The VRA encourages a diverse board to represent the countries, cultures, religion, and ethnicity of Village residents.
Srilakshmi Anand - Board Member
I am an Electronics & Communications Engineer by education and have worked at some of the multinational firms before calling Berkeley home. I am originally from the southern part of India called Tamil Nadu. Knowing the transcending powers of education and loving children a lot, I have been helping the tiny species with 3 R’s, since the time I am here. I love organizing free of cost play group and programs for tots and moms in our village. I am the founder and currently the leader of “Totally Tots” initiative in VRA.
As much as I like volunteering for teaching and organizing play groups, I am also very much into cooking. At the very heart, I’m an incurable and, at times, an insane foodie. In the past, I have conducted cooking workshops for our village residents, and plan on doing more of it in the future.
I have certifications in technology, nutrition and German language. In addition to serving on the VRA board, I also volunteer for INSPIRE, INSPIRE Garden, La Leche League, and Tuesday Dinners. I love to work on community building, residents safety and tots playgroups. Helping people in general gives me immense happiness.
As much as I like volunteering for teaching and organizing play groups, I am also very much into cooking. At the very heart, I’m an incurable and, at times, an insane foodie. In the past, I have conducted cooking workshops for our village residents, and plan on doing more of it in the future.
I have certifications in technology, nutrition and German language. In addition to serving on the VRA board, I also volunteer for INSPIRE, INSPIRE Garden, La Leche League, and Tuesday Dinners. I love to work on community building, residents safety and tots playgroups. Helping people in general gives me immense happiness.
Esther Ramer - Board Member
I am a graduate student in the Classics Department. I grew up in the country in northern Wisconsin, and navigating urban life and academia has been a challenge for me. I joined the Village Residents Association in order to help foster a sense of community and to advocate for policies that help student parents succeed in their careers.
I have experience in many different fields: dairy farming, gardening, construction, and education, to name a few. I hope to use my variety of experience to help understand and advocate for improved policies in housing, transportation, sustainability, and social support networks.
I am also a volunteer with Nature Village, where I have been working to address the issue of waste separation in the Village. I love reading, hiking, and cooking, when I'm not busy with my studies and volunteer work.
I have experience in many different fields: dairy farming, gardening, construction, and education, to name a few. I hope to use my variety of experience to help understand and advocate for improved policies in housing, transportation, sustainability, and social support networks.
I am also a volunteer with Nature Village, where I have been working to address the issue of waste separation in the Village. I love reading, hiking, and cooking, when I'm not busy with my studies and volunteer work.
Julia Taylor - Board Member
Hello neighbors! I joined University Village in September 2017, when my partner began Berkeley’s Master’s in Public Policy program. Before moving into the Village, I lived in Portland, OR for two years earning a Master’s in Public Administration specializing in Local Government. The work of cities and counties is my passion because they engage communities to make decisions on the most important aspects of their lives – water, roads, housing, and so much more.
I am energized to serve on the VRA to make sure we receive the information, support, services and good times we need to thrive as individuals and as an inclusive community.
Sydney Ikegami - Operations Coordinator
Hello all! I am currently a third year Political Economy and Sociology major at UC Berkeley. Outside of school, I am a mentor in the club OASES and am part of a research lab that focuses on privacy. In my free time I love to bake and craft!
I started working as the operations coordinator in August 2018. Since then, I have learned a lot about the village and am excited to keep on learning more and hopefully better the village as a whole.
I started working as the operations coordinator in August 2018. Since then, I have learned a lot about the village and am excited to keep on learning more and hopefully better the village as a whole.
