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MEET OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM
2025 / 2026
CO-PRESIDENT
Ashley Smyth
She/Her
3rd Year B.A. Political Science and Asian Area Studies,
Certificate in Climate Studies and Action
I'm Ashley, a third-year Political Science and Asian Studies double-major, also pursuing a Certificate in Climate Action and Studies. First joining as VP Marketing when I left Texas for Vancouver, I'm thankful to be a part of the UBC EPA community, advocating for policy that supports the wellbeing of the environment and those who live within it.
I focus my ambitions at the intersection of climate innovation and governance, and my studies on comparartive rethoric in environmental policies around the globe, believing in the power of words and their symbiotic relationship with continuous improvement, especially through an environmental justice lens. When not pondering policies, you can find me looking at rocks, sitting under trees, or walking around the city. I can't wait to help the EPA further its goal of empowering civic participation across localities with skill-building workshops, as well as expand its horizons and connect with more people beyond our campus for tangible change!
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CO-PRESIDENT
Eliza Mahon
She/They
4th Year Bachelor of International Economics
Hi I'm Eliza! I'm a fourth year International Economics student at UBC. Originally from Treaty 6 territory, I am grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Although I specialize my studies in historical development, I'm passionate about sustainable policy, circular economy, and fostering biodiversity in urban spaces.
Previously, I've worked in education for organizations like the City of Edmonton, the First Nations House of Learning at UBC, and Parks Canada.
I joined the UBC EPA in 2024 as VP Policy Development in order to learn the tools I need to enact broader social change. Now as co-president, I am dedicated to demystifying environmental policy for the UBC community and beyond. This year, I hope that the UBC EPA can continue to serve as a space for students to collaborate with each other, engage with real issues and impacts, and educate themselves on how we can care for the land that has cared for us.
TREASURER
Natsune Otake
3rd Year B.A. International Relations
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
VP EVENTS
Phoebe Qiu
4th Year Major in Environmental Science
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
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VP EVENTS
Amy Zhou
She/Her
4th Year Bachelor of International Economics
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
VP EVENTS
Ivy Jiang-Langdon
She/Her
2nd Year B.A. Urban Studies
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
I joined EPA as I have always been interested in current issues and political debates regarding climate policies. I believe that understanding the decision-making processes and how governments decide on climate priorities is essential. Joining EPA has been really fulfilling as I had the opportunity to bond with my teammates, learn about climate policies through the News Flash Fridays and organize events.
I am passionate about issues surrounding energy transition and net zero policies in the MENA region as well as the European Union. In fact, it is interesting to understand how governments take different steps to implement action plans such as the European Green Deal. Moreover, with climate change being a current issue, climate migration will become an important topic to address in the next decades.
VP EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Nissan Roy
He/Him/His
3rd Year B.Sc. Physics
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
An issue I'm passionate about would be sustainable development, especially in how it's balanced with economic growth. Particularly as communities, and ecosystems change, how will policies shift and adapt to adjust?
VP EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Maria Zuykova
She/Her
4th Year B.A. Economics
Minor urban studies
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
An issue I'm passionate about would be sustainable development, especially in how it's balanced with economic growth. Particularly as communities, and ecosystems change, how will policies shift and adapt to adjust?
VP POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Sukanya Aggarwal
She/Her
3rd Year B.A. International Relations
Minor in Economics
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
I think being a member of the EPA exec team has been an amazing opportunity to expand my experience and broaden my knowledge base in the area!
VP POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Sanjana Karthik
4th Year Political Science honours with International Relations
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
I joined EPA to hone my article writing skills and learn more about the current environmental news by reading about various environmental issues around the world. Being in EPA also gives me the opportunity to network with like-minded environmental activists which is great!
VP POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Andreas Kondos Sheppard
He/Him/His
3rd Year Sciences (switching programs)
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
Learning about the impact of human activities on marine biodiversity in oceans is really important to me. Coral bleaching, ocean pollution are some issues that I'm keen on addressing and learning how to combat. Participation in animal activism outreach and spreading awareness about the reality of how food is inhumanly produced is also important. I am also learning about the advent of futuristic energy technologies and how they can help build a circular economy.
VP MARKETING
Diego Chipres Martinez
He/Him
Environmental Science Major,
Certificate in Climate Studies and Action
Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
Some environmental issues I'm passionate about are consumerism, renewable energy, and environmental education.
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VP MARKETING
Sophie (Wen) Shi
B.A. Economics,
Minor in Commerce
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Hi! I’m a student passionate about the intersections of environment, sustainability, and social change. I joined the UBC EPA to connect with others who are committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet. Through my work with the team, I hope to help create accessible opportunities for students to engage with environmental policy, learn from one another, and explore how we can collectively build a more just and sustainable future!
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