Congratulations Madison and Roll MUN!
Nicolas Mendez Arango
University of Florida
Noelle Morey
University of Florida
With almost seven years of experience in Model UN, Noelle Morey has proven herself to be the epitome of a best delegate, and even more so through her roles as director for multiple committees and conferences throughout the past 7 years. Beginning MUN her freshman year of college, Noelle has strived to use kindness and diplomacy in all that she does, winning the gavel countless times and garnering endless praise from the hundreds of delegates she has chaired for. Noelle was honored by the Naples Council on World Affairs, an affiliate sponsor for the largest conference in southwest Florida, and continues to be asked to chair for the organization every spring. Such a position requires significant dedication and is indicated of a strong and experienced delegate, as it is rewarded in payment for each of the esteemed chairs. Noelle was also the co-director of the first ever Ad-Hoc dual del GA at GatorMUN in the spring of 2023, and the director of the largest dual del in GatorMUN’s history at GatorMUN in the spring of 2024. Her impact on the delegates she has served, both within conferences, and now as the Vice President of UF Model UN speaks to Noelle’s devotion to MUN and ensuring the quality of delegate experience wherever she goes.
Samantha Suchsland
University of Miami
Outstanding Chairs and Crisis Directors
Ashi Gottumukkla
University of California, Los Angeles
We could go on and on for months, if not years, about the multitude of reasons Ashi Gottumukkula is on this list. For example, we could talk about her insane dedication to her craft from competing and awarding in GAs across the circuit to spending hours training novice in the abundance of intricate strategies she has developed over the years. All of it culminating in her ability to run the smoothest and most efficient GA on the circuit. Or we could spend centuries geeking out over how good of a person she is. Unafraid to come to anyone’s aid, she will give her all to making sure the people around her are the best they can be. In any time of need, we can be sure she will always be there for us and it is that same empathy that helped her make sure everyone in her committee had the most fun possible. But most importantly, we think it is the type of person she is. Ashi is the type of person that makes you want to spend more time with her, the best kind of person in our opinion. She has a unique way of connecting with people and making them feel comfortable. Her compassionate and loving nature has made her a friend to so many and attracted so many people to her amazing committee. No matter where Ashi goes after college, as long as she remains herself, we know success will follow and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors!
Collin Morrill
Florida State University
As one of NoleMUN III’s most creative and energetic Crisis Directors, Colin Morrill delivered an unmatched delegate experience as CD of “Lights, Camera, Suppression! The 1947 Hollywood Blacklist.” Throughout the weekend, Colin’s effort to make his committee a positive space for not only his delegates, but also his staff, stands as a testament of his relentless dedication to others. From engaging updates and witty note responses, to backroom shenanigans and wacky committee incentives, Colin’s humor and enthusiasm truly made NoleMUN III a conference to remember. He truly brought Hollywood to Tallahassee, thrilling delegates with entertaining crisis updates and immersive wargaming. Outside of committee, Colin also served as NoleMUN III’s resident DJ Colinsky and the mind behind the infamous “NoleMUN III Hype” playlist. Colin, the World Affairs Program is endlessly proud of your accomplishments, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of your collegiate career brings! Go Noles!
Elisabeth Duggar
Florida State University
In her two years in the FSU World Affairs Program, Elisabeth Duggar has made a positive impact and a name for herself on the circuit. With the first Barbieland committee on the circuit, she used her creativity and unique approach to give delegates an experience they’ll never forget. This committee featured performances by boygenius at the Super Bowl halftime show and the Ken’s holding committee hostage with the symphonies of “Shake it off” by Taylor Swift. Elisabeth’s beautifully executed crisis direction (and killer themed outfits) truly set her apart as a director, and as a delegate. This isn’t her first rodeo, as last year she served as the Assistant Crisis Director to the NoleMUN II Ad-Hoc committee. This year, Elisabeth traveled with the team to numerous conferences, where she earned many points and served as the Assistant Director of Conference Logistics for the FSU team. She helped our delegates get to, from, and succeed at every conference, with color-coded itineraries and 15 passenger vans. We love you, and go Noles!
