Meet Your Candidates

My name is Jackson Bespalko, and I'm from St. Louis, MO, USA. Back in high school, I was the captain of my swim team and the Editor In Chief of my school's yearbook. I want to be a first year rep to be apart of an organization that makes a genuine impact on the Sauder environment and community, as well as to learn how to be a better leader. I want the CUS to be a way for me to find a home in Sauder. This year, I am also apart of other organizations such as being an exec on the Marketing team for the UBC Music Initiative, as well as being a member of clubs such as the AMS Swim Club and the AMS Music Production.

Hello, everyone, my name is Caedmon Kovacs, and I am a first-year here at Sauder. I am from Fort Langley, BC, but attended high school in Surrey at Clayton Heights Secondary. I am Métis, one of the three primary Indigenous groups in Canada, play rugby and basketball and love weightlifting, running and reading. My priorities and promises to you as your potential first-year representative are to give you more opportunities to give feedback, which includes bookable chats with me. I promise to be at every town hall, and when I do receive feedback, I commit to getting back to you on the progress of the issue you present (promptly), helping the CUS stay transparent and helping you feel good that your feedback has power (Because it does!). Furthermore, I will ensure your First Year Committee has the full support and resources they need to run incredible events and assist them by compiling your feedback into actionable advice to inform their decisions. I hope during my campaign in the weeks coming, I can prove myself to you for this role. I feel I have loads of relevant experiences and, most importantly, a passion for representing and uplifting your experience here at Sauder. Come by my booth, or feel free to say “Hi” in the hallways and ask any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention and time.

Hey Sauder! I’m Elaina Fung and I’m thrilled to be running for your CUS First Year Rep! In high school, I was Student Council Secretary, President of the Debate Club, a recipient of my high school Leadership award and more! Currently, I’m the AVP of Finance at the UBC Pilates Club. I’ve had extensive experience in leadership roles, such as my involvement in the Vancouver Point-Grey Youth Council, a youth leadership group. I know the value of opportunities and connecting with your peers and I aim to help you RISE to your potential. R - Rejuvenation School is difficult, whether it’s the pressure of homework or upcoming exams, I want to help you be energized! From anonymous feedback to providing mental health support, we’ll end off First Year successful and ready for the next. I - Involvement I’ll initiate more opportunities and networking events for you to broaden your social circle. Whether it be more club events or talks with business professionals, I advocate for your growth and careers! S - Social Sauder is going to be your home for the next four years, and I want to make it YOURS! I’ll take your feedback and turn it into social events, trivia nights, icebreakers, you name it! E - Everyone YOUR voice MATTERS! I’m here for you and ready to listen! I believe the CUS is for everyone and as your representative, I’ll turn your ideas into reality! Thank you and I can’t wait to get to know you all!

Hey everyone! For those who don't know me I'm Ethan Hoang, not to be mistaken with the other Ethans in Sauder, and I'm hoping to represent all of you as your First-Year Student Rep. You may have heard of me as someone who is extremely extroverted and sociable, always trying to get to know new people. But more likely you've seen me around campus whether in the wrong class or at McDonald's at 2am... wherever you find me feel free to say hi! As someone who values connections with others, my campaign will focus on COMMUNITY and RELATIONSHIPS, forging peer to peer bonds with all of you -- bringing everyone at Sauder together as a community. No matter how stressful or difficult our lives get in Sauder, I truly believe that with a strong and supportive community we can each make it through better than we came in. That's what I hope to foster as you Representative. Whether through networking events like coffee chats or speed dating or fun events, like free burritos that I will personally wrap, just because -- there will always be a chance to spend quality time with friends or meet new ones. I promise as YOUR First-Year rep that there will never be a dull moment at Sauder. Instagram: ethann.h_ Email: ethanhoang2006@gmail.com

YOUR IDEAS. YOUR VOICE. I'm Evan Hodson and I want to be YOUR first year rep. School can be hard sometimes, but putting your ideas and voices into action shouldn't be. As First Year Rep I can promise 3 things:
1) I will listen to all of your concerns/ideas/initiatives and work my absolute hardest to make those come true
2) I will help plan and organize events for you to have fun at your time at Sauder (Some ideas could include: Sauder Snowball Fight, MORE Water Balloons, Sauder Stair Sprint Showdown, Sauder Sleepover, etc)
3) I will keep promises 1 & 2
Everyone at Sauder has creative and unique ideas, which is why I will act as the bridge between all students' ideas, and put them into action. There’s no better option, vote for Hodson!

HEY SAUDER! My name is Hannah, and I'm so excited to be running for your first-year rep! It’s only fair that I introduce myself before I start pushing my campaign in your faces - so here’s what you need to know about me: I am passionate about using my voice to advocate for the people I care about. A big part of my identity is my work - I’m a lifeguard for The City of Richmond and the UBC Aquatic Centre. Working with diverse patrons on a daily basis demands effective communication across varying demographics. I’ve learned to communicate clearly amidst language barriers, medical distress and extremely high-pressure emergencies. As a First Responder for my high school, I’ve done the same. These experiences taught me that voice connects people more than anything else; even without any understanding or meaning, hearing someone’s voice can be the difference between life and death. Although I try to hide it at times, I have a big heart for people - and I use my voice and my words as a platform to show how much I care. My focus this year is connection - because that’s all any of us wants, isn’t it? To feel valued, respected, and connected to our Sauder community. We joke about networking and LinkedIn, but at the end of the day, everything we do is centred around connection. It would be my honour to use my voice to serve all of you, and aid in fostering the connected Sauder community we all deserve.

