Meet our Executive Board!
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Ireland Gorecki
President
Ireland is a senior from Gainesville, GA studying Biology, with minors in Chemistry, and American Public Policy. She plans to attend medical school following her time spent at Penn. Ireland joined the society during the second semester of her freshman year, served as a shift captain for one semester, and served as the Communications Chair before stepping into her role as President. Her favorite part of Kite and Key is walking between stops and having side conversations with the guests because she enjoys getting to know prospective students on a deeper level and seeks to share more about how her stories can overlap with the students’ interests. When not giving tours, Ireland is a computational researcher at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Captain of the Quaker Girls Dance Team, tutor for the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project, Director of Activities for her Greek organization, photographer for the Pennsylvania Post, and member of the Christian Union. Outside of classes and clubs, she loves binging Netflix shows, trying the newest workout class, having DMCs (deep meaningful conversations) on Locust Walk, and attempting to bake bread in college house kitchens.
Contact Ireland at igorecki@sas.upenn.edu
Gianna Lodato
Vice President
Gianna is a senior from North Caldwell, NJ studying Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics with a concentration in Energy, Fluids, & Thermal Systems and a minor in English. Gianna joined Kite & Key during her freshman spring, previously served as the Outreach Chair, and is now serving as the Vice President. Her favorite part of K&K is getting to meet prospective students and helping them find out if Penn would be a good fit for them! Outside of touring, she is a coxswain on the Varsity Lightweight Rowing Team, a student researcher in the AWARE Lab, the Co-President of Wharton Music Business Club, an Orientation Peer Advisor for Penn Engineering, a member of Kinoki Senior Society, and a former Junior Facilitator for the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy. In her spare time, she loves going for runs on the Schuylkill River Trail, exploring the amazing Philadelphia restaurant scene, cooking and baking for her friends, and watching sports, especially Formula 1.
Contact Gianna at giannalo@engineering.upenn.edu
Nina Mayers
Visit coordinator for daily programs
Nina is a junior from Cleveland, Ohio in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Art History with minors in Chemistry and Global Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Nina joined Kite and Key in the spring of her freshman year, previously served as a Shift Captain, and is now thrilled to serve as Visit Coordinator for Daily Programs. Nina’s favorite part of being in Kite and Key is meeting prospective students from all over the world with diverse interests and passions. When she’s not touring, Nina is a Curatorial Intern at Penn’s University Art Collection, a member of Penn Hillel’s Executive Board, and she is involved in the Clio Society, the Mahjong Club, and volunteers at a campus soup kitchen with the University City Hospitality Coalition. In her free time, Nina enjoys exploring Philly’s restaurants and neighborhoods, making art, and traveling.
Contact Nina at mayersn@sas.upenn.edu
Sophia Chan
visit coordinator for special programs
Sophia Chan is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences from New York City. At Penn, she studies Mathematical Economics with a minor in Statistics and Data Science. She joined Kite & Key her freshman spring and has since served as a Virtual Shift Captain before stepping into her current role as the Visit Coordinator for Special Programs. Sophia’s favorite part of Kite and Key is meeting prospective students, learning about their interests, and showing them how they can foster these interests at Penn. Outside of Kite and Key, she is involved with Wharton Impact, the Sustainable Agriculture Fund, various finance clubs, and Greek Life. In her free time, Sophia enjoys cooking for her friends, long runs, and traveling.
Contact Sophia at sochan@sas.upenn.edu
Hussein Elzaafarany
engagement and access chair
Hussein is a junior from Alexandria, Egypt, studying Mechanical Engineering and Physics as part of the VIPER program. Hussein joined Kite & Key in his freshman spring, and this is his first year serving on the Executive Board. His favorite part of K&K is sharing the things he loves about Penn with prospective students and parents and showing them that there’s a place for everyone. Outside of being a tour guide, Hussein is on the Heavyweight Men’s Rowing team, a CIS 1100 TA, and a Hill RA. In his free time, he loves playing squash and board games with his friends or trying new activities around the city.