Emiliano Jasis
University of California, Los Angeles
Emiliano Jasis is a rising junior at UCLA pursuing a B.S. in psychobiology, and is both inspiring and generous as a chair— but more importantly, as a friend. Serving as the infamous Atticus Darkwell for the Meteor Chronicles: The Viridian Commonwealth, Emiliano executed a flawless committee, skillfully steering delegates through the clashes of Sona Lake, the wiles of the Cerulean Principality, and of course— Little Dean’s birthday party. Even though committee was set in a world built completely from scratch, with complex mechanics, backgrounds, and side-quests, they guided committee with enviable poise and prowess. Leading with a strength that is almost as hard-hitting as their gavel tap, Emiliano was an extraordinarily committed chair to both delegates and staffers alike, bringing both a smile and Trader Joe’s Soft and Juicy Mango Strips to committee meetings, and always giving it their all. Emiliano’s dedication to their staffers is a prime example of what we aim to achieve at MUN @ UCLA, and their compassion, kindness, and patience has made them one of MUN @ UCLA’s greatest assets. You have touched so many lives, both on the circuit and at home — we love you, and cannot wait to see what you achieve next year!
Emma Wong
Georgetown University
Picture this: you are two hours into committee session IV in a massive GA, and you are falling asleep out of sheer boredom. Suddenly, a booming voice fills the entire hotel ballroom, waking you up immediately. At the front of the room, just over five feet tall and not even using the microphone, you see Georgetown’s Emma Wong delivering a mod speech that could move an entire crowd to tears of admiration and awe. Whether she’s giving an incredibly powerful speech or coaching delegates between committee sessions, Emma Wong continues to show that she is one of the best delegates and team leaders in Georgetown University Model United Nations (GUMUN) history. On the circuit, Emma is nothing short of a force to be reckoned with. Her talents and hard work across GA, crisis, and hybrid committees have earned her gavels at UPMUNC, McMUN, and &MUN, and she awarded at all 7 conferences she competed at this past year. Her knowledge of GA committees is extensive, as demonstrated by her exceptional chairing of NCSC’s inaugural Ad-Hoc GA last November. Since she joined GUMUN’s Conferences Staff as a sophomore, Emma has worked tirelessly to make GUMUN a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all delegates through her roles as Deputy of Operations and Internal Affairs. We are so excited to watch Emma take on the role of Conferences Coordinator and Head Delegate next year, as she will undoubtedly lead GUMUN to another amazing year on the circuit.
Gov Prabhakar
Georgetown University
From his quirky fedora collection to his tenure as NCSC 50’s Executive Director, Gov Prabhakar has worn many hats throughout his time at Georgetown. As a delegate with the Georgetown University Model United Nations Team (GUMUN), Gov excelled in Middle Eastern and South Asian crisis committees as well as UNSCs. Over his seven semesters with the team, he picked up gavels at ChoMUN, VICS, and UPMUNC. Gov also gave back to GUMUN as a member of the team’s Conferences Staff and Deputy Apparatus, with portfolios ranging from team affairs to operations. Additionally, Gov served as the Executive Director of NCSC 50 in the fall of 2022. His hard work certainly paid off, as NCSC was named the #1 fall conference by Best Delegate in the following spring. This past NCSC, Gov helped bring the Mumbai Crime Outfit to the collegiate circuit as the chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee of the Secretary-General. Whether you competed alongside Gov or were a delegate in the aforementioned committee, you can’t say your experience with him was boring! While we will miss seeing his beanie and tank top collection around campus, we are so grateful for the time he dedicated to both GUMUN and NCSC. However, we cannot wait to see what he accomplishes in the future. For the last time, Cheers to the Gov-ernor!
Hanan Levis Betancourt
University of Florida
If you walk into a crisis committee and see a tall, curly-haired dude wearing mismatching socks who pulls out a talking stick in the unmod, you’ve just met Hanan Levis-Betancourt. Hanan joined the UF Model UN team his freshman year, knowing nothing about the club except that we sometimes talked about politics. His freshman year, he attended two conferences and decided Model UN’s intricate social game and mechanics weren’t for him. His sophomore year, Hanan exploded onto the circuit with an unexpected fervor, winning a gavel as his first ever Model UN award. The change? Experience staffing UF’s collegiate and high school conferences, alongside training on the crisis cycle, transformed his understanding of MUN. He’s been unstoppable ever since. Hanan has proven to be a talented crisis delegate, earning seven awards—four being gavels!—in just three semesters of competing. This past year, Hanan became our most traveled delegate, serving as our Head Delegate at seven conferences. He is also a talented director, using his creativity and competing experience to wow his delegates. This year, Hanan directed two committees, one at SunMUN II, which earned him a spot on the All Star CDs Team. Hanan truly exemplifies what effective leadership as a Head Delegate looks like. You can count on Hanan to help you brainstorm a crisis arc, hand out waters at the social, run team debrief, hype you up before Author’s Panel, and remind you that at the end of the day, blanking does not define you or your abilities. His confident and measured approach to competing inspires everyone on our team, from nervous freshmen to experienced members of leadership. During his senior year, Hanan will serve as UF’s Director of Member Development for our crisis delegates and as a director at SunMUN III and GatorMUN XXII. His commitment to improving our team’s competitive standing while maintaining a welcoming environment makes the circuit’s decision to elect him to this list a deserved one.
