Staff
Secretariat
Bronwyn Ellis
Director General Director of Logistics USG Delegate Affairs USG Conference USG Finance
Going into her fourth year of Model UN, Bronwyn is honoured and excited to serve as this year’s director of a long title including Director General, Director of Logistics, USG Delegate Affairs, USG Conference, and USG Finance. Since nervously speaking once at her first conference in Grade eight, she has fallen in love with Model UN and debate and managed to make it through with zero caffeine intake. When not found in a committee session, Bronwyn can be found working as stage management in musicals and plays, crocheting, and procrastinating her school work. Bronwyn is excited to welcome all of the new delegates trying out Model UN for the first time, and welcoming back delegates who may be on their millionth conference and hopes that everyone walks away with some new friends at the end of the conference.
Contact: bronwyn.ellis@smus.ca
Eli Alexander
Secretary General Director of HCC
Currently a grade 11 student at SMUS, Eli is honoured to serve as the Secretary General and Director of the Historical Crisis Committee for this year’s iteration of SMUSMUN. Eli began his journey with model united nations in seventh grade, attending his first conference online during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Representing France in the WHO, Eli managed to get his voice across, becoming a sponsor on the passing resolution paper of his very first committee. Four years later, having been to ten conferences, he has developed a solid understanding of international relations. Outside of the model UN lifestyle, you can find Eli playing squash, blowing into his saxophone, cuddling with his dog, playing video games, or simply sleeping 15 hours a day. Eli is confident that this year’s iteration of SMUSMUN will be the most exciting yet, thanks to the incredible staff team we have put together.
Contact: eli.alexander@smus.ca
Cindy Chen
Secretariat Director
Going into her final year at SMUS, Cindy is beyond excited to be your secretariat director for the 2025 iteration of SMUSMUN. Beginning with her first shaky speech in middle school, Cindy has left behind her 12-year-old self. Now frantically scribbling notes and raising her placard at conferences, she incorporates her debate experience with her love of international diplomacy. Outside the hustle and bustle of a conference, Cindy can be found scrolling Pinterest, attempting to master baking, or cheering on her favourite Formula 1 team. Cindy is ecstatic to welcome all new delegates to the conference. Whether they have given a 60-second speech hundreds of times within the walls of Crothall or the first time saying “motion for a 10 minute unmod,” Cindy is sure that the memories and times spent at SMUSMUN will be unforgettable.
Contact: cindy.chen@smus.ca
DISEC
Paul Holland
Director of DISEC
Now entering his fourth year of Model UN, Paul is excited to staff a committee for the first time, serving as Director of DISEC. Since his first experience with Model UN, Paul has grown to love it and has participated in many conferences, though he will never stop putting off his position papers until the last minute. When not active in committee sessions, he can be found watching movies, listening to music, and generally trying to ignore the impending deadlines for his schoolwork. He can’t wait to welcome this year’s delegates to SMUSMUN, whether they’re participating in Model UN for the first time or they can’t even remember all the conferences they’ve attended. Either way, he is excited to help out staffing for the first time and to provide a (hopefully) fun and educational experience for everyone in attendance this year!
Contact: paul.holland@smus.ca
Kyumin Kim
Chair of DISEC
Kyumin Kim is a Grade 10 student from Mount Douglas Secondary School and is thrilled to serve as a Chair at SMUSMUN 2025. Though his Model UN journey has been short, it has been incredibly rich; now, at the end of his first year, Kyumin has grown from a passionate delegate into an experienced staff member contributing to multiple committees and conferences. When not dropped in a room full of smarties dressed in Western business suits, Kyumin enjoys reading, sleeping, archery, and, most of all, wandering to the most random thoughts. He looks forward to meeting all the bright and engaging youth delegates from across the island at this year’s conference.
Rachel Oliver
Assistant Director of DISEC
As a grade 10 SMUS student, Rachel is excited to be serving as an assistant director of DISEC at SMUSMUN 2025. Despite being too nervous to speak even once at her first conference two years ago, she quickly fell in love with the organized chaos that is Model UN, and has enjoyed every second of it since then. When not in Western business attire, Rachel can be found rowing, dreaming about travel, and resisting her co-assistant director’s efforts to turn her into a Marvel fan. She is looking forward to welcoming everyone to DISEC, and is excited to make it a fun experience for new and experienced delegates alike.
Contact: rachel.oliver@smus.ca
Liam Kingsbury
Assistant Director of DISEC
Going into his second year of high school, Liam is greatly awaiting the coming conferences the year will bring, and though he is slightly nervous about being a dias member this year, he will bring his positive attitude and willingness to learn into this conference. With going on four years of Model UN, Liam has seen a lot, and is confident in his ability to slightly guide the enthusiasm delegates often possess. Besides dressing up and shouting about world issues, Liam can most often be found reading or rowing. When not doing either of those, he is likely destroying his fellow assistant directors' resistances to being introduced to the MCU. Liam cannot wait for the conference and hopes to make it a fun and exciting experience for all in attendance.
Contact: liam.kingsbury@smus.ca
UNHRC
Kieran MacKay
Director of UNHRC
As a grade 11 student at St. Michaels University School, Kieran is thrilled to serve as your Director of UNHRC in this year's iteration of SMUSMUN. His first Model UN experience was in grade 6, held online during the COVID pandemic. Although he spoke just 3 times, he fell in love with the thrill and lively debate MUN offered. Since his hesitant start in his MUN journey, he has been hooked on the competition, attending as many committees as possible, transforming his initial intimidation into a passion. Outside of the committee room, Kieran can typically be found in either the squash courts, or at home listening to music while playing video games, slowly progressing through Elden Ring. Sometimes you might even catch him playing some of his other favourite sports, including badminton, rugby, or soccer. If you ever catch him sprinting down the street, he's probably on a dedicated run for his mediocre Pokemon Go account. He cannot wait to be your Director for this year's SMUSMUN and is truly excited for what will hopefully be a weekend of extremely passionate debate.
