Entering college for the first time, especially at a large institution like the University of Washington, can be daunting for undergraduate students. With new experiences and challenges ahead, as well as separation from families and friends, many students feel isolated and unsupported. For students in a competitive environment like a business school, this transition can be extra taxing.

A new group of undergraduate students at the Foster School of Business is ready to help their community. They created the Foster Undergraduate Wellbeing Ambassador Program with the generous support of Barbara and Chris Petersen, and with guidance from Founder counselor Emma Buchanan, LICSW. Together with Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs Christina Fong, Buchanan also recognized a growing student desire for more open conversations about mental health.

The program grew out of a desire to foster connection among students and to equip them with the resources and knowledge needed to support their overall health and well-being. 

“Foster’s mission is to develop the best and brightest leaders,” said Buchanan. “While it can be tempting to solely focus on academic or professional outcomes, what we really want for each other is to lead full and robust lives of meaning.”

Read on to meet the Undergraduate Wellbeing Ambassadors bringing this vision to life.

Meet the 2025-2026 Undergraduate Wellbeing Ambassadors

DANIEL BREUER, Junior

Majors: Business administration and public health

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “Health and well-being are often overlooked in our rigorous school environment. As both a public health and business student, I plan to implement my understanding of healthy behaviors to educate and promote wellness in the Foster community.”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “My favorite wellness-related activity is a long walk around my neighborhood. During these walks, I get to stretch my legs, step away from my stressors, and take time for myself.”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “My goal is to encourage the Foster community to consider and prioritize their health and well-being. I want to help people realize that wellness can be compatible with academic success.”

Some fun facts about Daniel are that his favorite comfort food during wintertime is lemon chicken soup, his favorite TV show is Better Call Saul, and his favorite part about living in Washington is being close to the water. He was also named after the famous actor Daniel Day-Lewis.

JEFFREY (JEFF) KENNEDY, Junior

Major: Computer science and business administration (minor)

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “I care about creating spaces where people feel supported beyond academics and careers. Wellness is about balance; mental, physical, and social well-being all working together. It’s not just about productivity, but about feeling grounded and connected.”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “Journaling has been one of my favorite ways to support my personal wellness. It helps me slow down, reflect, and process things more intentionally. Recently, I’ve also been experimenting with meditation and mindfulness practices. Even small moments of quiet have made a noticeable difference for me.”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “I hope to help make the Foster community feel less competitive and less centered solely around careers. I want people to feel comfortable being themselves without constant comparison. Building stronger connections and emphasizing shared experiences can go a long way. A more relaxed and inclusive environment benefits everyone.”

Some fun facts about Jeffrey are that his favorite comfort food during wintertime is chicken biryani and his favorite TV show is Better Call Saul, but he has also enjoyed the Disney+ adaptation of Percy Jackson. Jeffrey’s favorite part of living in Washington is its proximity to both cities and nature, and he has also been working on restoring a motorcycle.

RAINA TALWAR, Sophomore

Major: Business administration

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “I genuinely love supporting others and being there for people. To me, wellness means having a healthy mind and body that work together to help you grow and become your best self. It is about self-care, inner peace, and creating space for balance in everyday life.”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “My favorite activity for my personal wellness and health is dance. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I put in my AirPods and dance my emotions out, whether that’s in my room or in a studio. It always helps me feel so much better and is one of the most effective ways for me to release stress.”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “I want to help create a more positive and supportive environment through wellness activities and events. I want students to feel encouraged to help and uplift one another. I recognize how demanding Foster can be, and creating a community where everyone feels supported and connected can make the challenges of Foster feel more manageable and meaningful.”

Some fun facts about Raina are that her favorite comfort food during wintertime is a spicy bowl of ramen, her favorite movie is La La Land, and she loves swimming and kayaking in Washington during the summer. When she was four, Raina acted in her first theatre show and memorized the entire script!

