THE secretariat

senior secretariat

  • Baala Shakya

    DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF OPERATIONS

    Baala Shakya is a junior in Trumbull College majoring in History and Political Science with certificates in Journalism and Medieval Studies. In the past, she has served on the secretariats for YMUN LI & LII and YMUN China. Outside of YMUN, Baala is a research assistant at the Yale Law School, at the Yale MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, and in the Yale History Department. She also works as a communications assistant for the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs. Beyond her academic work in international relations and security studies, Baala is involved in campus journalism as Editor-in-Chief of The Vexillum Medieval Studies Journal and as a managing editor for the Yale Historical Review and The Globalist. In her free time, she enjoys exploring New Haven’s café scene and spending time outdoors. Baala is always happy and available to answer any questions at dg.operations@ymunsouthasia.org.

  • Lishore Kumar

    SECRETARY-GENERAL

    Lishore Kumar is a junior at Yale majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Economics, with aspirations of finding economic solutions to challenges in the healthcare sector. YMUNSA will be Lishore’s fourth international conference through Yale, following past participation in YMUNC II and III in Shenzhen, China, as well as WEMUN in Beijing, China. Inspired by the immense potential and strong appetite for discourse across South Asia, Lishore decided to lead the conference in its second iteration, championing its mission: “To make change, be the change.” Beyond Model United Nations, Lishore is a member of Low Strung, Yale’s internationally touring rock-cello group, serves as an Engineering Ambassador for the school, and has formerly worked with the university’s endowment. Outside of school, you can find Lishore expanding his fragrance collection (feel free to ask him for recommendations), learning to DJ, and studying Chinese.

  • Bryant pranboonpluk

    DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF COMMITTEES

    Bryant Pranboonpluk is a current junior in Saybrook College from Los Angeles, California! He is currently studying Political Science and Psychology at Yale University. Outside of YMUNSA, Bryant is the Head Peer Liaison for the Yale Asian American Cultural Center (AACC),works at the Payne Whitney Gym, and is an associate consultant with Global Strategy Consulting. In his free time you can find him watching basketball, playing table tennis, and listening to his favorite Taylor Swift and Charli XCX albums. Bryant previously served as the Secretary General of YMUN China 2026 and as the YMUN LII USG of ECOSOCs. He’s excited to bring another transformative experience to delegates in Bengaluru. For any questions regarding committees, delegate trainings, or anything pertaining to the conference please feel free to reach out to Bryant via email at dg.committees@ymunsouthasia.org.

under-secretary-generals

  • Jesse McCormick

    UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF DELEGATIONS

    Jesse McCormick is a junior in Berkeley College from Montana majoring in Global Affairs and pursuing an Education Studies certificate. He has been involved with MUN and debate since high school, and has previously chaired for YMUN Singapore. Elsewhere on campus, Jesse is involved with the debate team as a tournament organizer, and the best student job…the admissions office! He loves to play pickleball, watch tennis, and record his life on Goodreads, Letterboxd, and Beli. He is thrilled to be chairing and is looking forward to meeting all the delegates this spring! Feel free to reach out to him at jesse.mccormick@yale.edu.

  • Maryam Abbas

    UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF DELEGATIONS

    Maryam Abbas (she/her) is a sophomore in Berkeley College majoring in Ethnicity, Race, & Migration (ER&M). Her YMUN experience began as an ASG of External Affairs for YMUN LII (Yale's flagship MUN conference) where she now serves in the same role as USG. Outside of YMUN, she is involved with the Muslim Student Association (MSA), volunteers with the non-profit Y2Y New Haven, and helps with Project RESTOR, an organization that works with formally incarcerated women in New Haven. As a South Asian herself, she is beyond excited to be in India for YMUNSA and can't wait to meet all of the delegates!

  • Brendan Kaminski

    UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF OUTREACH

    Brendan Kaminski (he/him) is a junior from Long Island, New York, studying History, Russian, and Education Studies. Outside of YMUNSA, he is one of the senators for Saybrook College in the Yale College Council (Yale’s undergraduate student government), a classroom volunteer at the Augusta Lewis Troup School in New Haven, and a front-desk service assistant at Bass Library. In his free time, Brendan loves to hang out with friends, try new salad recipes, listen to music, and read great books. He is excited to be an Under-Secretary-General of Outreach and lead committee for his first YMUNSA conference. Please feel free to contact Brendan at outreach@ymunsouthasia.org.

