MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
Check out our archive of member spotlights showcasing the amazing, innovative and supportive actions our members are taking around their communities and at UBC!
BENAE TUTELMAN
Benae just wrapped up her 4th year of Political Science at UBC, and growing up in Lower Mainland, her favourite part of going to UBC is having both the beach and the mountains just a short drive away. In her 3rd year Benae spent a semester abroad studying in Dublin, Ireland while travelling across Europe, and looks forward to exploring even more of the world after graduation. As an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Benae served as Service and Philanthropy Director in 2016 raising funds for CASA and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice here in Vancouver. Outside of class, Benae also works and volunteers with Canuck Place throughout the year and was named one of Richmond BC’s Top 30 Under 30 for her commitment to volunteer service. After graduation, Benae hopes to pursue a career integrating her interests in both public health policy and development!
AYDAN KESICI
Aydan is in her 3rd year, studying Biology. She plans to pursue a career in medicine, specifically in pediatrics. Alongside working with children for the past six years at various hospitals and elementary schools, she devotes most of her time to research with a particular interest in neuroscience and psychology. Over the past year she has been involved in research projects that focus on neurogenesis in Alzheimer models, student perceptions on climate change, and reducing stigma surrounding individuals who have been previously incarcerated. She’s also an avid tea lover and enjoys travelling!
AMANDA CHIONG
Amanda is at UBC studying Finance and Marketing at Sauder with a minor in English Lit. She's not too sure where she's headed after her degree, but knows she'll figure it out over the next year. She's recently had a co-op position with an aerospace engineering firm and hopes to get experience in all areas of business. She's not too sure where she's headed after her degree, but knows she'll figure it out over the next year. She's served as ADPI's Director of Risk Management as part of the formal committee, is currently Finance Vice President of ADPi and has been an active member of several other clubs on campus!
DARREN W GILL
Darren is a Political Science student and member of the UBC Gamma Sigma Alpha Greek Academic Honor Society! With an academic interest in economic policy and Canadian politics, Darren has been heavily involved in local politics, non-profits, and student clubs, most recently serving as the President of the UBC Finance Association and on the board of Junior Achievement of British Columbia’s Alumni association. Darren is an alumni of Alpha Delta Phi & Alpha Kappa Psi.
FRANNIE MACKENZIE
Frannie is in her 4th and final year at UBC studying speech sciences and minoring in special education. After graduating she plans to write her MCAT and pursue a career in medicine. She's passionate about working with children with autism and since age 14 has been volunteering in various children’s hospitals, working alongside speech pathologists, and implementing ABA therapy. After more schooling, her ultimate goal is to become an ENT surgeon. She has served as the social chair for Kappa Alpha Theta and played competitive field hockey! Frannie is from Toronto but it’s very unlikely she’ll move back now because she loves Vancouver, and she has a pug (pictured!) who is pretty much her other half!
NADIA YANG
Nadia will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gender, Race, Sexuality & Social Justice. She is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi UBC and a founding member of Alpha Phi Omega, and cites her 4 littles as the ones who motivate her to be the best big and role model she can be! In AOII, she has held the Social External position, Songleader position, has been a member of the Standards committee, Formal Recruitment Committee and COB committee. She was also on the UBC Sororities Promotional Team! After her undergraduate degree she hopes to take one year off school to work and then complete a masters of social work or counselling, in preparation for work with children and young adults who seek guidance with personal problems, drug/alcohol abuse and depression through talk-based therapy!
NICOLE ROSA
Nicole is a 5th Year UBC Psychology student with a minor in Education. She is particularly passionate about Mental Health Issues and Education and has spent time volunteering with elderly populations, as a career advisor for high-school students, and with chronically ill children. She was Gamma Phi Beta UBC’s current Facilities Manager, as well as a member of her chapters Moonball Committee, Standards Committee and AHC Nominating Committee. She is an animal lover, a die-hard crafter, a closet gamer, and speaks fluent Portuguese. Her eventual goal is to be an Educational/Vocational Counsellor, and have her own private practice but until then she is happy enjoying her time at UBC.
ALI SCOTT
Ali is preparing for medical school in the next few years, having volunteered and completed a directed study in a biomechanics lab at UBC, which inspired her to take on a volunteer position in a neurology lab in the UBC Life Sciences Institute. Ali also volunteered for almost two years at St. Paul's hospital and became a first aid attendant for St. John Ambulance because she enjoys the hands on work. Ali trains every week and helps people who are injured at events across the lower mainland. Ali has held the position of pledge mom in Alpha Gamma Delta for a year to help new members integrate into the chapter, and has taken the time to travel when she can, making it to Southern Africa, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Peru, and parts of Europe!
