Board of Directors
Shala Lin
Co-Founder
Hi everyone! My name is Shala and I am a senior at Phillips Academy Andover. My family is originally from Mainland China, but now a majority of my relatives live in southern California. A fun fact about me is that my parents came up with my name! The “Sha” part is the abbreviation of Shanghai, where my parents were born and raised, and the “La” part symbolizes the first city they settled in when they moved to the states.
Email me! shala@cbkfoundation.com
Richard Lin
President
Hi guys! I'm Richard Lin (林劲骐), and I am now a rising senior at Phillips Academy Andover. At school, I am a part of the golf and squash teams. I love jamming out on the piano and the guitar, and I am a huge fan of the Classics (ancient Greek and Latin). Speaking Mandarin at home while taking two languages at school, I am eager to be a part of this journey with everyone!
Email me! richard@cbkfoundation.com
Volunteers
Shauna Bahri
Hello! My name is Shauna Bahri, I am a 17-year-old from Newport Beach, California. My parents are originally from Iran but have immigrated to the US in the 80s. I have a love of traveling and experiencing different cultures as I have been to 45 countries. I wish to continue my passion by meeting new people and learning more about the world
Brian Gabriel
Hi! My name is Brian Gabriel I am 17 and a senior at Sage Hill School. My dad was born in Haiti and immigrated to the US when he was 20. I love to play soccer with my friends and I’m always up for a challenge!
Shaina Bhakta
Hi! My name is Shaina Bhakta and I’m a senior at Sage Hill School. My mom’s parents were born in Syadla, India and immigrated to America where they had my mom. My dad was born in Surat, India and immigrated to America when he was a little kid. In my free time I love to practice calligraphy and hand lettering. I also love working with kids and am so excited to be part of CBK Foundation!
Abi Stojsic Espenes
Hi! My name is Abi Stojsic Espenes! I’m 18 years old and a freshman year at the University of Utah. I was born in the USA but my mom is from Serbia and my dad is from Norway so I have both a Norwegian and American passport. A fun fact about me is that I love to ski and travel!
Bella Kim
Hi! My name is Bella Kim, and I am 17 years old. My parents were both born in Seoul, South Korea and immigrated to Maryland, making their way to California, where we live now! I am a senior at Sage Hill School and am a part of the school’s tennis, lacrosse, and soccer teams. I enjoy creating art, whether it’s drawing or music, to express myself in abstract ways.
Defne Ulusoy
Hi, my name is Defne! I am 18 and a senior at Phillips Academy Andover. My mom’s family is from Greece and my dad’s family is from Turkey, which is where I was born and raised. In school, I work with international students and am a mentor to help with their adjustment to the culture of the United States! In my free time I like working on my drawings, reading, and traveling.
Arjun Tarsadia
Hello! My name is Arjun Tarsadia. I am 17 years old and a senior at Sage Hill School. My dad was born in India and migrated the US when he was just 15 years old. My favorite hobby is to travel; I love discovering new cultures, eating different foods, and meeting new people. I want to make a change for the good and I am always up for a good challenge!
Lola Pousin
Hi! My name is Lola, I’m 17 years old, and was born in France. I lived 3 years in the northern suburb of New York where I became fluent in English. I graduated this year and will go to Med school in the fall. One of my hobbies is to read fantasy novels and mangas!
Fahad Bastaki
Hi guys! My name is Fahad and I am a senior in the American School of Kuwait. I love trying new foods, hanging with my friends, and playing as many the sports that I can! My favorite is basketball. I also love traveling to new places with my twin sister!
Lauren Kensel
Hi! My name is Lauren Kensel and I am a senior at Mater Dei High School. My mom’s side of the family is Norwegian, and one of my favorite holiday traditions is baking Scandinavian cookies with my family. At school, I am a member of the cross country and track teams, ASB, and choir. I love painting, exploring new places, and making new friends!
Mojmir Petras
Hi! My name is Mojmir Petras. I am 18 and a senior at Phillips Academy Andover. My family is from Slovakia, and I am the first to study abroad. I love to play ice hockey and I am also a passionate bird watcher. In my free time I also love to watch documentaries.
Jacqueline McNeill
Hi! I'm Jacqueline McNeill and I am currently a senior at Sage Hill School. My grandparents emigrated from China to receive a better education and provide a better life for their kids. Some of my passions are student government and basketball.
Shahad Bastaki
Hi! My name is Shahad. I’m from Kuwait and have lived here my whole life. I’m 17 years old and a senior at the American School of Kuwait. I enjoy playing sports, exploring new countries, and hanging out with friends and family.
Christian Moyano
Hi, my name is Christian and I am a senior at Sage Hill School in Newport Coast California! My dad was born in Buenos Aires and immigrated to the US to start a business and create a better life for himself with his father in the 70s. I enjoy exercising, going to the beach with friends, and playing football and lacrosse. I also love making new friends.
Mariam Elkheshen
Hi! My name is Mariam Elkheshen. I am a current senior at Phillips Academy Andover. I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt with my family. I also play squash which has been a huge part of my life so far. My favorite thing to do is travel because it’s the only way to experience different cultures and meet new people.
Emily Elliott
Hello! My name is Emily Elliott, and I am 17 years old and a senior at Sage Hill School. I love playing volleyball and basketball, but when I’m not on the court, I enjoy long runs at the back bay. My dad was born in Hawaii in the capital, Honolulu. He left Hawaii to make a life of his own in California, meeting my mom. A fun fact about me is my favorite color is green, and I love cookie dough ice cream!
Lucie Pousin
Hi! My name is Lucie Pousin and next year I’ll be in 11th grade, I’m almost 16 years old and I live in France, Paris. I speak both English and French and in both languages people ask for me to repeat myself a lot since I have a habit of speaking fast.
Diana Zargari
Hi! My name is Diana Zargari. I am 17 years old and am a senior at Sage Hill School. Both of my parents were born in Iran but met in the USA, where I was born. I enjoy listening to music and traveling with friends and family.
Serena Bard
Hi! I’m Serena Bard, and I love fashion, basketball, and hanging with friends. I am half Palestinian half Persian, and I can speak a little Farsi, French, and Spanish!