I am a sophomore attending the University of California, Berkeley studying political science and economics. In the past, I have heavily been involved in speech and debate events, with a particular emphasis on Parliamentary debate and Impromptu speech. I had the high honor of serving as President of my high school’s Speech and Debate team during my senior year. Some things I like to do in my free time are watch and play sports, TV shows, and movies, as well as exercise.I started the Masked Heroes Initiative because I believe that we cannot sit on the sidelines and expect for COVID-19 to disappear. It is up to us — all of us — to actively defeat it together and put this crisis behind us.

Adila Ahmed, Chief Information Officer

Hello! My name is Adila Ahmed and I am an incoming freshman at UCLA pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry on the premed track. I plan to pursue a career in the medical field with a potential focus in neurology or cardiology. At the high school level, I was involved in Mock Trial, Speech and Debate, TedX, Science Olympiad and various other extracurriculars that allowed me to work on my public speaking and communication skills, strengthen my leadership abilities, and discuss important topics in our world. As a part of External Finances in MHI, I mainly work on fundraising, applying for grants, and communicating with businesses to cooperate with. Outside of academics, I enjoy mentoring middle school students in Los Angeles county and tutoring students in STEM. In my free time, I enjoy dancing, music, playing tennis, watching a lot of Asian dramas, and exploring my Indian heritage!

Carolynn Pham, External Finance Associate

I am a second year pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology with a minor in Gerontology at University of California, Los Angeles. I wholly enjoy working with elders, and I hope to make my passion for geriatric medicine into a career in the future, alongside working to raise awareness on elder abuse, and contributing wholeheartedly to geriatric’s research to make a difference. Outside of MHI, I am in a program that supports and cares for patients with dementia, an internship supporting surgical doctors in the hospital, a research lab on neurological brain diseases, and a Pre-Medical club. In my free time, I enjoy reading, exploring philosophy, poetry, spending quality time, and helping others.

Anya Holbrook, External Finance Associate

Hi, my name is Anya Holbrook and I am a second year Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology major at UCLA, currently studying in the Bay Area for the fall quarter. In the future, I hope to pursue either a career in pediatrics or genetics, potentially genetic medicine. For the time being, I am working with MHI as a member of the external finance team in order to give back to my community and help make a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, painting, watching and doing gymnastics, and exploring the Bay!

Brian Trinh, Chief Financial Officer

Hello, my name is Brian Trinh. I am a student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and minors in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering. I love two things: math and piano. Piano is my favorite hobby because music is so universal and a great way to convey emotions. I am also involved with VSA in Cal Poly Pomona. Masked Heroes Initiative is a way I can give back to the community by supplying PPE to those who desperately need it. In MHI, I oversee all internal financial activities of MHI to ensure proper management of funds.

Kenton Trinh, Internal Finance Associate

Hi! My name is Kenton Trinh and I am the youngest member of this organization. I am currently a senior at Valencia High School. I plan to possibly study chemistry or music when I get into college. In my free time, I like to play video games with my brother, talk with friends, and read. As Secretary, I document weekly meetings, compile biweekly reports on all donations and expenditures at MHI, and assist in any and all projects.

Jae Jeon, Internal Finance Associate

Hey! My name is Jae Jeon and I am a second-year Psychobiology major at UCLA. I am staying in South Korea for the fall quarter. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in medicine, specifically in adolescent psychiatry. My role in MHI is to organize the receipts and keep track of all sources of income and spending at MHI and the UCLA branch. Outside of MHI, I am currently assisting research in stroke and stroke recovery, and I work part-time at a Vietnamese restaurant. I also work as a TA at an English academy, where I tutor middle school kids after school. In my free time, I like to eat outside with my friends, exercise, or watch TV shows.

Emily Kusumoputro, Internal Finance Associate

Hello! My name is Emily and I am currently a second-year Biology major at UC Riverside with hopes of pursuing a career in the field of health sciences. I joined MHI because I strongly resonated with this organization's mission to promote safety while providing to underserved communities. As treasurer, my responsibilities include keeping track of all expenditures and donations within the UCR branch and working with the Internal Finance team as well. Outside of MHI, I do research on metal-organic frameworks, play violin in the UCR Symphony Orchestra, and volunteer as an adult literacy tutor. In my free time, I like to watch anime/K-Dramas and enjoy playing Clash Royale!

