Meet the Secretariat of MUNUM XXXIX

The Secretariat and Under-Secretaries-General of MUNUM XXXIX have been working hard to make the upcoming 2026 conference the best MUNUM yet!

Lauren Sprow

Secretary-General

Lauren (she/her) is honored to be serving as the Secretary General of MUNUM XXXIX. This will be her ninth year in MUN and her fourth year serving on the MUNUM staff, having previously served as the Secretary-General of MUNUM XXXVIII, co-directed the Congress of Vienna Crisis committee during MUNUM XXXVII, and been a rapporteur for MUNUM XXXVI’s World War I Joint Crisis Committee. Lauren is a Senior double majoring in Chemistry and English. Outside of MUNUM, she works in an Inorganic Chemistry research lab, is the President of Michigan's branch of the American Chemical Society, runs the Undergraduate Research Symposium, and competes with BlueMUN, Michigan’s competitive Model UN team. In her free time she loves to host teatimes for her friends and peruse Ann Arbor's record stores.

Peter Wathen

Deputy Secretary-General of Internal Affairs

Peter (he/him) is so excited to be MUNUM XXXIX’s Deputy Secretary-General of Internal Affairs! He is a current Senior majoring in History and Political Science and is in his fourth year as a member of MUNUM. Past MUNUM participants might recognize him from being a Co-Director for JCC Angolan Civil War in MUNUM XXXVII. He is returning to the DSG-I role after having the same position for MUNUM XXXVIII and is excited to continue working with the organization’s amazing staff! Outside of MUNUM, Peter is active in TEDxUofM and attends every sporting event he can. In his free time, Peter enjoys camping, gardening, and baking pies.

Markus Budweg

Deputy Secretary-General of External Affairs

Markus (he/him) is thrilled to serve as Deputy Secretary General of External Affairs for MUNUM XXXIX. This is Markus’ third year in MUNUM and tenth year participating in Model UN. He has previously served as the Co-Director of Ad-Hoc in MUNUM XXXVIII and as a rapporteur in Jimmy Carter’s Cabinet in MUNUM XXXVII. Markus is a junior majoring in Political Science, Economics, and German. In his free time, Markus enjoys listening to new music, hiking, and relaxing outside with friends.

Ian Bakker

Secretary of Finance

Ian (he/him) is excited to serve as Secretary of Finance for MUNUM XXXIX. This will be Ian’s eighth MUNUM, and his fourth year staffing. He has previously served as a rapporteur for the Greco-Persian Wars committee and as Secretary of Technology. Ian is a Senior from Grand Haven, Michigan, dual majoring in Computer Science and Computer Engineering with minors in Mathematics and Music. Outside of MUNUM, Ian is passionate about music. He plays saxophone in the Michigan Marching Band and University Band, and is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the national band fraternity. He also enjoys watching or reading science fiction, board games, and Michigan football.

Will Aye

Secretary of Training

Will is exhilarated to serve as the Secretary of Training for MUNUM XXXIX! This is Will’s fourth year in MUNUM and fifth in Model UN. Will was previously a rapporteur for JCC World War I before taking on the role of Co-Director in the Congress of Vienna. He is a senior from South Lyon, Michigan who is pursuing a double major in Biochemistry and History. Outside of MUNUM, Will serves as the events coordinator for the University of Michigan’s Chapter of the American Chemical Society and a part-time tutor. You’ll often find Will in a chemical biology lab, but you’ll also find him enjoying board games at the Games and Cards Club, baking delicious shortbread, delving into a good book, or having tea and biscuits with friends.

Shak Balusu

Secretary of Resources

Shakuntala is very excited to take on Secretary of Resources for this upcoming conference! Shak has been a part of the MUNUM staff for the past two years, serving as a rapporteur for Conference Operations and then Director of Conference Operations. She is an incoming junior pursuing a dual degree in Information Analysis and Political Science, and hopes to attend law school post-graduation. She is from Franklin, MI and has a german shepherd and a stray cat she ended up adopting. In her free time, Shak enjoys hanging out with friends, trying new recipes, and visiting new coffee places!

Annie Kleber

Secretary of Conference Coordination

Annie (she/her) is incredibly excited to be serving as MUNUM XXXIX’s Secretary of Conference Coordination! This will be Annie’s third year on the MUNUM staff, having co-directed Nixon’s Inner Circle and been a rapporteur for Dodge City in the years prior. Annie is a junior majoring in Classical Civilizations and Latin. Outside of MUNUM, she is the co-president of UM’s chapter of Eta Sigma Phi, the national Classics society. She also enjoys volunteering with the Red Cross, playing the viola in a variety of small ensembles, and adopting cacti!

Trisha Cheong

Secretary of Technology

Trisha (she/her) is excited to serve as the Secretary of Technology for MUNUM XXXIX. This will be Trisha’s sixth year in MUN and second year staffing MUNUM. She was previously a rapporteur for the Manhattan Project during MUNUM XXXVIII. Trisha is a sophomore from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan intending to major in Public Policy and dual minor in Disability Studies and Law, Justice, and Social Change. Outside of MUNUM, Trisha plays wheelchair tennis with the University of Michigan’s Adaptive Sports and Fitness Program and is a board member of the university’s undergraduate chapter of Out in STEM. She also enjoys playing ukulele and piano, writing poetry, and completing jigsaw puzzles.

Reeya Sannake

Secretary of Publicity

Reeya is excited to serve as the Secretary of Publicity for MUNUM XXXIX. This is Reeya’s seventh year in MUN and first year staffing MUNUM. Reeya is a sophomore from Rochester Hills, Michigan studying neuroscience and sociology. Reeya works in a research lab studying childhood epilepsy and spends her time working in Michigan medicine. In her free time, you can catch her trying new coffee shops and restaurants!

Ahjah Bailey-O’conner

Secretary of Programming

Ahjah (she/her) is ecstatic to return as Secretary of Programming for MUNUM XXXIX. This is her fourth year in MUNUM and sixth year participating in Model United Nations. Previously, she served as a rapporteur for UN-Habitat, Secretary of Programming for MUNUM XXXVII, and Secretary of Publicity for MUNUM XXXVIII. Ahjah is a senior majoring in Public Policy and minoring in the History of Law and Policy. Outside of MUNUM, Ahjah enjoys cooking, bowling (poorly), hanging out with friends, and finding new coffee places.