2024 Executive Board
Kaimet Haile, Executive Director
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Year: 3rd Year
Majors: Economics & Cognitive Science, Certificate in Personal and Organizational Leadership
Position Description: As Executive Director, I oversee the organization, operational management, and interpersonal facilitation, collectively aimed at propelling us to come together for a successful Event Day. I work closely with each member of the executive board to bring their ideas to life and help with any problems they might face while doing so. I oversee our weekly meetings and serve as the main point of contact for all things SWAB related!!
Why I SWAB: I SWAB to give back to the Athens community, the city which I now call home. Coming into UGA I knew I wanted to get involved in local community service, as I know how much of an impact such organizations had in my own hometown. After joining SWAB’s First Year Council my freshman year at UGA, I knew that SWAB was going to be an organization I would continue to serve with for the rest of my college career. This organization has afforded me the opportunity to get to know the community around my campus and work with the diligent people within SWAB that create and maintain the connection. Since my first one freshman year, SWAB’s event day has been a day I look forward to every Fall Semester. Spreading and sharing holiday joy and cheer with the children of Athens is one of those experiences where you just have to be there. I am beyond excited to be serving as the Executive Director this year to further SWAB’s mission.
Madden Lundy, Internal Director
Hometown: Athens, Georgia
Year: 2nd Year
Majors: Biology and Psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience
Email: internaldirector@swabuga.org
Position Description: I ensure that SWAB’s internal groups run smoothly and support internal co-directors in any way that they need. My position aims to facilitate efficient, intentional communication amongst the internal groups within SWAB including Committee, Ambassadors, and First-Year Council. I organize meetings to discuss internal affairs ranging from service events, fundraising goals, and bonding opportunities so that all member voices can be shared, heard, and celebrated. Fostering a community of open and honest communication ensures that positive leadership across internal SWAB grows.
Why I SWAB: Being from Athens, I wanted to be a part of a service organization at UGA that would allow me to give back to my own community. SWAB's mission inspired me to apply to First Year Council, where I met so many incredible individuals that were dedicated to service work. I knew immediately I had found my people. The combination of the hardworking and passionate people that SWAB has brought into my life and being able to give back to a community that has given me so much is what makes SWAB so special to me. I am beyond excited to continue my service on the Executive Board to continue celebrating the children of Athens!
Ria Doshi, External Director
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
Year: 3rd Year
Majors: Biology and Psychology, with an emphasis in Neuroscience
Email: externaldirector@swabuga.org
Position Description: I oversee all of the external positions, including Campus Outreach, Community Outreach, and Recruitment. I am responsible for supervising their communication with people outside of SWAB and helping them with anything they need. I am also in charge of planning any events besides Event Day, including out spring fundraising event.
Why I SWAB: Throughout my life, the value of community has been of great importance to me. When I came to UGA, I wanted to find a way to get involved with Athens, a community that has given me so much. SWAB was one of my first involvements at UGA and introduced me to such a welcoming and loving family. Seeing the joy and excitement during Event Day has encouraged me to continue getting more involved with SWAB and our mission.
Josh Sandler, Director of Event Operations
Hometown: Cornwall, NY
Year: 3rd Year
Majors: M.S. Business Analytics, B.B.A. Economics
Email: eventops@swabuga.org
Position Description: As Director of Event Operations, I am responsible for planning the logistics of SWAB's Event Day. I work with our venues, transportation providers, internal members, and volunteers to make Event Day as seamless as possible. My job is to coordinate our event in an organized fashion, ensuring safety guidelines that protect the mentors and mentees we serve, and making Event Day an enjoyable and memorable experience for all.
Why I SWAB: SWAB's mission and impact is a joy unmatched to me. Ever since eighth grade, I've celebrated the joy of the holidays with children in my community, so when I entered UGA, SWAB was a perfect fit. But, while I was drawn to SWAB because of the holiday joy it spreads to the children of Athens, the relationships I've developed within SWAB have solidified my commitment to this organization and my love of its members. The spirit of this organization is truly remarkable, and the fact that it accomplishes so much while cultivating a true and lasting community reminds me how lucky I feel to serve on the Executive Board.
