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Executive Officers 2024-2025

Afsheen BazrafkanAfsheen Bazrafkan
VP of Flex MBA

Afsheen was born in Seattle, and moved to Southern California, where he's lived most of his life. He received his bachelor's degree in 2012 at UC Irvine in Biological Sciences. Subsequently, Afsheen joined a brand new neurocritical care laboratory at the School of Medicine at UC Irvine, helping to build it from the ground up. After managing the lab for eleven years, and recently finding a passion for business, he has begun a new regulatory affairs position at Applied Medical. In his free time, Afsheen likes to attend F45 classes, play flag football, perform improvised comedy, and have game nights.

 

Ameya ThakurAmeya Thakur
VP of International Student Relations
Ameya Thakur is a first-year, Full-Time MBA candidate at the Paul Merage School of Business. He is also a proud Student Ambassador for the UCI Merage MBA program. Hailing from the vibrant city of Mumbai in India, Ameya holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the prestigious Sardar Patel Institute of Technology. To build on his passion for Tech, Ameya worked in the Product development space at Oracle for 5 years. During his tenure, he spearheaded the development of the Oracle Banking Platform, a B2B SaaS product now live across 15 states in the USA. This experience not only honed his technological expertise but also ignited a profound passion for driving business vision and growth. Motivated by his desire to combine technology with strategic leadership, he embarked on the MBA journey at Merage. He chose Merage for its distinct curriculum and the collaborative community in the heart of California’s booming business landscape. And of course, the beautiful weather! Beyond the classroom, Ameya can be found grooving to the rhythms of Goan music, engaged in awe of Virat Kohli's impeccable cover drive, or immersing himself in the tranquility of nature. Ameya approaches life with an infectious enthusiasm.

 

Ann CameronAnn Cameron
VP of Executive MBA
Ann is the Class President of the Executive MBA program at the University of California, Irvine, class of 2025. She serves as VP and Board Officer of the Merage Association. Originally from Chicago, she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. A skilled marketing strategist and digital sales leader, Ann excels at developing go-to-market frameworks that drive brand growth and uncover new business opportunities. With a proven track record of leading teams and driving innovation, she is passionate about advancing brands and achieving high consumer adoption in the automotive mobility, sustainability, and enterprise technology sectors.

 

Anomitro BhowmickAnomitro Bhowmick
VP of Finance
Anomitro is currently a first year Part-Time MBA candidate focusing on strategy, operations and consulting in technology, energy transition and healthcare domain. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation Engineering from India and Master degree in Electrical Engineering emphasizing in Control Systems & Robotics from California State University Long Beach. His interest and passion lie in the intersection of accounting, taxes, finance, and corporate governance. In pursuit of this passion, he went ahead and graduated from Masters in Professional Accounting (MPAc) from the University of California, Paul Merage School of Business in 2023, prior to starting his MBA. He has over 7 years of experience in designing process & safety automation systems for hydrogen, petrochemical and energy transition sectors. Anomitro’s decision to join Paul Merage Business school was due to its faculty, staff, cutting edge research, and access to a range of national and global corporations in Orange County. He enjoys connecting to prospective as well as current students and has served twice on the Merage Student Association (MSA) Board. Anomitro believes in MSA’s core values and role it plays in enriching students personal, education and professional experience and termed it as “Merage Ecosystem”. In his free time Anomitro enjoys cooking, hiking, photography and spending time with friends and family.

 

Ashni SundaniAshni Sundani
VP of Marketing
Ashni Sundani is a 2025 master’s in biotechnology management student at the University of California, Irvine. She holds a bachelor’s in biotechnology and a Master's in Biological Science. With two years of experience in diagnostic research and development, Ashni developed a passion for the business side of biotechnology, prompting her to pursue further education in management. Ashni aims to transition into a business-specific role in the biotechnology industry, focusing on product management and marketing. She combines her scientific expertise with business acumen to drive innovation. She enjoys traveling, exploring cafes, and engaging in sports.

