Meet Exec!
This is the Willard executive board from Spring 2023 to Winter 2024. Get to know us!
President
Anisha Phade
she/her
The President oversees Willard, runs Executive Board meetings, aids other members of Exec with their responsibilities, represents Willard on the Residential College Board, and maintains SOFO training.
Anisha Phade is a rising second-year from Chattanooga, Tennessee, majoring in mechanical engineering. Although she is often found in the WFFL struggling through problem sets with the other Willard engineers, she occasionally escapes to Ford to build cars or SPAC to beat people up with Taekwondo. How does she have time to do all of this and be president of Willard? The world may never know. But after a quick chat with her, you’ll definitely know about her Roman Empires: she went to an all girls high school and loves to talk about the law
Vice President
Tazwaar Ahmed
he/him
The Vice President is responsible for running Central (Willard's Junior Exec Board) and overseeing programming for Wildcat Welcome.
Taz is a rising second-year from Dhaka, Bangladesh, majoring in economics with minors in business institutions and (potentially) theatre. He is a theatre kid at heart and is often participating in campus productions and Playing with Fire at NU. When he’s not at rehearsal, he can be found hanging out in the WFFL and the Willard basement having a great time with his fellow Woos. You might also catch him crying while watching a heart-wrenching TV show on one of Willard’s TVs. He studied in the UK for two years and, thus, constantly has to fight allegations of being British. He has a love for different languages, being able to (allegedly) speak four. His playlists are made up of English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, Italian, French, Thai, and Mandarin songs. Taz gains energy from interacting with others and is always looking forward to have meaningful conversations, so come say hi!
P.S. He also knows way too much about the British Royal Family.
Secretary
Janse Barkley
he/him
The Secretary creates the weekly Exec agenda, takes minutes at weekly meetings, maintains the Willard Calendar, and manages the Willard Points System.
Janse Barkley is a rising second-year from Des Moines, Iowa, majoring in voice and opera performance (with plans to add a data science dual degree). When he isn't spending countless hours a day at Bienen, you will likely find him in the Willard basement listening to music, making sarcastic comments at any possible moment, or reciting "Janselore" (no patent yet) for anyone who will listen! Janse cannot wait to meet everyone in Willard, so feel free to say hi or give TV show/music recommendations if you see him!
Treasurer
Jackson Spenner
he/him
The Treasurer maintains SOFO training, takes charge of all Willard budgeting and financial affairs, and creates Willard's budget along with the President.
Jackson is a rising second-year majoring in economics and data science from Burlingame, California. If you catch him booking it down Sheridan, he’s probably either blocking out the noise with a Taylor Swift album, sharing one of many hot takes with his friends, or sprinting to make it to track club. Jackson also loves exploring Chicago's coffee shops, solving New York Times crossword puzzles, and enjoying Plex West’s immaculate bakery selection. He's super excited to be Willard's treasurer this year and has already made great friends at SOFO.
Social Chair
Aidan Keefe
he/him
The Social Chairs plan all Willard social events, including Willard Formal, create new events, and help Willard residents bring their event ideas to life!
Aidan Keefe (he/him) is a rising second-year from Chicago, Illinois majoring in political science and social policy. He works part-time in the office of Alderman Scott Waguespack in Chicago and is the outreach director for Northwestern College Democrats. When he's not conducting research or working on homework, Aidan is "studying" (productivity is not his strong suit) with his friends, practicing trumpet, or watching sitcoms. If you ever need recommendations for good restaurants in Chicago, he'd be happy to give you his STRONG opinions!
Social Chair
David Sun
he/him
The Social Chairs plan all Willard social events, including Willard Formal, create new events, and help Willard residents bring their event ideas to life!
David Sun is a rising second-year from Northern Virginia majoring in journalism and economics and minoring in chemistry and history. When he's not hosting killer, awesome events for Willard, he's exploring new restaurants and boba shops around Chicago for his ever-expanding Beli roster and hyper-fixating over music artists who probably need to file a restraining order against him. David is also a part of Spoon, NBN, and training to be a PGSG leader! Contrary to popular belief, David does not live in the WFFL— his natural habitats include Plex East, the Transportation Library, and escaping his *many* opps on the Intercampus. Come say hi and hear him overshare about everything that's ever annoyed him on any given day :)
Academic Chair
Mingyuan Wang
he/him
The Academic Chairs maintain communication with Willard faculty and associates, encourage student-associate interaction, and run events involving Associates, like High Table.
