Fall 2024 HES Student Organization Executive Board Election Results

Lindsey Siegfried de Sanchez, ALM in Management

January 2023, I was appointed to a new HESA role – Director of Club & Society Affairs. I’m thankful HES students trusted me when you elected me to the role in April 2023. In my time on the HESA board, I successfully launched six HES Student Societies! It’s been amazing seeing our students unite, support each other, and create these vibrant communities. In my role, I led collaborative leadership meetings, developed a guide for current and future Society leaders, and created spaces for HES students to connect. Have you joined our HESA WhatsApp Community yet? We have over 80 chat groups and over 1,600 HES students connecting and supporting each other! I created the Community in May 2023 in response to students’ requests for ways to connect regionally and by interest. It brings me joy to connect students with each other, especially in our global HES community. I came to HESA with student and alumni leadership experience through my multiple leadership positions with the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. As President, I worked with my team to set and accomplish goals, encouraged my teammates, and led us to award-winning status each year. I wish to use those skills, leadership experiences, and passion for community as your 2024-2025 HESA President. I’ve served on the HESA board for 1.5 terms and have a solid grasp on how HESA operates and, more importantly, how we can make it work better for us all. With my experience, inside and outside of HESA, I believe I’m the right person to lead this next chapter. We’ve done amazing things together, but there’s still more we can do to enhance the HES student experience and drive greater engagement in our community. I’m committed to making HESA even more inclusive, connected, and supportive of each HES student.

Jess Brooks, ALM in Sustainability

Hello! My name is Jess Brooks. I graduated this May from the Harvard Extension School with an ALB in Social Sciences, accompanied by minors in Environmental Studies and Economics. Currently, I’m pursuing my ALM in Sustainability. Over my five years at HES, I’ve witnessed numerous changes and challenges, alongside opportunities to enhance the global student experience—an endeavor I am eager to address with practical solutions. Throughout my career, building communities has been my cornerstone. At HES, my goal is to continue this mission. My journey began with active involvement in various clubs and societies, leading to my current role as the Deputy Director of Events for HESA this semester. Beyond campus, in the DC area and its surroundings, I’ve initiated HES meetups, aiming to foster communities not just on campus but globally, promoting face-to-face interactions outside of the Boston metro area. There are three things that are important to me. First, there is a gap in connection for those who are not on campus, and that needs addressing. Secondly, I am passionate about addressing the diploma designation, advocating for the term “in extension studies” to be replaced with our specific concentrations. Third, empowering our students to step into the world as Harvard graduates, supported by a network of peers and alumni, is paramount. I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for Vice President of HESA. My love for HES is profound, and I am dedicated to ensuring every student feels supported and advocating for resolutions to the issues you face. My campaign slogan, ‘Ready to Work for You,’ reflects my commitment to you and maximizing our shared future.

Janine Bensouda, ALM in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

I am running for this position because I want us all to feel like we belong here. As someone who identifies as a global citizen, having lived and worked in 30 countries, I know what it is like to constantly feel like I don’t belong. What inspires me most about the HES community is the diversity of the student body with its rich tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, cultures, languages, opinions and skills. So many of you talk to me about how much you learn from the diversity of this talented student body. Let us create a safe environment that encourages the celebration of our diversity and makes sure that everyone is included. I would like to introduce science and structured methods to actively listen to the diverse voices of our students- especially those that may currently be underrepresented. I have heard from neuro -diverse students who have expressed challenges, from international students who struggle with certain aspects of the experience and from people who simply would like to feel like they belong. As a student of the ALM in Industrial Organizational Psychology, this is exactly the kind of tools, methods and science that I am learning. Whether it is organizational behavior, Psychometrics or diversity and culture, I would love to continue to walk the path of scientist-practitioner while advocating for my fellow students and being of service in a meaningful way. I have also held leadership roles at companies like Citibank and Deloitte, so I am very experienced at translating ideas into action. My lifelong experience in volunteering has also prepared me well as a servant leader. Whether it is humanitarian work or leadership mentoring for students in developing countries, I am committed to helping others. I look forward to representing you and doing my best to make HES the most inclusive continuing education program in the country.

Miranda Childers, ALB in Creative Writing & Literature, with a Certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

To the students of HES, if no one told you today, I’m proud of you. I know how hard it was to get here, what it takes from you to stay here, and how important it is for you to be here. My name is Miranda. I want to be your next Director of Communications because I believe that as I stand on business I will amplify your voice. I’m a dedicated single mom, study partner, friend, and my goal is to advocate for you. As a former Spanish Teacher, current Small Business Owner, and Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children, I have experience speaking up for those who do not have a voice. I will make it my mission to bridge the gap between my fellow classmates, professors, and community leaders and stand on the business that your voice deserves to be heard. My 15 plus years of experience allows me to collaborate, create, write, and distribute timely communications. As an extroverted thinker, frank, and decisive; I assume leadership readily. I believe that my ability to quickly identify logical and inefficient procedures and policies, allows me to develop and implement comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems. Not only am I bilingual (Spanish/English/AAVE), but I am also effervescent, punctual, and talented. Like you, my real world experience adds a unique perspective. My successes have stemmed from the use of my skills: copywriting, editing, planning, directing project teams, and media relations to include press releases, interactive websites, and press conferences. My goal is to raise awareness about the unique experiences of non-traditional students and my efforts will center around clearly communicating the needs of all students advocating for services that cater to our diverse needs, including stress management for working adults and support for parenting students.

Kirsten Brownrigg von Reinholtz, ALM in Management

It would be my honor to earn the privilege of serving as HESA’s Director of Community and Public Service because community service has truly fueled my pursuits and defined my life’s trajectory from my earliest childhood memories in New Delhi, India to my adult years living in Chengdu, China to my current life in Los Angeles, USA. Having lived across the world, I’ve found a second home at HES with its uniquely global community–and it’s that expansive global community that I hope to mobilize to achieve extraordinary impact! As an associate board member of Covenant House who has conducted several sleepouts for unhoused teens and youths, I am thrilled at the prospect of continuing a close relationship with the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter and the Phillips Brooks House. In addition, I propose expanding our reach by developing more virtual volunteer opportunities such as online tutoring and drives, improving accessibility for our widespread community. I would also advocate for a system that tracks and celebrates the contributions of our students, whether through certificates of recognition or similar forms of meaningful reward. In my previous experience leading honors and charitable organizations, I’ve seen how recognizing individual efforts incentivizes and cements participation. Simultaneously, we would be highlighting the positive influence of our school’s global community. And with my background in journalism, marketing, and public relations, I am well-prepared to amplify these efforts and showcase what we will accomplish. I share HESA’s mission to help students “make the most of your academic journey.” To this end, my vision is to create more service opportunities available to every HES student, no matter their location, and for them to be recognized formally. This role is a chance to turn that vision into a reality, leveraging our diverse community for the ultimate goal: true impact.