Board Of Directors 2024 Election

Nancy Blattel (Barrington, Rochdale, Northside 1973-80) *returning 

Nancy (she/her) has recently retired from UC Berkeley as the Data Management Lead supporting UC’s database for fundraising and engagement needs. In 1996, she founded the BSC Alumni Association with a group of dedicated alumni who valued their experience, wanted to give back, and knew other alumni would want to as well. At the BSC, Nancy served on the student board and was vice president for three semesters. She lived in Barrington, Rochdale and Northside Apartments from 1973 to 1980. She graduated in 1977 with a degree in Social Welfare and then worked at the BSC Central Office in the housing department. She has had a long career of leadership with the Better Business Bureau in dispute resolution and the Cal Alumni Association in membership services and alumni relations.

Alfred Twu (Afro 2003) *returning

Alfred (they/them) has been a co-oper since 2003, starting out at Afro House and now around Lothlorien and Wilde. In addition to holding various house and central level positions, Alfred worked at CO for a couple years in the early 2010s and has been on the Alumni Board since, focusing on events like reunions and happy hours that connect current members to alumni.

Afsheen Lebastchi (Cloyne 1996-98, Rochdale 1998) *returning

Afsheen (he/him) has worked at Google for the past fifteen years in various leadership roles. Prior to that, he worked at Intel. He also received a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University. He is a Bay Area native, lived in Berkeley as a child (on Hopkins Street) and now lives in San Francisco. He’s been active with BSC fundraising and is on the Political Economy Advisory Board at UC Berkeley. He loves to travel.

My name is Jackie Howells and I lived in Hoyt Hall in the 2012-2013 school year and became co-social manager in the spring. I just finished my PhD in pathobiology at Brown and am currently pursuing positions in writing and communications across disciplines in disease research to reduce human suffering as an ultimate goal. I want to participate as board member as someone saved by the co-op system, from learning how to clean, to developing introspective diverse relationships, to seeing first hand how group organization can both have leaders without power being higher than a member who worked to dishwasher compared to a manager. I want to contribute my perspective, network, skillsets, as someone who didn't grow up in a safe home, understanding the factors that can spread the altruistic and beneficial spirit of cooperation is key to the lives of students like myself.

Mary Gillespie (Ridge Project 1976-1977 Chateau 1977-1979 Rochdale 1979-1980) *new

Hi I’m Mary Gillespie (she/her) and I lived in the coops 1976-1981 (Ridge Project, Chateau, and Rochdale).  I served as the Chateau work shift manager. I recently retired (environmental attorney and real estate  for the government) and now have more time to engage in community service . I also happen to live near Berkeley, in El Cerrito, so attending meetings will be easy.  I look forward to assisting the Coops and especially with the goal of making the Coops accessible to all students.  I also love planning fun activities.

Rory Fearon (Stebbins 2015, CZ 2014-2016, Hip 2022-2024) *new

Rory Fearon (he/him) lived in Stebbins and CZ during undergrad from 2014-2016 and at Hip from 2022-2024. Rory has been working mostly in philosophy academia since finishing undergrad at U.C. Berkeley. And is currently applying to law schools and hopes to work in food law and policy. One of Rory’s main philosophical views is that it is important to foster many different kinds of “experiments in living” (i.e. non-customary ways of living) as a way of creating new ideas and social customs to prevent the stagnation of society. The BSC to is a great experiment on living that has stimulated many new ideas and ways of living for him. CZ or Die!

Kyle Diarmit (Hoyt Hall 2021-22) *new

Kyle (she/her) transferred to UC Berkeley in the middle of the pandemic and lived at Hoyt Hall from 2021 to 2022. While at the co-ops, she contributed to the community by cleaning bathrooms and working in the central office as a Development Associate. Kyle's decision to join the BSCAA Board is driven by her passion for recruiting and connecting with the next generation of BSC alumni. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California, and works as a Development Associate for a local nonprofit.

Kelly Yun (Rochdale Village 2009-11) *new

Kelly Yun (she/her) lived in Rochdale from 2009-2011 and worked at the Central Office as Development Coordinator during those years. She brings extensive experience working with the BSCAA, having served as a past Board Member, President, and VP of External Affairs. After taking a brief hiatus to pursue a full-time graduate degree program, Kelly is now settled back in the Bay Area and eager to reinvest her skills and knowledge. Professionally, she brings a wealth of experience from her time in university development and alumni relations at UC Berkeley, alongside expertise in public administration, behavioral economics, impact evaluation, and strategic planning from Harvard University. Kelly also served as Chair of the Berkeley Human Welfare Community Action Commission, addressing critical issues in affordable housing and basic needs. Kelly is looking forward to rolling up her sleeves and devoting her skills and network to advance the BSCAA's mission.

Marina Bixler (Wolf House 2022) *new

Hello, my name is Marina Bixler (she/her) and I am a University of Florida alum who worked during the summer of 2022 in the Bay Area, allowing me to become eligible to live in Wolf House. Currently, I am in the process of applying to post-bachelor pre-medical programs in the US, given that I have a degree in political science but now foresee myself down a medically related path. I would love to be a part of BSCAA board to stay in touch with the co-op community and to help encourage current co-op members to participate in leadership positions, activist groups, and forms of volunteering. I also appreciate how much this community helped me during a time that I felt stuck, not being able to find housing or build a community outside of my job; however, Wolf house became my community to my surprise. As a board member, I would hope to continue to maintain BSCAA’s reputation and help in whatever aspect is needed for the non-profit, whether this means volunteering at events, talking to members, or participating in fun activities! I’m looking forward to learning more about this community. Thanks so much.

I, the undersigned member of the BSC Alumni Association, submit this ballot to the Secretary to represent my votes for the Candidates and Action Items being decided upon at the Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday, October 20, 2024. 
 
PROXY VOTING: In the event that an action item is brought up at the meeting and deemed in order by the President, there would be a vote. If that were to occur, anyone with a proxy from a member could vote in that item on the latter’s behalf. If you wish, you may give your proxy to any member who will be in attendance at the meeting. To do so, please fill out this ballot in its entirety, including the following information.