Committees
Committees
Meet the Spring 2015 Team.
Executives
Eric Hum
eric803@sbcglobal.net
President | Senior
Business Adm., Computer Science minor
From Chula Vista, CA
Hi there! I'm a loud, goofy, high-energy guy who enjoys volunteering and helping people out. I love food, especially steak, BBQ, and really anything with meat in it (vegetarians and I do not get along). I also love watching TV/streaming (it's a chore just to keep up with my TV shows), rooting for the San Diego Super Chargers (don't show me that "What's a Super Bowl?" meme, I'll hate you for it), and fanatically following superheroes. In my downtime, I enjoy swimming and playing water polo, investing for my retirement, and playing Clash of Clans.
Ganesh Krishnamurthi
gansrikri@gmail.com
Vice President | Junior
Molecular Cell Biology
From Tulsa, OK
Hello, my name is Ganesh, and I've been apart of Habitat since fall of my freshman year. It's been an integral part of my experience here at Cal, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have found it. As for my passions, I love sports, meditation, and taking in the beauty of nature. People tell me that I'm weird, but I disagree. I just think I have a unique perspective on things.
Shalini Setty
shalini.setty@berkeley.edu
Financial Manager / Secretary | Junior
Molecular Environmental Biology
From Santa Clara, CA
Hi!! I am Shalini, a 3rd year MEB student from Santa Clara, CA. I am going to be the financial manager/ secretary for this semester! If you enjoy playing with children, helping out, making friends, building houses, or having fun, you are at the right place! A little about myself: I like to eat, watch tv, read, chill, and explore! I also like playing with kids, cooking with friends, and doing henna. So if you ever want to hang out, hit me up! I hope I get a chance to meet all of you and welcome to Cal Habitat! :)
1. East Bay Workday
These are workdays that travel around the Bay Area, including San Francisco. These are usually build days or house beatifications.
Andy Ficek
ficeka@berkeley.edu
East Bay Workday | Sophomore
Mechanical Engineering
From Fargo, ND
Hi! I'm Andy Ficek and I am psyched to be an officer for Habitat this year! I am a pretty active person and enjoy being outside and playing a lot of different sports. If you ever need someone to shoot around with, hit with, or throw with, I'm your guy! I am excited to be a part of Habitat because we are going to do a lot of good in the upcoming years for a lot of people!
2. Local Workday
Workdays that occur locally, including Berkeley and Oakland.
James Morris
jimorris27@yahoo.com
Local Workday | Senior
English
From Sylmar, CA
Yo, what's up everyone! I love corny jokes and jamming out to dope tunes. I can be awkward at times, but I make it work somehow. I wanted to make an immediate impact in the community coming in as a transfer student. I am elated that I found Habitat for Humanity. I had no idea what it was before I came to Cal, but I have completely bought into the wonderful work that the organization does. If you love helping others and volunteering as much as I do, come check out our awesome club and Local Workdays with yours truly leading the way!
Ethan Xu
bronxxu@yahoo.com
Local Workday | Sophomore
Business Administration, Applied Mathematics
From Devon, PA
My name is Ethan and I am a second year at Cal. I am very excited to be your Local Workday coordinator for this semester. If you would like to have the best time of your life, don't hesitate to contact me. Outside of Habitat, I am in the ASUC, Intramural football and frisbee, and I enjoy playing guitar.
3. Soup Kitchen
Workdays that help to make and serve food at soup kitchens.
Emmy Jin
emmy.jin@berkeley.edu
Soup Kitchen | Sophomore
Public Health
From St. Paul, MN
Hey everyone! I'm Emmy, and I'm very excited to be your soup kitchen coordinator! Some of my favorite things in life are my family and friends, good food, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Anything out on the water like swimming or paddle boarding are my favorites though. I also enjoy taking long walks on the beach, reading romance novels, and gazing at the night sky's stars. Can't wait to meet all of you!
4. Fundraising
Help us to raise funds so we can do more of the cool things you see this semester with Habitat! During fall semester, we mainly help out at the concession stands during football games. This semester, we will be mainly selling food at basketball games.
Shira Benhamu
shira.2605@gmail.com
Fundraising | Sophomore
Economics, Education
From Venezuela
Hi, my name is Shira and I'm from Venezuela. I'm a sophomore and I'm studying economics and education. I love playing sports especially tennis and soccer. I watch too many TV shows and I love cooking and baking.
