Meet The Team

Ariel Paz Yitzchaki

President

Hi Eagles! I’m Ariel, a third-year student at Emory University School of Law. I’ve been involved with the Graduate Student Government Association since the beginning of my time here at Emory, serving as a Representative, Speaker of the House, and now President. Being part of GSGA has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time here, and I’m grateful for the chance to represent and support our graduate student community.

Outside of GSGA, I’ve been active in the Emory Moot Court Society, the Student Bar Association, and the Jewish Law Students Association. I graduated from Mercer University in 2021 (go Bears!) with a major in Media Studies and minors in Mathematics and Political Science. After my undergraduate studies, I worked as a news producer, where I discovered my passion for law and advocacy.

At Emory Law, I’m pursuing a Transactional Law Certificate and have enjoyed serving as both a Contracts Teaching Assistant and a Research Assistant. My summers have given me the chance to explore different areas of the law, from interning for a federal district court judge in Atlanta to working at Greenberg Traurig in New York. I’m excited to return there after graduation to begin my legal career.



Benedicte (Benii) Kalonda

Executive Vice President

Hi everyone, my name is Benedicte Kalonda, but you can call me Benii! I’m a second-year MPH student in the Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences (BSHES) department.

I’m a transplant and have been in Georgia for over seven years. My background includes work in research, data analysis, program evaluation and planning, and community engagement.
At Emory, I am actively involved in several organizations: I serve as Co-Logistics Coordinator for the Georgia Public Health Ambassadors (GPHA), as an Evaluation Graduate Research Assistant, and I previously served as a GSGA representative for Rollins students.

Within GSGA, I serve as Executive Vice President, where I remain committed to strengthening community and connection across the graduate campuses through student-led initiatives and activities. I’m always open to hearing your ideas, so don’t hesitate to reach out!



Liz Kufour

Chief Judge

Hellooo! My name is Liz Kufour, and I am a firstyear JD/MBA student from Dallas, Texas. At Emory, I am actively involved in several organizations on and off-campus, including the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), Emory Public Interest Committee (EPIC), Safety Valve Project (SVP).

Within GSGA, I serve as Chief Judge, where I ensure impartial review of constitutional questions, maintain transparent elections processes, and protect diverse graduate student interests. I work to serve as a reasoned voice in resolving disputes, so feel free to reach out if you have concerns about GSGA processes or need guidance on constitutional matters!

I chose to join GSGA because I believe in the power of student advocacy and wanted to use my legal training to ensure fair and transparent governance that serves all graduate students at Emory



Olivia Clayton

Speaker of the Legislature

My name is Olivia, and I am a 2L at the law school with a concentration in healthcare law! I grew up in Quincy, Illinois and have spent the last four years in New Orleans, studying political science at Tulane University.

I am an active member of Emory’s Corporate Governance and Accountability Review, as well as the Supreme Court Advocacy Program, Emory Public Interest Committee, and Student Bar Association.

In GSGA, I serve as a representative for the law school as well as the Speaker of the Legislature. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or ideas!



James Burton

Vice President of Student Outreach

Hello Emory community! My name is James Burton, and I’m a first-year Master of Public Health student in the Health Policy & Management department at the Rollins School of Public Health. I’m honored to serve as the Vice President of Student Outreach for the Graduate Student Government Association.

Before coming to Emory, I earned my B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry from Skidmore College. My experience spans research, clinical care, and community health, including work at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston University School of Public Health, and service through AmeriCorps supporting students and families in underserved communities.

Outside the classroom, I enjoy staying informed about politics, watching sports, spending time with family, and drawing amino acids. I’m passionate about building community, elevating student voices, and helping graduate students feel more connected across Emory’s schools. I’m excited to strengthen cross-campus partnerships and support a more unified graduate community.



Ruth Wei

Vice President of Finance

Hello! My name is Ruth and I'm a 2nd-year graduate student pursuing my MPH in Epidemiology with a certificate in Infectious Disease. Currently I work at Emory CIDMATH as a Science Communication Fellow, and I am also the treasurer for WARP here at Rollins.

I'm an alum of Purdue University, graduating with a major in Biology and a minor in Psychology. I'm from Indiana but now my family lives in Georgia.

I serve as the VP of Finance for GSGA, and I'm looking forward to working with everyone to turn our big ideas into reality!



Breneth Jenkins

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Hey! I’m Breneth Jenkins, a student in the Master of Nursing program at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. I’m originally from Mississippi and made the move to Atlanta to pursue my passion for nursing and community health. I graduated from Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS with a bachelor’s degree in health science.

Within GSGA, I serve as Vice President of Marketing and Communications, where I focus on making sure students stay informed, engaged, and connected. I’m all about amplifying voices, sharing stories, and building a sense of community—one newsletter, flyer, and social media post at a time!



Sylvia Chang

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Hey! My name is Sylvia Chang, and I am a second-year MPH student in the department of Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences at the Rollins School of Public Health. Before beginning the program, I studied Global Public Health and Food Studies at New York University and grew up in Taiwan where I call home!

At GSGA, I am the Co-Vice President of Marketing and Communications where I oversee all things related to our social media and newsletter. My goal is to improve graduate student awareness of GSGA through fun, engaging and meaningful content. I would love to hear any and all suggestions for what you want to see shared in GSGA communications!



