Candidate Profiles
Below are the bios of all of the candidates standing for the GSS Executive elections.Β
DIRECTOR OF External RElations
Ivy Yuen
My name is Ivy and I am asking for your vote for Director of External Relations. Stepping into this role feels meaningful to me because I care about the experiences we share as graduate students and I believe in the impact that thoughtful advocacy can have on our daily lives. Over the past ten years, I have worked in external relations, communications, and leadership, and those experiences have taught me how important it is to build trust, listen carefully, and show up consistently for the people I represent.
This position carries a responsibility to speak with government officials, community partners, student societies, and university leadership about the issues that shape our time at SFU. I take that responsibility seriously. Advocacy is not only about policy or meetings. It is about people. It is about making sure that the concerns of graduate students are understood by those who have the power to make decisions that affect our housing, funding, research conditions, and overall wellβbeing.
If I am elected, I will approach this work with sincerity and patience. I will build relationships that support longβterm progress and I will communicate openly with our community about the conversations taking place on our behalf. I want to create space for more graduate students to feel informed, included, and heard.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role and to work alongside all of you to strengthen our collective voice. Thank you for considering me.
Kody Sider
My name is Kody Sider and I am a graduate student in the School of Public Policy program and also current Director of External Relations. In my research, I am deeply engaged with issues of democratic representation and participation, specifically focusing on how to incorporate participatory/deliberative democracy into decision making processes.
Director of External Relations, I’m working with other student unions from around BC to advocate on behalf of students through the Post Secondary Institutions Review the province is conducting. Part of the review is to scrap the 2% tuition cap, merge universities, and force campus closures. I will continue my work to make sure the negative effects of this review does not harm not just SFU graduate students, but students across the province.
I plan to continue advocating for improved student housing outcomes by ensuring that the diverse experiences of students are meaningfully captured and reflected in the Student Housing Master Plan – Strategic Revision consultation process. As someone who is currently in graduate student housing, I can give a direct voice to some concerns and open the space for others to voice their own concerns, to fight and get the best outcome for students we can negotiate.
This role is an opportunity to strengthen the GSSβs external partnerships, advance student priorities, and build constructive relationships. I plan to work with other societies on campus to increase democratic decision making and make the campus work better for students. I would be honored to continue contributing my skills and enthusiasm to this position and to be collaboratively with whoever I work with.
DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL RELATIONS
Dannah DeSouza
Hi, Iβm Dannah; architect, urban enthusiast, and Masterβs student in Urban Studies at SFU.
My academic and leadership work centres on one question: Who are we unintentionally leaving out? Strong internal governance is how we ensure the answer is βno one.β
Having served as President and GSS Councillor of the Urban Studies Graduate Students Association for the last year, I know that effective governance depends on structure, clarity, and strong internal communication. I am currently engaging with the Provost, the VPA team, and the GSS to push for expanded social infrastructure at the Vancouver campus, including a dedicated GSS lounge and purpose-built gathering spaces for graduate students. This work reflects my approach to governance: identify gaps, collaborate across stakeholders, and move conversations toward action.
In my previous role as Secretary of the Urban Studies Graduate Students Association, I took on responsibilities similar to the Director of Internal Relations of GSS, ensuring smooth operation of the association by creating agendas and minutes, ideating events and curating engagement content.
With a focus on collaboration and open communication, I want you and your councillors to feel heard, supported, and empowered to make a difference, making our graduate community better supported.
If elected, I will:
- Strengthen coordination and communication between Council and caucuses
- Prepare organized, transparent, and outcome-focused meetings
- Foster an approachable environment where Councillors feel supported
- Following through on action items with accountability
After all, the most important thing in communication is hearing what isnβt said. – Peter Drucker
DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE SERVICES
Anthony Sullano
I am pleased to submit my application for the Director of Graduate Services position. As outlined in the Terms of Reference, this role requires strong leadership, strategic oversight of graduate student services, and effective advocacy within a collaborative governance structure. My professional experience as a Procurement Contracts Officer at Simon Fraser University has prepared me to approach these responsibilities with diligence, accountability, and strategic focus.
In my current role within Facilities & Capital Projects, I lead and administer competitive procurement processes, including drafting RFPs and contracts, coordinating evaluation committees, ensuring compliance with university policies and trade agreements, and managing complex stakeholder communications. I regularly collaborate with internal stakeholders, consultants, and external vendors to uphold fairness, transparency, and sound governance. This experience has strengthened my ability to analyze policy, oversee complex service agreements, manage risk, and report effectively to decision- making bodies; skills that directly support oversight of the Graduate Student Benefit Plan, U-Pass, and the administration of grants and bursaries.
My position also requires strong collaboration, conflict resolution, and responsiveness to diverse stakeholder needs, qualities that are essential when serving as a liaison and advocate for graduate students. I am experienced in reviewing governing documents, supporting committee processes, and improving systems to enhance service delivery.
I am committed to student-centered leadership and to strengthening graduate services in a manner that is transparent, equitable, and sustainable. I would be honored to contribute to the GSS in this capacity.