Hazel Stocco
University of California, Los Angeles
After two years in Secretariat Jail, Hazel Stocco served as Crisis Director for the Ad Hoc at LAMUN XIX. In her first showing as a Crisis Director on the collegiate circuit, Hazel ran an incredibly dynamic and immersive committee, bringing Pelican Town to life for the delegates. Behind the scenes, Hazel helped to create a positive and dedicated staff environment. She joined Model UN at UCLA as a first-year freshman. During her four years in the organization, Hazel has competed on the competitive travel team and worked on both BruinMUN and LAMUN. She brings a joy and passion to this club that has left an impact on its members and will be remembered by the club for many years to come. As Hazel recently finished her B.A.Sc in Political Science and Statistics & Data Science degree, Model UN at UCLA will miss her dedication and creativity in running committees. (P.S. Cameron deserves a shoutout for being your partner-in-crime during LAMUN – *chains breaking reaction image*)
Isabella Torriani
University of California, Los Angeles
Jackson Englar-Carlson
University of California, Berkeley
Jackson has an undeniable presence in UCBMUN. This past year he served as the collegiate conference’s Director of Business relations and a Crisis Director for the Somaliland committee. Jackson’s wit and intelligence enabled him to formulate crisis updates that were both exciting and challenging — ensuring an engaging experience for all of the delegates involved in his committee. His ability to think on his feet and his creative approach to Model UN have made him a standout member of our organization. More importantly, Jackson never fails to ensure that everyone is enjoying themselves. No matter what city we find ourselves in, UCBMUN’s honorary restaurant connoisseur has you covered with a list of the best local eateries. We are so grateful to have him as our Crisis Head Delegate for the upcoming year and are excited to see how he will continue to encourage and lead our team with his innovative ideas and infectious sense of humor.
Nivea Krishnan
University of Southern California
Sara Mendez Arango
Florida State University
Suraj Vaddi
University of Virginia
Although this was his first year in the collegiate circuit, Suraj Vaddi is an Ad Hoc powerhouse. Awarding at all five of the conferences he went to, Suraj has proven to be an effective crisis trainer for the UVAMUN team. Beyond that, he is a great friend that always encourages and believes in the people around him.
He served as the Director General of VICS XXVIII, where he managed 15 committees. However, when he saw a last minute Crisis Director drop, he personally stepped in and ran a successful backroom for a futuristic committee about the intersection between technology and policy. At UVAMUN, he is known for his creative catch phrases to promote diplomacy and leadership (if you know, you know). Suraj still has three years in the circuit, and we are excited to see all of the amazing things he accomplishes with UVAMUN and VICS next year!
Honorable Mention Chairs and Crisis Directors
Amanda Eckels
University of Chicago
Creating a welcoming environment in committee, Amanda has proved to be one of the most positive dias members on the circuit. With a person first delegate second mindset, Amanda pushed the circuit to become a more inclusive environment and that mission carried its way to ChoMUN, where committee members and staff members alike glowed at their impact throughout the weekend.
Andres Zimmerman
Georgetown University
As honorary Team Dad, scout leader, and battle general, the Georgetown University Model United Nations team (GUMUN) has Andres Zimmermann to thank for his fantastic leadership over the past few years. When he’s not effectively mobilizing dozens of GUMUN delegates across busy cities or driving our van to Southern conferences, Andres crafts masterful arcs and mini-pops, executing his out-of-room plans with the utmost precision. As our resident crisis and ad-hoc delegate and serving as Deputy of Training this past year, Andres has contributed so much to the GUMUN community. He is the absolute best coach that has ever graced GUMUN, ask anybody on the team, and we are endlessly grateful for the guidance and support he’s tirelessly given to each and every one of our members. Through his patented Socratic method to German simulations and his detailed training resources, Andres has played a pivotal role in GUMUN’s competitive success this year. Andres is also involved in staffing both the NCSC and NAIMUN conferences at Georgetown. He has served back-to-back as Grand Crisis Manager of the Pig War JCC and the inaugural three-sided Sino-Indian War JCC at the past two NCSCs. When Andres is in charge of a committee, you know it will be nothing less than a well-oiled machine. We are so grateful for his leadership and friendship, and we can’t wait to see what Andres will do next!
