Candidates

Gavin Fung

He/Him/His

3rd Year - Finance

Hey Sauder! It's Gavin and I am running to be your CUS President!

After 3 years in the CUS, I have met many inspiring individuals with innovative ideas who have inspired me to create this year's campaign: EAT!

"E" - excellence. Sauder students deserve excellent services and events but also opportunities to encourage excellence. I will increase hiring opportunities within services, increase mentorship initiatives by expanding Commerce Connections and reviving EMP, and increase funding for CUS services that cater to student growth.

"A" - accessibility. I'm a Sauder student too, and we know that university is not easy. That is why I will freeze the CUS Society Fee to decrease financial hardship, continue advocating for recorded lectures for educational accessibility, and increase promotions of equity, diversity, and inclusion policies to maintain accessibility for all.

"T" - together. After observing other faculties, I realized how connected Sauder's community is, which would not be possible unless we worked together. That is why I will maintain and promote office hours for Board of Directors members, increase the frequency of CUSummaries, and create new Q&A channels through our social media.

Lastly, why EAT as a campaign? I come from a family of restaurant owners who have shown me how hard work impacts people's lives, even if it's a small impact. As your President, you will always come first, and I will ensure that the CUS will always serve your interests first.

So on February 3rd, vote for Gavin Fung for President because it's time to EAT!

Luke Parolin

He/Him/His

3rd Year - Finance

Hi Everyone! My name is Luke Parolin and I am a third year Finance student! Since my first year with the CUS, I've had the privilege of being Chair of the First-Year Committee, AVP Academics, and now your Vice President of Academic Affairs. Over time, I've developed a genuine passion for giving back and supporting the CUS community that has given me so much.

In my current role, I've initiated a textbook savings campaign and served on the Budget Oversight Committee, ensuring our favorite services remain well-funded while keeping spending sustainable. As Vice Chair of the Commerce Student Initiative Fund (CSIF), I've helped allocate resources to student-driven projects, fueling innovation and opportunities for all. Through each role, I've been a dedicated advocate, pushing for better services and a more transparent budget process.

I'm running on a simple, student-first platform where your feedback truly matters. I want to ensure the services you value most get the funding they deserve, and any concerns about spending are addressed head-on. I also hope to bring new services to life to help meet the evolving needs of our students.

Above all, I promise to GET THINGS DONE. From keeping our coffee machines stocked with milk to securing a new pool table, I’m here to make tangible improvements that benefit you. My open-door policy means I’m always here to listen. Let’s work together to spend our surplus sustainably, expand student benefits, and continue building a vibrant, inclusive community. Thank you for your support!

Tayla Lee

She/Her/Hers

2nd Year - Undeclared

Hi everyone!

I'm Taya (she/her/hers), and I am running to be your AMS Representative!

I am currently a second-year rep on the board of directors and was previously the VP of internal affairs on the first-year committee. These experiences have instilled a passion for advocacy, leadership and connection, which I plan to utilize and expand upon in the upcoming year.

If I am elected, I can promise that I will:
Strive for positive collaboration: The Sauder student body and the CUS can benefit from further fostering our relationships with the AMS and our fellow undergraduate societies.
Encourage efficiency: As part of the AMS council and the CUS board of directors, I will aim to aid in orderly and thoughtful decision-making.
Maximize your benefit: As a student myself, I am constantly seeking ways to make the most of my fees, and I hope to bring resources to the forefront so that you too can enhance your experience as a member of both the CUS and AMS.

The final thing I will say is that I love to chat, so feel free to reach out to talk about absolutely anything :) I hope that through your vote, we can make the ‘25-'26 year an unforgettable one.
Thank you!

Divyansh Tiwari

He/Him/His

2nd Year - Undeclared

Sauder can sometimes feel like navigating a bustling train station—fast-paced, overwhelming, and full of moving parts. As someone who thrives in dynamic environments, I, Divyansh Tiwari, a second-year student, am here to be your guide, helping you find the right track amidst the chaos.

Growing up, I always believed in the power of community. From organizing impactful fundraisers with the Leo Club to advocating for gender equality with Girl Up, I've sought to create spaces where everyone feels supported and valued. Whether it was raising thousands for charity or planning engaging activities for cancer patients, these experiences taught me the importance of empathy, collaboration, and listening to diverse voices.

Overcoming personal challenges, such as conquering my fear of public speaking to secure a leadership role, has strengthened my ability to adapt and persist in the face of obstacles. My professional journey, spanning roles in market research, financial analysis, and retail, has further honed my problem-solving and communication skills, enabling me to tackle complex situations with clarity and innovation.

