STAFF & LEADERSHIP
Global Leaders. Global Change.
The Edina Rotary Global Scholar Program is ran and coordinated by Edina Staff Member, Lindsey Smaka. Each year, a leadership board of 9 Global Scholars is chosen to help lead and shape the program. Meet the current leaders below!
Global Scholars Staff Coordinator
Lindsey Smaka (She/Her)
Lindsey helped launch the program in 2019 with help from the Rotary Club of Edina. At Edina High School, she also teaches chemistry and leads students on science travel-based learning expeditions. She completed a Fulbright teaching fellowship in Morocco in 2019 and is a Ph.D. Candidate in Comparative and International Development Education at the University of Minnesota.
Student President
Zoya Hasan (She/Her)
Zoya is so incredibly excited to be president of Global Scholars for the 2024-25 school year! She is on the fine arts pathway and takes Spanish in school. Zoya hopes to continue studying languages and the humanities in college. In her free time, she loves traveling, baking, playing tennis, being active, watching Netflix, spending time with her cat, and hanging out with friends and family. Zoya also really enjoys learning about different countries and cultures, including my own South Asian background. She loves being a part of the Global Scholars program and looks forward to her senior year! In school, Zoya is the Girl’s Varsity Tennis Captain, Model UN Captain, South Asian Society Co-Founder and Leader, Project Earth President, and participates in Concert Choir, Photography Club, Peer Tutoring, and Community Service Lettering.
Rotary Interact Liaison
Bergen Pickett (She/Her)
Bergen is a Frenchie and plans on living abroad after college. In school, she is on the Badminton Team, the Swim and Dive Team, and participates in Model UN, Debate, Interact Club, French Club, and Girls United.
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Email: bergenp25897@isd273.org
Marketing & Media Chair
Claire Safranski
Claire has been apart of the ERGS Program since her freshman year at Edina. At Edina High School, she participates on the Edina JVB Team each fall, has partook in Varsity Speech (Informative and Extemporaneous Reading), and plays softball for the Girl's Athletic League during the spring. In 2023, Claire went on the short-term Rotary Youth Exchange to Germany and will be going to Zimbabwe with other Global Scholars in the spring of 2025.
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Email: claires25722@isd273.org
International Chair
Kate Irby (She/Her)
Kate Irby has lived in Switzerland for 8 years and speaks fluent French. She moved to Edina before her sophomore year, and she loves to travel; additionally, this summer she is going to Ireland, Germany and Denmark. Kate was a dancer for 6 years and loves to read! In school, Kate participates in French Club, Girls Book Club, and Edina community Ed.
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Email: katei25417@isd273.org
Assistant International Chair
Veda Laabs (She/Her)
Veda is an incoming junior (2026) and is the current assistant international chair. She plays varsity softball during the spring and plays for Minnesota A’s in the off season. Veda's capstone project for Global Scholars will be surrounding the work done during the Zimbabwe trip, specifically the Bulawayo Hospital and its effects on the community’s health. In school, Veda also participates in Model UN and Women in Stem.
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Email: vedal26429@isd273.org
Fundraising Chair
Anoushka Jha (She/Her)
Anoushka Jha speaks English, Hindi, and Spanish. Her favorite color is bright red and she enjoys reading, baking, swimming, and playing with her dog. Anoushka hopes to travel abroad a bunch in college before going to med school. In school, she participates in Science Bowl, Model UN, South Asian Society, and Orchestra.
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Email: anoushkaj25344@isd273.org
Assistant Fundraising Chair
Parker Gustafson (She/Her)
Parker is passionate about languages and art. They have studied Spanish throughout high school and taken painting classes to pursue their interest in animation. They also participate in community service outside of school. Looking ahead, they aspire to pursue a career in engineering. In school, Parker is a part of Model UN, Choir, and Track and Field.
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Email: audreyg25308@isd273.org