an Iconic conference experience
YMUNE XV is the 15th iteration of Yale Model United Nations Europe, which brings together experienced Yale students and delegates from around the world to create an innovative, collaborative, and inspiring conference. Hallmarks include:
An innovative take on the traditional MUN format
YMUNE was created as a more educational and dynamic reimagining of the usual Model UN format. We have combined the best of American and European conferences to create a simulation devoted to issues pertaining Europe. Delegates will be placed in a diverse range of committees, ranging from the most standard UN committees to fictional worlds.
An integrated press corps
This year, YMUNE will introduce an Integrated Press Corps, where media delegates interested in journalism will collect updates from their assigned committees and produce articles for our YMUNE daily newsletter during the conference. These delegates will also have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive journalism workshop, providing them with valuable insights into the field of journalism.
Our Mission
The mission of YMUNE is to bring the renowned Yale experience abroad by fostering global understanding and leadership skills among high school students through a rigorous and inclusive platform for diplomacy. YMUNE hopes to raise awareness of and foster discussion about international relations in the European context through simulations of the UN, global crises, and fast-paced debate.
MEET THE SECRETARIAT
Secretary-General:
Jessica Huang
Jessica Huang (she/her) is a junior from Chicago, Illinois double majoring in Statistics and Data Science and Economics. She previously served as the Director-General of Committees for YMUN Europe, and has been a part of Yale’s conference on campus and YMUN Taiwan. Jessica is the President of the Yale Sustainable Consulting Collective, does data analysis for Yale Law School, and serves as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant for Yale’s Statistics and Data Science department. In her free time, she choreographs dances and volunteers at the public library. She also loves rhythmic gymnastics, where she is a Junior Olympic gold medalist and member of the National Elite Squad Team. She’s super excited for this year’s conference and can’t wait to meet everyone! Please do not hesitate to reach out with anything at all at secgen@ymuneurope.org.
Director-General of Operations:
Velislav Vaglev
Velislav (he/him) is a sophomore from Bulgaria double majoring in Economics and Global Affairs. He previously served as the Under-Secretary-General of Advanced Committees for YMUN Europe XIV, and is extremely happy to return for the 15th iteration of the conference as the Director-General of Operations. Besides YMUNE, Velislav works on comparative AI policy research in the Yale Policy Institute and engages with alumni to support Yale’s mission at the Yale Alumni Fund. In his free time, Velislav likes to read, get an iced red eye from his favorite coffee shop Koffee, and hang out with his friends. He can’t wait to help bring the world’s best MUN conference to life and meet everyone in Rome! Feel free to reach out to him at operations@ymuneurope.org.
Director-General of Committees:
Micah Draper
Micah is a sophomore from Wallburg, North Carolina who is majoring in Global Affairs and Urban Studies with a Certificate in Education Studies. He previously served as the USG of Beginner Committees for YMUN Europe XIV, and is beyond excited to return this year as the Director-General of Committees. In addition to YMUNE, Micah is on the Model United Nations Team at Yale, is President of the Sophomore Class Council, plays French horn in the Yale Concert Band, and tutors students at a local public school. Outside of school, you can catch Micah hiking, trying out new coffee shops, or playing pickleball. He can’t wait to share the awesomeness of Model UN with current delegates, both beginners and experienced alike, in hopes of inspiring confidence in the leaders of tomorrow. Reach out to Micah any time at committees@ymuneurope.org.
USG of Recruitment:
Jessica Sabau
Jessica Sabau (she/her) is a junior from Ossining, New York. She is a transfer student from the Honors College at SUNY Westchester Community College and is a prospective Global Affairs major. She has previously served as a Director for YMUN Singapore and looks forward to the fruitful debate that she believes can be the building blocks for a better future. Outside of YMUNE, Jessica is the President of the Transfer Student Alliance, Treasurer for the Bulgarian Society, and a member of the Yale Adventist Christian Fellowship. You may find her in a flower field (especially with Dahlias), drinking matcha, or learning a new embroidery skill. Use jessica.sabau@yale.edu for any questions, celebrations, or concerns!
USG of Recruitment:
Liam Drake
Liam Drake (he/him) is a freshman from Durham, North Carolina studying Political Science and French. Outside of YMUNE, Liam is an Assistant Secretary-General of Delegations for Yale MUN (Yale’s on-campus conference in Connecticut), a teacher for Yale’s Hemispheres program, a prospective Fellow at the new Center for Civic Thought, and a housing team member for Link New Haven. In his (extremely limited) free time, Liam enjoys playing piano, attending classical music concerts, watching late night comedy, and reading about politics. He cannot wait to create a smooth, transparent registration process for international delegations to ensure that their high school Model UN experience is as transformational and life-changing as his was! He can be reached at intl.recruitment@ymuneurope.org.
USG of Conference and Events:
Jennifer Centa
Jennifer Centa (she/her) is a junior from South Carolina studying Statistics & Data Science, with a certificate in Japanese and Education Studies. She has previously served as Executive Director of the Yale International Relations Leadership Institute, USG of Delegations for YMUN, and USG of Branding for YMUNT. Beyond MUN, Jennifer mentors first-year students through the Asian American Cultural Center and tutors Japanese. In her free time, she loves playing piano, crocheting, and chatting with friends over tea. Jennifer is so excited to meet the incredible delegates of YMUNE XV and looks forward to learning from their creativity and passion. Reach out to her anytime at jennifer.centa@yale.edu!
