About Us
Yale Model Congress, a registered 501(c)(3), was founded in 1993 by a group of Yale undergraduates who hoped to foster an appreciation for American democracy in high school students and inspire them to be active citizens. For 30 years, we have furthered this mission by hosting hundreds of delegates from across the country for a unique educational experience unlike that received in a traditional classroom setting. At the conference, delegates assume the responsibilities of our elected officials and attempt to address our nation’s most pressing issues.
What We Do
Yale Model Congress is planned, led, and executed by current Yale undergraduates who either serve in administrative positions on its Board or who lead a committee during the conference. For many of us, this is our way of giving current high school students an experience that was incredibly formative to us during our own time in high school.
Meet the YMC Board
President
Alec Aceves-Acosta
Alec is a senior at Yale University in Pauli Murray college and is originally from Branford, CT. He is majoring in both Economics and Astronomy. Outside of Yale Model Congress, Alec is co-president of Yale C2 Men’s Club Soccer, involved in TAMID At Yale, and works as a Spanish translator for the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization at the Law School. In his free time, you can catch Alec enjoying IMs, hanging out with friends, or listening to music.
Director of Delegations
Avi Patel
Avi is a junior at Benjamin Franklin College and is originally from Jacksonville, FL. He is majoring in History of Science, Medicine and Public Health. Outside of Yale Model Congress, Avi is involved with the Yale Entrepreneurial Society and volunteers at the Haven Free Clinic. Additionally, he is a research assistant at the Human Nature Lab. In his free time, Avi enjoys going on walks, listening to music and exploring new places with friends.
Director of Operations
Rebecca Wasserman
Rebecca is a junior in Pauli Murray College. She was born and raised in New York City and is majoring in Humanities. In addition to serving as director of operations for Yale Model Congress, she is a student guide at the Yale Center for British Art and an editorial assistant at the Yale University Press. When she’s not waiting in line for a bagel sandwich (she recommends visiting Olmo while you’re in New Haven for the conference!) Rebecca is likely found wandering through Yale’s museums, watching old Saturday Night Live clips, or rearranging her dorm room.
Treasurer
Amit Kamma
Amit is a junior from Atlanta, GA double majoring in Urban Studies and Political Science. In addition to being part of Yale Model Congress, Amit works as a recruitment coordinator for the admissions office, is part of the Purple Crayon improv group, and is a fellow at a Connecticut housing advocacy group. He loves biking, (trying to make time for) cooking, and finding reasons to use Google Maps in his essays.
Chief of Staff
Christian Thomas
Christian Thomas (he/him) is a Junior in Pierson College at Yale studying Political Science with certificates in Education Studies and Spanish Language. He was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and loves to talk about his pride in his home state. He has a strong interest in education policy. Outside of Yale Model Congress, he is the Legislative Coordinator for the Yale College Democrats, the Financial Policy Director for the E-Board of the Yale College Council, a public school intern at Hill Regional Career High School, and is involved in the Yale International Relations Association. In his free time, he enjoys playing the marimba in the Yale Marimband, having friends over for vinyls and tea, and traveling.
Deputy Chief of Staff
Alexander Medel
Alex is a sophomore at Yale University in Timothy Dwight College and is originally from San Jose, CA. He is studying Political Science. In addition to Yale Model Congress, Alex is a member of the Yale College Council and a staff columnist for the Yale Daily News. In his free time, Alex enjoys writing for his travel column, listening to Frank Sinatra, or planning his next big road trip.
Director of Legislation
Sushant Kunwar
Sushant Kunwar is a junior in Silliman College majoring in Computer Science. This year, he’ll be serving as the Director of Legislation for Yale Model Congress. Aside from YMC, he’s also a member of the Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association, currently working building software for a rover, and he’s the president of the Nepali Students Society at Yale. In my free time he likes to watch soccer and try new spots to eat with his friends. He looks forward to seeing you all at the conference this year!
Director of Special Programs
Lukas Koutsoukos
Lukas Koutsoukos (he/him) is a sophomore in Yale’s Benjamin Franklin College, majoring in Ethics, Politics, & Economics. A native of Wilton, Connecticut, he attended Yale Model Congress as a sophomore and junior in high school, and is excited to help out behind the scenes as this year’s Director of Special Programs. He is especially interested in international relations, elections, and combining political science research with statistical analysis. When not immersed in discussing political philosophy or the results of the 2024 U.S. House races, he enjoys singing with the Glee Club, competing in Yale Quiz Bowl, and hosting events with the Hellenic Society. Outside of academics, he likes to learn languages (including Portuguese on Duolingo), watch soccer, eat chocolate, and listen to classic rock.
Director of Business
Liron Chan
Liron Chen is a sophomore in Pierson studying Computer Science and Math. Outside of Yale Model Congress, he is involved in Yale Alternative Investments, Squash, Climbing, and also volunteers in a homeless shelter. After a long day of work, he loves to play some Go, or just relax with his friends in the buttery!
Director of Events
Evan Kahn
Evan Kahn is a Sophomore in Morse College studying political science and energy studies. Before coming to New Haven he was raised in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Outside of Yale Model Congress, he is an Army ROTC cadet, member of Yale Club Swimming, FOOT leader, and avid runner.
Director of New Haven
Lizzie Steeves
Elizabeth Steeves (she/her) is a sophomore in Grace Hopper College from Trumbull, Connecticut studying history and is thrilled to be serving as director of New Haven Delegations. Outside of YMC, she is the Brief Writing Captain for the Yale Undergraduate Moot Court team, a Yale tour guide, and tutors through Dwight Hall at Yale. In her free time, you can find Elizabeth on early morning hikes, working through an ever-growing TBR, or watching the latest season of Survivor.
Director of Communications
Kathryn (Katie) Weinberger
Katie Weinberger (she/her) is a sophomore in Pierson majoring in history with a certificate in Medieval Studies. She was born and raised on Long Island, NY, so she has very strong opinions on diners and delis. Outside of Yale Model Congress, she works in the Yale University Art Gallery’s Conservation Center and is currently helping to conserve a Gilded Age table. She also works in a paleo-anthropology lab, where she cleans bone tools from ~22 thousand years ago. In her free time, she loves to watch David Attenborough’s nature documentaries, have game nights with friends, and listen to soundtracks from Broadway musicals.
Director of Media
Estelle Gerber
Estelle Gerber is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and is a Sophomore in Pierson College. On campus, she is the Vice President of SheCode and a TA for CS50. In her free time, you can find her crocheting or playing video games with friends.