Anton Stover
University of California, Los Angeles
Anton Stover is one of the most dedicated members of MUN @ UCLA. Anyone who has ever met him, either on the team or across the circuit, can attest to how in awe they are of his versatility and skill, no matter what the committee is. He helped launch BruinMUN, our high school conference, to the biggest and best it’s ever been, serving as our USG of ECOSOC and Specialized this year. At every conference he traveled to this year, he blew us all out of the water, from creating clauses to workshopping some crazy crisis arc. Anton has been in his ERAs (equation, recon, acronyms) era consistently and we are all the better for it. He ended off this year as the Crisis Director of the Manhattan Project spec at LAMUN XIX. From spearheading wild mechanics to spreading his infectious energy to every delegate in the room, Anton made an unfading mark on LAMUN. He also goes out of his way to be a friendly face to staffers and puts in so much effort to make MUN @ UCLA a home to everyone. Beyond his passion for our team, Anton is a History major and Global Studies and Public Affairs double minor while also writing for UCLA’s Undergraduate Law Journal and the Undergraduate History Journal. We are so excited for Anton to serve as our Director of External next year and for everything else he’ll accomplish! Cletus Bartholomew 2 ¾ is cheering you on the whole way!
Anya Shah
University of California, Berkeley
Throughout the years, Anya has served as the calming presence that UCBMUN needs. From providing emotional support at conferences to mentoring younger members of the team, she has never failed to show kindness and grace to those she comes across. Not only is Anya unbelievably kind but incredibly intelligent. She previously served as our club’s Director of Finance, ensuring that all expenses were carefully managed and aligned with the organization’s means — which is no easy feat. This past May, Anya graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Computer Science & Electrical Engineering and will forever hold the title of UCBMUN’s woman in STEM. Outside of Model UN, Anya has worked at SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Raytheon. Unsurprisingly, Anya ran a futuristic space General Assembly committee at UCBMUN 2024 that was out of this world! Her poise, detailed feedback, and shrewd attention to detail made her one of the best front room chairs our collegiate conference has ever seen. While we already feel the hole Anya’s absence has left, we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate her impressive accomplishments. We are certain Anya’s future is even brighter than the galaxies discussed in her space committee.
Claire Sawyer
University of California, Berkeley
If you were fortunate enough to participate in the PewDiePie side of the PewDiePie vs T-Series JCC at UCBMUN 2024, you would have witnessed crisis director Claire Sawyer’s expertise, energy, and creativity firsthand. Claire has been a prized member of UCBMUN that the team already dearly misses. Claire’s involvement throughout her years made her a confidante and mentor to many in our club. Not only is Claire a fantastic crisis director but also a spectacular competitor. This year, Claire stepped up to assist the Head Delegates by offering individual trainings to our delegates — inspiring their confident speeches and creative backroom arcs. This side of the JCC committee was not only lucky but beyond grateful to have Claire as their CD, as evidenced by the glowing feedback that Claire and her dais got at every Head Delegate feedback session (and we all know how harsh those can be). This past May, Claire graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Science, Technology & Society. Luckily, she will be staying in the Bay area and will be serving as the coordinating crisis director for next UCBMUN’s JCC committee (so if you find yourself there, watch out for her adept crisis update skills and inventiveness!). Claire, we’re incredibly grateful for everything that you have brought to UCBMUN and wish you all the best in your future!
Daniel Zhang
University of Chicago
Daniel’s experience as a crisis delegate has hardened him into a “no-nonsense” CD. Armed with a plethora of knowledge from his time on the circuit, call him Chat-GPT the way he turns nonsense into coherent output! When he commits to the bit, there’s nothing stopping Daniel from wreaking havoc in the back room. Keep an eye out for him as a USG for ChoMUN XXVIII, and pray you don’t run into him on the circuit!
