YIRA Board

The Yale International Relations Association is headed by an Executive Board comprised of seven persons: a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, three Secretary Generals, Head Delegate of the Model United Nations Team, Speaker's Committee Chair and Director of Outreach.

Below are the profiles of the board of the Yale International Relations Association. Please feel free to contact any of us at our email addresses for questions, comments, or assistance.
 
President
Matthew Dennett
matthew.dennett@yale.edu

Matthew K. Dennett is a senior at Yale University majoring in Humanities and Economics. Originating from Larchmont, New York, Matthew is a Freshmen Counselor for Saybrook College. As President of YIRA, he is responsible for the running of the organization as a whole, overseeing YMUN, SCSY, IMSCSY, Speaker’s Committee and Outreach in addition to YIRA finances and recruiting. Outside of his responsibilities as President, he is a member of Yale’s traveling Model United Nations Team, is a member of the Yale Concert Band and the Yale Precision Marching Band. He will be continuing his working with Lehman Brothers after graduation.
 
 

Vice-President
Michal Benedykcinski
michal.benedykcinski@yale.edu

Michal Benedykcinski is a junior at Yale University majoring in History and International Studies. Originally from Poznan, Poland, Michal is a member of Erza Stiles College. As Vice President, he is in charge of recruiting and maintaining an active membership. He is responsible for organizing social events, from happy hours to Mory’s nights and initiations. He is interested in languages, travel, horses and good food and music. He was originally born in the communist block

Treasurer
Daniel Gillespie
daniel.gillespie@yale.edu

Daniel Gillespie is a sophomore at Yale University majoring in Applied Mathematics. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Daniel is in Timothy Dwight College. As Treasurer of the Yale International Relations Association, he is responsible for managing income and expenditures of the organization and keeping financial records. Additionally, he is also responsible for planning and executing the Fall and Spring Banquets. Outside of his responsibilities as Treasurer, Daniel is a member of Yale’s traveling Model UN Team (MUNTY), a member of the Yale Debate Association and works with the Yale Investments Office. Some of his hobbies include hiking, camping and fishing

Secretary
Shoshana Iliaich
shoshana.iliaich@yale.edu

Shoshana Iliaich is a sophomore at Yale University majoring in Political Science and International Studies. Originally from New York City, Shoshana now resides in Davenport College. As Secretary, Shoshana is in charge of minutes at meetings, coordinating events, and structuring UN trips. Outside of YIRA, Shoshana competes and spearheaded a beginner riding program on the Yale Equestrian Team, coordinates conferences and panel discussions at the European Studies Council and works with the Yale Israel Journal. Shoshana is interested in international development, particularly in Central Asia and Women’s Rights

MUNTY Head Delegate
J.T. Kenndy
john.kennedy@yale.edu

J.T. Kennedy is a junior at Yale University majoring in History. Originally from Stuart, Florida, JT is a member of Trumbull College. As MUNTY Head Delegate, he is in charge of the Model United Nations Team at Yale, part of YIRA. As Head Delegate, he is responsible for administering all aspects of the team, from training sessions to travel logistics to social events. He is involved in both the Yale Globalist and FOCUS on New Haven

SCSY Secretary General
Zharna Shah
zharna.shah@yale.edu

Zharna Shah is a sophomore at Yale University majoring in Political Science and International Studies. Originally from New York City, she now lives in beautiful Silliman College. As Secretary-General of the 31^st annual Security Council Simulation at Yale (SCSY), Zharna organizes Yale’s only collegiate level invitational Model UN conference. Outside of SCSY, Zharna is a member of Yale’s traveling Model UN Team (MUNTY), a staff writer for the Yale Daily News Magazine and Vice President of the Sophomore Class Council. She is also a Peer Health Educator and remains involved in her residential college’s Student Activities Council. Zharna is incredibly excited for this year’s SCSY and she welcomes any and all questions regarding the conference, registration and Model UN at Yale

YMUN Secretary General
Amandla Ooko-Ombaka
amandla.ooko-ombaka@yale.edu

Amandla Ooko-Ombaka is a sophomore at Yale University majoring in Economics and Mathematics with International Studies. Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, she now resides in Branford College. As the Secretary-General for YMUN XXXV, she is responsible for the administration and execution of Yale’s premier model United Nations conference for high school students. She is a member of Yale’s traveling Model United Nations team. Outside of her activities in YIRA, she dances with the Yale Ballroom Dance Team and Rhythmic blue, works for the Yale Admissions Office and serves as Director of Investor Relations for Global 21. She speaks six languages

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IMSCSY Co-Secretary General
Samantha Broussard-Wilson
samantha.broussard-wilson@yale.edu

Samantha Broussard-Wilson is a freshman at Yale University potentially majoring in History of Art and Political Science. Originally from Manhattan Beach, California, Samantha now resides in Ezra Stiles College. As co-Secretary General for IMSCSY, she is responsible for the administration and execution of Yale’s intramural Model United Nations Competition. Outside of YIRA, she is involved with Amnesty International, the Yale Daily News, the American Red Cross, Yale Democrats and the Ivy Council. She hopes to attend Law School after graduation

IMSCSY Co-Secretary General
Kwaku Owusu-Ansah Osei
kwaku.osei@yale.edu

Kwaku Owusu-Ansah Osei is a freshman at Yale University potentially majoring in Economics and Political Science. Originally from Accra, Ghana, Kwaku now resides in Saybrook College. As co-Secretary General for IMSCSY, he is responsible for the administration and execution of Yale’s intramural Model United Nations Competition. Outside of YIRA, he is involved with Yale Mock Trial, the Yale Black Men’s Union, and serves as the Political Chair for the Yale African Students Association.

 

Director of Outreach
Sabrina Howell
sabrina.howell@yale.edu

Sabrina Howell is a senior at Yale University majoring in Economics East Asian Studies with an emphasis on China. Originally from New York City, Sabrina now resides in Davenport College. As Director of Outreach, she works with a team of YIRA members to teach high school students from New Haven public schools about Model United Nations and international relations. About 45 of the students she worked with then participated at Yale Model United Nations XXXIV. Outside of her responsibilities as Director of Outreach, she competes with Yale’s Traveling Model United Nations Team, is a member of Varsity Polo Team and has served as liaison for World Fellows Program. After she graduates, she will be working as an energy consultant out of Houston, Texas.

Speaker's Committee Chair
Rosanna Oh
rosanna.oh@yale.edu

Rossanna Oh is a sophomore at Yale University majoring in English. Originally from Jericho New York, Rosanna is a student at Jonathan Edwards College. As the Chair of the Speaker’s Committee, Rosanna organizes events that allow YIRA members to meet international movers and shakers.