As Chair of the Women’s Equity Council (WEC), Bettina has a strong background in International Management. She has been volunteering for many years in the non-profit sector in Europe and the United States while pursuing her professional career in Human Resources.
Her early adulthood was shaped by Cold War Era politics and living life behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany (GDR). Gender equality and a strong sense of community have been the most influential factors for Bettina’s commitment to social justice. The thirst for learning lead to her involvement with the United Nations Association of Germany and the SOS Kinderdorf (SOS Children Village) following the collapse of the former GDR.
After moving to the United States in 2003, Bettina studied International Relations at UCSB and UCSD with focus on the Middle East and currently works at a large multi-national corporation. Her engagement with the Women’s Equity Council began in 2008 and as of January 2009 she has taken a leadership role as chair of the WEC.
Favorite quote: “To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.” ~ Kofi Annan
Tatiana Bessarabova, Director of Eastern Europe and CIS, U.N. Representative (ECOSOC)
Tatiana was born and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan and earned her degree in Political Science with a focus in Third World Studies from UC San Diego in 2007. Currently, Tatiana works as a Student Sustainability Fund Manager at UC San Diego’s Department of Student Life. Her work and interests are focused on issues relating to promoting the environmental sustainability and social justice. She believes that women play a crucial role in sustainable development and conflict resolution around the world.
Tatiana’s passion and engagement in international human rights brought her to involvement in the Women’s Equity Council. She joined the organization in May of 2009 with a goal to raise awareness of women’s rights issues around the globe. Naturally, women's issues relating to the region of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe fall in the area of her expertise. As the Director of this region, she is determined to educate herself and others of the problems women face today and participate in solution finding.
Favorite quote: “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Jana Kopyciok, Director of Americas and Caribbean, U.N. Representative (ECOSOC)
Jana Kopyciok was born in Giessen, Germany and earned her Master’s degree in Latin American Studies and Macroeconomics at the Universitaet zu Koeln in Cologne, Germany. Currently, Jana works as a Program Assistant for the California Solar Initiative at the California Center for Sustainable Energy, a non-profit organization dedicated to help residents, businesses and public agencies to implement a greener and more sustainable future through a variety of rebate, technical assistance and education programs. Previously, Jana worked as a Programs’ Associate at the Institute of the Americas, a non-profit organization focused on strengthening public policy as a means to foster economic development in the Americas. Her work and research are focused on issues relating to solar, clean energy, and climate change.
Jana joined the Women’s Equity Council in May of 2009 to further develop her interest in Latin American social issues by advocating women’s rights in the region. As Director of the Americas & Caribbean, she is specifically interested in portraying critical global issues such as women’s rights on a local level, i.e. the U.S.-Mexico border region, and researching women’s initiatives to create a more sustainable society.
Maria Martinez, Director of Arab States, U.N. Representative (ECOSOC)
Born in Dallas, Texas, Maria is currently working on her Bachelor of Arts in International Security, Conflict Resolution, Arabic and Islamic Studies at San Diego State University.
As the addition to the WEC leadership, Maria is passionate about promoting gender equality and women’s right. She values the diversity of the WEC’s involvement in the local community as well as its international engagement through the support of the works of the United Nations.
Farhat Popal, Co-Director of Asia, U.N. Representative (ECOSOC)
Born in Kabul, Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation, Farhat moved to the United States in 1992. After studying Political Science/International Relations at the University of California, San Diego, she went to UC Berkeley to pursue a Masters in Public Policy. Farhat currently works for the Office of the City Auditor at the City of San Diego.
Farhat joined WEC in order to fulfill a sense of responsibility toward women around the globe who are unjustly treated--whether at home, in the workplace, or in society generally--and raise awareness
around important issues facing women today.
Aside from participating in WEC, Farhat enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors (or in a bookshop!), and trying new things.
Julius Syvanen, Director of Western Europe, U.N. Representative (ECOSOC)
Born in Helsinki, Finland, Julius joined the WEC in early 2009 as the Director of Europe. He currently studies Political Theory and Philosophy at UCSD and looks forward to a graduate and/or law program.
Julius is very active in the community as it gives him the chance to put his normative and moral commitments into action. As director of the WEC, Julius values the interaction with people from a great diversity of backgrounds, to listen to their stories, share in the causes and broaden his worldview.
Aside from his engagement with the organization Julius is a cycling trainer and research assistant.
Favorite quote: "I speak an open and disinterested language, dictated by no passion but that of humanity...Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good." ~ Thomas Paine
Hedy O. Tiongco, Co-Director of Asia, U.N. Representative (ECOSOC)
A native of the Philippines, Hedy O. Tiongco moved to San Diego, California to be with her family and study Political Science with a focus on International Relations and Comparative Politics at the UC San Diego. Education has always been of utmost importance to Hedy, beginning her early educational quests at prominent Chinese and all girl Catholic Schools in the Philippines.
Hedy’s focus and dedication to education resulted in her acceptance to the prestigious Philippine Science High School, an elite scholarship-only school. Upon her graduation from the University of California San Diego. She began her career as a Financial Advisor where she feels she is able to achieve her life-long dream of helping others achieve their personal financial goals.
In addition to her career pursuits, Hedy immerses herself in numerous philanthropic organizations. Her view of life is inspired by stories of her father’s 96 years of journey through life, her mother’s business and philanthropic experiences, her admiration on her two older sisters and the hope she sees in the eyes of her 5-month-old nephew. In addition to her career and philanthropic work, Hedy enjoys exploring the world through traveling and books. She dances ballet like no one’s watching. She paints to relax and appreciate what she sees. Hedy is on a mission to make a difference in the world she believes in.
Miriam Bazanye, Committee Member – Region Arabic States, U.N. Representative (ECOSOC)
Born in Uganda, Miriam transferred from the United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) in Kenya to the San Diego sister campus early 1998. She graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration and later in 2003 with a Master of Sc. in E-Commerce at National University.
Due to her mother’s work, she has had the privilege of traveling to and living in a few countries and appreciates the diversity in which the world is. She deeply admires her mother’s strength as a woman and believes she sets a phenomenal example in her life, which she hopes to convey in her young daughter.
Miriam’s interest in issues concerning Women nationally and internationally and the hunger to learn more on Global issues brought her to the organization in June 2009. She is an eager and determined individual who strongly believes that her contribution can in “some way” help make the world a better place. Her initiatives within the Committee for Africa are focused on the education and empowerment of women in the region and helping them succeed in this endeavor.
Motto: Don't worry. Live life to the fullest and each day as it comes. For yesterday was the past, and today is the present, let tomorrow fend for itself.
