LEADERSHIP THROUGH SERVICE SINCE 1946
Bruin Belles
Service Association
Lani Jacobson
President
Standing: Junior
Major: Communications
Minor: Disability Studies
Hometown: Laguna Hills, CA
Contact: president@bruinbelles.com
When my mom, a UCLA alum, encouraged me to check out one of her former clubs, Bruin Belles, I had no clue what to expect. I had no idea that I would find the most amazing, accepting women out there who immediately welcomed me into their family. My experience at UCLA would not be the same without Bruin Belles, and to call it my home here is one of the greatest blessings. BBSA has given me a community of strong, like-minded women I know I can always rely on. Together, we have so many opportunities to serve the greater LA and UCLA communities in meaningful ways. Belles has also helped me to improve my leadership skills, grow as a person, and make lifelong friendships. They say to surround yourself with people you want to become more like, and I am doing just that by being a Belle. I know that Bruin Belles is pushing me toward being a better, more compassionate human being, and I am thankful for the sense of belonging I have in Bruin Belles.
Ever since I joined Belles, I dreamed of being on the Executive Board. After serving as the 2022-2023 Social Director, I am so humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the 2023-2024 President of BBSA. One of my main goals as President is to improve accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of Belles. I strive for our organization and its events to always promote diversity and ensure a feeling a belonging. I also hope to offer opportunities that assist in Belle's professional and personal development. I want Belles to feel like they have learned something new or left with a new skill after every General Meeting. It is also very important to me that all Belles feel like they are seen and heard; through my office hours and various socials, I look forward to connecting with Belles, listening to their insights, and implementing their amazing ideas! I am greatly looking forward to this year and know that there is so much good to come.
Ella Reitsma
Co-Community Outreach Director
Standing: Senior
Major: Architectural Studies
Minor: Environmental Systems & Society
Hometown: Berkeley, CA
Contact: communityoutreach@bruinbelles.com
As a student entering college during the pandemic, I was searching for a place that provided me with a sense of belonging, a place to make my virtual college experience feel real, and as cheesy as it sounds, I found that and so much more in Bruin Belles. I am constantly inspired by Belles and how they facilitate compassion, connection and communication. It is quite rare to find a community that genuinely celebrates and supports you unconditionally, and allows and encourages your professional and personal growth. Through my time in this organization, I have learned the value of surrounding myself with people that uplift me and challenge me to be the best version of myself.
I am beyond honored and excited to serve and give back to BBSA and the greater Los Angeles community as one of the Community Outreach Directors. I hope to not only offer events that Belles are passionate about, but also help our members discover new opportunities for service that are rooted in community engagement and development. My goal is to further expand our list of community partners to diversify our areas of service. I want to see my fellow Belles grow into strong, passionate, community leaders that desire to improve their communities.
Joanna Zhao
Co-Community Outreach Director
Standing: Senior
Major: Sociology
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Contact: bbsa.communityoutreach@bruinbelles.com
As a transfer student, finding a community at such a large school is no small task. Coming into UCLA during the pandemic resulted in limited friendships and connections, leaving me isolated from others. Finding this organization has truly provided me with a sense of belonging and genuine community that is like no other. Bruin Belles is a community of strong and intelligent individuals that has altered my experience at UCLA immensely. As someone who's deeply interested in service, finding like-minded individuals was imperative to my growth as a student at UCLA, but also as a person. BBSA's dedication towards service, professionalism, leadership, and more, is truly inspiring and representative of our efforts to benefit the community and facilitate personal growth. Throughout my time with BBSA, I have experienced personal and professional growth that has encouraged me to seek and find new opportunities, become a stronger woman with a variety of perspectives, and engage with my community in multiple ways.
As Community Outreach Co-Director, I am honored to be serving BBSA, as well as the local and greater Los Angeles area. Our communities thrive from our contributions and assistance, and I am elated to facilitate these connections for Belles. I hope to encourage Belles to engage in service that they are passionate about, but also discover new avenues of community outreach and volunteer with a variety of organizations, such as ones that emphasize tackling food insecurity, housing insecurity, environmental concerns, and more. This year, I am working to introduce and offer events that encompass various areas of service. In particular, I am hoping to battle food insecurity in unhoused communities by collaborating with LA community fridges to volunteer at outreach events and begin new environmental outreach by working with local beekeepers to inform our members and community about sustainability, and how we can change our habits to increase sustainability. Overall, I am excited to see Belles and the community grow this year, and I am elated to serve alongside Board.
