Board XXXIV
It is my distinct privilege and honor to serve as the thirty-fourth president of this esteemed foundation. To be entrusted to lead a group of 20 ambitious, dedicated, and accomplished students to the oldest and most prestigious Model United Nations Conference in the world is truly the pinnacle of my university accomplishments.
In abiding by our Foundation’s core values of growth, inclusivity, and excellence, I seek during my term to foster an immensely talented cohort of Leiden MUN Delegates who emerge as better versions of themselves. It is precisely for this reason why I have sacrificed countless nights, weekends and breaks to sustain this organization in which my belief is boundless. As my term on board draws nearer to its end, I can’t help but reflect on all that the Leiden MUN Foundation has given me by way of experience, friends, and lessons learned. Here and now, I could not imagine my time at Leiden University without my tenure on this decorated board.
And now it feels like one of those full circle moments. I left the U.S. in August 2024 to pursue my dream of studying abroad, only to return under the pretext of this worthy cause, an entirely different person than I was then. This transformation into what I feel is a better version of myself is owed in large part to all my fellow delegates, board members, and mentors with whom I’ve crossed paths and on whose shoulders I now stand.
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." This quote by Nelson Mandela is the ideal synthesis for everything that the Leiden Model United Nations Foundation stands for. My MUN journey started over 3 years ago. Every speech was a learning opportunity, every moderated caucus, a trove of teachings. As I join the Board XXXIV as Vice-President, I am honoured and humbled to teach others, the lifetime of lessons MUN has taught me.
I am deeply honoured to begin the HNMUN 2026 preparatory track as a Head Delegate Trainer. As an HNMUN delegate last year, I myself underwent similar training and am inspired by the experiences of my previous mentors and colleagues.
My goal as Head Delegate Trainer is to ensure that our new delegation receives a strong academic experience during the preparatory program and perfects their public speaking, debating, and lobbying skills.
I am strongly committed to the Foundation's mission of personal development and will do everything I can to inspire and motivate delegates, help them truly find their voice, and become the better version of themselves.
Mun was a revelation during my first conference at HNMUN 2025. It quickly became inconceivable to me to end my journey as a mere participant, I wanted to step behind the scenes and help shape the experience for others. It is with great honor that I joined the 34th board of the Leiden MUN Foundation.
Returning to Harvard while passing on the knowledge first imparted to me by the Foundation feels like a crowning achievement. I look forward to further developing as a PA and mentor, and I hope to guide new delegates through an experience that has been so fundamental to my own journey.
MUN has been eye opening for me; a whole experience parallel to university that transforms your professional abilities. My studies would never feel quite as complete without the foundation, as I firmly believe MUN is a central stepping stone to any International Relations student’s career. As my friends know well, I am always eager to recommend it to anyone I meet.
After having participated in IEUMUN 2024 and HNMUN 2025 as a delegate, I am honored to be on the board for HNMUN 2026. Now as treasurer, I can contribute positively for a more affordable, fairer and responsible foundation. I can sincerely say that I have found my voice in the community, by sharing with likeminded individuals a common passion for self improvement, diligence and determination, all under the umbrella of International Relations.
I am deeply honoured and enthused to join the 34th Board of the Leiden MUN Foundation. For me, MUN represents a quintessential part of my upbringing, and this amazing experience has played a role in almost every aspect of my life thus far. Aside from the obvious skills, knowledge and mentality obtained from years of both being a delegate and a teacher in many years prior, I hold in the highest of regards the social potential of this incredible activity. MUN for me has allowed me to both meet a myriad of amazing, different people, but also rediscover aspects of myself I had thought to be long forgotten. I am also certain that the prestige and historical standing of this distinguished Foundation will permit me to inspire future delegates with as many of my past experiences, for them to create their own paths within the world of MUN.
Ever since I joined the Foundation in my first year of university, I have not only discovered the art of Model UN, but I have also discovered myself: I learned what I am truly capable of, and where my skills lie. Thanks to the Foundation, I managed to truly found my voice. Throughout the two preparatory tracks I completed, I gained valuable experience that helped me grow into the person I am today, whether it brought me great memories or important lessons to learn from.
As such, I decided to join the board to not only teach the skills and knowledge to my fullest extent, but also to pass on my passion for Model UN and debating. It is my duty as a delegate trainer to help prospective delegates find their voice as I found my own!
Previous Boards
Board XXXII | SIMUN’25
President: Susanna Koppe
Vice President: Thomas van Loon
Treasurer: Lucas O’Connell
Promotions and Acquisitions Officer: Jaclin Duja
Head Delegate Trainer: Bart Huisinga
Delegate Trainer: Noa-Lynn Gilliaert
Delegate Trainer: Ethan Schwartz
Delegate Trainer: Juan Escudero
Board XXXI | HNMUN’25
President: Diego Sandoval Navarro
Vice President: Susanna Koppe
Treasurer: Lucas O’Connell
Promotions and Acquisitions Officer: Jaclin Duja
Head Delegate Trainer: Pieter Mauritz
Delegate Trainer: Noa-Lynn Gilliaert
Delegate Trainer: Bart Huisinga
Delegate Trainer: Juan Escudero
Board XXX | IEUMUN’24
President: Hansika Baldwa
Vice President: Diego Sandoval Navarro
Treasurer: Lucas O’Connell
Promotions and Acquisitions Officer: Greta Heukamp
Head Delegate Trainer: Pieter Mauritz
Delegate Trainer: Noa-Lynn Gilliaert
Delegate Trainer: Susanna Koppe
Board XXIX | MUIMUN’24
President: Enzo Fong
Vice President: Hansika Baldwa
Treasurer: Yosup Shin
Promotions and Acquisitions Officer: Greta Heukamp
Head Delegate Trainer: Leonie Fiebich
Delegate Trainer: Diego Sandoval Navarro
Delegate Trainer: Pieter Mauritz
Board XXVII | HNMUN’24
President: Marieke de Vries
Vice President: Claudia Pilli
Treasurer: Yosup Shin
Promotions and Acquisitions Officer: Daniel Khan Gutierrez de la Roza
Head Delegate Trainer: Eduardo Koller
Delegate Trainer: Enzo Fong
Delegate Trainer: Jean Devaux
Board XXVIII | IEUMUN’23
President: Claudia Pilli
Vice President: Enzo Fong
Treasurer: Yosup Shin
Promotions and Acquisitions Officer: Greta Heukamp
Delegate Trainer: Leonie Fiebich
Delegate Trainer: Hansika Baldwa
Delegate Trainer: Diego Sandoval Navarro