Emily Mims
University of Florida
With a personality as magnetic as her directing style, Emily Mims decided to live life to the fullest. As someone who never backs down from a fight, she decided to overcome every challenge that life, the circuit, and building a team sends at her in a hot pink suit. Having finished serving her two-time presidency, she continues to strive forward to new ventures, even if that means making a professor delay their retirement (and Mims’ own graduation) a year so that she may graduate with honors. Having awarded (and gaveled) at every type of committee, there was one aspect of her MUN career that never got the recognition it deserves. Her committees are the equivalent of a three star Michelin restaurant, a unique experience that you know cannot be repeated elsewhere. The best part? It doesn’t matter if she’s directing for high schoolers or college students, she ensures that everyone in the room is trying their best, learning from it, and, most importantly, having a blast. Whether it is a regular crisis, an Ad Hoc, a general assembly, or a specialized committee with Wonky mechanics, once she’s your director you know you will be in good hands; even to the point you cannot help but wish for more.
Farzaan Naeem
Boston University
Farzaan is a rising senior at Boston University majoring in computer science. Since joining the Boston University International Affairs Association his freshman year, Farzaan has been a loyal and dedicated member and has staffed both BosMUN, the organization’s high school conference, and BarMUN, the collegiate conference. Farzaan is an extremely experienced staff member and is known for staffing crisis committees, typically serving in backroom as a Crisis Director. Farzaan has staffed committees like the Taiping Rebellion Joint Crisis Committee at last year’s BosMUN, and the Battle of Bạch Đằng, 938, at the last BarMUN. Farzaan’s staffing experience and background in Model UN have made him an admired staffer. He is dedicated, organized, and loves making crisis committees enjoyable for delegates. A rising senior, Farzaan will be serving as the Crisis Director for the Indian Space Research Organization, 2040, at his last BarMUN this fall.
Harper Schwab
University of Chicago
Harper “the goat” Schwab is known for his fearless and unrelenting leadership as a CD whose creative vision for his committee’s backroom is informed by his centralizing philosophy: “haha but do you know what would be really funny?” A staple in the ChoMUN community his work as a CD, has inspired them to get involved and run committees of their own, creating a long lineage of fun-loving crisis fiends. This year, he has also led the UChicago team as vice-president, and has been a fantastic presence and incredible mentor.
Jake Juliano
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Anyone who has met Jake will tell you how much he cares about creating unique experiences for others. A member of CarolinaMUN since 2022, Jake is now a Co-Head Delegate for the team, an incredible Crisis Director, and a caring, sweet, and compassionate person. He is a Junior double majoring in Statistics and Music with a minor in Urban Planning. Jake also loves planes and is often seen exploring airports like a kid at a candy shop when traveling with the team, so if you see him, feel free to say hi! Jake made waves in the circuit at UNCMUNC XIV when he created and executed a dynamic crisis committee, which lets delegates use a whiteboard placard to add, remove, and combine multiple positions. Delegates in his committee at UNCMUNC XIV had to 4 positions and up to 8 crisis notepads. His idea will remain one of our most incredible committees and will continue to be hosted at our conference for many years to come. Jake’s dedication and creativity have made a significant impact on the Model UN circuit, and we are so excited to see what he continues to accomplish as a leader for the next two years. We’re sure that any delegate who has had him as a Crisis Director or competed with him around the circuit will back us up on how stellar he is and be just as proud of him as all of us at UNC are. We couldn’t think of someone who deserves this award more than Jake, but for us, the best award is having him on our team, in our community, and in our hearts.
Jasmine Mah
University of California, Berkeley
Jasmine Mah’s creative mind has been blessing the circuit with arcs and updates since the moment she joined UCBMUN two years ago. She has also been the cornerstone of our social scene serving as the Vice President of our club this past year and helping put together enough painting sessions, picnics, Halloween parties, and retreats to last a lifetime. Despite the force to be reckoned with that she is in committee, her dedication as a staffer this past year clearly did not go unnoticed either. Serving as CD of the Bridgerton committee (alongside her amazing Chair Sabrain Baur who will be dearly missed), Jasmine helped lead a committee that truly epitomized the balance between MUN and enjoying a weekend away from home. From picking out the perfect props to designing her ideal next season of Bridgerton, there was never a moment that Jasmine was not making sure her delegates were having a great time. Even beyond that, her feedback and conversations with delegates led to consistent comments of people immediately signing up for their next conference hoping to get a staffing team half as good as Jasmine’s. Even though she plans to graduate in three years following the end of the 2024-25 season, UCBMUN prays that Jasmine finds a way to avoid being a senior as her importance is something to us that can never be understated and we can’t wait to see what she gets up to next!