Cindy Wei
Secretary
Standing: Junior
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: French
Hometown: Roseland, NJ
Contact: secretary@bruinbelles.com
Joining Bruin Belles has been the highlight of my UCLA experience. BBSA has given me the opportunity to serve both at UCLA and in the greater Los Angeles community while forming lifelong friendships. As an out-of-state student, BBSA has become my home away from home. I am constantly inspired by my fellow Belles and am so grateful to be a part of this amazing organization.
As Secretary, my goal is to support Belles as they grow professionally and personally. One of my favorite things about being a Belle is how connected this organization helps me feel to the communities around me. I hope that by expanding BBSA’s virtual resources, I can help Belles navigate the school year more easily while offering them more opportunities to make the most of their time at UCLA. I am honored to be serving on BBSA’s executive board this year and cannot wait to see future Belles thrive.
Kathryn Ekstract
Public Relations Director
Standing: Senior
Major: English Lit & Communications
Hometown: Fairfield, CT
Contact: publicrelations@bruinbelles.com
I was drawn to this organization due to the diverse backgrounds, passions, and aspirations of the Bruin Belles community. This organization has brought me to the most inspiring, hardworking, and passionate women, and given me a strong community and home on campus. During my time in Belles, I have gained experience serving diverse communities, and have grown as an individual and as a leader.
As Public Relations Director, I am honored to share the stories of my fellow Belles through our platforms. Every single Belle brings their own unique perspective and passion to their work in our organization, and it is my delight to share their experiences through our social media and website. This year, I hope to bring back traditions that were made unavailable during the pandemic, including our Dinner for 12 Belles, and strengthen our relationships with our alumnae and surrounding community. I am immensely grateful for my Belles community and the opportunity to serve our community through our platform and channel my creativity in the process.
Demi Oyebobola
Fundraising Director
Standing: Senior
Major: Psychobiology
Minor: Brain and Behavioral Health
Hometown: Las Vegas , NV
Contact: fundraising@bruinbelles.com
Back in high school, there was always a girl that I looked up to, especially when she got into UCLA -- my dream school. During my final year of high school, I had kept up with the girl and discovered that she had joined Bruin Belles, documenting her impactful experiences on social media. That was my first impression of BBSA -- a community of professional individuals who were all oriented towards women's leadership and community service, while also building an amazing, tight-knit family. Although I was unable to join my first and second year at UCLA, I eventually found my way back home in BBSA. Throughout my time as a Belle, I have realized that my first impression was completely spot on. I have met some of the most inspirational women in Bruin Belles, and have grown myself -- both professionally and socially.
In my final year, I am so excited to serve as Fundraising Director, managing the budget and raising funds for philanthropy. My goal is to ultimately create accessible, yet team-building fundraisers in order to the community aspect of Bruin Belles. I want each and every Belle to get the full Bruin Belles experience, thus I hope our new accessibility measures will help overcome any financial obstacles. My second goal is to boast the philanthropic aspect of Bruin Belles. Therefore, I hope to raise a significant amount of funds to donate to a charity at the end of the year in order to give back to our larger community. Bruin Belles has helped me grow so much professionally, while also offering me a wonderful family within UCLA. For that, I am forever thankful and hope to give back to BBSA during my time as Fundraising Director.
Alyssa Hulse
Social Director
Standing: Sophomore
Major: Communications
Minor: Disability Studies
Hometown: Laguna Hills, CA
Contact: social@bruinbelles.com
When my mom, a UCLA alum, encouraged me to check out one of her former clubs, Bruin Belles, I had no clue what to expect. I had no idea that I would find the most amazing, accepting women out there who immediately welcomed me into their family. My experience at UCLA would not be the same without Bruin Belles, and to call it my home here is one of the greatest blessings. BBSA has given me a community of strong, like-minded women I know I can always rely on. Together, we have so many opportunities to serve the greater LA and UCLA communities in meaningful ways. Belles has also helped me to improve my leadership skills, grow as a person, and make lifelong friendships. They say to surround yourself with people you want to become more like, and I am doing just that by being a Belle. I know that Bruin Belles is pushing me toward being a better, more compassionate human being, and I am thankful for the sense of belonging I have in Bruin Belles.
