Officer Team

Executive Board

Alexa Apodaca

Executive Director, Fourth Year

Majors: Political Science and Society and Environment

Hi! My name is Alexa Apodaca, and I am SPIB’s 2022-2023 Executive Director. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student from San Diego/Tijuana. I co-founded SPIB (formerly known as the Roosevelt Network at Berkeley) in the Spring of 2021, serving as Director of Administration from the Spring of 2021- Spring of 2022. SPIB has been a great organization to expand my public policy interests through co-teaching the DeCal in 2022 and partnering with other student organizations for speaker events.

Apart from my involvement in SPIB, I am a Political Science Honors program student and the External Affairs Representative for Pi Sigma Alpha. I am honored to be SPIB’s Executive Director and lead a passionate and outgoing group of individuals.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-apodaca-5637711b5/

Email me: aaf-2001@berkeley.edu

Yuning Xue

Deputy Executive Director, Third Year

Majors: Political Science & Data Science

Hello! I am Yuning. I’m a junior from China studying Political Science and Data Science. I joined SPIB as a research associate in the public health initiative. Now serving as the deputy executive director, I assist the board with event planning and external relations. As a Data Science major, I’m interested in the application of data-driven techniques in public policy. And I hope to work in the non-profit sector after graduation.

Email me: ynxue@berkeley.edu

Diana Valenzuela

Director of Administration, Fourth Year

Major: Economics

Minors: Political Economy and History

Hi! My name is Diana Valenzuela and I am currently a fourth year student from the Tijuana-San Diego Border. I am one of the co-founders of SPIB, and I was the Director of Research prior to being the Director of Administration. As Director of Administration I am in charge of the social media aspect of SPIB, which include updating the website and handling socials like Instagram, LinkedIn, and such. Overall, I am very passionate about public policy and have always looked for ways to become involved, and I believe this organization has enabled me to do so.

Outside of SPIB, I am currently working as a tutor at Tutor.com, as well as being a marketing intern at RippleMatch.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-c-valenzuela-6a16b9209

Email: dcvalenzuela55@berkeley.edu

Benecia Jude

Director of Research, Second Year

Major: Public Health

I am Benecia Jude, a second-year student at UC Berkeley and a public health major. The fight for health equity is the core of my academic identity. As a public health major and with a career in public health, I hope to solve the growing disparities in healthcare access. As a future public health leader, I will amplify our world’s most pressing conversations concerning health and strive to find solutions to them.

Email me: beneciajude@berkeley.edu

Megan Bui

Director of Advocacy, Second Year

Majors: Philosophy and Economics

Hi there! I’m Megan Bui (she/they), and I’m a sophomore studying Philosophy and Economics, with a minor in Public Policy. I’ve found my passion in advancing labor rights and economic justice through community organizing, and I hope to someday uplift my community through public policy or law. As Director of Advocacy, I’m prioritizing community engagement and education as our organization continues to grow and develop its research capabilities. Outside of our work, I’m also currently the Political Education Chair at Cal Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA). In my free time, I like crocheting and watching period dramas, sometimes simultaneously.

Email me: mmbui@berkeley.edu

Vedika Bhaumik

Director of Academics, Second Year

Major: Economics

Minor: Public Policy

Hi! My name is Vedika, and I am SPIB’s 2022-2023 Director of Academics. I am a second-year undergraduate student from the Bay Area. I taught the Applied Policy Lab Decal last semester, and enjoyed it so much that I decided to get involved this semester again!

Apart from my involvement in SPIB, I am in 180 Degrees Consulting, a social impact oriented consulting club. I also enjoy hiking, tennis, and cooking in my free time! I am very excited to head Academics this year and teach a groups of curious and imapct-oriented students.

Email me: vedika.bhaumik@berkeley.edu