2020-21 EXECUTIVE BOARD

​Our Executive Board is elected according to procedures set forth in our Constitution. For more on those procedures, as well as a description of the duties of each of these positions, refer to our Constitution.​

Sarah desouza
President
she/her/hers

Sarah is a junior in Columbia College studying Political Science and History. She previously organized locally for March for Our Lives and was a CU Dems Lead Activist for the 2019-20 year. She is a senior editor for the Columbia Political Review and the Unplug Collective and a community organizing intern for New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. When she isn't in a meeting, she can be found annoying her friends with incessant quotes from New Girl, spending way too much time writing lists in her bullet journal, and reminding people that she is from Brooklyn.

Jillian harrison
vice president
she/her/hers

Jillian is a junior in Columbia College studying Psychology and Economics. After serving as Dems Treasurer (2019-20), she is excited to organize and work with Dems community members as VP this year! She is passionate about issues like educational equity and reproductive justice, and her favorite Democrat is her State Senator (NY-34), Alessandra Biaggi. Outside of Dems, she's a co-chair of CU Voting Week 2020, a choreographer for the Columbia Musical Theater Society, and a resident of the Bayit (Jewish food co-op). 
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CRYSTAL FORETIA
LEAD ACTIVIST​
SHE/HER/HERS

Crystal is a sophomore in Columbia College studying Political Science and History. She grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., as the younger daughter of Cameroonian immigrants. Through CU Dems, Crystal wants to advance racial justice and educational equity. In her spare time, Crystal binge-watches Hulu originals, reads and writes poetry. Her favorite writers are Clint Smith and Zora Neale Hurston. Crystal also edits for the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review.

NIKITA LEUS-OLIVA
LEAD ACTIVIST
SHE/HER/HERS

Nikita is a sophomore in Columbia College planning to major in Political Science-Statistics with a concentration in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She was born and raised in Miami, FL, where she first got involved in politics as a Fellow for Hillary Clinton in 2016. After 2016, Nikita founded the Miami-Dade Teen Democrats, a county-wide club in Miami that serves as a way for students to get involved in politics and campaigns. She enjoys watching singing videos, playing with cats, traveling, and painting with friends.

Lily glaser
LEAD ACTIVIST
SHE/HER/HERS

Lily is a freshman at Barnard College planning to study Political Science and Eastern European Studies. She hails from Rochester, NY where she fell in love with political involvement while working with her favorite Congresswoman, the late Louise Slaughter. When not doing school work she procrastinates by watching the Great British Baking Show. She is super pumped to be working with the three other awesome Lead Activists to get Columbia students involved with the democratic process!

Olympia francis taylor
Lead Activist
She/her/hers

Olympia Francis Taylor is a sophomore at Barnard College studying history! Hailing from San Francisco, California and passionate about educational equity, labor policy, and international politics, she's thrilled to be a part of the Dems team this year! When not in Butler, she can be often found gleefully re-watching Fleabag, eating Thanksgiving food year round, and raving about absolute icon Taylor Swift. ​​

Grace Didway
media director
she/her/hers

Grace is a junior in Columbia College studying U.S. History and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. A proud alumna of Oregon's public K-12 schools, Grace cares deeply about bolstering investment in public education and elevating student voices in policymaking. She is thrilled to lead the Media team in amplifying the work of change-makers at Columbia and beyond. Outside of CU Dems, Grace is a Resident Advisor, a co-chair of the University Life Events Council, and an intern with Lambda Legal. 

christhian salazar
treasurer
he/him/his

Christhian is a sophomore in Columbia College planning to major in Economics with a concentration in Business Management. He is from Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was first introduced to the political scene working with the Nevada Conservation League. Christhian is extremely excited to work with CU Dems this year on issues like gun reform and immigration. Outside of class, you can find him shooting arrows with the Columbia Archery Club and helping amazing high-school kids with their college application process as a Matriculate advisor. He can't wait for the first Latin-American president to be elected! ​

Emma bradbury
​secretary
she/her/hers

Emma is a junior at Barnard studying English and minoring in Education Studies. Outside of class, you can probably find her editing at the Columbia Daily Spectator! She spent her summer reaching out to voters in voter-suppressed states, and is really passionate about every voter being given the opportunity to use their voice. She is also extremely invested in women’s rights and reproductive issues, and is super excited to be your new Secretary!

sadie klaus
membership director
she/her/hers

Sadie is a sophomore in Barnard College (Class of ‘23!) studying Political Science and Economics. She is from Gladstone, Oregon and is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and economic justice. She’s looking forward to working with the First Year Council and making CU Dems an inclusive, educational, and activist-driven space in the 2020-2021 school year! When Sadie isn’t in class or at a Dems meeting, you can find her protesting or exploring a park somewhere in the city.

stephen de jesus
​events coordinator
he/him/his

Stephen is a junior in Columbia College, majoring in political science and with a concentration in economics. Initially from New York City, but raised in Miami, FL, he is glad to be back and now trying to make his mark on the greater Columbia community. Through CU Dems, he plans to forge stronger relationships with other organizations on campus and work towards giving underprivileged individuals a stage with which to voice their opinions. Stephen hopes to one day get into politics as he continues to develop his love for the arts, history, and mathematics.
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Catherine sawoski
first-year representative
​​SHE/HER/HERS

Catherine is a first year at Barnard College, planning to major in English and Philosophy. A vocal advocate of local politics in her home state of Rhode Island, she’s proud have built the High School Democrats of RI from three members to a state-wide institution, and to have held a managerial role on local candidate Michelle McGaw’s State Representative campaign. In her free time, Catherine loves poetry, spending time with her golden doodle, Amber, and pesto.