Contact: kieran.mackay@smus.ca
Siddharth Shetty
Chair of UNHRC
A grade 11 student here at SMUS, Siddharth Shetty is excited to be the chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for SMUSMUN this year. Beginning in Grade 8, Siddharth has been to many MUN conferences across BC, but this is his first ever experience staffing a MUN committee. Passionate about geography and history, Siddharth enjoys learning about different nations, languages, and cultures across the globe. He hopes that everyone will walk away from this experience with a better understanding of the world around them and people who inhabit it.
Contact: siddharth.shetty@smus.ca
Imanzi Rugwe
Assistant Director of UNHRC
Imanzi Rugwe, a student that has attended SMUS is extremely grateful to share this Saint Michaels University School Model United Nations conference with all attending delegates as your assistant director for UNHRC. Although not extensive, he has had many experiences acting as a delegate for countries like Russia, Uganda, Kenya, and Sudan. Imanzi joined Model UN to have a voice, to speak in a crowd and to be together in open debates. He hopes that every delegate has the chance to relieve those fantastic experiences, take chances, say things against the status quo and come up with resolutions that you find fit. He enjoys listening to music, being a part of the Black Student Union, and he also has had a fair share of experiences in sports including soccer, rugby, basketball and volleyball. He really enjoys STEM courses and loves to exercise his public speaking. He welcomes you all to this MUN conference.
Contact: imanzi.rugwe@smus.ca
U.S. Senate
Alan Asprey
Director of US Senate
A grade 11 student at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, Alan is excited to serve as your director for the US Senate at SMUSMUN 2025. Ever since his first committee a year ago, he has been enthralled by all facets of Model UN, attending 9 conferences in his first year. Model UN has allowed him to connect with bright people all over the world, from Duncan to Brussels, you’ll probably find him debating something or another. Outside of committee, Alan can often be found ripping up trails on his dirtbike, drinking far too much coffee, or going completely overboard on insignificant school assignments because he “wants to”. PS: if a delegate can locate where Alan’s profile picture was taken, they will receive a crisp high-five!
Contact: aasprey2@shawnigan.ca
Juno Williams
Chair of US Senate
Beginning her Grade 10 year at Glenlyon Norfolk School, her attachment to Model UN finds its origins in a Sustainable Development Goals conference four years ago. From shaky hands and less than mediocre speeches, to serving as Chair of US Senate at this year's iteration of SMUSMUN, progress has been imminent. She is delighted to have such an opportunity with eager delegates in a high stakes environment, and believes the interests of the US Senate hold potential in this year's intricate conference. Besides the admiration of global relations, Juno finds herself using her time exploring Vancouver Island with friends, last-minute lake trips, and attempts at cooking. With anxious preparation and bright futures in the US Senate, Juno is waiting with bated breath for the events of SMUSMUN 2025.
Contact: 28willij@gnsmail.ca
Saoirse McDowell
Assistant Director of US Senate
A student at Queen Margaret's School in Duncan, Saoirse is thrilled to serve as your Assistant Director for the US Senate at SMUSMUN 2025. Since attending her first Model UN conference in Grade 7 as a nervous delegate, she has been captivated by the world of debate, diplomacy, and everything in between. Model UN has provided her with invaluable opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with incredible people from all walks of life. Beyond the committee room, Saoirse can often be found immersed in books and writing projects, exploring new TV shows and movies to become emotionally invested in, or performing in any theatre environment she can—whether through singing, dancing, or acting. She cannot wait to meet all the delegates and wishes everyone the very best for SMUSMUN 2025!
Contact: smcdowell@qms.bc.ca
HCC
Byrdie Fisher-Franke
Chair of HCC
As her fourth year of Model UN comes to a start, Byrdie is incredibly honoured to serve as this year's Chair of HCC. Since walking into her first committee room ready to passionately take on the world, Byrdie has looked forward to Model UN conferences as an opportunity to personally grow and understand the world from different perspectives. Beginning her journey as China in the Global Goals Conference, she has confidently taken part in possibly too many historical crisis committees, finding her true passion in history, debate, and politics. She hopes that she can create a welcoming environment that will spark debates from every single view point encouraging people to speak up and emphasise their ideas. Outside of MUN Byrdie can often be found practicing her violin, singing, reading, and attempting to keep up with the overload of political news that has been overtaking our world today. She is so excited to start this year’s conference, especially as she remembers sitting in SMUSMUN HCC two years ago scared yet excited, and knows that she will do everything to make this committee as memorable as possible.
Contact: byrdie.fisher-franke@smus.ca
Mia Nadra
Assistant Director of HCC
Mia is thrilled to be serving as the Assistant Director of HCC at SMUSMUN this year as she enters her fifth year of Model United Nations. Ever since attending her very first conference, VYMUN in Grade 6, Mia has fallen in love with the world of diplomacy, debate, and collaboration that MUN is. Over the years, she has grown from a nervous first-time delegate into a MUN enthusiast who loves helping others find their own voices in committee sessions. Outside of MUN, Mia can often be found solving math problems, training on the water with her rowing team or baking and eating cakes! She brings the same dedication and energy from those passions into every conference she’s part of. Mia is beyond excited to help both new and returning delegates discover what makes MUN such a special and exciting experience, making this year’s SMUSMUN one to remember!
Contact: mia.nadra@smus.ca