 

Aydin YolarAydin Yolar
VP of Communications
Aydin is a 2025 Full-Time MBA Candidate focusing on Supply Chain and Operations. Being born in the US, Aydin had the opportunity to live in Malaysia and Thailand for 8 years of his grade-school before receiving his bachelor’s degree from UC Irvine in Business with a concentration in Operations. He then went on to work at Amazon in the Bay Area at the largest site in North America, eventually becoming the site lead. After 3 years at Amazon, Aydin decided to step away and return to UC Irvine to get his MBA. After graduation, Aydin aims to find a role in the global supply chain and operations field. In his free time, Aydin enjoys traveling (to over 40 countries so far), watching movies, cycling, golfing, and trying new restaurants.

 

Brennan GambsBrennan Gambs
President
Brennan Gambs is a 2025 Full-Time MBA candidate at the Paul Merage School of Business. Brennan graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BS in Finance and minor in Anthropology. Prior to joining Merage she worked at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. For over five years, she was an Accounting Supervisor. Brennan enjoys management and has a passion for employee development. Over the summer, she was a Human Resources Intern at Hyundai Capital America. She is looking forward to continuing to pursue a career in HR after graduation. She is excited to serve MSA as President. Her goal is to have all Merage students create life-long connections. If you’re looking for Brennan off-campus, you can find her at concerts, trying new coffee shops or hiking along the coast.

 

Bryan MoraBryan Mora
VP of Operations
Bryan Mora is an accomplished footwear industry professional with a proven track record in driving profitability and standardizing operations. He received his bachelor's degree from UC Irvine in Social Ecology and is currently a 2025 Executive MBA candidate. With a career spanning several years, he began his professional footwear journey in 2017 at Skechers and has since held roles at adidas and Vans, progressing rapidly within the industry. Currently, Bryan serves as a Senior Manager of Costing & Pricing Operations at Vans. Alongside professional endeavors, Bryan served as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, showcasing their commitment to giving back and supporting others. With a focus on pursuing excellence and aspiring to be a Global brand leader, he is a dedicated professional poised for continued success in the footwear industry.

 

Devlin HamidjajaDevlin Hamidjaja
VP of Marketing
Devlin Hamidjaja is a 2025 Full-Time MBA candidate focusing on Marketing in the healthcare industry. He was born and raised in Orange County, California, and completed his bachelor's degree in business administration from Cal State Fullerton. After graduation, he joined a healthcare tech startup in Santa Ana as a product manager, where he worked on new product launches and market strategy in healthcare. Post-MBA, Devlin aims to continue creating value for patients in the healthcare industry. In addition to his responsibilities on the MSA board, Devlin also serves as a Full-Time MBA Student Ambassador, fostering connections between the school and promising prospective students. He is passionate about giving back and wants to ensure a positive experience to current and future students. In his free time, Devlin enjoys traveling, playing any sport, and also enjoys long walks with his dachshund.

 

Luke ChavezLuke Chavez
VP of Specialty Masters Programs
Luke is a 2025 M.S. in Biotechnology Management candidate at the School of Biological Sciences and Paul Merage School of Business. He is a California native, having been raised in both Northern and Southern California. Passionate about helping people through healthcare and life sciences, Luke is utilizing his background as a research assistant in the biotechnology field. Before joining the Merage family, he earned a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and a minor in marketing at the University of California, Riverside. Luke is currently a marketing and business development associate at a neurosurgical medical device company. Post M.S., Luke aims to lead life science strategy in a product management role. As President of the Business and Technology Association, he enjoys learning about emerging software and technologies. He has also participated in many competitions like the Humana-Mays Healthcare Analytics, Stella Zhang, and LXI case competitions. Beyond his professional life, Luke loves hiking, creating music, and surfing.

 

Nora BeikNora Beik
VP of Flex MBA
Nora is a 2025 Flex MBA Candidate focusing on Health Care Management & Policy, born and raised in Orange County, CA. A UCI alum, she received her bachelors' degrees in Political Science and International Studies. Initially working toward a career in law, she began working at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP as a Business Immigration Analyst. After gaining valuable experience at the law firm, she decided to pivot her career path. Her passion for healthcare, biotechnology, and medical devices-- with a keen interest in product management-- led her to pursue her MBA at UCI. This newfound passion eventually led her to Zymo Research, where she now serves as a Senior Marketing Associate. In her free time, Nora enjoyings baking delicious treats, exploring new destinations through travel, and doting on her two adorable cats.