USG of Conference and Events:
Brendan Kaminski
Brendan (he/him) is a sophomore from Long Island, New York, studying History, Russian, and Education Studies. Outside of YMUNE, he is one of the senators for Saybrook College in the Yale College Council (Yale’s undergraduate student government), the Under-Secretary-General of External Affairs for Yale’s Model UN conference in New Haven, and a front-desk service assistant at Bass Library. In his free time, Brendan loves to hang out with friends, try new salad recipes, listen to music, and read great books. He is excited to develop engaging programming for his second YMUNE conference. Please feel free to contact Brendan at conference@ymuneurope.org.
USG of Branding:
Jack Carney
Jack Carney (he/him) is a sophomore from Upstate New York, studying Computer Science and Economics at Yale College. He previously served as a chair for YMUN and is thrilled to return as the USG of Branding for YMUN Europe XV. Outside of YMUNE, Jack volunteers at the HAVEN Free Clinic in patient services, serves as an advising fellow with Matriculate, and is part of Design for America at Yale, where he works on community-centered design projects. He’s passionate about using technology and design to make information more accessible and meaningful. In his free time, Jack enjoys photography, exploring new cities, and swimming. He can’t wait to meet all the delegates and make this conference unforgettable. Feel free to reach out with any questions at branding@ymuneurope.org!
USG of Branding:
Ashley Raffaeli
Ashley Raffaeli (she/her) is a sophomore from Covina, California, double majoring in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and Anthropology at Yale University. She currently serves as the Under-Secretary-General of Branding for YMUN Europe and is deeply involved in health and research initiatives across campus. Ashley works as a Research Assistant in the Vaccarino Lab at the Yale Child Study Center and as a Histology Archivist-Cellular Analyst at the MacBrain Resource Center. She also serves as Director of Patient Services and Spanish Interpreter at the HAVEN Free Clinic, where she helps expand access to bilingual healthcare. Outside the lab, Ashley is a Matriculate Advisor and an active member of the Yale Policy Institute and Yale Global Health Review. She loves exploring cultural intersections between science and society and is especially passionate about global health equity and education. You can reach Ashley and ask any questions @ branding@ymuneurope.org!
USG of Traditional Committees:
Awa-Bilan Amarreh
Awa-Bilan Amarreh is a sophomore from Minneapolis, MN studying Global Affairs. She is a polyglot who speaks English, Somali, French, and Japanese. At Yale she is member of the competitive travel Model UN Team at Yale known as MUNTY, where she also serves on the team's executive board. She is also a member of Fashion Lifestyle at Yale, Yale's Black Pre Law Society, and the official hostess of her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Outside of school she is a signed model, and an active fashion lover. In her free time you can find her reading a good book, finding a new coffee shop/restaurant, or hanging out with her friends. Feel free to reach out at any time at traditional@ymuneurope.org
Director:
Pranaya Balaji
Pranaya (she/her) is a sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia majoring in Economics and Global Affairs. She previously served as an Associate Secretary General of YMUN LI in New Haven and is currently the Under Secretary General of Committees for YMUN Dubai. On campus, she is also an associate at the Yale Undergraduate Consulting Group and a member of the Yale Debate Association. In her free time, she loves to visit national parks, try new cuisines, and watch sunsets. Pranaya is beyond excited to meet everyone this spring and can be reached at pranaya.balaji@yale.edu.
USG of Intermediate Committees:
Alexander Saratovsky
Alexander Saratovsky (he/him) is a freshman from Chicago, Illinois, though he spent ten years living in London and Amsterdam, and is studying History and Political Science. Outside of YMUNE, he is an Assistant Secretary-General of Specialized Committees for YMUN and a student liaison for the Jackson School of Foreign Affairs World Fellow’s program. When Alexander isn’t planning amazing Model UN conferences, he spends his time exploring Yale’s beautiful campus with his friends, watching football and soccer (don’t get him started on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arsenal), and curating his Letterboxd account. He is extremely excited to see everyone in Rome this Spring! He can be reached at alexander.saratovsky@yale.edu.
Director:
Christopher Johnson
Christopher Johnson (he/him) is a freshman from Rhode Island planning to study History and Global Affairs. Beyond YMUNE, he does legal aid work for asylum seekers in New Haven, writes on the Americas desk of the Yale Review of International Studies, and is an active member of the Yale Political Union. In his free time, he enjoys going on bike rides with friends, practicing piano, playing tennis, trying new restaurants, and working on his LEGO collection (huge LEGO Star Wars fan!). Christopher is super excited to meet all of this year’s delegates and looks forward to working with them! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to christopher.johnson.caj66@yale.edu. See you all in Rome!
Director:
Jaxon Pierce
Jaxon Pierce (he/him) is a sophomore from Boise, Idaho, studying Political Science and History. Outside of YMUNE, Jaxon is a Under Secretary General of Regional Bodies for YMUN New Haven, Captain of the Yale Men’s Volleyball Team, and a Case Team Lead for Global Strategies Consulting. Outside of the classroom, you will see Jaxon taking trips to Trader Joe’s, trying new coffee shops in New Haven, or going on scenic runs around campus. He is super excited to meet all the amazing delegates in Rome and engage in pressing political debate! If you have any questions, Jaxon can be reached at jaxon.pierce@yale.edu.