  • Matheus Nucci Mascarenhas

    UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF OUTREACH

    Matheus Nucci Mascarenhas is super excited to serve as a Chair and Under-Secretary-General of Outreach at YMUN South Asia! Born and raised in a countryside city near São Paulo, Brazil, Matheus is a junior-year student intending to double major in Global Affairs & Economics with a Certificate in Chinese. Outside YMUN South Asia, Matheus is the Co-President of the Yale Global Strategy Consulting Group, the Secretary General of YMUN Brasil, and the Co-President of the Brazil Club. In his free time, he loves reading about international politics and hanging out with his dear friends. Bringing a warm and hardworking spirit, Matheus is excited to meet the delegates in November! He is devoted to ensure delegates have the best MUN experience possible! Matheus is always happy and available to answer any questions at outreach@ymunsouthasia.org

  • Hari Viswanathan

    UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF CONFERENCE

    Hari (he/him) is a junior from Monroeville, Pennsylvania, and he is thrilled to serve as your USG of Conference! Outside of YMUN South Asia, he covers the Yale New Haven Health System for the science and technology desk.

  • Andrew Lee

    UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF BRANDING

    Andrew Lee (he/him) is a senior in Benjamin Franklin College, majoring in Political Science with an Intensive Certificate in Human Rights. He is quite excited to serve as the USG of Branding for the second iteration of YMUNSA! Within classrooms, Andrew is drawn to studies across neocolonial theory, queer feminisms, empire, and political sovereignty. When he is not buried in pages of readings, Andrew spends the bulk of his time choreographing and dancing to hip-hop, afro, and K-pop. He is also an aspiring baker and claims to have, allegedly, the most wonderful no-chocolate-chip-chocolate-chip cookie recipe. Feel free to reach out at branding@ymunsouthasia.org or andrew.lee@yale.edu.

  • Sion Joo

    UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF BRANDING

    Sion Joo (she/her) is a sophomore in Pauli Murray College from Houston, Texas, majoring in Cognitive Science and Political Science! Outside of YMUNSA, she works as project manager and media chair for DFA Studios, a design consulting organization on campus, does layout editing for the Yale Scientific Magazine, and tutors Burmese refugees in English Education. In her free time, she ice skates, goes shopping with friends, and really enjoys watching Jubilee debates. She’s very excited to be your co-USG of Branding this year! Please feel free to reach out to her at branding@ymunsouthasia.org or sion.joo@yale.edu.

  • Riyashi Varia

    UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF COMMITTEES

    Riyashi Varia (she/her) is a sophomore in Pierson College and is excited to serve as your Under-Secretary-General of Committees for YMUN South Asia. She is from Bergen County, New Jersey, and is a Mechanical Engineering and Political Science major. Within the Yale International Relations Association, Riyashi previously served as an Assistant Secretary-General for ECOSOC for YMUN LII and currently serves as the Director-General of Committees for YMUN LIII, as well as Director of Curriculum for the Yale International Relations Institute. Outside of YMUN, she serves on the Executive Board for Engineers Without Borders, and as Director of Insights for the Global Strategy Consulting Group. In her free time, she enjoys going on food crawls, side-questing with friends, and fine-tuning her ever-growing Spotify playlists. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to reach out anytime at riyashi.varia@yale.edu.

directors

  • Ayushi Das

    DIRECTOR

    Ayushi Das (she/her) is a junior in Pierson College from Long Island NY, majoring in Computing and the Arts (CS + Art) and obtaining a certificate in Quantum Science and Engineering. She is thrilled to be a Committee Director for YMUN South Asia. Outside of YMUNSA, Ayushi writes for the Yale Globalist and is part of the creative team developing the upcoming spring edition, is an Undergraduate Research Assistant for the Yale Social Robotics lab, works at the Asian American Cultural Center as an Undergraduate Student Coordinator, and competes on the Oral Argument Yale Moot Court Team. In her free time, Ayushi enjoys exploring cafes, traveling, painting, or visiting museums. Feel free to reach out to her at ayushi.das@yale.edu with any questions or concerns.

  • Jason Jiang

    DIRECTOR

    Jason Jiang (he/him) is a sophomore at Yale from Philadelphia, PA, majoring in the History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. He is passionate about studying the intersection of medicine and policymaking to combat health inequities within the context of language barriers. Serving previously as a chair for the YMUN LII and YMUN China conference, he is excited to be a part of the Secretariat for YMUNSA and to learn more about South Asia's nuanced history throughout the experience. Outside of YMUN, he serves as a cultural chair for the Chinese American Student Association, a Peer Liaison with the Asian American Cultural Center, and a research assistant with the Yale Neuroscience Department. Please feel free to reach out to Jason at j.jiang@yale.edu.

  • Claire Guo

    DIRECTOR

    Claire (she/her) is a sophomore in Timothy Dwight College studying Computer Science and Mathematics. She is thrilled to be serving as one of your Directors for YMUN South Asia! Outside of YMUN South Asia, Claire is the Under-Secretary-General of Regional Bodies for YMUN LIII, a Software Developer for the Yale Computer Society, and a research assistant at the Yale School of Management. Claire loves exploring new cafes, trying new restaurants, and going to concerts. Feel free to reach out to her at c.guo@yale.edu!