Shweta Krishnan, Director of Mentees
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Year: 2nd Year
Majors: Journalism and Political Science
Email: mentees@swabuga.org
Position Description: I work with 15 elementary schools in Athens-Clarke County to help coordinate the number of mentees that can participate in the Event Day. I also work with Family Engagement Specialists to help determine what items are necessary to mentees for the holiday season.
Why I SWAB: I SWAB because I love being able to give back to the Athens community. As a UGA student, it sometimes feels like the campus is in a bubble, completely separated from the Athens community. I love SWAB's mission to bridge the gap between the UGA campus and Athens community because it helps students be involved and continue to engage with everyone. I know I made the best decision in joining the First-Year Council during my freshman year, and I love being able to contribute to this organization and support its mission throughout my time at UGA. I am grateful to be a part of this incredible organization, and I am honored to serve on this year's Executive Board.
Sydney Kelly, Director of Mentors
Hometown: Augusta, Georgia
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Finance
Email: mentors@swabuga.org
Position Description: As the Director of Mentors, I serve as the primary contact for UGA students who serve as our organization's mentors. I am responsible for all things regarding mentor applications and background checks, mentor training, and mentor's role on Event Day. I send out emails keeping mentors in the loop about Event Day and other fun volunteer opportunities through our organization.
Why I SWAB: I SWAB because I love pouring into the community around me. When I came to college, I knew I wanted to get involved in an organization that directly impacted and worked with people in Athens and SWAB was the perfect fit! From my first Event Day freshman year, I knew this was an organization I wanted to be apart of throughout college. I have met so many amazing people through SWAB and can't wait for the next year!!
Keira Cullinan, Director of Finance
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Year: 2nd Year
Majors: Economics and Management Information Systems
Email: finance@swabuga.org
Position Description: As the Director of Finance, my responsibility is to make sure that SWAB remains financially sound. I manage the organization's overall budget, allocate funds to other executive directors, approve purchases, and keep track of donations. In addition, I am responsible for applying for grants and seeking sponsorship opportunities.
Why I SWAB: II SWAB because I love giving back to the Athens community. Seeing the smiles and laughter on Event Day is one-of-a-kind, and I look forward to the fall semester Event Day each year. It is truly incredible to see the direct impact SWAB makes on the community each year, and I so happy to be a part of it. This organization is filled with people who want to serve the community surrounding UGA, and the people in SWAB are passionate and dedicated about these goals. Being in SWAB has been one of the best choices I have made so far in my college life, and I am so excited to serve on the Executive Board this year.
Emma Barber, Director of Mass Media
Position Description: In my role as the Director of Mass Media, I partner closely with the Director of PR to convey SWAB's mission and values across various mediums. My role includes creating social media visuals, conceptualizing merchandise for our members, and maintaining cohesive digital identity that mirrors SWAB's impactful community values and endeavors.
Why I SWAB: I SWAB because I enjoy being involved in my community. Supporting the Athens Community through celebrating its youth gives me so much joy. Building connections with fellow UGA students who are also dedicated to service is equally rewarding. There are countless opportunities to make a difference such as Event Day or during other service events. The dedication of my peers never fails to impress me, driving me to strive for greater leadership in our community.
Carter Nichols, Director of Public Relations
Hometown: Duluth, Georgia
Year: 1st Year
Majors: International Affairs and Public Relations
Email: pr@swabuga.org
Position Description: As the Director of Public Relations for SWAB, I work alongside the Director of Mass Media to effectively convey SWAB's mission to both UGA and the larger Athens community. I aim to promote the values of SWAB through writing statements, communicating with and engaging students, and utilizing our website and social media accounts. I help to maintain SWAB's presence in a manner that highlights our goals as a growing service organization.