Sydney Tsai, Chief Marketing Officer

I am an incoming freshman at the University of Southern California as a Law, History, and Culture major with a pre-law emphasis. I have had the privilege of participating in various activities throughout high school such as TEDx, Link Crew, and an exchange program to Japan. I plan to continue mock trial, which was my biggest commitment in high school, at the collegiate level. Also, I hope to further immerse myself in East Asian cultural studies to learn more about my own heritage. As a person who has an interest in activism and raising awareness of current issues, I help manage MHI’s various platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Peggy Zhou, Head Graphic Designer

Hello! My name is Peggy Zhou, and I am a Visual Communication Designer completing my Bachelor’s Degree at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. I am currently residing in Los Angeles County, California. During my free time, I enjoy cooking new recipes, playing strategic games, and doing yoga. My role in MHI is to design content for our social media platforms while overseeing the graphic design department to make sure that our designs unify with our organization’s vision. I hope to make a difference in today’s current events by communicating through design. View my portfolio at https://peggyzhou.myportfolio.com/.

Rachel Soong, Graphic Design Associate

Hi there! My name is Rachel Soong, and I am a second year Biology major at UCR. I am planning on pursuing a career in the medical field, hopefully as a physician, though I am not sure which field I am interested in right now. I joined this organization as a graphic designer because not only do I get to do my part in slowing the spread of COVID, I also get the opportunity to indulge in my side hobby of drawing.

Nitish Patel, Head Researcher

Hey there! My name is Nitish Patel and I’m a second year Neuroscience major at UCLA, currently based in Dallas, Texas. I hope to one day pursue a career in degenerative brain disease research, but for the time being I’m working with MHI to create social media posts to spread awareness of the COVID-19 virus and its socioeconomic impacts worldwide. In my free time, I like to watch (and play!) soccer and play the piano!

Makena Umnas, Social Media Associate

Hi! My name is Makena Umnas and I am a first year at UC Berkeley studying Psychology and Public Policy. In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, hiking, reading, and trying new food places! Another hobby of mine is making jewelry and I even started my own small business that donates to various causes. As part of the Social Media Committee, I help create and oversee content on all our social media platforms. I’m so excited to be a part of MHI’s new UCB branch, and am grateful to give back to the community, especially those disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Emma Wood, Chief Technology Officer

Hi friends! My name is Emma Wood, and I’m a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. As Director of Technology for Masked Heroes Initiative, my responsibilities include running our website and collaborating with other team members to present updated COVID-19 information to the public. My hobbies include travelling, kayaking, reading political theory, having bonfires at the beach with my loved ones, and playing with my dog and two cats. I hope to someday work as a software engineer for a nonprofit organization and perhaps open my own homeless shelter or animal sanctuary. To reach me with questions or business opportunities, you can contact me at my email: woodemmalea@berkeley.edu.

Anooj Desai, Technology Associate

Hi, my name is Anooj Desai and I am currently a sophomore at UC Berkeley studying Computer Science and Data Science. My interests are in the areas of data structures, machine learning and data analytics. I am also passionate about the intersection between technology and social good. I deeply resonate with the mission statement of MHI and want to continue to build the website and hopefully develop new technologies that will assist with the club’s activities. Besides MHI, I am a part of the Events Committee of ANova, a club at UC Berkeley dedicated to mentoring students of all backgrounds in computer science and I am also a project manager at Data Science Society (DSS) at Berkeley. My hobbies include playing volleyball, following the NBA, discovering new recipes to cook, and playing the keyboard.

Justin Figueroa, Technology Associate

Hello, I am Justin Figueroa, a Computer Science major attending University of California, Riverside. At MHI, I am responsible for building on our existing technologies as well as keeping information on our platforms as updated as possible. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball and the piano/ukulele. You can usually find me on my computer working on various projects when I get the chance.

Saleem Haider, Chief Strategy Officer

As a 19-year-old student at California State University, Fullerton, I am a Junior in the Mihaylo Business Honors Program. It has been my pleasure to have acted as a TEDx speaker for three concurrent years, and I am currently president and founder of TEDxCSUF. I will be a returning intern at PwC in their Deals Advisory, FDD practice for the summer of 2021. I currently serve as an Executive Director of PFrofessional Development for the Business Honors Program and am on a 3-year graduation track from high school to graduate, CPA Eligible, with 165/150 semester units. Contact me at saleemhaider01@csu.fullerton.edu with any inquiries or opportunities.

Natalie Chen, UC Irvine Branch President

Hello! I am currently a second-year student at UCI, majoring in Public Health sciences. I joined MHI in hopes that my teammates and I can have a significant impact in reducing the spread of Covid-19 in disadvantaged communities. As co-president, my responsibilities included initiating the new club registration process at UCI and assigning specific roles to incoming members. I have loved collaborating with others on this very important goal and am excited to meet more newcomers joining our team. Outside of MHI, I have enjoyed volunteering at hospitals, assisting children in after-school programs, swimming, and exploring new places in SoCal. In the future, I envision myself pursuing a career in epidemiology and disease prevention. Overall, I hope I can dedicate my career to mitigating the quantity of preventable deaths on a national, or even global scale.