HEY SAUDERR!! My name is Naomi and I’m so excited to be running for first-year rep! In my free time, I love terrorizing the dining hall, bumping good music (house, jazz, rap, country I love it all), and playing sports with friends. As a lover of school involvement, I see the true value in having one thing— community. From being Student Body President to Co-Chair of Relay for Life to Captain of Varsity Girls’ Soccer, these experiences have equipped me with the teamwork, advocacy and communication skills to make your time at Sauder incredible. As First Year Rep, I will strive to represent the wants and needs of Sauder students. I would love to share my oozing spirit with every single one of you and bring our community closer each day. HEY SAUDERR!! VOTE NAOMI XU…THE ONE FOR YOU

Hello Sauder first-years! I’m Iz ( short for Paniz) and I’m excited to be running for your first-year representative on the Commerce Undergraduate Society. As someone deeply passionate about connecting with people and fostering opportunities, I believe in creating a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is heard. My past experiences in leadership roles, such as my work with Care Canada's She SOARS project and as part of the National Youth Council for Kids Help Phone, have taught me the importance of strong communication, advocacy, and collaboration. These roles helped me develop the skills to represent our diverse community, and I’m ready to bring that energy to Sauder. I want to focus on increasing first-year engagement and ensuring we feel connected to the larger Sauder community. Whether it’s through networking events, professional development workshops, or social gatherings, I’ll work to create meaningful opportunities for you to thrive, both academically and personally. I believe in the power of collective action, and with your support, we can make our first year at Sauder an unforgettable experience! Let’s create a community where every first-year feels empowered. Vote Paniz for First-Year Rep!

Hi, I’m Sheila, and I’m running to be your first-year rep. Being in an unfamiliar environment with overwhelming numbers of people like in Sauder can make you feel a little small. At least, that’s how I felt first coming here. But I want to make a stance, and to be like your megaphone within the CUS. I want to be someone you can rely on to get your needs, wants, and everything in-between heard. Being your first-year representative is something I want to do to be a part of everyone’s lives. I want to get to know all of you and be there as your voice for when it counts. I am a big community person, and whether that involves having leadership positions or just enjoying everyone’s company, I love to be at the heart of where the action is. My experience lies within years of marketing, creating community involvement, and administrative roles. This year, I want to keep dedicating my commitment, with all of us first-years at Sauder to see this community flourish. A little bit about me; I like playing badminton, reading, eating good (and free!) food, playing with my dog, meeting people and exploring new hobbies. These are just a few things I am passionate about, and with your help, I would love to have the opportunity to become passionate about the Commerce Undergraduate Society as well. So please vote for me, Sheila Nguyen, as your first-year representative, because I am here to represent you.

Hey Sauder! I’m Trina Ho, and I’m thrilled to be running for YOUR CUS First Year Representative!
If you know me, you’d say I’m adaptable, approachable, and always ready for a conversation. I love connecting with others through shared experiences, and I’m passionate about fostering a positive and inclusive environment at Sauder. Feel free to wave or chat if you see me around – I’m always up for a good laugh or deep conversation!
As a result of my involvement and passion to connect with my schoolmates, I was elected to be the Vancouver District Student Council representative of my school, representing the voices of over 1,000 people. In this role, I led my school to win champion for the Canley Cup in the Vancouver district and successfully fundraised over $13,400. These experiences helped me grow as a leader and taught me how powerful collaboration and community can be.
I want to listen to your voice! I’m responsive and committed to being your bridge to the CUS. If I’m elected, I’ll be interactive on my First Year Rep Instagram page, setting up anonymous Q&As, and hosting monthly meetings where you can freely raise your opinions and ideas. Together, we can create initiatives that truly resonate with our first-year community. From first-year socials, themed movie nights, and mentorship programs with upper-year students, to opportunities to connect with alumni and industry professionals, we’ll build a community where everyone feels empowered to pursue their passions and make their mark at Sauder :).

Hey SAUDER!
Are you ready to have the best first year ever?!? So am I.
My name is James Raham, and I am 100 percent committed to you, our Sauder community, and being your CUS First Year Representative!
In high school, I received school, district, provincial and national awards - based on academic performance and community impact. I started an award-winning business, ran multiple clubs, wrote and performed in three school plays, and, most importantly, positively impacted my community in a meaningful way. Through these experiences, I've been inspired to create connections with people everywhere I go - and that starts with you.
My campaign focuses on two pillars: COMMUNITY and GROWTH. Sauder has so many opportunities available, and I'm making it my job to ensure you get the right connections, mentors, and support systems to help you become your best self. This means events with top companies, increased club opportunities, and moments made specifically for you.
From business-themed escape rooms to commerce Olympics, mentor match-ups, themed movie nights (with food!), and potluck/networking events, I've got you covered.
Let's get started.
Instagram: jamesraham
Email: jamesraham@icloud.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-raham-940798279/