 

Onkar GuptaOnkar Gupta
VP of Technology
Onkar is a 2025 Full-Time MBA student focusing on Product Management in the technology industry. He was born and raised in India. Prior to joining Merage, Onkar worked for Western Digital for six years as a manager in Bengaluru, India. During his tenure at Western Digital, he began his journey as a Software Design Engineer for flash memory chips and, over time, discovered his aptitude for leadership, transitioning to team management. Before joining Western Digital, Onkar worked as a Senior Software Consultant for Oracle, focusing on financial services software, for two years.Onkar is a tech enthusiast and is very keen on learning about new technologies and applying them in products to solve real-world problems. Continuing his passion, Onkar decided to join Merage to hone his leadership skills and emerge as a capable leader in the tech industry.Onkar loves theatre and cinema and has worked as a professional theatre actor, performing in stage plays with his co-founded theatre company, "Alchemy Theatre Society."Beyond his professional pursuits, Onkar is a passionate photographer, enjoys cooking, and loves spending time enjoying scenic views whenever possible.”

 

Parsha AyvaziParsha Ayvazi
VP of Social
Parsha Ayvazi is a 2025 Full-Time MBA candidate focusing on healthcare marketing and strategy. Born and raised in Irvine, she is a proud anteater with a bachelor’s degree in public health sciences from UC Irvine. Over the past four years, Parsha has worked across both the payer and provider sectors in healthcare. She has played a pivotal role in business development, leading strategic initiatives and enterprise growth projects. Post-MBA, she aspires to roles in product management and commercial access within the MedTech sector, aiming to transform healthcare by developing innovative solutions that enhance global health outcomes. Beyond her professional pursuits, Parsha is an avid traveler and, as a true SoCal native, enjoys spending time outdoors golfing, cycling, or walking her dogs by the beach. As VP of Social, she is excited to plan fun and memorable events for the Merage student community!

 

Skyler MeadorSkyler Meador
VP of Social
Skyler Meador is a 2025 Full-Time MBA candidate. Prior to joining the Merage family, she graduated from UCLA. After graduating, she dedicated over six years to the entertainment industry, culminating in her role in sales, marketing, and brand strategy at Brillstein Creative Partners, a prominent production company. Skyler chose Merage for its intimate cohort size and its diverse community. In addition to her role on the MSA board, she serves as a Student Ambassador, connecting with prospective students and new admits. She's passionate about contributing to the Merage community and looks forward to organizing events this year for the Merage Graduate Student Body!

 

Vikas GuntakaVikas Guntaka
VP of International Student Relations
Vikas Guntaka is a 2025 Full-Time MBA candidate at the Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine. He earned his undergraduate degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Hyderabad before joining the National Geophysical Research Institute, where he played a pivotal role in developing seismic hazard models and implementing risk mitigation strategies. Subsequently, as an Analytics Consultant II at Cloud Mystics, Vikas led significant improvements in product development, client ROI, and sales performance, while also devising pricing strategies that greatly increased revenue. He volunteers at Seed Consulting Group and serves on the MSA board as VP of International Student Relations, as well as holding the positions of VP of Technology at the Merage Product Club and VP of Operations at the Merage Consulting Club. Attracted to Merage for its digitally focused curriculum and exceptional faculty, Vikas also values the school’s proximity to a diverse range of corporations in Orange County. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, hiking, watching anime, and socializing with friends.

 

 

AGS Representatives

The Associated Graduate Students is the recognized graduate student association at the University of California, Irvine. We represent nearly 3,100 graduate and professional students to the campus and system wide administration on a number of issues. The AGS is governed by a President, four Vice Presidents elected by the Council, and a Council of representatives elected by each academic unit. The Council meets every two weeks.

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Chris Lam

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Xuan Xie

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TBA

Class Representatives

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