GRMR EXECUTIVE BOARD 2024-2025
SARA TAHIR
PRESIDENT
president@grmruf.org
Sara is a 4th year Applied Physiology and Kinesiology major. She joined GRMR because she was deeply inspired by the genuine work the organization conducts for underserved populations, both locally and internationally. She says, “Witnessing the tangible impact and heartfelt dedication of GRMR’s members in uplifting those in need resonated profoundly with me. I am eager to contribute my efforts alongside like-minded individuals towards fostering positive change and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
A fun fact about Sara is that this is her fourth year in GRMR!
JAKOB MEREDITH
VICE PRESIDENT / Director of Internal affairs
vicepresident@grmruf.org
Jakob is a 4th year Medical Geography major with a minor in French. His future goal is to work in toxicology or a related field to help promote environmental health safety in vulnerable populations, includes refugees. He joined GRMR in his freshman year at UF, emphasizing that the organization has been an integral part of his college experience. He says, “Helping uplift and empower the voices of refugee populations in Gainesville alongside a group of people that is as amazing as the members of our organization is an honor and privilege, and I can't wait to see what lays ahead in the coming year.”
Jakob is an avid sports fan and in his free time (when he’s not doing stuff with GRMR), he’s always either watching sports or working as a referee for UF intramural sports. He is excited to get to work and make his final year with GRMR the best one yet!
CHANELLE RAHBANY
Director of Finance
finance@grmruf.org
Chanelle is a 2nd year Biology and Psychology double major on the pre-med track. Her future goals are to attend medical school and become a physician. As a Lebanese woman, she understands and has researched the disastrous circumstances that many refugee families endure. Before joining GRMR, she knew she wanted to assist these populations in any capacity, whether it be through raising money, providing educational resources, or directly volunteering. She was intrigued by GRMR’s mission and the support we have provided as an organization, and became an Assistant Director of Fundraising in the fall of her freshman year. When asked why GRMR is important to her, she says, “GRMR is very important to me as it's a community of students who are all extremely dedicated to the cause and want to help refugee families in a positive manner. It's also an extremely welcoming, hopeful, and exciting student organization to be a part of.
A fun fact about Chanelle is that she played volleyball as a libero for seven years!
KRISHNA KAKANI
CO-Director of Educational services
education@grmruf.org
Krishna is a 3rd year Women’s Studies major. Her future goal is to attend medical school, with a desire to become a Women’s Health physician or a surgeon. She joined GRMR her freshman year while searching for various clubs to join and meet new people. She was immediately drawn to GRMR while attending her first GBM, recognizing how welcoming everyone seemed. She considers GRMR to be her second home on campus because of all the amazing people she has been able to meet during her time at UF. When asked why GRMR is important to her, she says, “GRMR means so much to me because I’m able to see the direct impact we have on our refugee communities and it motivates me to do as much as I can for others. I hope that through my work in GRMR, I can apply what I’ve learned to my future career goals and help as many people as possible.”
A fun fact about Krishna is that she used to do gymnastics as a kid, and had dreams of going to the Olympics!
NAJLI BABAR
Co-Director of EDUCATIONAL services
education@grmruf.org
Najli is a 2nd year Microbiology and Cell Sciences major with minors in Public Health and Anthropology. Joining GRMR in her first year, she was inspired by the avenues the organization provided to work with a very marginalized population. With the number of conflicts increasing around the world and the resulting refugees from these conflicts, she is motivated to go into medicine to help support these future patients. She says, “With ongoing laws in Florida that are making it difficult for refugees to receive proper healthcare, I want to be a part of an organization that strives to advocate for refugees and put them on a platform to succeed. I also aim to gain a better understanding of the refugee experience so I can serve refugee populations in the future.”
A fun fact about Najli is that she can bend the tips of all 10 of her fingers!
LISSET RUIZ
Co-Director of fundraising
fundraising@grmruf.org
Lisset is a 4th year Psychology and Anthropology double major. Her future goals are to attend graduate school and receive her degree in Counseling Psychology. She hopes to become a therapist and work with adolescents from underprivileged backgrounds. During her first year at UF, she learned about GRMR from a friend and was amazed by GRMR’s engagement with the community and how our values aligned with hers. Coming from a small town made up of primarily migrants and immigrants, Lisset witnessed first-hand how often these populations are overlooked and threatened. These experiences propel her to help others both locally and abroad.
