Meet the Secretariat
Sofia Simonian
Secretary-General
Sofia is a junior from Woodbridge, Virginia majoring in International Relations and Russian and Post-Soviet Studies. This will be her third year on the secretariat after serving as the Director of Technology for &MUN XI and the USG-GA for &MUN XII. Besides MUN, Sofia plays the balalaika in the Eastern European Music Ensemble and participates in research through the geoLab and IPAC at W&M. She is looking forward to serving as Secretary-General for &MUN XIII.
Kelson Lowrie
Director-General
Kelson is a sophomore from Somerset, NJ studying Economics and International Relations. He previously served as Chargé d’Affaires for &MUN XII. Kelson is a member of the collegiate travel MUN team, focusing on elaborate crisis arcs. Outside of IRC, Kelson is a member of Club Swim, WM HEMA, and Nerf Club. In his free time, Kelson will likely be studying Russian or wandering the hidden places of campus.
Aryan Shah
Under-Secretary General—Crisis
Aryan is a senior from Somerset, New Jersey, studying Government and History. This is his first time serving on &MUN’s Secretariat, and he additionally serves as the Head Delegate for the William & Mary Travel Model UN Team. Outside of the International Relations Club, Aryan runs Dungeons and Dragons games, rewatches his favorite shows like Gravity Falls, and tries not to trip on every loose brick in Colonial Williamsburg. He’s incredibly excited to serve as Undersecretary General for Crisis Committees at &MUN XIII!
Andrew Hyams
Under-Secretary General of General assemblies & Specialized Agencies
Ren Irish-Maldonado
Director of Registration
Ren is a sophomore from Falls Church, VA double-majoring in psychology and government. She will be serving as the Director of Registration for &MUN and has loved competing in and serving on daisies for Model UN since the 8th grade. Aside from IRC, Ren helps run William and Mary’s radio station, organizes concerts for the college, writes for several magazines, and advocates for those with rare disabilities as a member of Students for Rare. If she isn’t locked in, she can be found working on her book or fishing in random bodies of water.
Laila Hall
Chief of Staff
Laila is a sophomore from Arlington, VA majoring in History and Classical Studies. Outside of IRC, Laila is a member of William & Mary’s chapter of Kappa Delta, and has performed with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. You can find Laila at any coffee shop around Williamsburg where she is sure to be incurring dining dollar debt. Laila is thrilled to welcome all delegates to &MUN XIII this spring!
Annika Johnson
Director of External Relations
Annika is a freshman from Ipswich, Massachusetts. She is planning on double-majoring in Public Policy and Spanish. Aside from &MUN, Annika is also serving as an In-Room Crisis Director at WMHSMUN and is also involved with club tennis & Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She competed in Model UN all throughout high school and is looking forward to being on the other side of conference operations. Annika loves Colonial Williamsburg farmers markets and finding little sweet treats with friends. She is looking forward to &MUN and can’t wait to welcome all delegates in April!
Darya Streke
Director of Media
Darya is a freshman from Fairfax, VA. She is thinking about majoring in International Relations. Outside of IRC, Darya plays club tennis and figure skates. She signed up for a couple other clubs at William & Mary, but we’ll see which ones she’ll end up committing to. You’ll probably encounter her at the soft serve station at Sadler.
Brennen Fender
Director of Events
Brennen is a senior from Punta Gorda, Florida majoring in International Relations. He has been a member of IRC since his late freshman year and directed at &MUN XI. This is his second year serving as Director of Events for &MUN. Aside from Model UN, Brennen is a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity and loves to travel with his friends and family. Brennen is excited to once again serve as your director of events for &MUN XIII and give delegates a fun weekend!
Hien Dang
Charge d’affaires
Hien is a freshman studying International Relations and Business Finance. He is originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and having been involved in MUN throughout all seven years of middle and high school, he is eager to continue his passion for MUN in university. Besides &MUN, Hien is actively involved with the Vietnamese Student Association and a number of other clubs. In his free time, you can always find Hien on the second floor of the Swem Library, doing regular runs to Wawa, or cooking Asian food for his hallmates. Hien looks forward to participating in his first &MUN, and cannot wait to welcome all delegates to the 13th iteration of our conference in April!