Jenna Daniel

Vice President of Sustainability

Hi! I’m Jenna Daniel, a third-year medical student at the School of Medicine. I was raised in South Florida and am a proud double alumna of the University of Florida (Go Gators!). Before deciding to pursue my MD, I managed global tuberculosis research projects in East and South Africa. In my free time, I enjoy reading, taking classes at Highland Yoga, and getting outside on hiking trails around Atlanta. 

Outside of the hospital, I am serving a two-year term on the MARTA Riders’ Advisory Council for the City of Atlanta where I have focused on advocating for improved bus access to Grady Hospital and other major healthcare centers in Atlanta. On campus, I am a member of the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee and continue to engage in research with the Emory Tuberculosis Group. 

Within GSGA, I serve as Vice President of Sustainability, with my current priority being the implementation of the MARTA subsidized pass program for graduate students. Looking ahead, we hope to develop this into a sustainable and permanent transportation option for our community and will continue to work towards making public transportation a more accessible and reliable option for all students. 



Abha Namjoshi

Vice President of Student Outreach

Hello everyone, my name is Abha Namjoshi, and I’m a second-year MPH student in Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health. I hold an MBBS degree from India and have had the opportunity to work as a physician in both rural and urban settings.  

At Emory, I serve as the Vice President of Student Outreach for the Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA), where I am focused on compiling and streamlining student resources to ensure they are easily accessible across campus. I am also an active member of the Rollins International Student Advisory Board (RISAB), where I support initiatives that enhance the experience of international students at Rollins. I’m excited to be part of these vibrant communities and look forward to contributing to positive and inclusive change on campus. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can offer any assistance or support. 



Jovan Shields Brockett

Vice President of Alumni Affairs

Hi everyone! I’m Jovan Brockett, an MBA student at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School with a passion for entrepreneurship, consulting, and connecting the biotech, venture capital, and startup communities.  

I’ve founded and led several initiatives at Emory, including the Goizueta Consulting Association, and have worked across biotech research, venture capital, and business strategy. Currently, I serve as Vice President for Alumni Engagement in the Graduate Student Government Association, where I helped initiate the Emory Alumni Angel Network and am now focused on strengthening connections between alumni and graduate students. I’m also Vice President of the Emory Biotech Consulting Club, a member of the University Senate, and a member of the Staff Recognition and Engagement Committee.  

In these roles, I focus on creating connections, opportunities for collaboration, and driving initiatives that benefit both students and the broader Emory community. If you have ideas, want to collaborate, or just want to talk strategy, I’d love to connect! 



Averrie Coleman

Vice President of Wellness and Inclusion

Hi, I’m Averrie Coleman. I am a second-year MPH student in the Health Policy and Management Department. I’m originally from Colorado. I’ve worked in the nonprofit sector and am currently gaining experience at the Georgia Department of Public Health.  

Within GSGA, I serve as Co-Vice President of Wellness and Inclusion, where I aim to bring creative ideas to support the well-being of graduate students. I’m always excited to collaborate and help make our campus a more inclusive, healthy, and connected community so please feel free to reach out anytime! 



Kaitlin Dang

Vice President of Wellness and Inclusion

Hey guys! I'm Kaitlin Dang, a second-year MPH student in the BSHES Department. I am from Atlanta, GA so I am very proud to call it home. My professional background includes public health research focusing on variety of topics such as sexual health to looking at interventions among incarcerated youth.  

At Emory, I've been actively involved as the Outreach Chair for Emory's Mental Health Alliance (EMHA) and have supported projects focused on mental health. I'm passionate about building connections and fostering inclusive spaces for graduate students.  

Within GSGA, I hope to advocate for student wellness and inclusion and ensure student voices are represented across graduate programs. I look forward to collaborating with all of you and welcome your ideas on how we can make our community stronger!



Arielle Wallenstein

Vice President of Community Engagement

Hi everyone! My name is Arielle Wallenstein, and I am a second-year student at the School of Medicine. At Emory, I am involved in vascular trauma research, a course representative for anatomy and hematology, a first and second-year representative and mentorship chair for Women in Surgery at Emory Residencies (WISER). I also have a part-time job working with an autistic teenager on motor coordination.  

Within GSGA, I serve as Vice President of Community Engagement. I look forward to helping connect students to one another, as well as to the greater Atlanta community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or ideas! 



Samridhi Purohit

Chief of Staff

Hi everyone! I’m Samridhi Vyas Purohit, a second-year MPH student in the Global Health Department, pursuing certificates in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies and Data Science. Originally from Mumbai, India, I am a dentist by training and have professional experience across clinical dentistry, research, and entrepreneurship. 

At Emory, I actively engage in student leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration through the Graduate Student Government Association, the Rollins Student Ambassador Program, and the Atlanta Interprofessional Student Hotspotting initiative. I recently completed fieldwork in India, where I designed monitoring and evaluation frameworks for postnatal education program, supported by the Global Field Experience Award. 

Within GSGA, I serve as Chief of Staff, where I support the President and Vice President in ensuring smooth operations, oversee graduate-wide elections as Chair of the Graduate Board of Elections, and help strengthen collaboration across councils. I am passionate about building inclusive spaces and amplifying graduate student voices at Emory