Meet the Student Philanthropy Council
Danah Ansari
Class of 2028
Danah is a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in computer science. She is currently a Peer Mentor and Peer-Guided Study Group Leader, a member of Kappa Theta Pi, and a member of the Middle Eastern and North African Students Association. Giving back to the community has always been important to Danah, so joining the Student Philanthropy Council and educating her community on the importance of philanthropy is a meaningful experience for her.
Taylor Bates
Class of 2028
Taylor Bates is a sophomore studying communication studies and minoring in entrepreneurship. She is involved in Her Campus, Delta Gamma, WiB, and The Women's Network. She joined the Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) because of the amazing community and the good it does for others. SPC has events that are both fun and beneficial for Northwestern!
Danielle Chan
Class of 2029
Danielle is a freshman double majoring in human development in context and data science. She spends much of her time serving Chicago Public Schools by volunteering to teach math in Rogers Park as a DeBerry Civic Scholar and CS in District 65 with tiilt and TIDAL labs. On campus, she works as a research assistant for the Life-Span Development Lab. Otherwise, she is an executive member of Barbell Club and a set designer for Seesaw Theatre. She joined SPC to reframe philanthropy as not just giving, but also a valuable opportunity to form relationships with and learn from our communities.
Sydney Chen
Class of 2029
Sydney Chen is a first-year student in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, studying economics and data science. On campus, she is involved in CASE, the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, Women in Business, Tri Delta sorority, and the Northwestern Energy and Sustainability Club. Sydney joined the Student Philanthropy Council because giving back to her community has always been one of her core values. To her, philanthropy is not just about the act of volunteering, but also about inspiring change and social welfare across various communities. Through joining the Student Philanthropy Council at Northwestern, she hopes to be able make a difference in her community and foster philanthropic stewardship within the Northwestern community and the greater Evanston area.
Anne Chiang
Class of 2029
Anne (Yu-En) Chiang is a first-year student studying psychology, learning sciences, and business institutions. On campus, she is involved in NU Equestrian Team (dressage), AIESEC, NU Philharmonia (clarinet), Northwestern Undergraduate Philosophy Society, and Open Democracy. She also serves on the Hobart House (Women's Residential College) executive board. She loves and appreciates the opportunity to be in Student Philanthropy Council as the it allows her to share the impact of philanthropy with the Northwestern community.
Smera Dwivedi
Class of 2027
Smera is a junior and intended chemistry major in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. She is currently a member of The Women's Network, The Waldron Student-Alumni Connections Program, and is involved with Northwestern Dance Marathon. She is also currently serving on the Kaplan Humanities Program advisory board. She wanted to join the SPC because she wants to be more involved in philanthropy in order to set up her own type of endowed fund/nonprofit in the future!
Emily Fosker
Class of 2027
Emily is a junior studying journalism, economics, and business institutions. On campus, she has served as a resident assistant, family ambassador, and tour guide, sharing her love for Northwestern with the community. She has been a member of the Student Philanthropy Council since her freshman year and enjoys highlighting the impact of giving back.
Maddie Huang
Class of 2027
Maddie is a third-year student in SESP studying human development in context with a minor in entrepreneurship. On campus, she is involved in a start-up at The Garage, nuAZN magazine, and NU Matriculate. She has always been passionate about philanthropy and joined the Student Philanthropy Council to give back to her community and work with others who share the same passion.
Simon Kissel
Class of 2026
Simon Kissel is studying math and biology, with a concentration in ecology, evolution, and conservation at Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. On Northwestern's campus, you can find him singing in the Northwestern University Choirs, running on the NU Track Club, doing microbial ecology research in the Hartmann Lab, or welcoming new students as a PA. He is also the president of Prairie Cats Club (the campus ecological restoration club) and a tutor with Books & Breakfast! Outside of Northwestern, he likes to backpack, enjoy new foods, watch sports, and play board games. Go ’Cats!!
Leila Murray
Class of 2028
Leila is a sophomore studying manufacturing and design engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering. Leila is involved in design spaces on and off campus, especially in the club Design for America where design meets philanthropy. Leila is passionate about helping others, and through the student philanthropy council is excited to make an impact on the Northwestern community!