As your Ombudsperson, I'll ensure that your concerns are addressed fairly and effectively. I'll advocate for a Sauder where every voice matters and where challenges are met with solutions that prioritize inclusivity and understanding. Let's move forward together—vote Divyansh Tiwari to keep Sauder on the right track, one connection at a time.

Aayush Parhar

He/Him/His

1st Year - Undeclared

Hey Sauder students :) I'm excited to announce that I will be running to be your second-year rep for the 2025/2026 school year. Coming from someone who initially questioned his decision to go into business, yet still followed through with my intuition and pursued excellence in any way I could, I hope to show that I get YOU.

The opportunity to serve as your First-Year Chair and bring fun events like the Sauder Snowball, Pancake Breakfast, and Gingerbread Competition directly to all of you has been the most fulfilling part of my year. I hope to continue to do so as your second-year rep. What I've come to learn from not only my experience, but the journey we've all experienced is that we're all over the place. From coffee chats to classes, from applications to assignments, from events to extracurriculars, we do a lot. Often it feels hard to roll over and get to the next task.

My goal as your second-year rep is to provide the little bit of support and balance we all seek. I hope to do this by continuing to hold events and initiatives that help take a load off your current responsibilities. I intend to do this by supporting our ability to connect, grow, and enjoy our time as Sauder students. If you have any questions or feedback, I'm always here and hope to help you in any way I can. Please feel free to reach out :D

Samantha Ng

She/Her/Hers

1st Year - Undeclared

Hey Sauder first-years!

My name's Samantha Ng, and I'm running to be YOUR Second-Year Rep for next year!

Let me tell you a bit about myself: I've been your VP Logistics on the First Year Committee, a Director of Logistics with Me Inc., and I even served as Student Council President back in Grade 12. These experiences have given me the skills and know-how to help make your second year an unforgettable one.

But honestly, what matters most isn't my experience—it's YOU! As your Second-Year Rep, I want to be someone you can always count on—whether you've got worries, ideas, or just want to chat (seriously, I'm always down for a matcha date).

My goal is to be more than just your rep—I want to be your friend. Through coffee chats, suggestion boxes, and just hanging out, I'll make sure your thoughts and ideas are heard and turned into reality. Let's create a second year that feels like home together.
So, with all that said, I'd love for you to consider voting for me to be YOUR next Second-Year Representative. Feel free to check me out on Instagram at @itisnotsamantha to chat or learn more about me! Let's make our second year amazing together :)

Jenny Zhang

She/Her/Hers

1st Year - Undeclared

HEYYY SAUDER!! My name is Jenny Zhang and I'm super excited to be running as your second year representative! We've already walked through a semester together so it's time to pick up the pace and that's exactly what I intend to do.

Through highschool, I've always been passionate about being involved with the community. From my experiences from being the co-captain of my highschool dance team and manager of the ultimate team, I've been exposed to various communities of unique individuals, allowing me to become more open-minded and inclusive. Given Sauder's diverse community, I am confident that I'll be able to take in different perspectives and work toward building a supportive and welcoming community.

My goal as your second year representative is to connect with you. I promise​ to utilize my leadership skills to listen to all YOUR VOICES and bring YOUR IDEAS to the Commerce Undergraduate Society.

I'm excited to work with you, creating new experiences and having fun in our second year!

Judy Kim

She/Her/Hers

2nd Year - Undeclared

Hi, my name is Judy, and I am running for the position of 3rd Year Representative for the Commerce Undergraduate Society (CUS). As I enter my third year, I am committed to creating a more comfortable environment, addressing the needs of Sauder students, and ensuring everyone feels supported.

1. Understanding that students barely have time to grab a snack between classes. I will work to provide regular booths offering a variety of refreshments to make student life more convenient and enjoyable. Additionally, I will advocate for more frequent care packages from CUS to ensure that students can regularly benefit from these services, rather than just once a year.

2. I plan to organize regular fun and engaging events, such as table tennis tournaments or gaming sessions, to help students de-stress. These events will provide much-needed breaks from academic pressures while promoting a stronger sense of community. In addition, I propose hosting informational sessions working with BCC (Business Community Center) on applying for part-time jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities. By providing these resources regularly, we can reduce the stress of students searching for opportunities in a time crunch.

I promise to be the voice of the student body, truthfully and actively listening to feedback. I am dedicated to identifying opportunities to enhance the student experience and ensure students feel the direct benefits of being part of the CUS community. I look forward to collaborating with others to make the upcoming year a memorable and fulfilling one for all.