Meet our executive team!

In the Catalyst Project we work in branches to efficiently and effectively communicate and publish articles. Have a read about our leaders and organizers within the Catalyst Project!

Executive Director:

Elsa Plank

Hello everyone, I am Elsa! I am a senior at Hathaway Brown. In addition to the Catalyst, I dance in the styles of ballet, contemporary, jazz, and modern. I am also the vice president of the Investment Club. I am thrilled to take on the position of the Catalyst Executive Director alongside Madeleine and get to meet and work with everyone!

Chapter HEad:

Parvati gopakumar

My name is Parvati Gopakumar and I'm a Junior in high-school right now! I am the Chapter head of the Arizona Branch for Catalyst. Some of my hobbies are reading, art, crafts, and crocheting. I also am a huge dog lover. I love writing about world affairs that strike as interesting to me and am always open to book recommendations! :)

Board Member: KHadija Coats

Hi everyone! I’m Khadija and I’m a senior at Hathaway Brown. I am quite involved at my school and in my community, being most involved in my school’s sustainability club Green Team and Muslim Student Association as President. Recently, I have been named as one of the editors for our school’s magazine Retrospect. Outside of school, I serve on a youth council at my local mosque as Secretary, teach esol conversation classes, and volunteer at a  monthly food pantry. Giving back and helping others are traits that I believe are important to embody and I strongly support the catalyst’s message of helping students grow more aware and civically engaged in their communities. I’m excited to get started as an official board member of the catalyst program!

Chapter Head: Renee MA

Hi everyone! My name is Renee, and I'm a sophomore at New Trier High School. I’m so excited to be a part of the Catalyst Project’s team as the Chicago Chapter head, as I've always loved public policy and social justice. Outside of school, I enjoy doing policy debate, playing the piano in my school's band, being a part of political journal, and solving interesting math problems. I hope to raise civic engagement amongst the youth and work with all of you to make this an awesome year!

CHapter Head:

ananya rao

Hi, my name is Ananya Rao. I love writing and I am the Chapter Head of the Catalyst Project for Hathaway Brown in Ohio. And I hope to continue writing articles for a long time!

CHapter Head:

Brooke gemechu

Hi! My name is Brooke Gemechu, and I’m a junior and this year’s chapter head at Hawken School. I love learning about and writing about global issues concerning social justice, sustainability, foreign policy, economic equality, civic engagement, and more - and am excited to explore these topics with the Catalyst. Outside of writing, I enjoy competitive debate, reading, baking, and spending time with family and friends! I’m looking forward to this year!

Publishing director:

Manthan Madan

My name is Manthan Madan, and I'm a senior at BASIS Peoria. My hobbies include sports, reading, engineering random machines, and sleeping. I also like to learn math and physics in my free time. I am involved in multiple activities, such as speech and debate, math tutoring, and many honor societies. I am honored to be part of the catalyst team, and I hope to have a great yeaR!