Contact Hussein at huselz06@sas.upenn.edu
Lindsay Graves
Training coordinator
Lindsay Graves is a senior in the Wharton School from Redmond, Washington, studying Organizational Effectiveness and Marketing. She joined Kite & Key her sophomore fall and has since served as a Shift Captain and member of the Social Media Cohort before stepping into her current role as Training Coordinator. Her favorite part of Kite & Key is helping prospective students envision what their own Penn experience could look like. She loves meeting students and families from around the world and sharing the stories, traditions, and moments that have made Penn feel like home. Outside of Kite & Key, Lindsay serves on the executive board of her sorority, captains Women's Club Soccer, serves as a Wharton Ambassador and Abroad Ambassador, and is involved in the Wharton Management and Consulting Clubs. In her free time, she loves exploring new coffee shops, attending sporting events, trying new workout classes, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.
Contact Lindsay at lmgraves@wharton.upenn.edu
Sammy Shnayder
finance chair
Sammy is a sophomore from New York, NY, studying Biology with minors in Hispanic Studies and Neuroscience & Healthcare Management. He plans to apply to medical school following his time at Penn. Sammy joined Kite & Key in his freshman spring, and this is his first year serving on the Executive Board. His favorite part of K&K is getting to share his love for the diverse array of opportunities Penn has to offer for every type of student. Outside of being a tour guide, Sammy does cancer immunotherapy research at Penn Med, is an Associate Editor for the Penn Bioethics Journal, is a member of Camp Kesem (a club providing free camp to children with parental cancer in their lives), as well as Greek Life. In his free time, he loves trying new restaurants, going on long walks around campus with friends, and trying fun activities in Philly.
Contact Sammy at samuel4@sas.upenn.edu
Nicholas Maharaj
Communications Chair
Nick is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Communication and Political Science, with a minor in Consumer Psychology. Nick is from Bayonne, NJ and joined K&K in his junior fall. He served as Shift Captain before joining the executive board as Communications Chair. His favorite part of K&K is meeting families from all over the world, bringing the Penn experience to life, and sharing the many fun field trips and travel opportunities Penn students have access to. Outside of touring, Nick can be found at the Penn English Department, chatting with the professors and staff as the student worker. He’s held leadership positions at The Daily Pennsylvanian, REACH at Penn, the Marketing Undergraduate Student Establishment, and the Social Planning and Events Committee Connaissance. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his family and friends, curating Spotify playlists, watching his favorite TV shows, making friendship bracelets, and writing book reviews on Goodreads.
Contact Nicholas at nmaharaj@sas.UPenn.edu
Samantha Kaufman
Outreach Chair
Samantha is a senior from Newport Beach, CA, pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Health Care Markets & Finance. Samantha joined Kite & Key during the fall semester of her sophomore year and served as a shift captain for three semesters before stepping into her role as Outreach Chair. Her favorite part about Kite & Key is connecting with prospective students and sharing in her love for Penn! Outside of touring, Samantha exercises leadership as the President of Penn Hillel and the TAMID @ Penn Director of Consulting. She also mentors undergraduate students as a Health of Populations teaching assistant, competes with the Penn Club Tennis Team, and is involved in Greek life. In her free time, Samantha enjoys exploring Philly, running along the Schuylkill River Trail, and spending time with friends.
Contact Samantha at skaufmn@sas.upenn.edu
LJ Russinoff
Community development chair
LJ is a senior from Parkland, FL concentrating in Finance and Business Analytics. LJ joined K&K in his sophomore fall semester and previously served as a shift captain before his upcoming role as Community Development Chair. His favorite part of Kite and Key is spending time with fellow guides and alumni at all of the society events throughout the year. Outside of being a tour guide, LJ has served leadership positions in TAMID, Penn Hillel, Greek life, and business-related clubs. He has also spent a semester studying in Lisbon, Portugal through Penn Abroad. In his free time, LJ enjoys exploring Philly with his friends and taking advantage of all the fun opportunities Penn can offer.
Contact LJ at ljr@wharton.upenn.edu