EMILY DALE-JOHNSON
Emily studyed neurogenetics and immunology at UBC, and worked at Vancouver General Hospital doing research on spinal cord injury and the immune response to trauma. She was able to assist in writing a manuscript there and she volunteers for Canadian Blood Services as well as at Harm Reduction Centres in the Downtown Eastside, aiding in education and awareness of HIV and other common diseases associated with drug use. Emily has also been a sailor since she was 6; she has travelled to places such as San Francisco, Italy, and Hawaii to compete in national and international regattas!
MAPLE WANG
Maple is a transfer student from UBCO, where she TA’d a 200 level management course despite only being in her second year! Maple is planning to double major in sociology and IR, has served as the property coordinator for Alpha Gamma Delta, speaks 4 languages (Mandarin, English, Japanese, Taiwanese), loves to travel, and has lived in two different countries (Japan and Taiwan) before studying at UBC and UBCO! Maple completed a Marketing and Human Resources internship abroad in Barcelona for two months at Vreasy Corporation- before that, she finished an accounting internship in Taipei at Fubon Securities Co. Ltd. She likes to spend her off-time at the beach tanning, or advocating for social justice and gender equality!
LUKE ALLEN
Luke Allen is a man of many talents: he served as DKE's webmaster, participated in Forestry Co-op program and studied Forest Resource Management. Luke always finds time to give back to the community: in addition to contributing to DKE’s philanthropic events, he has taught environmental education in rural Panama, worked on homeless empowerment projects in Seattle, and is a member of the Hyde Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Previously, Luke was honored as one of the top Korean-American students from the state of Washington and in his free time, Luke plays with his mini Australian Shepard, listens to music, and works toward his Registered Professional Forester certification, with the goal of running his own company!
AMAN BASRA
Aman is a UBC Alumni and a past president of GSA. She studied International Relations and Economics and was part of the UBC Arts Co-op Program where she worked for different government agencies including the Auditor General for Local Government, Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Aman is also an alumna of Alpha Omicron Pi and previously held the positions of VP Academic Development, COB Chair and New Member Educator. She was also initiated into Order of Omega for her various leadership experiences. After graduating in 2015, Aman obtained a position with Service Canada where she currently works, with the goal of working with the Department of Justice and in the judicial system in the future. She is also an avid runner and has done 7 marathons to date, and is currently training for her 8th!
MATTHEW DICKEY
Matthew Dickey previously served as Vice President of Psi Upsilon, and studied Microbiology and Immunology at UBC. He is a devoted golfer and along with volunteering his time at Psi Upsilon, Dickey is an avid volunteer in the community, volunteering his time at the VGH Emergency Room, Ruth and Naomi's Mission, as well as teaching English at an orphanage in Oaxaca, Mexico for a semester. He is also a member of the Order of Omega and has been awarded several scholarships in his time here at UBC, which exemplifies the values of our organization. When not busy shaking hands and keeping Psi Upsilon in check, Dickey can be found in the lab completing science experiments!
MARY AGONCILLO
While at UBC, Mary served as Alpha Omicron Pi UBC's Chapter President, completed her Bachelor's in Fine Arts majoring in Visual Arts and Minoring in Creative Writing, and held the positions of New Member Educator and Corresponding Secretary, as well as multiple committee roles in her sorority. Last year, she had a solo art exhibition in the AMS Nest's Hatch Gallery, where she had an artist talk about the importance of storytelling. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, painting, piano and trying copious amounts of different food. Mary dreams of working in animation within the video game or film industry, hopes to write a series of graphic novels and aims to be a creative director of an independent project one day!
CRISTINA TEJERO
Cristina majored in English Language and served as Gamma Phi Beta UBC Assistant Education Vice President, Facilities Manager and Loyalty Circles Chairwoman. Cristina loves to stay active by partaking in many UBC intramurals such as volleyball, swimming and Storm the Wall, after her past accomplishment of qualifying for National Championships! Today, she works as a lifeguard and swim instructor as well as a coach for her old swim team! Cristina plans on travelling, entering into the Education Program at UBC, and becoming a French immersion elementary school teacher!
