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 and serve Branch, our communities, and 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 as: 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
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!
Yune Jee Bang
President / yunejee_bang@brown.edu
Environmental Studies '24
Word to Describe Me: Normal
I think being in a Christian community is essential to a Christian life, and it’s so awesome getting to worship God alongside fellow students through the Branch! Everyone here is so loving and welcoming, and you make friends who push you (supportive-ly!) in your spiritual life. I’m so grateful and excited to serve through the Branch!
Victoria Cao
Vice President & Core Group Leader (Gender-Inclusive) / victoria_cao@brown.edu
Biology & Public Health '23
Word to Describe Me: Vibing
Branch is a wonderful community of believers, walking together through the ups and lows of life to follow God!
Ryan Rhew
Core Group Leader (Gender-Inclusive)
Neuroscience '24
Word to Describe Me: Redeemed
The Branch was a radical answer to my prayers, and joining it has been a huge milestone in my growth and walk with the Lord. It's a blessing to be in the presence of so many self-identifying Christians who all seek to encourage and love on one another!
Toby Meng-Saccoccio
Core Group Leader (Men's)
Biomedical Engineering '24
Word to Describe Me: Quirky
I’ve never felt more abundantly blessed than through my Branch family. They love you as Jesus loved, and soon you’re pouring out your hearts to each other at 3 am. These incredible brothers & sisters in Christ are always first to encourage, challenge and disciple me in faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 ✌️
Faith Chen
Core Group Leader (Women's)
Neuroscience '25
Word to Describe Me: Outgoing
The Branch is a community that encourages people to focus their eyes on the Lord and pursue individual relationships with God. Honesty and questions are encouraged because where there is doubt and struggle, God produces growth.
Tim Chen
Core Group Leader (Men's)
Class of '25, new leader this fall 2022!
Melanie Kim
Core Group Leader (Women's)
Class of '23, new leader this fall 2022!
Yannie Lam
Core Group Leader (Women's)
Class of '23, new leader this fall 2022!
Seehanah Tang
Outreach Chair
APMA-CS '25
Word to Describe Me: Confused
The Branch is a home and place where people come together to find out what it means to be a Christian. We help each other grow in our faith.
Tony Pan
Outreach Chair
Chemistry '24
Word to Describe Me: Indecisive
The Branch fellowship is where I feel God’s humongous love. The people and this community are where I feel safely sound in His Word and His embrace. I wouldn’t give it up for anything.
Yeabfikir Ayele Alemayehu
Service Coordinator
Literary Arts and Music '25
Word to Describe Me: Daydreamer
A beautiful family that reintroduced me to the love of Christ and, much less importantly, but still important, introduced me to Jo's spicy sandwich.
Madeline Wachsmuth
Service Coordinator
Environmental Studies and Education '25
Word to Describe Me: Adventurous
Having newly entered college, my friends in The Branch are some of the first people I felt truly welcomed by; they are intentional and loving in how they serve God and others! I have deeply appreciated the way this community pursues God with a spirit of humility and wisdom, while bringing people of all backgrounds into that journey.
Zach Susini
Communiciations Chair
Engineering '25
Word to Describe Me: Goofy
The Branch has been such a valuable, loving, and meaningful community. I've loved getting to meet fellow believers on campus, but it's also been transformative to have the opportunity to talk about challenges with them and look at faith in a critical way that's helped strengthen my beliefs.
Philly Walker
Communications Chair
Painting '25 (RISD)
Word to Describe Me: Syrup
The Branch has been a warm place for me due to its strong sense of community and commitment to worship. Through the Branch I have grown as both a student and follower of Christ.
Sadie Elliott-Hart
Worship Coordinator
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology '24
Word to Describe Me: Worm
Since the beginning of my time at Brown, I have found The Branch to be a uniquely welcoming and genuinely loving community, and I am so grateful for these friends who I've been able to learn from and grow with. My sisters and brothers in Christ here have challenged and encouraged me in so many ways, and God has taught me more about His love and who He is through fellowship with them.
Sadie is studying abroad in Fall 2022.
Alexia Valdez
Worship Coordinator
Class of '25, new leader this fall 2022!
Jihwan Hwang
Treasurer
Public Health '23
Word to Describe Me: Family-Oriented
To me, the Branch is a family that has kept me grounded through the lowest points of my college life. It has defined what love for God and for each other means for me as a college student.
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)