Executive Team

Annabelle Sghabi

President

Hi, my name’s Annabelle and I am studying Product Design Honours. I’m a creative who loves flowers and well thought out design! I’m so excited to be leading the most amazing team of individuals in The Big Lift for 2024. I am the president for this year and I can’t wait to continue the TBL tradition and help others by paying it forward. 

I initially joined TBL as I thought it was a cool way to make a difference and help out in regional towns. I found the Little Lifts and The Big Lift Winter Trip to be such a special, unique opportunity to make a difference in towns with less resources and to form our own community of amazing individuals too!

I’m so excited to see how TBL will grow and pay it forward in 2024, and I can’t wait to get into another amazing year of volunteering!

Bhavya Khemlani

Vice President

Hi, my name is Bhavya. I’m in my third year of studying a Bachelor of Information Technology and am the Vice President for 2024!

Embarking on the 2022 Winter Trip myself, I’ve experienced firsthand the amazing towns we get to visit, the incredible locals whose lives we touch and, above all, the family you get to make along the way; the TBL fam!

I truly believe volunteering is one of the most selfless activities you can commit yourself to during your time at university and I’m so grateful to have found such a wonderful community to do it with. Joining TBL was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I can’t wait to continue to ‘Pay it Forward’ in the coming year!

Selina Go

Secretary

Hi everyone, my name’s Selina and I’m the Secretary for 2024! It’s so nice to meet you all!

I transferred to UTS in 2022 and wanted to get involved with societies to make the most of my university experience. I’d heard of The Big Lift through a friend who had gone on a Little Lift and could only say great things about her experience, which is why I signed up for the Winter Trip. Best decision ever!

Being part of TBL has allowed me to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime. What’s so special about this society is that it brings people together to Pay It Forward and make an incredible impact on not only our local communities, but regional ones, too! We get to use our passion for volunteering to give back and make a difference, which is super rewarding!

I just know that we’re going to achieve great things in 2024, and I can’t wait for new and old participants to get involved. TBL has been so inspiring and incredible, and I hope that those who get involved will share the same sentiment!

Ishfar Biswas

Treasurer

Hey guys!

My name is Ishfar - you can call me Ishy! I’m studying a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and I am the Treasurer of The Big Lift!

Now, a little bit about me. Those that know me, know that I love meeting new people and love the outdoors. On weekends you’ll probably find me on the outskirts of Sydney doing some hiking or mountain biking. 

I believe in grabbing a hold of the present and experiencing all that life has to offer.

I found out about The Big Lift in 1st year orientation but I was kind of hesitant about whether I should jump on aboard. My friends kept telling me about how great the society was and I decided to give it a chance. I didn’t know what to expect. I just knew I wanted to go out and make a difference in the world and meet new people that have the same mindset as I did.  

I can confidently say, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I chose to seek discomfort and it led me to make some of the best memories that I will cherish forever.  

I can’t wait for what 2024 has to offer! 

I’m excited to get to know you and welcome new faces into TBL. Together we can continue to pay it forward and make a difference in the community. So, whatcha waiting for? Jump on board!

Chuanting Chao

Events Director

Hi everyone, I'm Chuanting. I’m currently in my 5th year of Mechanical Engineering with too many semesters to go. After 2 long years in Covid lockdown I finally decided to get involved with uni societies and went on the Winter Trip 2 years ago - my first TBL event. 

I joined the trip in the first place not only because of my interest in volunteering, but to also make new like minded friends at uni. It was a big push out of my comfort zone, but I really enjoyed every minute of it and I trust that people who consider joining our society will find it to be an incredibly rewarding experience.

I decided to become Events Director this year to provide new participants with the same great experience that I had. I’m really looking forward to seeing you guys and working with the team to make this year an amazing one!

Tatiya Kuleechuay

Communications Director

Hi! I’m Tatiya and I’m currently studying Journalism and International Studies.

I find volunteering to be such a fun and fulfilling experience as you’re able to learn so many things by going out into the community. When I heard about TBL (from coincidentally meeting one of my sister’s friends) I knew that I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and meet other people who also had a passion for volunteering.

I would say the TBL philosophy of ‘paying it forward’ solidified this decision for me, because the way I see it, acts of selflessness go a long way. I also wanted to know more about regional towns within Australia or about the communities I’m surrounded by and TBL was a great place to start!

Anthony Klepac

Fundraising Director

Hey there! I’m Anthony — Mechanical Engineering and Business student, massive John Mayer fan, and this year's Fundraising Director of The Big Lift!

They say word-of-mouth is the greatest and most successful form of marketing and with the intention to get more involved in my University experience. I’d heard a few great things about the society, which led me to take a leap of faith into the world of TBL. It only took the second event for me to realise, Yeah. This is it.

My favourite volunteering experience before TBL was throwing coloured powder at Colour Run participants, while my favourite TBL experience (so far) was playing 18-person ping pong after five hours of landscaping in the pouring rain. See what I mean?

Keen to get started? We have so much on offer, from half-day service projects, social events, and our staple annual Winter Trip — so don’t be shy!

I’m looking forward to bringing along new and familiar faces on this unforgettable journey, just like the amazing teams before us have.

Just wait till you see what we’ve got in store.

Now. 

Who’s ready?

Patricia Tolentino

Marketing Director

Hi my loves! My name is Patty, I’m currently doing my Honours in Social and Political Science and I am so incredibly excited to be a part of the Executive team in 2024.

I’m super passionate about helping people and doing my part in changing the world. It was this love for humanity—combined with a bunch of failed plans to go overseas—that led me to embarking on the 2022 Winter Trip. And although I knew it was going to be a great experience, I really hadn’t anticipated how much this community would change my life for the better. 

I’m super grateful that I get to continue in helping create that experience for others this year. The pure goodness that I have witnessed within TBL is something that I think is quite rare, and it fills me with so much joy to be able to share that with everyone that comes along for the ride! 

(If you’re reading this, I love you and I can’t wait to meet you!)

Imogen Barnes

Operations Director

Heya, Immy here! I am a third year Software Engineer student, and part of the 2024 Executive Team!

I initially joined TBL to give back and volunteer, but little did I know it would be an experience that changed my life. I put myself out of my comfort zone and grew so much as a person. Every journey on TBL, whether it was a Microlift, Little Lift, or the Winter Trip, showed me what an impact volunteering can have, and always leaves me amazed.

As Operations Director of the Big Lift, I am keen to continue giving back to the society that gave so much to me. I am looking forward to working alongside my fellow CROPS team to put together an incredible year filled with amazing experiences. From our on campus events to all of our volunteering events, I am beyond excited to meet everyone that joins our society this year too!