Why I SWAB: I first joined SWAB this past fall on first-year council and realized that it is much more than an organization; it is a community. Not only does SWAB offer a tight knit campus group, but it has also encouraged me to reach parts of the Athens-Clarke County community that I would not have without it. Everyone involved in SWAB is truly passionate about giving back to Athens during their time at UGA and it is truly inspiring. This organization is filled with people who inspire me to find new ways to give back to my community, and I am so grateful to have found that!
Riza Khan, Director of Fundraising
Position Description: My job is to coordinate all things fundraising for SWAB. This includes organizing percentage nights with local business, coming up with creative fundraising ideas, ensuring that all mentors and internal members meet their fundraising goals, and applying for grants. The more we fundraise as an organization, the more children we can invite to Event Day!
Why I SWAB: After serving as a mentor on Event Day in 2022 and getting to witness the kids having an absolute blast, I knew that SWAB was organization I wanted to be more involved in. As someone who loves spending time with children, SWAB was the perfect opportunity for me to partake in a fun activity while also giving back to the Athens community. Serving on committee gave me the opportunity to be a part of the connected SWAB family and experience firsthand the dedication and teamwork that goes into making a memorable experience for the children. SWAB's emphasis on togetherness and spreading joy during the holidays resonates with me deeply, and as an exec member, I hope to spread our impact to as many children as possible.
Insha Budhwani, Director of Event Creativity
Position Description: As Director of Event Creativity, it is my responsibility to create the theme and decorations for all things SWAB related. By coordinating with other Executive board members I aim to transform Event day for a memorable experience for our Mentors and Mentees. I can't wait to get started on this years event day so that we can have yet another successful event day and to bring joy to everyones faces.
Why I SWAB: I first started off with SWAB to find a way to get more involved on campus, but very soon I began to fall in love with the people and the organization. As a previous Committee member I was able to foster so many new and meaningful connections as well as create so many beautiful memories. The joy I was able to see on mentees and mentors face this year on event day was so surreal and really pushed me to want to be more involved in SWAB. As the Director of Creativity for this year and I can't wait to continue working and spread the mission of SWAB even more this year.
Sara Hoover, Co-Director of Recruitment
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Applied Biotech with an emphasis in Animal Science
Email: recruitment@swabuga.org
Position Description: My co-director, Deeya Khanwani, and I run and organize the SWAB recruitment process! We set up tabling, SWAB mobile, and Theme Reveal. Our goal is to bring in a lot of great mentors so we can invite many children from the Athens community for SWAB 2024 event day.
Why I SWAB: I SWAB because as a freshman at UGA, I searched for clubs to be a part of to foster a community for myself in a new school. I found SWAB through another friend who had joined committee her freshman year, and I decided to become a mentor for the SWAB 2021 event day. I really enjoyed it and did it again the next year. Then when I wasn't satisfied with that anymore I decided to get more involved and join SWAB's committee! It was a great experience and now this year I am so lucky to serve on SWAB's executive board as co-director of recruitment to bring in a lot more excited, dedicated students.
Deeya Khanwani, Co-Director of Recruitment
Hometown: Peachtree City, Georgia
Year: 2nd Year
Majors: Biology and Psychology
Email: recruitment@swabuga.org
Why I SWAB: I SWAB to give back to the community that has given me my family at the University of Georgia. As an undergraduate, most of my involvement has been fostered through the school, and I believe elementary students of underserved populations in Athens should have access to the same resources we do. It brings me so much joy to form relationships with younger children that highlight the importance of a community. This organization makes internal members, mentors, and mentees feel a sense of belonging that is incomparable to any other impact I have been a part of. I will continue to stay involved in this organization to create an Event Day that brings hundreds of local children together to provide an opportunity for celebration, fun activities, and gifts!