Mingyuan Wang, usually known as Ming, is a rising second-year from the California Bay Area tentatively majoring in the Integrated Science Program (ISP) and computer science. He often dallies at the Willard Piano, pairs poems with photos from his Nikon D90, or becomes engrossed in the latest installment in the Cosmere, an extended fantasy book universe. If Ming is not navigating the Greater Tech Complex, he can be spotted at most Willard and Southwest Area events. He also has a taste for eclectic knowledge and skills from his history as a WikiGnome, including polyphonic singing, juggling, and classical history.
Academic Chair
Alex Olguin
he/him
The Academic Chairs maintain communication with Willard faculty and associates, encourage student-associate interaction, and run events involving Associates, like High Table.
Alex Olguin is a rising second-year student from Hinsdale, Illinois majoring in theatre and economics with a minor in transportation and logistics. When not hosting events for Willard, you can find Alex working on shows in Northwestern’s vibrant theatre scene, where he specializes in stage management, lighting design, and music directing. He is also a 2024 Peer Advisor and loves to talk about anything Northwestern, so be sure to say hi!
Diversity and Inclusion Chair
Toluwalase Ogunbomehin
she/her
The Diversity and Inclusion Chair works to foster an inclusive, empathetic community within Willard that promotes the wellbeing of all students through events and other initiatives.
Toluwalase (Tolu) Ogunbomehin is a rising second year from San Antonio, Texas majoring in neuroscience on the premed track and minoring in psychology, as well as in Korean language. She is a notorious WFFL lurker, but please say hi if you see her. She doesn't bite... usually. When she's not in the WFFL, she is involved in NU BLAST (Ballroom, Latin, and Swing Team), Applause for a Cause, the Students' Admissions Office, and psychology research at Kellogg.
Food and Fireside Chair
Lili Bannister
she/her
The Food and Fireside Chairs recruit Fellows and Willard residents to give Firesides and organize all Munchies and other food-driven events.
Lili Bannister is a rising second-year from Dallas, Texas. She is majoring in voice and opera performance and communication sciences and disorders. Lili can typically be found endlessly yapping in the WFFL or at the "study table." She is a huge crossworder, frequently neglecting her work for the New York Times daily games. If you see her around don't be afraid to say hi!
Food and Fireside Chair
Helen Davis
she/her
The Food and Fireside Chairs recruit Fellows and Willard residents to give Firesides and organize all Munchies and other food-driven events.
Helen Davis is a rising second-year majoring in theatre and economics. She is from the wonderful Evanston, Illinois and is passionate about connecting local businesses with the Northwestern community. In her free time, she enjoys making art and hanging out with her cats and dog. If you see her in the WFFL, ask for her opinions on chocolate and cheese- she has a lot. She can't wait to work with the new Exec Board!
Public Relations Chair
Greta Cunningham
she/her
The Public Relations Chair publicizes all Willard events to the LISTSERV, social media, and Woochat and designs and sends out the Weekly Woo to remind residents of events and important information.
Greta Cunningham is a rising second-year majoring in English and journalism. She is from St. Paul, Minnesota, a city she is constantly trying to convince her friends is separate from Minneapolis and not in fact a suburb. You can find her baking brownies in the WFFL kitchen, walking through the halls with her ever-reliable headphones, staying up too late talking with friends in the Willard basement, or wasting away hours designing for Willard on Canva.
Service and Philanthropy Chair
Anavi Prakash
she/her
The Service and Philanthropy Chair oversees service events, projects, and a newsletter to connect Willard residents to the local community.
Anavi Prakash is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, studying journalism and social policy. When she isn't reporting for The Daily or other campus publications, she can be found exploring Evanston and Chicago, dabbling in sound for theater productions, and making really bad jokes. Anavi's main bucket list item is visiting all the Federal Reserve Banks (three down, nine to go!). She is excited to be this year's Service and Philanthropy Chair and help Woos connect with the greater community. Feel free to say hi and chat about any/all the things, either in person or via email!