Kaleena Roeva
Harvard University
Kaleena Roeva, or Kleen to many, has always been a force on the GA circuit. Kaleena is a senior at Harvard College studying Economics and Government. Known for her creative off the cuff speeches, triple merge finesse, and insane MUN instincts, Kaleena embodies talent and ferocity in every committee she competes in as a member of Harvard’s competitive traveling team, ICMUN. She previously served as Under-Secretary-General of Business at HMUN, ICMUN Head Delegate, and, of course, a Director at HNMUN. As an expert in the Double Del GA, Kaleena naturally helmed one such committee at HNMUN 2024, chairing the conference’s largest committee with an effortless grace. When she’s not on the phone with American Airlines or tirelessly mentoring her many GA protegees, Kaleena can be found boxing at Rumble, intermittent sleeping, or being a consulting queen at Harvard College Consulting Group. Outside of her many commitments, Kaleena is a friend to all at Harvard ICMUN — a support system and consistent shoulder to cry on for many, she has channeled endless time and energy into making MUN at Harvard what it is today. Kaleena will continue her MUN leadership as Secretary-General of HMUN-Dubai 2025 — we can’t wait to see her slay the conference!
Katherine Weiss
University of Central Florida
Max Schaked
University of California, Los Angeles
Max Schaked has always been one of a kind. Anyone who has ever interacted with Max knows about his creativity, dedication, and seemingly endless desire to claim that he is from Miami, not a suburb of Orlando. At LAMUN XIX, Max raised the bar and reset the circuit standard on what a non-traditional committee should look like. His Argentinian Milei committee was loved by all delegates for its intriguing cyphers, chaotic updates, and unique patriotic videos. While the original committee mechanics and world building Max creates is always at the center of attention, Max often credits his chairs and staffers for the committees that they are able to pull off. Anybody who has worked with Max will tell you about all the hard work and effort he has put into training and caring for his staffers. While Max is graduating a year early and leaving for D.C., his training style, out of the box thinking, positive energy, and infectious smile will forever leave a mark on not just UCLA, but the circuit as whole. We are going to miss you Max and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will do in the future.
Noah Virani
University of Chicago
As one of the CDs of Don’t Worry DALL-E, Noah put his delegates through the entire neural network of conferences in the battle between Artists and AI. Better call him a RELU function the way he keeps things positive! Noah embodied the ChoMun spirit as he saved his best performance for the last. His facilitation of the creation of Mew-topia, creating a fake Mona Lisa, and destroying Elon Musk is a task that could never be replicated, no matter the amount of training data or epochs in the training cycle.
Paul Petrozza
McGill University
Paul is a rising senior studying Biochemistry, and a truly iconic presence in MUN at McGill. From chairing the Roman side of the Second Punic War Joint Crisis Committee at McGill’s high school conference SSUNS, to McMUN’s Ad Hoc Crisis Committee of the Secretary General, Paul consistently brings a creative, energetic, and deliberate approach to managing frontroom. He worked with his dais to create an immersive, intense, heist-themed committee which continued McMUN’s legacy of innovative and unique Ad Hocs. In addition to being a fabulous chair, Paul has had a fantastic season on the circuit, gavelling at NAMUN and ChoMUN successively. Known for clever speeches and a knack for “ad hoc” arc development, Paul is a consistent, dedicated, and incredibly talented delegate, and we are so grateful for his presence on our team. We are so excited to see Paul return as chair of the Ad Hoc for McMUN 2025, and cannot wait to see what his last year of Model UN has in store.