Brooke Mangano, Director of Committee
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Year: 3rd Year
Majors: Biomedical Physiology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Email: committee@swabuga.org
Position Description: Committee is a selective group of passionate, dedicated individuals that brainstorms, fundraises, and plans for Event Day. My goal is to act as a mentor and friend to Committee members while encouraging them to work closely with each other in their Sub-Committees as well as with the Executive Board to foster a stronger connection with the Athens Community, internal SWAB, and each other. Leading Committee is a great way to bridge internal SWAB members who care about SWAB more deeply, and who are looking to get more involved with the details that go into planning and executing a successful Event Day, with the SWAB Executive Board and SWAB's future.
Why I SWAB: Being from out of state, SWAB has given me a home in a new unfamiliar community. Now being involved in SWAB for three years, I SWAB to give back to the community that has given me so much. SWAB allows me to continue to build my relationships with like-minded people who strive to have fun and connect with their community. It brings me so much happiness to witness the positive impact we have by making meaningful relationships with the children and families of Athens.
Caleb Sandler, Director of IT and Optimization
Hometown: Cornwall, New York
Year: 2nd Year
Majors: Finance, Management and Information Systems
Email: ito@swabuga.org
Position Description: I work alongside all executive branches to ensure their IT process are smooth, digitally optimal, and efficient. I manage all back end technological operations for SWAB to help SWAB reach more people, generate more funds, and increase the brand through technological means.
Why I SWAB: The experience I had on event day last year solidified my love for SWAB. The joy captured on the faces of hundreds of Athens kids paired with the day of fun, meaningful mentorship makes the SWAB mission and result extremely joyful. Additionally, SWAB allows UGA students with similar personal missions to band together, collaborate, and work to manage a full fledged 501 (c) 3 organization that has a yearly impact on the Athens community.
Jules Patterson, Co-Director of First Year
Council
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Applied Biotechnology with an emphasis in Plant Science
Email: fyc@swabuga.org
Position Description: As Co-Director of First Year Council, I work alongside my Co-Director Nando Arriola to lead first-year students during their initial Fall semester, introducing them to Shop With A Bulldawg as a student-run organization and the inner-workings of Event Day. I hope to ignite the spark of loving SWAB in these young, ambitious leaders to ensure their community involvement throughout their time at UGA
Why I SWAB: Coming to UGA from out of state, I was desperate to dive into an organization where I felt like I could be connected to my community and serve the people in it. Getting involved in SWAB my fall semester of my first year as a FYC member, I was able to meet so many incredible people who share my love of volunteering, and I knew I made the right decision to join. Celebrating the children of Athens-Clarke county allows me to feel a true connection with my new college-town home, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it all. I have cherished every second in this org and have found a family within SWAB, all stemming from a shared love of Athens.
Nando Arriola, Co-Director of First Year Council
Hometown: Canton, Georgia
Year: 1st Year
Major: Biology with an emphasis in Neuroscience
Email: fyc@swabuga.org
Position Description: As a Co- Director of First Year Council, I work along with my Co- Director Julianne Patterson to build a positive and fulfilling environment where first year students feel mentored and supported. As well as lead enthusiastic meetings, organize fundraisers, and plan events that will make event day successful and an unforgettable experience for all! Through our work, we hope to build skills that will inspire these first year students to go out on campus and be leaders themselves and motivate them to continue their involvement within SWAB.
Why I SWAB: Being able to spread such joy and positivity in the lives of so many in such a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere is an experience I will look back upon and be incredibly grateful for. I love what SWAB stands for and how it brings people all across the community together to make a difference in each others lives. One truly never knows what anyone may be going through but the way in which everyone loves and uplifts each others spirits especially on event day is one of a kind, that through my example and encouragement want others to be able to experience for themselves. Having the opportunity to translate for two Spanish speaking children on event day was truly fulfilling and has inspired me to place my best foot forward and even pursue a minor in Spanish. I know that when I work in anything within SWAB whether through fundraising, activities, or any events I am working for a greater purpose than myself and I am excited to continue to do so for the remainder of my college career. I want to inspire this same love within others and motivate them to do be their best self in and out of SWAB.
