Jennifer Centa, Executive Director
Jennifer Centa (she/her) is a sophomore in Jonathan Edwards College majoring in Statistics & Data Science with a certificate in Japanese and Education Studies from Simpsonville, SC. In addition to having the honor of being the Executive Director for YIRLI 2024, Jennifer previously was a Director of Communications for YIRLI 2023, served as the Under-Secretary-General of Branding for YMUNT X, USG of Delegations for YMUN 50, is the president of the Japanese-American Student Union, and a Fellow for Matriculate College Advising. In her free time, Jennifer loves to play piano, spend time with friends, and go on boba runs. She is so excited to meet and learn more about all of the participants of YIRLI 2024, and can be reached by email at yirli@yira.org!
Ava Chae, Deputy Executive Director of Operations
Ava Chae is a sophomore in Ezra Stiles College from Kansas and is an Economics major. When she is not working on her YIRLI duties, she is playing the violin in the Davenport Pops Orchestra or volunteering for the Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project. In her spare time, she likes to solve escape rooms, have karaoke nights with friends, and watch action movies. She is ready for an amazing YIRLI conference and is excited to welcome all students to Yale's campus in July!
Aleena Gul, Deputy Executive Director of Conference
Aleena Gul (she/her) is a rising junior in Timothy Dwight College, double majoring in Global Affairs and Economics. Originally from Pakistan, she grew up in Northern Virginia, close to the nation's capital. She is interested in studying international development, global migration, and displacements. Outside of YIRLI, Aleena is the President of the Salus Populi Foundation, a student affiliate of Yale’s Economic Growth Center, and Yalies for Pakistan. Additionally, she serves as the Foreign Policy Center Head of the Yale Policy Institute. In her free time, Aleena loves to paint and spend time with family and friends. She is excited to meet with all the students and is looking forward to the insightful discussions!
Lee-Ann Kao, Co-Director of Curriculum
Lee-Ann Kao (she/her) is from Zionsville, IN, and is majoring in Statistics & Data Science and Global Affairs with a certificate in Energy Studies. Specifically, she is passionate about clean energy markets and international development. Lee-Ann is Taiwanese-American, and outside of YIRLI she is involved with Yale Model United Nations Taiwan, Yale’s Taiwanese American Society, and the Yale Energy Studies Club. In her free time, you can find her outside on her picnic blanket in Branford Courtyard, doing anything related to the visual arts, or exploring new places on campus. She is so excited to be designing the curriculum this year with her co-director, Alyssa, as well as meeting students from around the world! She welcomes any questions, comments, or concerns at yirli.curriculum@yira.org.
Alyssa Chang, Co-Director of Curriculum
Alyssa Chang is a first-year in Branford College from Los Angeles, California majoring in Applied Mathematics and Global Affairs. Her passions specifically rest in pursuing a multifaceted career at the intersection of quantitative disciplines and public policy/international relations. Outside of YIRLI, she serves as the First-Year Representative of Branford College Council, Podcast/Business/Photography/Audience Desk Staffer for Yale Daily News, Hemispheres Teacher for YIRA, Campus Ambassador for The Women's Network, Events Chair of MathCounts Outreach, and High School Fellowship Instructor for Yale Entrepreneurial Society. This summer, Alyssa will be in London studying finance in a broader context at the London School of Economics while immersing in new cultural perspective on global economics. She is looking forward to meeting the YIRLI community, working alongside such a wonderful team of directors, and engaging with students from all over the world! Please feel free to contact her with any questions or concerns at yirli.curriculum@yira.org!
Christine Ling, Co-Director of Communications
Christine Ling is a first-year in Branford College from Hong Kong majoring in Global Affairs with a German certificate. At Yale, she is a senior consultant for Global Strategy Consulting, a board member of Hong Kong Students Association, a consultant at Yale Sustainability Consulting Coalition, and a Club Squash player. This summer, Christine will be researching public health and economics, She is excited to meet and collaborate with students from all around the world!
Evan Lu, Director of External Affairs
Evan Lu is a first-year in Saybrook College from Berwyn, Pennsylvania majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. He is especially interested in global healthcare policy and public health emergency coordination. Beyond YIRLI, he is involved with the Yale Club Squash Team and Yale Policy Institute. He also has some more eccentric interests: Wikipedia editing, cooking, and skimming the New York Times, just to name a few. Contact Evan with any queries at yirli.externalaffairs@yira.org.
Marin Korenaga, Director of Branding & Technology
Marin Korenaga is a first-year in Trumbull College from Bethany, Connecticut majoring in Political Science and Physics. Her passions specifically rest in nuclear politics and international conflict policy. Outside of YIRLI, she serves as the Media Chair for the Japanese American Student Union, a delegate for the Yale College Council, and is deeply involved in the music scene at Yale. This summer, Marin will be an Editorial Assistant at the American Journal of Science, as well as taking some Physics courses in New Haven. She is deeply excited about being a director for her first YIRLI conference and working with the best team! Please feel free to contact her with any questions or concerns at yirli.b-t@yira.org.
Sahra Wahedi, Co-Director of Communications
Sahra Wahedi is a rising sophomore in Pierson College from Queens, New York. She is pursuing a major in Computer Science tentatively. Outside of YIRLI, Sahra serves as an Under-Secretary-General of Branding for YMUN LI, a First-Year College Council Representative, and a Yale & You Ambassador. In her spare time, she enjoys vanilla ice cream, identifying constellations with her friends, and watching adventure films like Jurassic Park. She is looking forward to the YIRLI conference and meeting all the delegates. Please feel free to contact Sahra with any questions or concerns at yirli.communications@yira.org.
Nick Liu, Director of Community
Nick (he/him) is a second-year from Long Island, New York. A recent graduate of Yale’s “Directed Studies” first-year program, Nick now plans to pursue degrees in Global Affairs and Humanities. He is Chinese American with roots in Beijing and Nanjing, and cares deeply for vintage fashion, the written word, and eclectic, intercultural creativity. Aside from his work as Director-General of Operations for YMUNT XI (after directing the UNESCO committee for YMUNT X!), Nick has been a part of MAISON, Yale’s fashion club, and volunteered as a coach with the Yale student-run New Haven Urban Debate League (NHUDL). Though he is spending this summer studying abroad in London, he can usually be found on Yale’s campus in the gym or studying in one of the many libraries. Nick is a big fan of Kendrick Lamar, Suits, and angsty, existential writing. He is ecstatic for YIRLI!