LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Branch leadership team believes in serving others with grace, humility, and love. We aim to be disciples who make disciples on the campuses of Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. We welcome and encourage anyone and everyone to answer God's call to love our neighbors. There is always room for more in our community, and so there is always room for more to serve. Our current leadership team comprises of 19 students and 1 staff member who serve in roles for: Staff, President, Vice President, Core Group (Gender-Inclusive, Women's, Men's), Outreach, Service, Communications, Worship, and Treasurer.
Lisa Yang
Staff Member / lisa_yang@brown.edu
Class of 2020 graduate, studied APMA-CS, Branch staff since Fall 2020!
Word to Describe Me: Sincere
On Branch: When I was a student unsure of where I belonged at Brown, The Branch welcomed me into a genuine community that I grew to trust and love. Now as staff I’m excited to welcome new students into our community, to help them know Christ, and to serve our campus together!
Madeline Wachsmuth
President
Environmental Studies and Education '25
Verse on my mind: Isaiah chapter 43
This chapter is a snapshot of God's faithfulness and steadfast love across generations; I have returned again and again to these passages in times I've felt really anxious and uprooted and found nothing but the overwhelming peace of our Father. Our God loves you deeply; lean on Him <3 & now go read Isaiah (it's a beautiful book)!!
Fav food: Strawberry Chapstick
Toby Meng-Saccoccio
Vice President
Biomedical Engineering '24
Ideal hangout activities: Nintendo Switch games, ultimate frisbee, worship jam sessions
On Branch: These brothers & sisters are always first to encourage, challenge and disciple me in my walk with Christ, and do so with gracious love and humility. Living alongside others my own age who seek Christ has been an undeniable anchor during my time at Brown. If you're curious about Christianity or The Branch, we'd love to meet you! Hebrews 10:24-25 ✌️
Sophia Smith
Core Group Leader (Gender-Inclusive)
Undecided '26
One word to describe me: Almost there!
Ryan Rhew
Core Group Leader (Gender-Inclusive)
Neuroscience '24
Word to describe me: redeemed (ask me how)
How I like my coffee: black, whole black, and nothing but black
Ilana Nguyen
Core Group Leader (Women's)
Computer Science/Philosophy '26
Other Clubs I'm in: Club Ultimate Frisbee (go CoRays!) and Women in CS (go women in STEMmmm)
Fav restaurant: Heng Thai!!! Their Holy Basil dish, noodle soups, and Thai Tea SLAP
Yeabfikir
Core Group Leader (Women's)
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Annie Liang
Core Group Leader (Women's)
Computer Science/Philosophy '26
Phoebe Hong
Core Group Leader (Women's)
Cognitive Science '26
One thing people don't know about me: I get extremely hyped and dramatic while watching sports and analyze games and teams while they are not playing. It never shows but internally, I go overboard with fandom sometimes.
Joel Kim
Core Group Leader (Men's)
Class of '25, new leader this fall 2022!
Tim Chen
Core Group Leader (Men's)
Neuroscience '25
One word to describe me: Overwhelming Favorite thing in PVD: Chomps Burgers and Kow Kow!
Lucy Yu
Events Coordinator
Public Health '26
One word to describe me: Thoughtful
Ideal Hangout: Boba and India Point Park on a sunny day
Seehanah Tang
Outreach Chair
APMA-CS '25
Word to Describe Me: Confused
Ideal hangout: play shengji with me
Tony Pan
Outreach Chair
Chemistry '24
Other Clubs I'm in: Global Medical Missions Alliance (GMMA@Brown)
How I take my coffee: Venti Starbucks Matcha with 2% milk, 5 scoops of powder, less ice, 3 pumps of raspberry syrup
Nikhil Reuben
Service Coordinator
Neuroscience '26
Ideal Hangout Activity: Watching basketball Favorite Restaurant: Taco Bell
Phill Walker
Communications Chair
Painting '25 (RISD)
Word to Describe Me: Blerf
Ideal Hangout: Walk in Lincoln Woods and end the day at Tea in Sahara
Laysa Mourao
Service Coordinator
Business Economics '26
Favorite Foreign Country: Brasil🇧🇷🐎 Favorite restaurant on thayer: Den Den
Yeabfikir Ayele Alemayehu
Core Group Leader (Women's)
Storytelling '26
Yune Jee Bang
Communications Chair
Environmental Studies '24
Ideal hangout activity: We parallel play read books in silence <3 And maybe snack. And have #deepchats.
Fav verse: "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:7-8.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)