Brooke Smith, Co-Director of Ambassadors
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina
Year: 2nd Year
Majors: Sociology and Economics
Email: ambassadors@swabuga.org
Position Description: As a Co-Director of Ambassadors, I work with my Co-Director, Raaga Bramhadevi, I lead our largest internal group, plan meetings, work with ambassador members to organize fundraisers and supply drives, and most of all, give off the sprit of SWAB!
Why I SWAB: I SWAB because of the people and the amazing things we do. The people of this organization are some of the best, most humble, and driven people I have ever met. It is such an honor to serve on an executive board with people that make me better every single day. I also love the amazing things we get to do with the children of Athens. It is so meaningful to work so hard for an entire year and then get to see all the amazing smiling faces of the mentees on event day.
Raaga Bramhadevi, Co-Director of Ambassadors
Hometown: Peachtree City, Georgia
Year: 3rd Year
Majors: Biology and Psychology
Email: ambassadors@swabuga.org
Position Description: Brooke Smith and I serve as Co-Directors of Ambassadors, guiding our internal group dedicated to advancing SWAB's mission and spirit. Our year-round efforts are dedicated to supporting the Athens-Clarke County community by engaging in fundraising, recruitment, and fostering new opportunities for SWAB. Most importantly, we guide Ambassadors in celebrating community values and spreading the spirit of SWAB across UGA campus. Together, Brooke and I focus on preparing Ambassadors for Event Day and ensuring that it is a memorable day for all involved.
Why I SWAB: Upon serving as a Mentor on Event Day, I was deeply moved by the impact of SWAB and I became actively involved in an organization dedicated to giving back to our community, our home. My passion for SWAB stems from my role as a Head Mentor for a local after-school program, where I personally know the children we are supporting. It means the world to me that we are making them happy.
Virginia Vaughan, Director of Community Outreach
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Business Management, Certificate in Non Profit Management and Leadership
Email: communityoutreach@swabuga.org
Position Description: As the Director of Community Outreach, I work to create lasting relationships with businesses and organizations through SWAB's sponsorship program and community service opportunities. My goal is to have SWAB celebrate the importance of community and connect with local businesses all year long. I help coordinate service opportunities for all internal members to serve in Athens-Clarke County in a variety of ways. I also create outreach initiatives for sponsorship programs in the community and organize raffles to further SWAB’s fundraising efforts.
Why I SWAB: I SWAB to support the children in Athens having the ability to just be a kid and celebrate the joy of the holidays. I have learned so much about the Athens-Clarke county community and it is so rewarding to know we are giving back to the community we are so lucky to be apart of even if it is just for 4 years.
Aaliyah Khaiphanliane, Director of Campus Outreach
Hometown: Thompson, Georgia
Year: 1st Year
Major: Political Science and African American Studies
Email: campusoutreach@swabuga.org
Position Description: As Director of Campus Outreach, I work to create collaborative efforts between Shop with a Bulldawg and other campus organizations, in order to expand SWAB. In addition to organizing events on campus and facilitating group mentor sign-ups, I also work closely with the Director of Community Outreach to coordinate Greek Week and homecoming.
Why I SWAB: As a first year student, SWAB's First-Year Council was my initial introduction to our organization. I wasn't sure what to expect from Event Day, but I knew that I wanted to be part of something larger than myself. Fast forward to November, and I had one of the most beautiful, rewarding experiences of my life. What I realized is that Event Day isn't unidirectional; sure we fundraise for our students, but their excitement and joy on our special day is what keeps me motivated. Serving our community has been one of the first great honors of my time here at UGA, and I am so thankful that I get to continue to serve, now, as SWAB's Director of Campus Outreach.