William Chung, UC San Diego Branch President

Hello! My name is William Chung and I am a second year computer science major at UCSD. One of my hopes for the future is to be able to apply what I am learning now to a worthwhile and beneficial cause, a hope that has in part led me to Masked Heroes Initiative. I joined MHI as a way to contribute to combating the COVID-19 public health crisis because I believed that the only way to get through it is together. Since joining, my belief in community action and service has only been strengthened. I am looking forward to all the amazing work that MHI and my branch at UCSD will accomplish, and I am grateful to be a part of it all. On a more personal note, in my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends and just exploring, from exploring nature to exploring topics I haven’t learned about before!

Brendan Tsuda, Senior Advisory Specialist

Hey everyone! My name is Brendan Tsuda and I am a senior at UC Berkeley, majoring in Chemical Biology and minoring in Bioengineering. During college, I spend most of my time reaching out to and mentoring at local elementary and middle schools with students in STEM as a Site Leading Coordinator in Berkeley Engineers and Mentors. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball and tennis, cooking, and traveling. My role in MHI is to assist in gathering funds for the organization.

Sunay Dagli, Technology Advisor

Hey! I am a sophomore at UC Berkeley, where I am pursuing an Energy Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science major in the College of Engineering. I'm passionate about the intersection between software development and impact-driven fields such as sustainability. My interests include data structures, sustainable technologies, and software development. Contact me at sunaydagli@berkeley.edu for any opportunities or information!

Rainey Williams, Chief Operations Officer

Hello! My name is Rainey Williams and I am a second-year studying Linguistics and Computer Science at UCLA. In the future I hope to work in the field of computational linguistics. I organize the donation and distribution of PPE to medical centers, retirement homes, and small businesses in California and across the country. I firmly believe in the mission of MHI and I’m confident in our team’s ability to make a difference during this pandemic. In my freetime I like to draw, watch documentaries, and explore LA (pre-covid times of course!)

Darlene Kabigting, Operations Associate

I am a second year student at UCLA, currently pursuing a degree in Biochemistry. In the future, I plan to work in healthcare or a career that allows me to make advances in medicine. As a member of MHI, I oversee the UCLA branch as co-president along with organizing mask donations as an Operations committee member. Joining MHI has allowed me to work with underprivileged and underrepresented communities, something I have been passionate about my whole life. In my free time, I like to journal, listen to music, play video games and go on adventures!

Megan Vu, Operations Associate

I am a second-year attending the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as a Biology major and Asian American Studies minor. I hope to pursue a future career in the medical field with an interest in pediatrics. As an undergraduate, I am passionate about helping others through clinical work and providing an impact for underprivileged communities in Asian Pacific Health Corps. I am also currently involved in Foundations Choreography as the Showcase Chair and SEA CLEAR as part of the mentorship workgroup. In my free time, I love to bullet journal, play the piano, and exercise. My role in MHI is to oversee the UCLA branch as well as organize and purchase PPE for areas in need. Contact me at megantsvu@g.ucla.edu with any inquiries or opportunities.

Andrew Liang, Operations Associate

Hi! My name is Andrew Liang and I am a second year undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology (MCDB). As a part of the MHI Operations committee, I actively work alongside Operation board members to organize wholesale purchases, contact suppliers, and deliver masks to places in need throughout SoCal. As Covid-19 continues to impact the lives of millions, MHI will not cease to provide aid until the day Covid-19 is defeated. Outside of MHI, I serve as an honors mentor for the College Scholars Program at UCLA. I am also a part of a research team at UCLA that examines healthcare literacy in underrepresented communities such as Asians and Pacific Islanders in LA. In my free time, I enjoy painting, writing journals, and watching movies!

Donovan Maunahan, Operations Associate

Heyo! My name is Donovan Maunahan and I am a second year at San Francisco State University currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. In my time of being a volunteer at a hospital in San Francisco I was able to witness firsthand, the health inequities found within my community as well as serve those within underprivileged communities. That is one of the reasons why I was passionate about joining MHI. I wanted to help out and continue serving those within underprivileged communities. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in nursing in the military, Emergency Room, or pediatrics. In my free time, I love to cook and experiment with new recipes, sing terribly in karaoke, and watch movies! As a member of the MHI Operations committee, I actively work alongside Operation board members to organize and deliver masks to places in need throughout the Bay Area.

Andrea Sutedjo, Operations Associate

Hello! My name is Andrea Sutedjo and I am a second year biochemistry major at UCR. I hope to pursue a career in the healthcare field in the future. Additionally, I also have interests in creative writing. I joined MHI as I resonated deeply with its mission of serving and protecting the community and am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to join the operations team. In my free time, I enjoy going on walks, journaling, and reading.