Meet the CMUNNY XIX Secretariat
SECRETARY-GENERAL
Jamie Wenzel
Jamie is a rising senior at Columbia College studying biology with a special concentration in public health. A native of rural North Carolina, he grew up with a love of the outdoors, a difficult trait for school in New York City. Jamie has been involved in Model UN since his freshman year of high school serving in a variety of roles over the course of his tenure. Jamie has a special adoration for special committees and general assemblies as they hit at the heart of diplomacy and force delegates to leave their bubble and educate themselves on the world as a whole. However, that does not impede his predilection for resolution shattering crisis updates. Outside of Model UN, Jamie is a tour guide for the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee, a Resident Advisor, and part of the White Water Kayaking team.
Director-General
Lika GeGenava
Lika is a rising senior at Barnard College studying political science and philosophy. She grew up in the Republic of Georgia and moved to New York City for college. Lika has been involved with CMUNNY since her freshman year in various different roles. On campus, she is also a member of Columbia Undergraduate Law Review, where she currently holds a position of a lead editor. When she is not working on CMUNNY, Lika can be found watching replays of tennis matches, walking through numerous parks in the city, or exploring art galleries downtown.
CHIEF OF STAFF
Paloma La Valley
Paloma La Valley is a rising senior at Barnard College majoring in Political Science with a minor in Latin American Studies. Since 2022, she has been involved with CIRCA in various roles and is the Director of Operations for the Columbia Travel Team. This summer, Paloma will bring the negotiating and research skills she developed as a GA del to her role as a Global Corporate Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan in New York City. She was a founding member of Barnard Investment Group, and since exiting has pursued her own impact student-managed investment fund. On campus, she works as a Peer Career Advisor and Resident Assistant. Paloma is a boba and matcha enthusiast and loves exploring the cafe options in the city. She enjoys the visual arts, literature, and has a certain musical affinity for EDM. Feel free to reach out to her should any questions arise. She is ecstatic to meet everyone and enjoy the best CMUNNY yet!
Chief of communicationS
Elise Sanders
Elise is a rising senior at Columbia majoring in Economics and minoring in Environmental Science. She grew up in rural Northern California, and moved to Austria during high school. Having lived in the mountains her entire life, she is an avid backpacker and has traveled to 46 countries on hiking trips. Her love of travel is what inspired her to join MUN in her first year of college, before she transferred here from Fordham. She is also involved with Engineers Without Borders, Vegan Society, and Effective Altruism, as well as working as a research assistant at the Lamont Doherty Paleomagnetic Laboratory. She hopes to combine her love of international affairs and the environment in policy making.
Chief of Operations
Lizzie Melashvili
Lizzie is a rising second-year student at Barnard College. She is studying Political Science and Economics. Lizzie is an international student from the Country of Georgia and is interested in Eastern European Politics, International Affairs and Transatlantic Relations. She also takes part in The Columbia Political Review and is a staff illustrator for the Columbia Spectator as she’s deeply interested in art.
Chief of LOGISTICS
Mariam nozadze
Mariam Nozadze is a rising second-year at Columbia College who plans on majoring in political science and minoring in psychology. She’s very excited to be a part of the CMUNNY Secretariat!
chief OF DESIGN AND MARKETING
Valerie Yang
Valerie is a rising second-year at Columbia majoring in Urban Studies. Alongside Model UN, she’s also an active member of CU’s ROOTED, Writers House, and Game Development Club. Her favorite parts of Model UN are the creative and improvisational dimensions of committee, and she’s a big fan of D&D for those same reasons. She also loves reading comics, drawing, and learning about new kinds of music in her free time.
diversity, equity, and inclusion officer
Sareena Datta
Sareena is a rising sophomore at Barnard studying political science and American studies. If she’s not in the library, you’ll find her crafting her hooks for her moderated caucus speeches. She’s looking forward to meeting all the prospective delegates and holding a great conference!
USG of Public Relations
Johnathan Waldmann
Jonathan is a rising junior in Columbia College studying political science and economics with a minor in French. He is originally from Milton, Massachusetts, and he has now done Model UN for six years. In addition to working with CMUNNY, he is also involved with Columbia’s Model UN travel team and two of its high school conferences. Outside of Model UN, he enjoys skiing, backpacking, and exploring New York City. He is so excited for another in-person iteration of CMUNNY!
USG of TEchnology
JoYCE LI
Joyce is a rising senior at Columbia College studying Cognitive Science, with a concentration in Computer Science. She has been involved with MUN since middle school and began participating in CIRCA conferences in 2022; she has served as a Crisis Analyst and Chair at various conferences before joining the CMUNNY XIX secretariat. Outside of CMUNNY, she is also part of the CMUNCE XXIV secretariat. In her spare time, Joyce greatly enjoys taking photos around the city, and she hopes to put her passion for photography to use as the USG of Technology. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with delegates at this year’s conference!
USG OF COMMITTEES
Daniela Marekova
Daniela is a rising sophomore at Columbia College aiming to major in Political Science and Neuroscience. Daniela loves being involved throughout our campus where she volunteers for UNICEF and serves as a member of the executive board at both UNA and PSSA. When she isn’t at a club meeting you can find her writing in the library or on the dance floor. Daniela is also a part of Columbia’s MUN Travel Team and has been involved in MUN the majority of her high school years, where she found her passion for global affairs. She is thrilled to serve as the Under-Secretary-General of Committees at CMUNNY this year, and cannot wait to welcome you all to the conference this September!
USG OF COMMITTEES
JESSICA YE
Jessica Ye is a rising second-year student at Barnard studying Economics, Computer Science, and Sociology. She has been involved in Model UN for four years, and is excited to be on the CMUNNY team this year! She is also involved with POLIS, Columbia Votes, CUIIN, and works as a research assistant with the International Research Institute at the Climate School. Outside of school, she loves exploring NYC’s restaurants and cafes, concerts, and film photography
