2023-2024 Leadership

Charlie Zhang, Student Body President

Pronouns: He/Him/His

My Taylor Swift Era: 1989

Charlie is a fourth year independent major in Sociology, Anthropology, and Global Strategy from New Zealand. He is passionate about advocating for other students and working with new people. Previously the VP for Student Services, he’s heavily involved in food insecurity advocacy, mental health & wellness, and campus safety projects at Northeastern. He chairs the Executive Cabinet and acts as a liaison between SGA and the Student Body. 

Outside of SGA, you’ll find him with a coffee on Centennial, grabbing a bowl from El Jefes at 2am, or biking around the city. He is also a keen kickboxing (Muay Thai) practitioner, runner, and photographer. Charlie is always searching for more opportunities to work with students on projects of all sizes related to the student experience! If you have any concerns or ideas at Northeastern, interested in learning more about our projects, or just want to say hello, feel free to reach out at sgaPresident@northeastern.edu!

Matt Coughlin, Executive Vice President

Pronouns: He/Him/His

My Taylor Swift Era: Folklore

Matthew Coughlin is a third-year mechanical engineering major with a minor in math from Sharon, Massachusetts.

As Executive Vice President, Matthew facilitates collaboration between the six main SGA divisions: Operational Affairs, Academic Affairs, Campus Affairs, External Affairs, DEI, and Student Success. He also supports the Association with long-term planning, new initiatives, outreach, and advocacy.

Outside of SGA, you can find Matthew hanging out with friends, exploring Boston, or lamenting the Massachusetts weather. He is an avid skier and an active member in the club AeroNU. If you ever have questions about SGA or want to get involved, feel free to contact Matthew at sgaEVP@northeastern.edu.

Cassidy Donoghue, Speaker of the Senate

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

My Taylor Swift Era: 1989

Cassidy is a 2nd year pursuing an Independent major of Political Science and Psychology with a minor in rhetoric. She is originally from Long Island, New York. As Speaker of the Senate, Cassidy is responsible for chairing Senate, overseeing senate operations, Senator education, recruitment, and managing proactive Senate-facing initiatives. Distinguishing Senate as its own division is aimed to increase Senate engagement, retention, and productivity while fulfilling the goal of representing all student voices in SGA’s voting body! 

Outside of SGA, Cassidy is involved in Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, Phi Alpha Delta fraternity, and NUDANCO. In her (very rare) free time Cassidy likes to try new running routes around Boston, read, and hang out with friends! 

If you are interested in joining the Senate in any capacity, or just want to chat about SGA, always feel free to reach out at Donoghue.ca@northeastern.edu!

Sophie Sawyers, VP for Operational Affairs

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

My Taylor Swift Era: Midnights

Sophie is a third-year Economics and Data Science major with minors in Interaction Design and Business Administration from Cincinnati, Ohio. As VP for Operational Affairs, Sophie oversees internal association operations and works to support both senate and SGA leadership in their logistical success. Her responsibilities include managing association finances, maintaining the roster, coordinating room bookings, updating governing docs, and overseeing senator applications and audits. The Operational Affairs division aims to make the organization’s processes more efficient and constantly seeks opportunities to improve SGA’s internal workflows.

Outside of SGA, Sophie is heavily involved in the Women’s Interdisciplinary Society of Entrepreneurship (WISE), where she currently serves as the Operations Coordinator. She is also involved in Scout as a Project Lead on their Studio team, Honors Ambassadors, and No Limits Dance Crew. You can usually find her at Pavement or Caffe Bene with a boba/coffee in hand or speed-walking around campus with her headphones on (always feel free to say hi!).

If you are interested in learning more about SGA’s operations and/or want to get more involved in the Operational Affairs division, reach out to Sophie at sgaOperations@northeastern.edu!

Misha Ankudovych, VP for Academic Affairs

Pronouns: He/Him/His

My Taylor Swift Era: Folklore

Misha is a second year Data Science and Economics major from Amityville (Long Island), New York. As VP for Academic Affairs, Misha is responsible for and passionate about all things related to earning at Northeastern, including textbooks, the library, issues with classes and departments among other things. This year, he is especially excited to work on projects including finalizing Northeastern’s virtual textbook exchange and implementing a TRACE for co-op and syllabi database initiatives. He previously served as the dean liaison for Koury College, and a member of the Student Involvement Board and Student Services committee. 

