The Synergy team is composed of a dedicated group of Harvard students working to equip university students with the skills, mentorship, and network to create businesses with social impact.
ASHLEY GONG
Co-Director
Ashley Gong is a sophomore studying Economics and English. Passionate about the intersection between arts and social good, she has worked with the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, Aspen Institute, Americans for the Arts, HUBweek, and Lincoln Center, to develop youth leadership programs, arts policy recommendations, and lead poetry workshops and events across the nation. Besides her avowed interest in the arts, she is deeply fascinated by social innovation within and across sectors, and believes strongly in the power of young people to effect positive, long-lasting change. On campus, she is involved with The Harvard Crimson, Office for the Arts at Harvard, Gilbert Psychology Lab, and previously served as Synergy’s Marketing Co-Chair. She looks forward to meeting you and organizing yet another wonderful conference!
SELENA ZHANG
Co-Director
Selena is a sophomore studying Biomedical Engineering. She is passionate about creating opportunities for and with others. She is grateful to be a part of a wonderful team here at Harvard Synergy, and she enjoys working with them to create a memorable and empowering experience for new social entrepreneurs. Originally from California, Selena spends quite a bit of time trying to wrap her mind around the concept of changing seasons. If you see a frozen but very happy popsicle outside in the winter, that's her! In her free time, she enjoys frolicking in the bizarre concept of fall, playing music in Harvard Baroque, and painting. She enjoys exploring the arts and sciences and the potential for change that exists in the intersection between the two.
Keziah Douglas
Associate Director
Keziah Douglas is a sophomore living in Pfoho. She is concentrating in sociology and is working towards a citation in Chinese. Along with Synergy, Keziah is involved in Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business and Small Claims Advisory Service. At night, Keziah moonlights as a bartender at Cambridge Queen's Head Pub. Keziah loves creative writing, reading, and eating out. Keziah is passionate about economic and environmental justice and educational reform.
TOM OSBORN
Programming Co-Chair
Tom is an award-winning social entrepreneur. He co-founded his first social venture GreenChar when he was only 18 years old. GreenChar has raised venture funding, distributed products to thousands of families and provided employment opportunities for young men and women across Kenya. Tom has won many awards including the prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship, Women Deliver Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2016, Anzisha Prize Energy Award, Innovate Kenya and the Thomas J. Bata Legacy Award. He has been listed by Forbes Magazine and Salt Magazine as one of the 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneurs. In addition, he has been named by Richtopia Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Entrepreneurs under the age of 30 and by Africa Youth Awards as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans.
RAINY MICHELSEN
Programming Co-Chair
Rainy is a sophomore who is interested in Engineering, Material Science, Education, Ancient History, and Art. Mostly from Arizona, but having spent most of her life traveling up and down the Rockies, she has fallen in love with New England fall. She is passionate about developing new education reforms and opportunities to foster innovation. Rainy continues to be amazed and driven by the powerful discovery that ignites at the intersection of arts, humanities, and sciences.
VERA JIN
Marketing Co-Chair
Vera is a senior in Currier House studying Archaeology. Coming from sunny California to New England, Vera is in love with diverse seasons and weathers (maybe not blizzards). Vera loves graphic design, photography, movies, TV shows, and learning languages (e.g. Egyptian Hieroglyphs). She is also very passionate about topics related to international media, archaeology & media, and US-China media productions. Besides Synergy, Vera is also involved in the Crimson, Harvard Japan Society, HVIET, AADT, and Harvard Semitic Museum.