Yvon Brousseau
yvono18@gmail.com
Fundraising | Senior
Economics, Public Policy minor
From Thousand Oaks, CA
Hey everyone, my name is Yvon and I am one of your Fundraising Co-Chairs for the semester. I am a senior majoring in economics. I love sports, video games, listening to rock music, and playing guitar. Habitat has really one of my favorite parts about Cal and I cant wait to try and make it the same for you guys. Hope to see tons of new and familiar faces at meetings and events. Please introduce yourself at meetings and events; I promise I won't bite. Look forward to meeting everyone. Cheers!!
5. Education
Edgar and Brooke facilitate the "Issues and Affordable Housing and Poverty" DeCal. Enrollment is closed, but you are still welcome to join us every Thursday, 5:00~6:30pm at 314B Wurster!
Edgar Garfias
edgar.garfias@gmail.com
Education | Senior
Economics, Urban Studies
From San Diego, CA
Hey there! My name is Edgar, and I'm glad that I'll be spending this last year with Habitat. If you need someone to go on a random adventure with, I'll most likely be roaming the aisles of the Architecture library or in the middle of an experiment cooking. I'm usually quiet at first, but my years in high school show choir suggest that I can be too loud. Hope to meet you all, peace.
Brooke kean
brooke.kean@berkeley.edu
Education | Freshman
Public Health, Spanish minor
From Waterloo, IL
Hello there! I am so excited to be part of the officer team this year as your education co-chair. Habitat not only gives us the opportunity to build homes for the community, but has provided a home for me as an out of state student. Seriously, Habitat here at Cal is so rewarding! Aside from Habitat, I love watching tv/movies, hanging with friends, golfing, and all things St. Louis. Hope to see you around!
6. Community Outreach
Community Outreach (CO) is the committee that lets members interact with the families we help in the Bay Area. We plan events that are fun enough to enjoy by the toddlers, the teens and yes, even the parents!
Ashmitha Thinagar
athinagar@berkeley.edu
Community Outreach | Junior
Applied Math
From Victorville, CA
HEY. I'm Ashmitha, your community outreach chair for the semester! I'm a sophomore at Cal who's looking to get into Industrial Engineering. Aside from that, I generally don't know what I'm doing. If you see me walking around campus, stop me and say hi (because I'm probably lost and could use some help). This semester will be a blast! Come to Habitat if you want your life to be awesome! GO BEARS!!
Sara Cooper
saracooper@berkeley.edu
Community Outreach | Sophomore
Cognitive Science
From Caracas, Venezuela
Hey, I'm Sara! I'm currently a sophomore going into CogSci who surprises people by saying she was born and raised in South America (it's probably the blonde-ness). I'm super excited to be your Community Outreach chair this semester and have been in love with all things Habitat since the first time I swung that hammer. It's been 2 semesters of reciprocated joy! Other stuff I like to do is playing tennis or soccer and being an avid yet not-so-talented doodler. Can't wait to plan some awesome events, see you there!
7. Special Events
Special Events is a committee dedicated to planning at least one unique campus event for Habitat. This semester, we are planning two events: Poverty & Homelessness Symposium in March and Act! Speak! Build! Week in April.
Carson Quinn
carsonquinn@berkeley.edu
Special Events | Junior
Neurobiology
From Folsom, CA
Hey there! I'm Carson. This year I am excited to be one of the Special Events chairs, which means I will be planning Berkeley Build Day and the Poverty and Homelessness Symposium. I am a 4th year Neurobiology major interested in pursuing medicine. I love to be in the outdoors, whether hiking, skiing, or biking, and also play jazz saxophone. Hit me up if you want to go find a new restaurant in Berkeley, hike a new trail, or just hang out. Look forward to meeting all the new Habitat members!
Crystal Tsai
crystaltsai@berkeley.edu
Special Events | Junior
Nutritional Science
From Victorville, CA
Hiii I'm Crystal, and I'm super excited for another semester with Habitat as one of your Special Events co-chairs! Outside of Habitat I am involved with Fruitful Minds and Sprouts Cooking Club, and in my free time I enjoy running, hiking, eating, looking at cute dogs (including my own), and going on spontaneous adventures. Everything about Habitat has amazed me since day one; come serve with us and see for yourself. I hope to meet you soon!
