SASA LEADERSHIP
SASA is led by a dedicated board of student leaders who work collaboratively to support the organization’s mission and programming.
Together, the Board and committee leadership plan events, foster community, and create spaces that celebrate South Asian culture at UChicago.
Presidents
Event Logistics
Director
Treasurer
Operations
Director
Executive
Board
Marketing Director
Outreach Director
Community Engagement
Co-Directors
Membership
Co-Directors
Show
Co-Directors
Underclassmen
Representatives
General
Board
Marketing
Committee
Community Engagement
Committee
Membership
Committee
Families
Show
Committee
General
Body
MARKETING
Manages SASA’s visual presence
and communications
Creates promotional materials,
maintains digital platforms,
and helps shape how SASA shares
its events and initiatives with the
broader campus community
Plays a key role in amplifying SASA’s
work and connecting students to its
programming through design, storytelling, and social media
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Focuses on social, political, and community issues relevant to the
South Asian diaspora
Encourages thoughtful engagement
with both local + global issues
Includes discussions, film screenings, educational programming, fundraisers, service opportunities, and partnerships with other student organizations and community groups in Hyde Park, Chicagoland, and beyond
MEMBERSHIP
Builds a strong sense of community within SASA through social and
cultural programming
Plans inclusive, small- and large-scale events that create space for connection, celebration, and shared experiences
Fosters a welcoming and accessible environment where students can
explore and engage with South Asian culture and connect with one
another in meaningful ways
SHOW
Supports the planning + production
of the Show, the organization’s largest annual event held each spring
Brings together creative, logistical,
and artistic elements culminating in
an evening of live performances
and a student-produced film
Celebrates the diversity of South Asian identities and allows students of all backgrounds to contribute to a collaborative, creative experience
Board
Presidents
Shiv Sawhney ('26)
Economics + Public Policy
shivsawhney@uchicago.edu
Zarrin Ali ('26)
Economics + Mathematics (Minor: SALC)
zarrinali@uchicago.edu
The Presidents guide SASA’s overall direction, vision,
and operations, lead weekly board meetings, and work
with the executive and general board to organize
major events and committee programming.
Event Logistics Director
Rhea Shah ('26)
Biology + Economics (Pre-Med Track)
rheashah@uchicago.edu
The Event Logistics Director
supports SASA events by managing
external logistics, including coordinating w/ vendors, off-campus venues, and catering partners.
Treasurer
Sameer Nasir ('26)
Economics
sameernasir@uchicago.edu
The Treasurer manages SASA’s finances, including preparing the annual budget, overseeing
financial planning, and submitting reimbursements throughout the year.
Operations Director
Arnav Reddy ('27)
Sociology + Psychology (Pre-Med Track)
arnavreddy@uchicago.edu
The Director of Operations supports SASA events by managing internal logistics, including AV setup, space reservations, and coordination with university departments.
Community Engagement Co-Directors
Ishi Sood ('26)
Data Science
ishisood@uchicago.edu
Leela Mandal ('27)
History (Minor: Architectural Studies)
leelamandal@uchicago.edu
The Community Engagement Directors lead the Community Engagement Committee, as well as service- and education-focused programming through partnerships and events
centered on issues relevant to South Asian communities.
Show Co-Directors
Veda Swaminathan ('26)
Economics + Public Policy
vedaswaminathan@uchicago.edu
Sayana Isaac ('27)
Economics + SALC (Pre-Med Track)
sayanaisaac@uchicago.edu
The Show Directors lead the creative vision + execution of
SASA’s annual cultural Show, requiring significant time commitment, strong organization and creativity, and a
thoughtful, approach to representing South Asian identities.
First Year Representatives
Aadya Anand ('29)
Astrophysics + Economics
aadyaanand@uchicago.edu
Thanisha Kapur ('29)
Data Science + Economics
thanishakapur@uchicago.edu
Membership Co-Directors
Arzoo Usgaonkar ('26)
Economics + Psychology
arzoousgaonkar@uchicago.edu
Nehal Lodha ('27)
Computational Biology + Economics
nehallodha@uchicago.edu
The Membership Directors lead the Membership Committee,
and recruit and engage members by representing the
interests of the general body, managing families, and
organizing smaller social programming + large-scale events.
Marketing Director
Saia Patel ('26)
Economics + Political Science
saiapatel@uchicago.edu
Outreach Director
Sruthi Kotlo ('27)
Computer Science + English
sruthikotlo@uchicago.edu
The Marketing Director shapes SASA’s visual presence by designing marketing and branding materials for events.
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The Outreach Director oversees SASA’s communication,
and supports outreach for events + partnerships.
Second Year Representatives
Danyal Ghadiali ('28)
Economics + Psychology
danyalghadiali@uchicago.edu
Izyan Kazmi ('28)
Economics
izyankazmi@uchicago.edu
The Underclassmen Representatives serve as liaisons between first and second year students and the Board, and support SASA events,
maintain class-wide communication, promote engagement, and collaborate to organize an Underclassmen Night each quarter.