Outside of SGA, Misha is a leader of the NUDoghouse Hockey Student Section, and has gone to almost every Huskies hockey game in the state of Massachusetts (and some even further!). He is also a Husky Ambassador tour guide and a volunteer suicide hotline counselor. Misha is excited to use this year to make strides towards developing meaningful academic focused projects to help students have a better Northeastern experience. Contact him at sgaAcademicAffairs@northeastern.edu if you have any ideas, want to get involved in Academic Affairs, or have any questions about watching Northeastern Hockey!

Greg Katz, VP for Campus Affairs

Pronouns: He/Him/His

My Taylor Swift Era: reputation

Greg is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering major with a minor in Mathematics from Edgewater, New Jersey. As VP for Campus Affairs, Greg works with Northeastern administrators across various departments to advocate on behalf of the student body. Campus Affairs focuses on issues related to student resources including dining, housing, campus recreation, sustainability, public safety, and more. Him and his team are dedicated to ensuring students have a say in any and all decisions that impact student life on campus.

Outside of SGA, Greg helps incoming engineering students acclimate to college life as a peer mentor for the GE1000 class. He is also a huge car guy and is always willing to talk about anything and everything related to cars. If you have any issues on campus that you would like to be addressed or just want to chat and say hi, feel free to email Greg at sgaCampusAffairs@northeastern.edu.

Sebastian Chávez da Silva, VP for Student Success

Pronouns: He/Him/His

My Taylor Swift Era: Fearless

Sebastian is a fifth-year (ahhh!) student from Lowell, Massachusetts going for a double major in Industrial Engineering & Political Science with a concentration in International Relations & Diplomacy. As VP for Student Success, Sebastian leads the Student Success division in advocating for student concerns regarding campus engagement and student wellbeing by working on projects related to mental and physical wellness, social integration, athletics, the arts, campus culture, school spirit, and more! He hopes his team’s work this year will help ensure that students have the resources to make the most of their time at Northeastern not only in, but also out of the classroom.

Aside from helping Students (be) Success(ful), Sebastian previously served two consecutive terms as VP for Student Services, followed by one term as Executive Vice President. This has helped him identify areas for improvement within the organization as well as develop organizational and administrative relationships. Outside of Student Government, you can find Sebastian tutoring first-year engineering students, conducting research on the weaponization of AI, cooking new recipes, playing guitar, using the new squat racks at Marino, or venturing around Boston in search of (wicked) cute cafes.

If you find anything written above interesting, or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out to Sebastian at sgaStudentSuccess@northeastern.edu. 

Shriya Thangada, VP for External Affairs

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

My Taylor Swift Era: evermore

Shriya Thangada is a 4th year Economics and Business Administration major, from Malvern, Pennsylvania. As VP for External Affairs, Shriya deals with all aspects of External outreach for the Student Government Association, specifically in bridging the gap between the student body and student government. Shriya is excited to work on connecting the student body with their SGA representatives as well as expanding connections with global campuses and different Boston universities. She has previously served as the Executive Director of Events. 

Outside of SGA, Shriya is involved in Invest in Girls, Kappa Delta Sorority, and Women in Finance. She also tutors for the Council for Economic Education. In her free time, Shriya loves to hike, bake and ski. If you have any questions or ideas about collaborating with SGA feel free to reach out to Shriya at sgaExternalAffairs@northeastern.edu.

Natalie DeLaCruz, VP for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Pronouns: She/They

My Taylor Swift Era: evermore

Natalie is a third-year Political Science and Human Services major, Spanish minor, from West Hartford, CT. As VP for DEI, Natalie is responsible for coordinating projects that will work towards making Northeastern a more welcoming and inclusive place for all students, uplifting student concerns and ideas, and collaborating with the cultural resource centers on campus. They have previously served as the AVP of DEI and the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Student Representative. 

Outside of SGA, Natalie is involved as a LeanOnMe Peer Supporter, Mixed Student Union member, and Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honors Society member. They are also completing a directed student in the Belonging and Social Identity Lab (BASIL) with a focus on multicultural and multiracial identity! Natalie loves traveling, food, and above all, her dog Kevin.