URVI (VEE) MAHESHWARI, Junior

Major: Psychology and business administration (minor)

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “Wellness is something I value both personally and in my community. It goes beyond just physical health– including mental, emotional, and social well-being too. Being a wellness ambassador allows me to help create a supportive environment where people feel encouraged to take care of themselves in ways that work best for them.”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “I enjoy anything creative, such as coloring, painting, and doing puzzles. I like activities that are easy to approach and completely removed from my daily life. Being able to take a break and express myself in creative ways helps me relax and reset.”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “I want to help create a space where wellness feels accessible! I want people to feel a strong sense of belonging and know that taking care of their mental, emotional, and physical well-being looks different for everyone. By encouraging open conversations and creative outlets, I hope to help foster a community where people feel supported and seen.”

Some fun facts about Urvi are that her favorite comfort food during wintertime is dal (a staple South Asian dish), and she enjoys rewatching Gilmore Girls, although she has recently enjoyed How to Get Away With Murder and the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Urvi was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, and her favorite part of living in Washington is the accessibility to nature.

KAMILLA ALMAZBEKOVA, Junior

Majors: Marketing and information systems

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “My experiences with anxiety and depression in high school taught me the importance of prioritizing well-being, especially during challenging times. These experiences helped me understand that wellness requires consistent care and intention. To me, wellness means maintaining balance across physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of life. When these areas are supported, they contribute to long-term happiness.”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “My favorite activity for personal wellness and health is exercise, as it helps release endorphins and supports both my mental and physical well-being. I initially began running as a way to cope with stress and clear my mind. Now, exercise gives me dedicated personal time to disconnect from daily pressures and refocus.”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “I hope to help students feel more comfortable discussing mental health and seeking support without stigma. Open conversations around wellness can help normalize these experiences and encourage students to prioritize their well-being. As a transfer student, I am especially passionate about fostering a stronger sense of inclusion for students who may feel overlooked in a competitive environment. I want all students to feel seen, valued, and supported.”

Some fun facts about Kamilla are that her favorite comfort food during wintertime is kimchi-jjigae (a savory Korean stew), and her favorite K-drama is Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo: a show about college athletes achieving their dreams while navigating first loves, friendships, and family struggles. Her favorite part about living in Washington is access to mountains, trails, and water. Kamilla also enjoys reading detective novels and is the only girl amongst her siblings.

 

TIERNEY JOHNSON, Junior

Major: Finance 

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “I wanted to serve as a mentor and a resource for other Foster students. From my own experience, I know that it can be overwhelming or intimidating to seek professional mental health support. I want to be an approachable and trusted figure for peers to reach out to when they need help navigating mental health resources or just need someone to talk to and feel seen in times of hardship.”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “My favorite way to care for my personal wellness and health is going on long nature walks. My favorite nearby walking trail is Ravenna Park: a peaceful trail with lots of nature and wildlife. During the summertime, I would start my mornings by getting in my 10k steps at Ravenna Park and look around for owls. (Fun fact: Ravenna Park is home to a family of five Barred owls.)”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “I want the Foster School community to be more supportive and mindful of first-year students. I want to create a support system for first-year students to express their concerns and foster a supportive environment where they can engage in self-care activities and receive mentorship from Wellbeing Ambassadors.”

Some fun facts about Tierney are that her favorite comfort food during wintertime is a loaded baked potato, and her favorite movie is Forrest Gump (or any Tom Hanks movie from the 80s and 90s). Her favorite genre of music is darkwave, and she enjoys experiencing Seattle in spring and summer.

MESERET MISKER, Sophomore

Majors: Accounting and information systems

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “I hope to help others with self-regulation, because I know how draining being a student can be. Looking after your mental health is extremely important, especially in an environment such as Foster. It can be competitive, isolating, and demanding. Prioritizing yourself can feel guilt-inducing, which is why it motivates me to contribute to the well-being of Foster students.”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “I like to put extra effort into my self-maintenance. I’m a firm believer in “look good, feel good.” When my hair, makeup, nails, and outfit are all put together, I feel more confident in the way that I carry myself. I become more enthusiastic to do activities, hang out with my friends, or treat myself.”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “I hope to bring Foster together so it feels more like a community rather than a competition, and for students to recognize rest as a necessity, and not as something that will keep them behind. It can be very time-consuming to juggle classes, extracurriculars, and jobs. Students can be so caught up in their academic life that they forget to pause for a moment and not live on autopilot. There’s a big hustle culture within Foster that keeps students constantly busy. I hope students will recognize that it’s okay to breathe.”

