Lauren Chua

I am a 3rd year grad worker who has been organizing with our union since my first semester on campus– first as a member of the Contract Action Team, then as a Department Organizer, and this past year as an Area Chief Steward on the executive board. In the ACS role, I have worked to build up and strengthen steward leadership across departments and address workplace issues while empowering workers, such as relating to creating inclusive work environments and fighting unjust discipline. I am running for president on the BOLD slate (www.bold4mit.org) because I am committed to building our union on a foundation of mass participation and worker democracy.

Hana El-Erian Flores

I am a 4th-year graduate worker in Biology who started organizing with our union as part of the “Real Recourse Now” action team in the 2022 contract fight. Since then, I’ve served as a steward, on the Membership Committee, on two resolution-drafting committees, and now as Department Chief Steward. I am dedicated to empowering graduate workers to fight for the conditions we all deserve. As Vice President of Membership, I will work with the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org) to grow an engaged, active membership and build the union power needed to secure the best possible contract in 2026.

Daniel Shen

I am a 4th year grad worker in EECS and currently serving as an Area Chief Steward on our Local’s 2024 executive board. Previously, I led work in organizing the 2023 campaign for our first contract along with organizing grads to vote yes to win our union in 2022. I am running for the position of Campus Chief Steward as part of the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org); I’m excited to continue strengthening and expanding our steward network to protect our workplace rights and our contract benefits, especially during this time of political uncertainty for both domestic and international workers.

Hannah LeBlanc

I am a 5th year graduate worker in the Biology Department and have been organizing with our union since before we went public in 2021, most recently serving as a steward. I’ve worked on issues like creating an inclusive work environment and supporting workers in understanding their rights and negotiating with advisors as they prepare to graduate. I strongly believe in our union’s power to materially improve our working conditions. I’m running for Financial Secretary with the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org) because transparent, reliable accounting is crucial for member engagement, contract enforcement, and a strong contract bargaining position.

Deepti Kannan

I’m a 4th-year grad worker in Physics and currently serve as an Area Chief Steward for the School of Science on the 2024 Local Executive Board. Since our union election in 2022, I’ve been organizing to empower grad workers to have a democratic say in our working conditions. As ACS, I expanded the steward network in Physics and Brain and Cognitive Sciences and spearheaded campaigns for international workers’ rights and health and safety protections. I’m running for Recording Secretary with the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org) to deliver clear membership communications and build a high-participation union for a more just workplace.

Owen Farchione

I’m a 2nd-year grad worker in Biological Engineering and have been a union steward since February. I've also represented our Local on a UE-sponsored trip to Mexico to learn from other labor organizers and share our own Local's lessons. I’m running for Area Chief Steward for the School of Engineering with the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org) to boost members' engagement with our union and create a safer, more inclusive workplace for all grad workers. I’m also excited about organizing a high-participation bargaining survey among our members to more deeply understand our community's priorities for our 2026 contract!

Nishad Gothoskar

I’ve been organizing with our union for 4 years—from before our union was public, through our election, on our bargaining team, and now as a member of the executive board. I’ve been committed to strengthening our union through mass member engagement and collective action. I’ve worked with many departments to grow steward networks and develop new leaders, and we’ve launched campaigns for better pay, advisor accountability, and health and safety. I’ve also helped organize many of our actions including speakouts and pickets. I’m running for Area Chief Steward with the BOLD slate (www.bold4mit.org) to build a powerful union that can secure a historic contract in 2026.

Malek Ibrahim

I am a 3rd-year graduate worker and became active with GSU organizing after our historic contract win in Fall 2023. I have been involved in community initiatives like fighting PI abuse in MechE, advocating for better health and safety protections, and opposing discrimination and suppression of free speech, particularly regarding campus organizing in solidarity with Palestine. I’ve also been involved in homeless outreach in Cambridge. I am running as part of the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org) as Area Chief Steward to fight alongside my fellow workers, combating injustice and attacks on our rights wherever they occur.

Kristen Ammons

I started organizing with the MIT-GSU leading up to the April 2022 recognition vote. Since then, I have held many roles within our union, but my focus has always been on engaging directly with the graduate workers of AeroAstro. As a steward, I’ve empowered my coworkers to address their day-to-day issues.

As Area Chief Steward, I’ll work to ensure our union remains rooted in the power and priorities of its members. Our strength comes not from our authority but from rank-and-file organizing and collective action. As such, members’ voices must guide our union's direction; I’m committed to amplifying them.

Nadia Zaragoza

I am a 4th-year graduate worker in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and have been organizing with our union since Summer 2022. I first joined the Contract Action Team and became Department Chief Steward after we ratified our contract. Now, as Area Chief Steward, I’ve built up the steward network in DMSE to a 20:1 worker-to-steward ratio. I’ve also helped lead the inclusive restrooms campaign, bringing together student leaders and stewards to expand all-gender restrooms on campus. I’m running for ACS with the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org) to continue this work to strengthen our steward network and membership for our next contract fight.

Hallie Trial

I’m a 3rd-year grad worker in the Chemistry Department and began organizing before our first contract in Fall 2023 because I wanted to address power imbalances in academia. As a Department Chief Steward, I’ve focused on issues that impact grad workers’ everyday lives, such as health and safety campaigns, leave and vacation policy communication, and expanding the steward network to support workers effectively. I’m running for Area Chief Steward for the School of Science with the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org) to continue raising awareness about our contract rights and fighting to extend protections, like reasonable working hours, to all graduate workers.

Jack Rubien

I’m a 3rd-year Biology grad worker and have been a union organizer since my first semester at MIT! As Biology Department Chief Steward, I built the largest departmental steward network, trained dozens of stewards, and led organizing efforts on lab safety, fellows' rights, and opposing unjust discipline. For our next contract, I’m ready to win big fights around affordable housing, better stipends, and expanded international worker rights. I’m running for Area Chief Steward with the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org) to continue building MIT-GSU as the fierce, worker-led union that will empower grad workers to win the excellent contract we deserve.

Benjamin Velez

I am a second-year graduate worker in Biology and have been active in our union since July, first as an assistant steward and now as a steward. Starting my PhD during contract negotiations made me realize that many of the benefits that drew me to MIT were hard-won by our union. I believe national solidarity among graduate workers can help us build on this momentum for even better conditions. I’m running for Delegate at Large with the BOLD slate (www.bold4mit.org) to represent MIT GSU at UE conventions, strengthening ties to the broader labor movement to organize, and advocate effectively for all grad workers.

Olivier Ng'weno Kigotho

I believe our union’s strength lies in its democracy, and as an at-large delegate, I will ensure your voices are heard at every level. As Aero Astro Chief Steward, I’ve listened to you, supported you in addressing issues like late pay and harassment, and amplified your needs. As a founding member of the union’s Unity Committee, I’ve worked to make sure you feel welcome, confident, and empowered to participate. Therefore, I’m running for at-large delegate to ensure that rank-and-file priorities guide UE at the regional and national levels.

Anirudh Adavi

I am a 3rd-year graduate worker in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE) and joined the steward team after seeing our union’s capacity and willingness to stand up against the administration and fight for workers' rights. I have worked on various campaigns within our department, including efforts to improve pay and advocate for international worker rights. Through the Benefits Working Group, I’ve helped ensure that grad workers receive the benefits guaranteed by our contract. As Delegate at Large with the BOLD slate (bold4mit.org), I will connect our union to the broader labor movement and bring effective organizing strategies from other UE locals.