Lucia Patterson
Class of 2029
Lucia is a freshman studying philosophy in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Her interests include politics, law, and critical theory. On campus, she is part of the Northwestern Debate Society and is in the Posner Research Fellowship Program. Lucia also volunteers for Books & Breakfast at Washington Elementary school in Evanston. She loves community engagement and joined the Student Philanthropy Council to grow her involvement in giving back.
Isabella Polanco
Class of 2028
Isabella Polanco is a sophomore studying communications and minoring in art history. Along with being on the SPC, Isabella is a campus ambassador with The Women's Network and a counselor with Camp Kesem. Isabella has always had a passion for philanthropy and is so happy to be a part of a group where she has the opportunity to make a greater impact on her Northwestern community.
Steven Sacerdote
Class of 2026
Steven is a senior studying history at Weinberg College. On campus, he enjoys playing intramural sports and being involved in student organizations such as the Alexander Hamilton Society. He is extremely excited to be a part of the Student Philanthropy Council so he can educate the Northwestern community about philanthropy and the value of giving back to all the important causes that have impacted their Northwestern experiences.
Isabel Su
Class of 2027
Isabel is a junior student studying journalism and economics with a minor in French. On campus, she is involved with the Daily Northwestern, Delta Gamma Sorority, and Asian American Student Journalists. She joined the Student Philanthropy Council because she has always been passionate about philanthropy and wants to give back to the Northwestern community in any way she can.
Maya Turun
Class of 2026
Maya is a senior studying social policy in School of Education and Social Policy. She plans to double major in learning and organizational change and minor in legal studies. She is currently part of Peer Inclusion Educators (PIE) through Social Justice Education and the Center for Leadership-Undergraduate Leadership program (CFL-ULP) . She is a strong believer in the power of philanthropy and education. She looks toward pursuing a career in humanitarian and philanthropy work after her education and has been looking to gain more knowledge in this field. She believes that joining the Student Philanthropy Council would be a great opportunity for her to learn and begin her philanthropic journey of restoring balance and giving the needed resources to various communities.
Klara Vinn
Class of 2027
Klara is a junior studying neuroscience, data science, and global health at Weinberg College. On campus she is involved in the swim club, Arch Scholars, Compass , and Alpha Chi Omega. She also tutors immigrant children in English and volunteers to help Ukrainian refugees. As a Ukrainian immigrant herself, this cause is extremely dear to her heart, and she is excited to join the Student Philanthropy Council with a unique perspective on ways to give back to her new community at Northwestern and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
Lindsay Wales
Class of 2027
Lindsay Wales is a junior studying communications and international studies with a minor in entrepreneurship. As a part of Rayvon Foché's Humanities and Technoscience Lab, she researches NIL history, policy, and implications. Lindsay also works at Protein Bar at SPAC. She is on the marketing team for UNITY Charity Fashion Show. Lindsay also serves as Panhellenic delegate, and previously the merchandise director, for Alpha Phi. She joined the Student Philanthropy Council to empower students and give back to the Northwestern community.
Jonathan Wu
Class of 2026
Jonathan is a senior studying industrial engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering. He is currently involved in Engineers for a Sustainable World, a Garage startup, and the Advancing Teams, Systems, and Leaders (ATLAS) lab here at Northwestern. To him, philanthropy is more than just giving, but a way to help create opportunities and shape a better future for the community. He joined the Student Philanthropy Council to learn more and contribute to Northwestern's efforts to extend philanthropy amongst the Evanston community.
Ashley Xue
Class of 2027
Ashley is a third-year student studying journalism and economics, minoring in business institutions and artificial intelligence. She is involved in Spoon University, Syllabus Yearbook, and Institute of Student Business Education. She has always been passionate about philanthropy and is excited to help raise awareness about giving back on campus.
Leeland Zhang
Class of 2026
Leeland is a senior in the McCormick School of Engineering majoring in applied math. He is involved in Northwestern Science Olympiad, Global Engagement Summit, Northwestern TAMID, Scholars of Finance, Global Brigades, and is doing research at C3 Lab on campus. He works at a startup outside of school, but has been finding ways to incorporate more impact-focused philanthropy into his work, thus motivating a join into Student Philanthropy Council as a means to support the local Northwestern community.