2026 Executive Board
Lina Yang
President
Lina Yang (Class of 2028) is from Rochester, NY and is concentrating in Finance and Accounting. Previously, Lina served as the 2025 VP of Membership Development and on the Pro-Bono Consulting Committee her freshman fall. She is incredibly grateful and excited to serve as the 2026 Wharton Women President and looks forward to continuing Wharton Women’s mission by working with the executive board, committees, and general body members. Outside of Wharton Women, Lina serves on the executive board for the Chinese Students’ Association, as a Wharton Ambassador, and is involved in Chi Omega. In her free time, you can find Lina exploring new restaurants in Philly, blasting throwback music, or taking a nap. Please feel free to reach out to Lina at yanglina@wharton.upenn.edu.
Sarah Shahed
Vice President of University Relations
Sarah Shahed (Class of 2028) is from South Brunswick, NJ and is pre-law majoring in PPE with a minor in Legal Studies and History. Sarah started as a Wharton Women fellow her freshmen fall and joined the Internal Events committee in the spring. She then became the External Chair of the University Relations committee this fall and is excited to serve as the 2026 VP of University Relations. Outside of Wharton Women, Sarah is an Administrative Assistant at Penn Carey Law School. She also serves as VP of Show for South Asia Society, a Peer Advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, and sits on the University Council for Campus and Community Life. In her free time, you can find her singing or listening to music, exploring Philly food, or at the gym. Feel free to reach out to Sarah at sshahed@sas.upenn.edu.
Kathleen Yu
Vice President of Corporate Relations
Kathleen Yu (Class of 2028) is from Houston, TX and is concentrating in Finance and OID with a minor in Consumer Psychology. Kathleen first joined Wharton Women on the Finance and Investments Committees her freshman year, then became Corporate Relations Chair her sophomore fall. She is so excited to be even more involved with Wharton Women by serving as VP this year. Outside of Wharton Women, Kathleen is also involved with the Wharton Undergraduate Finance Club as Executive VP, a WH2010 and MKTG1010 TA, and performs with the Penn Dance Company. In her free time, Kathleen loves pilates and lattes (pilattes), listening to Lorde, jetskiing, and baking. You can reach out to Kathleen at kathyu28@wharton.upenn.edu.
Sophie Bakshi
Vice President of Finance
Sophie Bakshi (Class of 2028) is from Washington, D.C. and is concentrating in Finance and Healthcare Management & Policy. Sophie began her Wharton Women journey as part of the Fellows Program during her freshman fall and later served on the Internal Events and Finance committees. She is excited to serve as the 2026 VP of Finance. Outside of Wharton Women, Sophie is part of Wharton Impact Venture Associates and serves as the Director of Recruitment for Chi Omega. In her free time, she enjoys doing arts and crafts, going on long walks, and spending time with her pets. You can reach Sophie at sophiekb@wharton.upenn.edu.
Alina Markutsya
Vice President of Philanthropy (Community)
Alina Markutsya (Class of 2027) is from Ames, Iowa, and is concentrating in Finance and Operations, Information, and Decisions, with a minor in International Relations. She previously served as the 2025 VP of Corporate Relations and was a member of the Finance Community during her Sophomore Fall and Freshman Spring. Alina is currently the President of Phi Chi Theta Business Fraternity, a Wharton 1010 TA, and the Head Evaluator for the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition. She is also an RA in Rodin and works as an ACT coach. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, studying at Paris Baguette, or calling her mom. You can reach her at alinam@wharton.upenn.edu.
Himakshi Shashtri
Vice President of Philanthropy (Consulting)
Himakshi Shastri (Class of 2028) is a sophomore from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, concentrating in Finance and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG). She joined Wharton Women in her freshman fall as part of the Evolve Committee, served as the previous VP of Alumnae Relations, and is now excited to carry forward the Wharton Women love through her role of VP of Philanthropy - Consulting. Outside of Wharton Women, Himakshi serves as a United Nations SDG7 Youth Representative and has been a voice for climate action at the UN ECOSOC Forum, World Bank Youth Summit, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and more. She is also involved in the Wharton Asia Exchange, Penn Climate Ventures, Girls into Venture Capital UPenn, and the UPenn Student Advisory Group for the Environment. In her free time, Himakshi loves listening to house music, trying new foods, and posting Beli reviews. You can reach out to Himakshi at himakshi@wharton.upenn.edu.
Ava Frankel
Vice President of Operations
Ava Frankel (Class of 2028) is from New York, NY and is concentrating in Finance and Business Analytics with a minor in Math. Ava joined Wharton Women as a Fellow her freshman fall and then was on the Finance Committee for two semesters, and is now excited to be the 2026 VP of Operations! Outside of Wharton Women, Ava is also involved with Wharton Undergraduate Finance Club, Wharton Hedge Fund Club, and Penn Appétit. In her free time, Ava loves trying new restaurants, exploring Philly, and any and all workout classes. You can reach out to Ava at avafr@wharton.upenn.edu.
Marianna Zamora Cruz
Vice President of Marketing
Marianna Zamora (Class of 2028) is from Guatemala (though she resides in Dallas, TX) , and is pursuing a concentration in Finance with a minor in Consumer Psychology. She joined Wharton Women in her freshman spring as part of the Marketing Committee and is grateful and thrilled to now lead it, continuing to expand awareness and connections with women from and beyond the Wharton Women community. Outside of Wharton Women, Marianna is involved with IBEC as Outreach & Engagement Chair, Mex@Penn, and Alma Latina. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music (and dancing), reading, traveling, and exploring Philly’s food scene with her friends. Feel free to reach out to Marianna at mzamorac@wharton.upenn.edu.
Eeman Syeda
Vice President of Alumnae Relations
Eeman Syeda (Class of 2029) is from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and plans to major in Economics. She joined Wharton Women in her freshman fall as a member of the Alumnae Relations Committee and is excited to continue building meaningful connections across generations of Wharton Women this year as the new VP of Alumnae Relations. In this role, Eeman looks forward to strengthening engagement with alumnae through thoughtful programming, mentorship initiatives, and long-term community building. Outside of Wharton Women, Eeman is a consultant with the Wharton Global Research and Consulting Group, serves on the Finance Team for the Wharton Management Club, and is an active member of the Undergraduate Economics Society and Scholars of Finance. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new cities, discovering new cuisines, going on long runs and drives, and spending time with friends. Please feel free to reach out to Eeman at eeman@sas.upenn.edu.
Mia Wang
Vice President of Membership Development
Mia Wang (Class of 2029) is from Houston, Texas, and is concentrating in Finance and Marketing. Mia joined Wharton Women's Marketing Committee in her freshman fall and is super excited to plan new events this year as VP of Membership Development! Outside of Wharton Women, Mia is also a volunteer at Philly Paws. In her free time, she likes sewing, cooking, and trying new hobbies! You can reach Mia at wang808@wharton.upenn.edu.
Emily Parastie
Vice President of Investments
Emily Parastie (Class of 2028) is from San Jose, CA, and is concentrating in Finance and Legal Studies. She is excited to serve as Vice President of Investments this year after leading and joining the Investments Committee since her freshman year. Emily looks forward to expanding the Investments Committee and organizing finance career development opportunities through Wharton Women. Outside of Wharton Women, Emily leads the Wharton Entrepreneurship Club as Vice President and the Wharton Public Policy Club as Consulting Chief of Staff. In her free time, she loves visiting new farmers’ markets, yoga, and digital photography. Please feel free to reach out to Emily at eparasti@wharton.upenn.edu.