Bruin Belles has been instrumental to my time at UCLA so far, and I am so grateful to be part of the board that keeps it running. It is my honor to be the 2022-2023 Social Director and serve alongside such wonderful people. As the former Social DB, I know how important the Social Office is in terms of forming friendships in Belles. My main goal for the Social Office is to make sure that every Belle feels connected. Knowing the Belles were always there for me is something that positively impacted my first year at UCLA, and I want everyone to have that same feeling of support. I hope to bolster already existing friendships by providing a range of fun social opportunities, too. I also plan to make accessibility a priority when planning socials and other events in my office. I want everyone to feel comfortable and accommodated when attending socials. Bruin Belles is a place where incredibly special, long-lasting friendships are made, and I am very excited to provide spaces to cultivate these relationships.
Georgia Milani
Women’s Leadership Director
Year: Junior
Major: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
Hometown: Orinda, CA
Contact: womensleadership@bruinbelles.com
Bruin Belles has been the highlight of my time at UCLA. Although this is only my second year as a Belle, this organization has helped me grow in so many ways. I am beyond grateful to be a small part of this incredible community of generous, welcoming, and intelligent women. BBSA has become my home at UCLA. It is filled with some of my greatest friends and the most interesting, inspiring people I’ve ever been lucky enough to meet. I am looking forward to holding this leadership position as a way to give back to the community that has supported me unconditionally.
I am so excited to be the Director of Women’s Leadership for the 2022-2023 year. As university students, it is critical that we have a community where we can feel uplifted and encouraged in light of the challenges we face that are unique to women. I hope to create spaces for Belles to learn from each other and other women from the communities we represent. Through various events hosted by Belles and prominent women in the Los Angeles community, I hope to promote the professional, academic, and personal development of BBSA members. Furthermore, my office will plan a Women’s Leadership Conference where we hope Belles will feel represented, motivated to pursue their aspirations, and inspired to grow in their leadership abilities. During this conference, my office desires to emphasize inclusion, collaboration, compassion, and balance. I am beyond excited for the year ahead! I look forward to learning and growing with you all!
Brooke Johnston
Campus Culture Director
Standing: Junior
Major: Biology
Minor: Environmental Systems & Society
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Like many incoming freshmen, I felt both excited and overwhelmed by the staggering amount of extracurricular activities available to me when I began my time at UCLA. After hearing about Bruin Belles from a Belle who had attended my high school as well as chatting with DBs and Board members at Open House, I was absolutely drawn to the kindness and confidence these womxn showed me. Throughout my involvement in BBSA, I’ve been continuously impressed by the strength and empathy held among Bruin Belles. I’m so grateful to be a part of such a welcoming, empowering, and down-to-earth group of womxn who give their time to better the UCLA and Los Angeles communities.
I am honored and excited to take on the role of 2020-2021 Campus Culture Director. This year, I hope to expand the scope of the Campus Culture office to more fully reflect the breadth of activities and causes that UCLA students are involved in and passionate about. I believe this office has the potential to enhance Belles’ engagement in opportunities specifically afforded to us as UCLA students, and I would like to capitalize on and celebrate those opportunities for members of BBSA. With this in mind, I have slightly adapted the pillars of the Campus Culture office for this school year to include: Activism, Culture/Arts, Education, and Athletics. I hope these categories will encompass a greater cache of opportunities through which Belles can find activities on campus that align with passions they wish to explore. I’m so excited to grow both as an organization and an individual alongside such considerate and outstanding womxn this year.
Sanaa Malik
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director
Year: Junior
Major: English and Political Science
Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Contact: deioffice@bruinbelles.com
Our Bruin Belles community has been such a lifeline for me during my time at UCLA. I joined Belles as a freshman, and I still remember attending General Meetings via Zoom from my single dorm room in De Neve Acacia. It was a very strange and isolating year, but Belles offered structure and friendship during that time. Belles was the first place I felt like I belonged at UCLA, and I am always so grateful for everything this organization has given me! I am so excited to give back to this incredible group of brilliant and kind-hearted women by serving on Board this year.
As the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I want to help make Belles as welcoming an environment as possible. I'm proud to lead our Book Club and Film Club, where we celebrate art created by and about women of color. I also hope to expand BBSA's connections with other campus clubs, particularly cultural groups and queer groups, so that we can collaborate on events and member opportunities. It's such a privilege to belong to this organization, and I feel incredibly excited to help lead this group this school year.