Max Wang
mlwang1@berkeley.edu
Special Events | Junior
Molecular Cell Biology
From Iowa City, Iowa
Hi my name is Max and I'm a part of the special events chair. I'm a 3rd year and I've been a part of Habitat for the past 2 years. We're going to planning ridiculously fun events like Berkeley Build Day and the Poverty Symposium so stay updated with Habitat for Humanity. If you see me walking around on campus, don't be afraid to say hi.
8. Publicity
We design flyers and T-shirts, schedule tabling and chalking times.
Farrah Steven
farrah1219@gmail.com
Publicity | Sophomore
Business and Economics
From Jakarta, Indonesia
Hi! My name is Farrah and I am a second year pre-Haas major. I am one of your publicity chair this year and I am looking forward to meeting all you Habitaters! :D I was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, so I love the warm weather! I enjoy baking, watching movies, exercising, eating AND BUILDING HOUSES. I hope you guys will come join us in our various fun activities and be an active member of this marvelous organization, Habitat for Humanity :)
Gabi Kasher
gkasher@berkeley.edu
Publicity | Senior
Economics
From Millburn, NJ
Hi my name is Gabi and I'm excited to be one of your publicity co-chairs this semester! Cal Habitat and I have been on and off for about two years, but our love burns with the passion of Enrique Iglesias mixtapes. Along with Habitat, I love taking long romantic walks, enjoying warm cups of coffee with my econ homework, making kashmoney, and discussing the deeper parts of life. If you also enjoy these things, let me know. ;)
9. Media
We create the Habitat website, flyers, and slideshow for the general meetings.
Clarissa Surjadi
chaloveelmo@gmail.com
Media | Sophomore
Pre-Haas
From Jakarta, Indonesia
I love laughing! Anyone who makes me laugh is instantly a good friend of mine. I tend to make people laugh too. I love boba and sweets, and savory too. Point is I like eating, and I eat pretty much everything. Good friends, good laugh, good food is what I live for. I'm really active on social media, so hit me up on Facebook anytime!
Alan Chen
alanchen@berkeley.edu
Media, Webmaster | Junior
Molecular Toxicology
From Kobe, Japan
Hi everyone! My name is Alan and I will be serving as the webmaster for Habitat this semester. My parents are Taiwanese, but I've spent time living in Japan, China, and now the USA. Habitat events are great to meet new people & a good excuse to get out of Berkeley and do some community service. Hope to see you all!
Ian Ferguson
ianferguson@berkeley.edu
Media | Sophomore
MCB
From San Jose, CA
Hi everyone! My name is Ian Ferguson, and I am a second year MCB - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major from San Jose. I am part of the media team here at Cal Habitat, and I love going on work days and helping at the fundraisers. Some of my favorite things are EDM music, spaghetti, and soccer. In other news, my least favorite things are spiders and eggplant. I cannot wait to meet all of you at our general meetings and events! Go Cal Habitat!
10. Collegiate Challenge
Collegiate Challenge (CC) is a one-week alternative break program that takes place every semester. This semester's CC will take place during our spring break this semester, March 22-28. We will be traveling to Taos, New Mexico!
Raeline Valbuena
raecv@berkeley.edu
Collegiate Challenge | Sophomore
English, MEB
From San Dimas, CA
Hi everybody ~ I am so incredibly pumped to plan Collegiate Challenge this spring and can't wait to bring you all on the trip. If you need sun, snow, and affordable housing construction in your life, come talk to me and we'll make it happen. I enjoy listening to foreign music and eating domestic meat. My clarinet is my baby, the wilderness is my home, and ShareTea is my addiction. If you see me around don't hesitate to say hi so I can insist we grab a bite to eat.
11. Social
We will be having social events biweekly if you feel like having fun then you should come hang out. Looking forward to meeting all of you!
Jordan Hebert
jhebert@berkeley.edu
Social | Junior
Molecular Cell Biology
From Sacramento, CA
Hey! I'm Jordan, a third year MCB: Developmental Genetics major from Sacramento. I am looking forward to leading you all into fun social events this semester as Social Chair! I joined Cal Habitat in my second semester of my first year and it has been the best decision I have made at Berkeley. In my free time I like to play basketball, climb at bridges, or really do anything active. If you ever want to hang out, just let me know or come chat with me at meetings. I am looking forward to meeting you all this semester!
