DIRECTORS
VERONIKA BYLICKI (DIRECTOR)
Program and year: Global Resource Systems. 3rd year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? Firstly, I eat, breathe and sleep sustainability! Second, I’ve stuck with Common Energy because I felt like I was actually making an impact on campus, AND because of the amazing sense of community. So many of my best friends now are people that I met through Common Energy!
Fun fact: I know the entire dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
SWINZLE CHAUHAN (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR INTERNAL)
Program and year: Environmental Sciences and Human Geography. 4th year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? First, because I think Sustainability is important, and I’m interested in getting people excited – or at least active – about it! Second, because the Common Energy community is so great, and it’s great to talk, plan, work, cook and eat (YES!) with all of these amazing people!
Fun fact: I never sneeze just once. It’s always multiple sneezes.
JASON FARRA (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR EXTERNAL)
Program and year: Environmental Design. 3rd year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? I first joined as a first year eager to get involved on campus, especially in sustainability. After being part of some really cool projects, getting to know some amazing people, and eating tons of food, I’ve gotten hooked and have been part of CE since!
Fun fact: I’ve slept through fire alarms and an earthquake. The future does not look good for me.
CAMPAIGNS COORDINATORS
NIKLAS AGARWAL
Program and year: Geography (Environment and Sustainability). 2nd year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? I’m part of Common Energy because I want to make a meaningful difference in the sustainability of UBC. There is so much potential in the student body and in the university to create change that could better our environment.
Fun fact: I’m really into wild foraging, and this year I’m going to explore forging options here at UBC. I also have 3 cats that I miss dearly.
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: People creating change.
UMAIMA BAIG
Program and year: Economics and Philosophy. 3rd year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? Common Energy allows me to make a positive impact on our collevtive campus culture while collaborating with a group of amazing individuals. It’s been a great outlet, allowing me to express my passion for sustainability and learn even more at the same time.
Fun fact: Mindy Kaling (from the Mindy Project and the Office) is my spirit animal.
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: Creativity, community, eatingallthefood.
EVENTS + OUTREACH COORDINATORS
SHIORI ITO (TERM 2)
Program and year: Global Perspectives Major in Natural Resources Conservation. 4th year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? I like connecting with others who share the same interest in sustainability and learning about cool ways to make your life more sustainable. Common Energy gives me a place to share my passion with others in a friendly atmosphere, and it also provides the best food out of all the clubs at UBC.
Fun fact: I saw a family of wild Orca whales in Mexico last month and fell in love.
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: Action Through Community.
BRIT JACCARD (TERM 1)
Program and year: Global Resource Systems. 3rd year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? I am in Common Energy because I love the feeling of having a family of like-minded people on campus and that is exactly what Common Energy is for me!
Fun fact: I can eat a whole bag of popcorn in 3 minutes.
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: Friends, Food, Laughs.
SOPHIA YANG
Program and year: Natural Resources Conservation. 2nd year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? I’m part of Common Energy because I was inspired to protect the environment and speak out against global warming and raise awareness ever since the young age of 11 when I read an article interviewing Dr. David Suzuki about what young kids can do to help. I believe CE has the power to get everyone involved and excited to make sustainability a daily habit within our lives to create a large impact.
Fun fact: I love a good ol’ vintage coffee shop, I could stay there all day sipping an espresso while writing and or, reading (most likely Haruki Murakami).
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: People, Opportunities, FOOD.
FOOD + CONNECTIONS COORDINATORS
YANN HERRERA
Program and year: Environmental Sciences. 3rd year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? I joined Common Energy halfway through my first year at UBC, getting to know a bunch of students with similar interests around issues of sustainability. I was looking for a way to get involved on campus outside of the classroom. I got my first taste of Common Energy magic when I helped organize the 2013 Earth Hour event which made it to Canadian news! I had a lot of fun contacting and recruiting people for the event and I got to see a lot of cool talented people. But what drew me the most about the group was the impact that it has on the UBC community, not only as an example of active and environmentally-aware individuals but also as a team that warmly accepts anyone who wishes to join (always with open arms and bowls of delicious food!).
Fun fact: I really, really like avocados.
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: Learning, fun, and food!
ANDREA LUCY
Program and year: Anthropology and Environment & Society. 3rd year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? Last year I joined Common Energy with the Campaigns team, and couldn’t have had a better year! My interest in sustainability brought me to the club, and the community and enthusiasm made me stay. Still an “in-training” cook, I look forward to trying out some new recipes and honing in on my knowledge about what’s on the plate with others.
Fun fact: During the night, you can find me in the basement of the SUB clumsily making clay pots in the pottery studio.
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: Teamwork, creativity, and EATING (it is the food team after all, we have to live up to our name).
SUSTAINABILITY IN RESIDENCE COORDINATOR
ANNA MURYNKA
Program and year: Environmental Design. 4th year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? I’m coordinating Sustainability in Residence, an initiative that I’ve been passionate about ever since I first moved in to Place Vanier in first year. I quickly learned about the work that Common Energy does, and have been so, so excited to collaborate at any opportunity. The year ahead will be one of great inspiration! Some of the best (brightest, coolest, and of course most environmentally conscious) people I know are people I’ve met through CE. I’m looking forward to all the fantastic things to come: good friends, good food, good fun, and, most importantly, collective impact towards a more sustainable society.
Fun fact: I’ve embarked on a mission to complete my bucket list of Essential Things to do In Vancouver. Some of the highlights I’ve checked off are finishing the Sun Run and seeing the Stanley Park Christmas Lights. Among the points I still have left to do are visiting Science World and biking the Seawall. Feel free to help me in my quest! (What’s on your must-do Vancouver list?)
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: Horizons, creativity, community.
TANGIBLE SOLUTIONS COORDINATORS
SARAH BARNES
Program and year: Honours in Human Geography with a focus in Urban Studies. 4th year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? I’m with Common Energy because the team is full of marvellous, innovative, and creative people who want to make UBC as sustainable as possible. The club encourages students to be mindful of the impact they can have on our environment, and has a huge reach (with a campus of 40,000+) and I am so excited to be apart of it 🙂
Fun fact: I’ve lived in Pittsburgh, Belgium, Texas (twice), Calgary, and Vancouver. I’m hoping that after school I can jump the pond and spend some time in Asia – Shenzhen, I’m coming for you!
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: Impact, Sustainability, and Food.
CARO SANCHEZ
Program & year: Biology. 2nd year.
Why are you a part of Common Energy? I joined one of Common Energy’s teams last year because from the moment I heard about the organization I really identified with its overall mission and ways of promoting environmental awareness and change in UBC. I wanted to get involved with sustainability initiatives in university and I can say that Common Energy is one of the best groups on campus to do that as everyone involved is incredibly passionate, creative and helpful!
Fun fact: My long life dream is to visit Greenland and the Amazon rainforest.
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: Recycling, craftwork, outreach.
ZERO WASTE COORDINATOR
SWINZLE CHAUHAN
Program and year: Environmental Sciences and Human Geography. 4th year.
Why are you part of Common Energy? First, because I think Sustainability is important, and I’m interested in getting people excited – or at least active – about it! Second, because the Common Energy community is so great, and it’s great to talk, plan, work, cook and eat (YES!) with all of these amazing people!
Fun fact: I never sneeze just once. It’s always multiple sneezes.
3 words describing what you’re excited about as a team coordinator: Big-Teams, Zero-Waste, Potlucks!
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