Natalie is passionate about making Northeastern a place where everyone feels that their identity is accepted and valued, so if you have any suggestions, concerns, or questions, she would love to talk to you if you reach out to sgaDEI@northeastern.edu. I am here for you!

James Chang-Davidson, Vice President for Student Involvement

Pronouns: He/Him/His

My Taylor Swift Era: 1989

James is a fifth year Computer Science major from the California Bay Area with a passion for building impactful opportunities for other students to learn and grow in. As Executive Director of Student Involvement, he works closely with the Center for Student Involvement and many other Northeastern administrators to support the 400+ student organizations with official recognition, resources, governance, and conflict resolution.

James joined SGA in January 2023 with the goal of helping to improve the student organization leader experience university-wide after having spent nearly four years on the E-Board of Northeastern Electric Racing. Outside of SGA, James also serves as President of Kaleidoscope, Khoury College’s Club Council, and works to build dedicated resources and community for Khoury student organizations. He has also been a member of oSTEM and Out in Business, and in his free time he loves making sushi and going on long walks.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or would like to chat about anything related to student organizations, email James at sgaStudentInvolvement@northeastern.edu!

Alexis Shamailov, Executive Director of Club Finance

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

My Taylor Swift Era: Fearless

Alexis is a 4th year Business Administration major, with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Psychology from Staten Island, New York. As Executive Director of Club Finance she works closely with SABO and SIB to help clubs gain recognition on campus and then gain funds. Every recognized organization is able to receive funding through the SAF, and it is important that all clubs utilize their budgets to broaden their reach to students all across the campus. She leads a team and looks over supplemental and annual budgets to help organizations put on events on campus that are important to the values of their organization. Her goals for this role would be to continue transparency not just with organizations, but with the whole student body. She has realized that just as she once didn't know what the Finance Board did, or how they helped the school, many don't know either. She will try to create awareness with what the "Student activity fee" really does for students, and the amount of opportunities that are open for everyone to create a community for themselves on campus, and being supported with the funds they need to operate smoothly.

Outside of SGA, Alexis is involved in Chabad on campus and helps provide a safe community for Jewish students. She loves to swim and play tennis, and works as a lifeguard at Northeastern. Please feel free to reach me at my personal email shamailov.a@northeastern.edu or the finance board email at sgafinanceboard@northeastern.edu.

Owen Kasmin, Executive Director of Elections

Pronouns: He/Him/His

My Taylor Swift Era: Red

Owen is a third year History and Political Science Major with a minor in Jewish Studies. He grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, and has a passion for law and legal studies. As the Executive Director of Elections, Owen chairs the Elections Board which oversees the 2024 Student Body Election and Referenda. Owen ensures that the Direct Elections Manual is followed throughout the campaign period and voting process. Owen also helps advocate for general voting interests of Northeastern students, and wants to make the Student Body Election as open and participated in as possible. 

Outside of SGA, Owen is often reading or watching the Lord of the Rings, camping and completing community service with his local Boy Scout council back home, and listening to Lofi Beats to Relax or Study to. You can reach out to him at sgaElections@northeastern.edu with any Elections related questions, as well as interest in setting up a Lord of the Rings watch party. 

Ignacio Colón-Cordero, Parliamentarian

Pronouns: He/Him/His

My Taylor Swift Era: 1989

Ignacio is third year pre-law Business major with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Data Science. He was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and left to come to study at Northeastern. Starting second year he joined SGA and acted as Vice-Deputy Parliamentarian and Minutes-taker until his appointment this year as Parliamentarian. As Parliamentarian he oversees the OAB board and all Appeals that go through it. His main goals are creating a Legislation form to facilitate the overall process, limit OAB decision power, and streamline our governing docs. Outside of SGA, he enjoys reading primarily russian (ex. Dostoevsky) and latin-american (ex. Carlos Ruiz Zafon) literature, playing intramural soccer and golf.

If you are interested in OAB, or wish to file an appeal regarding a club funding request, an SIB decision, an incident at SGA or just to chat, email him at sgaOAB@northeastern.edu.