Society for Human Resource Management:
GGU Student Chapter

Founding President

Mohd Farhan Ansari is an experienced leader and catalyst for change. With over seven years of experience in global recruitment, HR strategy and organizational development, Farhan brings a unique combination of business acumen, people-first leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit to the student chapter at Golden Gate University. He has collaborated with Fortune 500 clients, managed multi-disciplinary teams, and developed recruitment solutions from the ground up, both in the United States and internationally. Currently pursuing his MBA with a focus on Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Farhan combines sharp analytical skills with a deep understanding of human motivation and team dynamics.

On campus, Farhan is known for his hands-on approach, infectious energy and unwavering commitment to student success. As a former Vice President of Campus Activities and Treasurer for the Student Government Association, he has orchestrated impactful events, spearheaded student advocacy initiatives, and mentored peers through their professional journeys. Farhan’s leadership philosophy is simple: “We rise by lifting others.” As President, Farhan is dedicated to leading a chapter that pushes boundaries, opens doors, and creates real momentum for every member. His goal is to transform vision into opportunity, creating a space where innovation thrives, careers accelerate, and everyone’s voice matters. With the combined vision and leadership of the founding team, the chapter is positioned to set new standards, empower the next generation, and make a lasting impact at Golden Gate University and beyond.

Vice President

Alexandra Doreva is a passionate HR and business leader with over 10 years of experience in operations, training, and people-centered leadership. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Business Administration at Golden Gate University, Alexandra has a proven record of accomplishment in managing teams, building strategic partnerships, and developing inclusive programs that drive student engagement.

Her roles have included CEO of A&C Enterprises, Managing Director at Dress Code, and Vice President of International Development for Students Offering Support, where she led community-based projects and supported educational initiatives both locally and abroad.

Alexandra’s expertise extends to event organization, budgeting, HR functions, marketing, and donor engagement from her work with Adaptabilities, ATB Financial, and the Canadian Red Cross. Her commitment to fostering equity, innovation, and student development, combined with her strategic management skills, make her exceptionally well-suited to help lead and elevate our chapter as Vice President.

Vice President, IT

Maheen Hassan is an accomplished product manager and technology leader with over five years of experience driving innovation in B2B, B2C, SaaS, and AI-powered platforms. Currently serving as Product Manager and VP of IT for Ascend GGU, she leads product strategy, event management, and platform development for a network connecting over 60,000 global members.

Maheen’s expertise includes designing onboarding systems, managing cross-functional teams, and optimizing user experiences through data-driven decision-making. Her technical skills include proficiency in SQL, Python, analytics, UX design, and agile methodologies, making her a versatile force in technology leadership.

Beyond her work at GGU, Maheen has made a global impact through her board role with an UN-backed NGO in Zambia, where she drove national policy reform and developed educational programs empowering women and children. She has co-founded EdTech ventures, developed award-winning apps, and delivered solutions to startups and major organizations. Recognized as an EY Ascend STEM Scholar and GGU Dean’s List honoree, Maheen brings vision, creativity, and a commitment to inclusive, mission-driven technology, qualities that will benefit our chapter’s IT operations and growth.

Vice President, Marketing

Jordan Johnson is a graduate student in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Golden Gate University with substantial experience in team leadership, data-driven process improvement, and digital communications. He has led onboarding and employee development as a shift supervisor at Zwilling J. A. Henckels and Chick-fil-A, where he also implemented new customer service and delivery systems to boost efficiency and team performance. Jordan’s work includes creating Excel tools for sales tracking and leading a research-based social media campaign as a Research Co-Coordinator at the University of Victoria.

Jordan’s expertise in workflow optimization, employee engagement, and digital outreach makes him a great fit to lead our marketing efforts. His hands-on experience in creating social media content and executing communication strategies will help strengthen our chapter’s outreach, engagement, and visibility. We are excited to welcome him to the leadership team.

Director, Strategic Programs

As Director of Strategic Programs, Upa draws on a decade of experience in education, research, and interdisciplinary project leadership to align innovative initiatives with long-term institutional goals to support the chapter’s goals.