Phoebe Chambers
Georgetown University
When she isn’t absolutely killing it in-room with fire speeches and top-pages left and right, Phoebe Chambers is hard at work running a tight ship for her own crisis committees. She has proven herself time and time again as a force of nature, not only as a competitor but as a kick-ass Crisis Manager. As a Conferences Staffer for the Georgetown University Model United Nations team (GUMUN) since her sophomore year and Deputy of Internal Affairs this past spring, Phoebe has made new and returning delegates feel welcome in our community. She has mastered practically every type of committee, awarding in GAs, crisis, and specialized, and is always a favorite coach among GUMUN delegates for her expertise and absolute dedication to teaching and helping others. From her iconic club night attire to her memorable Phoebe-snaps, she is a beloved leader of GUMUN. Phoebe has also been extensively involved in staffing both the NCSC and NAIMUN conferences at Georgetown. She served as a Crisis Manager for the Hungarian Cabinet of János Kádár at NCSC last fall and as the Grand Crisis Manager of the National Security Apparatus, comprising five crisis committees, at NAIMUN this spring. We can’t imagine a better delegate and friend to serve as Deputy of Training for the upcoming year and shape a new generation of GUMUN delegates.
Ritwik Bose
University of Chicago
Having brought the world of sports to the MUN circuit Ritwik has proven that MUN isn’t just about public speaking and writing content, but is also about having fun. Bringing a lighthearted and exciting presence to the backroom in his final committee Crème de la Prem: English Premier League, 1992-93, Ritwik ensured that directives were not the only thing delegates were kicking around. As an encouraging presence on the UChicago team, Ritwick’s jokes, friendship, and position within the community will be missed.
Sean Manning
University of Georgia
Sean Manning is a rising senior International Affairs and Economics major with an Arabic minor from Hahira, Georgia. Sean has competed across the circuit but especially enjoys his time as a chair and CD at UGA’s conferences. In the 2023-2024 season, he chaired DawgMUN’s Fate of the Frats committee and CDed UGAMUNC’s Neolithic Mureybet committee. He enjoys being involved around campus and, outside of MUN, is a member of the Student Government Association and Richard B. Russell Security Leadership Program. When he’s not talking, you can find him with his airpods in probably listening to Lana Del Rey, Maude Latour, or Lucy Dacus. Sean will serve as Secretary-General of the UGA Model UN team in the 2024-2025 year. At DawgMUN II, we are especially excited to see him CD “Is It Casual Now?: Situationship 2024.” He hasn’t revealed all of his secret twists for this committee yet, but we’re sure it’ll be one to remember on the circuit.
Skyler Bohnert
McGill University
Skyler is a rising senior studying Political Science and History who brings talent, dedication, and light to all of the roles he begrudgingly steps into in the Model UN community at McGill. From serving as the Deputy Undersecretary-General for Crisis Committees at McGill’s high school conference SSUNS, to stepping in as a member of our team’s executive council, to acting as a Crisis Director for McMUN, he has played an integral role in the flourishing, and the survival, of our organization. He brought his characteristically innovative approach to crisis to his direction of Colombia’s Thousand Day War at McMUN 2024, and we are so excited to see how he navigates Colonel Howard-Bury’s Himalayan Mountaineering Expedition at McMUN 2025. Despite his affliction of chronic “yips”, he has also had an incredible season on the circuit, awarding at BarMUN, HNMUN, and VICS. Throughout all of this, Skyler has been a warm, generous, and mentoring presence on our team, for which we are eternally grateful. We could not be more excited to see what he does as the president of our parent organization, the International Relations Students’ Association of McGill, for the upcoming year.
Sydney Lester
University of California, Los Angeles
Nobody can run a GA like Sydney Lester, and her delegates over the years at LAMUN and BruinMUN would gladly attest to her top-notch chair skills. She can often be found chairing the largest double delegate committees at conferences, including LEGAL at LAMUN this year. Sydney is a rising senior at UCLA studying Sociology with a minor in Middle East Studies and has been a backbone of the UCLA MUN program over the years serving as a senior staffer. She has recently taken on the role of Director of Marketing for UCLA MUN where Sydney will continue to make MUN accessible to both circuit veterans and those new to MUN. She started her leadership in Model UN in high school. Sydney saw a gap in the types of clubs her school offered, so she took it upon herself to start a Model UN club that would be a place where she and fellow students could practice their public speaking and international politics. Sydney carries her mission to make MUN a place for everyone by inviting new members of the UCLA MUN club to be her staffers at both LAMUN and BruinMUN. Outside of MUN, she spends her time working for UCLA Undergraduate Admission where she visits local high schools to help students decide if college is the right fit for their future. Sydney is also a writer for The Daily Bruin. Sydney is the example of walking the walk and talking the talk. We are so excited to see everything she accomplishes next year and so grateful to have her as part of this community!
Congratulations to all the delegates! Thank you for your leadership in college Model UN this year. We look forward to seeing how college Model UN continues next year.
