Members are committed to building a culture of philanthropy among their classmates and investing in the future of Columbia College. They help ensure that students can direct their gift to an area of their choice, beginning a legacy of support at the College.

Members develop informative programs, plan fundraising events and solicit gifts to the College Fund from their classmates. Guest speakers at past events include the dean of Columbia College and alumni leaders.

CLASS OF 2023 SENIOR FUND COMMITTEE

• 
  Sareen Balian, Co-Chair

  My name is Sareen Balian, and I am excited to be one of the Senior Fund Co-Chairs this year. I am a current senior in Columbia College, where I am majoring in Economics. Active at Columbia, I work closely and collaboratively with my peers as well as Columbia administration and staff in my various roles on campus. I serve as a Tour Captain with the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee, I am a Columbia-College Women Co-Representative on the Columbia College Student-Alumni Ambassadors, and I am a member of the Armenian Students Association and Sigma Delta Tau sorority. Outside of Columbia, I have worked with various companies such as BAJ Accelerator and FirstThought, where I was a Finance and Venture Analyst and a Business Development Intern. A fun fact about me is that I have performed professionally in numerous operas and concerts in such venues as Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall in New York City, the Kennedy Center and Capital One Arena in Washington DC, on PBS TV, and many others. I advocated for the arts by leading youth councils with the Kennedy Center and Opera America to make the arts more accessible to my peers. I am excited to join the Seniors for the Columbia College Fund because it is crucial to share the message about the value of the Columbia College Fund with current students. It is important to give back to the community that supported us throughout our college journey, so that others can have similar opportunities and experiences through the Fund’s support of the Core Curriculum, financial aid, internships, and student life.

• 
  Ashley Yu, Co-Chair

  Ashley is a current Senior in Columbia College studying Psychology and East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALAC). She has an interest in studying human behavior and interactions and how these interactions shape the world around us. Furthermore, she is also passionate about involvement and advocacy within the Asian-American community and is interested in pursuing law as a career. She has served as a Chair on the Columbia Taiwanese-American Student’s Association and has written articles regarding Chinese-American identity and politics for Global Writer’s United, an online publication aimed at fostering global culture and exchange. Ashley has also worked as a Legal Intern with the Asian-American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), and most recently interned in the Paralegal Services Department in a New York City law firm this past summer. Ashley is excited to join the Columbia College Senior Fund and is passionate about giving back to the Columbia community to ensure the best experiences for both current and future students at Columbia. Ashley joined the Columbia College Senior Fund because she is passionate about giving back to the Columbia Community. As her time at Columbia is coming to an end soon, she wishes to be able to stay connected with the Columbia community, starting with the Senior Fund. Through her work with the Senior Fund, Ashley wishes to be able to continue to give future Columbia students the wonderful experience she has had. As a Co-Chair, she is excited to continue to connect with more students, learn more about fundraising and leadership skills, but most importantly to give back to the Columbia community. A fun fact about Ashley is the she's a native New Yorker and enjoys exploring and walking through different neighborhoods in NYC.

• 
  Alqaim Lalani, Co-Chair

  Alqaim Lalani is a John W. Kluge Scholar double majoring in Economics and History. He is also a Visiting Student for the fall 2022 semester at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge. Outside of the Senior Fund, Alqaim is the President of the Columbia Economic Review and was previously Vice President of the Columbia Economics Society Board. Alqaim was driven to join the Senior Fund as a way of giving back to the College and building a culture of philanthropy among the Class of 2023.

• 
  Hugo Lai, Co-Chair

  Hugo Lai is a senior studying Financial Economics. Hugo originally hails from Taiwan, but he grew up around the world. On campus, Hugo is the social chair for the Taiwanese American Student Association. In his free time, Hugo enjoys making coffee/cocktails, fishing, and traveling. When asked why he joined the Seniors for the Columbia College Fund, Hugo says: "As I look back on my CC journey, I appreciate how Columbia shapes me into who I am today. Those memories will stay with me for life. Joining Senior Fund allows me to continue making an impact on the campus community and make my CC journey more transformative and memorable."

• 
  Sumya Rashid, Vice-Chair, Events

  Sumya is a senior majoring in Mathematics with a special concentration in Business Management. Her family is from all over New York City. Sumya is interested in pursuing a career in Wealth Management and most recently interned at Morgan Stanley this past summer. On campus, she is also part of the First-in-Family Peer Advising board, Columbia Ski & Snowboarding Team, and a research assistant for the Behavioral Research Lab at Columbia Business School. She enjoys running, yoga, binge-watching TV shows, and exploring new restaurants with her friends. She joined the Senior Fund to give back to the Columbia community and make the experience of Columbia College even better for future students, especially those from the first-generation background.

• 
  Vivian Lu, Vice-Chair, Marketing

  Vivian hails from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and studies Political Science and Economics at Columbia College. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, music, and fashion. After graduating from the University, she will be staying in New York City and working in alternative investing. Vivian says; "Since my freshman year, I've been immensely grateful for the incredible amount of support I've received from the College—whether it be academic, professional, or personal—and subsequently strive to give back to the Columbia community. Being a Columbia College student has afforded me a truly invaluable life experience, and I hope to pay it forward to the institution that has shaped my life immeasurably." A fun fact about Vivian is that last semester, she traveled across eight countries within six weeks with only one backpack.

• 
  Virginia Lo, Vice-Chair, Leadership Gift

  Virginia Lo is a senior in Columbia College studying political science and East Asian Studies. She is from Long Island, NY. On campus, she is also involved in the University Senate, Columbia Undergraduate Law Review, Columbia Political Review, and Columbia College Student-Alumni Ambassadors. In her free time, Virginia enjoys playing golf, listening to podcasts, and exploring coffee shops in the city. Virginia says; "What drove me to join Seniors for the Columbia College Fund was its dedication to educating students about the importance of cultivating a culture of philanthropy at Columbia. I am grateful for all the support I have received as a student and I am excited to make sure that future students can have a fulfilling experience as well, during and beyond their time at Columbia" A fun fact about Virginia is that she has run half marathon with her mom in Central Park!

• Grayson Hadley, Fundraising Vice-Chair

• Alex Mendelson, Stewardship Vice-Chair

• 
  Thomas Bradley, Committee Member

  Thomas Bradley is a senior at Columbia College studying Economics and Education Studies. Thomas is a native New Yorker, having grown up on the Upper West Side. On campus, he is involved in Sigma Nu, the Ski & Snowboard team, 116th & Partners, and the Center on Global Energy Policy at SIPA. Thomas joined the Senior Fund in an effort to give back to the College and ensure the Class of 2023 creates a lasting legacy in Morningside Heights!

• Vidhima Shetty, Committee Member

• Scarlet Au, Committee Member

• Sherry Yang, Committee Member

• Hannah Lederman, Committee Member

• Chris Lee, Committee Member

• Sophia Osato Adeghe, Committee Member