She has led cross-functional teams in developing AI-driven tools, managed international research projects with structured methodologies and stakeholder engagement, and delivered tailored instructional programs across diverse learning environments. She approaches each initiative with curiosity and deliberate planning to ensure it is both well-conceived and effectively executed.

Drawing on a background in both the arts and sciences, she brings analytical rigor, creative problem-solving, and a collaborative mindset, with a focus on clear communication and meaningful member engagement.

Director, Student Relations

Sahil Akhtar is an MBA candidate at GGU with a master’s degree in counseling psychology and credentials in L&D and Behavioral Wellness. He has extensive experience in coordination and implementation of non-profit initiatives focused on education for underprivileged children and excels in fostering community engagement and supporting student development.

He believes in prioritizing applied knowledge and hands-on experience, advocating for experiential learning as a cornerstone of holistic personal and professional growth. He is committed to creating opportunities that enable students to grow through real-world applications, fostering not only technical skills but also critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and leadership capabilities.

His experience with development committees aimed at improving educational facilities equip him to build impactful outreach initiatives and provide meaningful prospects for student members. In his role as Director of Student Outreach, Akhtar is poised to lead initiatives that engage, inspire, and empower student members, building a vibrant SHRM chapter that endorses innovation, inclusivity, and meaningful career development for the next generation of HR professionals.

Treasurer

Wanda Williams is an accomplished senior HR leader with over 20 years of experience in compensation, benefits, and HR operations. She has spent the last decade as an HR Director, where she led teams and managed large-scale compensation and retirement programs for organizations like Fremont Bank, Curative, and Exelixis. Wanda’s expertise includes overseeing multi-million-dollar merit budgets, leading 401(k) and retirement plan administration, and implementing process improvements to optimize efficiency and compliance. She is highly skilled in project management, data analysis, and building compensation structures that support both organizational goals and employee well-being.

Her background in handling complex financial planning and benefits administration, along with her dedication to transparency and equity, makes her exceptionally well-suited for the Treasurer position. Wanda’s ability to collaborate across functions, leverage data-driven insights, and deliver impactful results will be invaluable as she manages our chapter’s finances and supports its continued growth.

Secretary

Vidhi Mehta is an MBA candidate at Golden Gate University specializing in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, with hands-on experience across seven internships and multiple student leadership roles. Her work includes leading team-building workshops at The Female Mentors, spearheading school-based mental health programs with the Mendlife Foundation and managing high-volume recruitment and engagement initiatives as HR Manager at Shine Projects. Vidhi has also facilitated wellness webinars at Holy Family Hospital, organized psychology-focused webinars at Rail Bikash Manch, and served as Social Media Head for a university society, consistently earning letters of recommendation and leadership awards for her people-centered and innovative approach.

Her strong background in organizational strategy, team dynamics, and mental health, combined with certifications in HR Analytics, Talent Acquisition, and Career Counseling, equips her to excel as Secretary. Vidhi’s proven ability to coordinate projects, document key initiatives, and enhance engagement will help ensure the smooth running and growth of our chapter. We are excited for her to bring her experience and dedication to the team.

Faculty Advisor

Nicole C. Jackson, Ph.D., is a Distinguished Principal Research Fellow, Human Capital, at The Conference Board. Dr. Jackson is a management expert with over 15 years of diversified program management-related experience, including in business process improvement, organizational design and alignment, training, and risk mitigation for education, government, non-profit, and private sectors.

Dr. Jackson’s experience includes academic research and instruction aimed at mid and senior-level executive audiences in HR, organizational, and leadership methods and practices. She has conducted program and risk assessments with a specific emphasis on organizational and leadership ambidexterity development, which is critical to the digital transformation economy. Dr. Jackson has written and served as a keynote speaker on these topics for organizations such as CERIC – The Canadian Economic Development Agency – and the Society of Human Resource Management, Northern California Chapter (SHRM-NorCal).

Her recent work includes AI and diversity and inclusion practices. She currently serves as the Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Golden Gate University and previously held the position of Associate Dean of the Ageno School of Business. Dr. Jackson is also an associate professor of management and serves on several editorial boards for academic management journals, in addition to development committees for the SHRM-NorCal division. Before her academic career, Dr. Jackson served as an IT Business Process Consultant, Training Manager, and Product Manager in both high compliance-driven client engagements and start-up environments.