Some fun facts about Meseret are that her favorite comfort food during the wintertime is homemade cinnamon buns, her favorite movie is Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, and her favorite part about living in Washington is the views of the mountains and Seattle skyline. Meseret has also pet a kangaroo before!

AFOMIA THEODROS, Freshman

Major: Finance 

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “Mental health has always been important and a priority for me. I truly believe if you aren’t doing well on the inside, it will translate into everything you do. Everything starts with your well-being, which is why I wanted to support others in prioritizing theirs.”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “For health, my favorite physical activity is simple cardio, whether it’s going for a run, walking, or doing yoga. I just love staying active and moving my body.”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “Business is always professional, competitive, and pressuring, and there’s a lot of stigma where you can get caught up in hustle culture. While that can be revitalizing in ways, I hope to make conversations around mental health more open at Foster and prioritize well-being as essential to being the best business student you can be.”

Some fun facts about Afomia are that her favorite comfort food during the wintertime is sweet potatoes (in any form), and her favorite book is The Great Gatsby. She enjoys watching 2000s shows like The O.C., One Tree Hill, and The Vampire Diaries, and her favorite part about living in Washington is the natural scenery. A self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, Afomia loves skydiving and bungee jumping!

JESTER (CHI LONG) SHUM, Junior

Majors: Finance and information systems

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “I want to be able to help other students enjoy their college life without worrying too much. As an international student who had been through a long journey to the University of Washington, I want to share my experiences.”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “I enjoy running while listening to music for my personal wellness and health. It helps clear my mind when too much stress has piled up.”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “I wanted to establish a place in the Foster community where students can have access to mental health or just any kind of assistance right away, without going through complicated procedures.”

Some fun facts about Jester are that his favorite comfort food during the wintertime is hotpot (especially with loved ones), and he loves doing outdoor activities to appreciate Washington’s lush nature. Jester’s favorite movie is The Final Destination (which helped him learn English), and he first arrived in the U.S. at 15 years old by himself!

SUKRITI BADAMI, Senior

Major: Psychology and business administration/data science (minor)

Why did you choose to become a wellbeing ambassador? “I chose to become a wellness ambassador to create a positive and uplifting environment to those around me. I am majoring in Psychology so I want to bring my knowledge on these topics to others. Wellness to me means taking care of my body and mind!”

What is your favorite activity to do for your mental health? “I enjoy spending time with friends and staying active through yoga or Pilates.”

What is a change you hope to make in the Foster community? “I hope to make mental health resources more accessible and reduce the stigma around these topics.”

Some fun facts about Sukriti are that her favorite comfort food during the wintertime is ramen and mac ‘n’ cheese, and Indian food. Her favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls, and her favorite part of living in Washington is its proximity to lakes, hikes, and other natural scenery. Sukriti enjoys farmer’s markets, and her favorite artist is Ariana Grande!

Mental wellness and Academic Ambition

As the quarters come and go, students must balance coursework, jobs, internships, and other extracurriculars. Furthermore, new quarters mean adhering to unfamiliar schedules, which can lead to a loss of routine. This stress can cause increased anxiety and an overall decline in well-being. But to thrive at school, maintaining physical, emotional, and mental health must be just as important as succeeding professionally.

The Undergraduate Wellbeing Ambassadors are proving that mental wellness and academic ambition can (and should) coexist. Throughout the school year, the Wellbeing Ambassadors will:

• Host events and outreach initiatives that create space for Foster students to learn about and discuss various aspects of wellbeing.
• Amplify and promote existing campus resources, including the UW Counseling Center, Husky Health Center, UW Recreation, and other support services.
• Visit classes for brief, five-minute wellbeing reminders or resource provision.
• Attend and support Foster Community events.

With the continued support and advocacy of the Undergraduate Wellbeing Ambassadors, the Foster community will continue to be a place of excellence and aspiration, producing well-rounded professionals both in and out of the classroom.

Learn more about wellness at Foster here.