Lisset loves baking – especially trying new recipes for cakes, cookies, pastries, and so much more. She also loves journaling, cooking, and studying at the park.
GREY CASTELLANOS
CO-DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING
fundraising@grmruf.org
Grey is a 3rd year Psychology major. She joined GRMR her freshman year and saw not just a student organization, but a family. She says, “GRMR means the world to me as it represents principles and values I can uphold through service, tutoring, and fundraising.” When asked about her future goals, she wishes to just be successful and happy.
Grey loves edits and most importantly, piesanos garlic rolls. She would also like to say, “GRMR ROCKS!!!”
victoria simoni assuncao
CO-Director of medical services
medical@grmruf.org
Victoria is a 4th year Medical Geography major with minors in Sociology and French and Francophone Studies. In the future, she hopes to work with community-based organizations to promote health equity within the built environment and increase access to public health education and nutritious foods. Joining GRMR at the beginning of her first year at UF, she was instantly moved by the mission of the organization and how active our members are in the community. She says, “It is often overlooked how important refugees, migrants, and immigrants are and the rights they are entitled to as human beings are constantly threatened. GRMR is a step towards ensuring these rights are recognized and helping ease the transition into this country. Being a part of GRMR has been an unmatched experience and has allowed me to give back to a community that has always been very close to my heart.” One of her favorite parts of GRMR has been virtual tutoring and watching her student grow further into an intelligent and inquisitive person, as well as talking to him about topics ranging from infinite numbers to Lionel Messi.
A fun fact about Victoria is that she was born in Brazil and loves movie soundtracks. She would also like to add that she is super excited for this next year of GRMR!
an le
director of public relations
publicrelations@grmruf.org
An is a 4th year Public Health and Medical Geography major with minors in Anthropology and Health Disparities in Society. She dreams of pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) and doing work to alleviate health disparities among underserved communities in the United States, particularly migrant and homeless populations. Joining GRMR in the fall of her sophomore year, she quickly realized how well GRMR’s values aligned with her own. She says, “Growing up in a family full of immigrants from Vietnam, I always heard stories about what it was like to move to the United States with little to my parents’ names. With little knowledge of the language of the land, my parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents relied on the generosity of the surrounding American community to support their acclimation to the US. Whether it was housing them, providing them with transportation, or teaching them English and American customs and values, the Americans who supported my family always did so with patience and kindness. Knowing how much of a pivotal influence these people had on my family’s livelihood and prosperity has catalyzed my passion for aiding refugees.”
In her free time, An enjoys exploring different areas of Gainesville and learning what the town has to offer. She also likes collecting records, drinking coffee, and scrolling through Instagram reels (shamefully).
KATIE NATOUR
co-director of medical services
medical@grmruf.org
Katie is a 2nd year Biochemistry major. Her future goals are to go to medical school and become a dermatologist. She joined GRMR in the fall of her freshman year, motivated by her ambition to learn more about the needs of refugees locally and globally. She says, “Working with GRMR has been amazing because we can see the direct impact we are making on local refugee communities through tutoring and educational workshops.”
Katie loves running, cooking, and drinking coffee. An additional fun fact is that she is a gymnastics coach!
selma brkic
Director of external affairs
externalaffairs@grmruf.org
Selma is a 4th year Biology major with minors in Chemistry and Health Disparities in Society. Her future goal is to attend medical school to potentially pursue plastic surgery. Global health is an additional important field for her, as she dreams of providing healthcare to underserved populations around the world. Selma joined GRMR during her sophomore year of college. When asked about why GRMR is important to her, she cites the experiences of her dad, a refugee from Bosnia, and her mom, an immigrant from Ecuador. She says, “Their stories and experience of integration within the US always highlighted the importance of having a support system. Many people along the way were very generous and helped their families in any way they could. GRMR is my way of hopefully being that person to someone else.”
A fun fact about Selma is that in addition to her US citizenship, she is also a citizen of Croatia!