Meet Our 2020 National Team

ANNIE  BURGESS
National Director

Annie is a Bachelor of Commerce student at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Economics and Marketing with a breadth in Mandarin Chinese language. She is passionate about learning languages. Beyond her Chinese studies, Annie has completed intensive Italian language courses in Italy and enjoys spending some of her spare time learning Russian. Annie believes that through languages, she will have a greater opportunity to learn about different cultures and gain a deeper understanding and connection to diverse and interesting people. Annie recognises that language is a main barrier to cross-cultural interaction amongst domestic and international students and believes that Culture Bridge is an essential platform for allowing students to forge stronger connections and a deeper understanding of one another.

MAXWELL YONG
Partnerships Director

Maxwell is a penultimate Bachelor of Commerce student at The University of Melbourne, majoring in Economics and Finance. While he feels privileged to have had the opportunity to grow up in a nation as diverse and multicultural as Australia, he believes that there are still distinct idiosyncrasies in the way that our nation attempts to integrate different cultures. With a background in education and the public service, Max strives to grow our network so that Culture Bridge can make effectual change. Moreover, he is keen to combat these issues from a youth platform as he leads the partnership team to strategically expand our reach.

For any partnership related enquiries, feel free to contact Max at:
partnerships@culturebridge.com.au

ANDY ZING 
Monash University Director​ 

Andy is the Director of Culture Bridge Institute, Monash Branch. He is an optimistic and personable individual who enjoys meeting new people and has an ambition to foster an international diplomacy, political or foreign policy career. Andy is a strong supporter of not for profit organisations and recently concluded his term with his local council, serving as Chair on the youth committee. He also is an editor and writer for Kos Magazine and is a member of the Australia China Youth Association. Growing up, as an Asian Australian, Andy has witnessed directly the lack of awareness between culture groups in Australia. He trusts with a better fundamental foundational understanding of diverse culture groups; this will address and minimise ill will conflict across higher education institutions. He is also seeking to expand language programs as he believes this is a key barrier between domestic and international students along with driving greater incentives. Andy is optimistic to lead the Monash Branch to new heights of success.

ELENI SGARDELIS
Monash University Deputy Director

Eleni is a Bachelor of Global Studies student majoring in International Relations and Philosophy at Monash University. As a grandchild of four immigrant grandparents, Eleni appreciates the contribution different cultures have made in Australia and understands that cross-cultural interaction is a precursor to further progress. She believes that Culture Bridge emphasises the importance of celebrating differences, appreciating multiculturalism, and developing cross-cultural competence. Through Culture Bridge, Eleni hopes to contribute to solving integration issues across university campuses through solution-focused approaches.

MALLIKA DUTTA
​Marketing Director

Inclusive, determined and optimistic ; Mallika is currently pursuing her Masters in Marketing Management from The Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne. What makes Culture Bridge a unique and meaningful organisation, is that it not only celebrates diversity but has an action-oriented approach towards mitigating cross-cultural integration challenges across Australian Universities. Being an International student, Culture Bridge is her means of self-expression, discovery and growth. It enables her to bring together her passion for marketing and value creation, along with interacting and learning from people and being involved in community dialogue and advocacy. It gives her sense of marketing a true purpose ; a purpose of enabling and embracing change.

Meghna Ganesh 
​Events Director

Emma Troughton 
​University of Adelaide Director

Karen Zhang
 ANU Co-Director

Having traveled around the globe and constantly engaged with people from diverse backgrounds, I've always believed that human connections are essential to building an integrated community of talented minds. At Culture Bridge, we champion innovative events to generate best-practice solutions for intercultural challenges and truly facilitate dynamic cultural inclusion. I envision an exciting journey for Culture Bridge in cultivating an atmosphere of genuine appreciation, acknowledgment, and utilisation of cultural values and differences in higher education.

JUSTIN JI
 ​ANU Co-Director

Justin Xuan Ji is currently the co-director of the ANU Culture Bridge Institute. He is in his second year of a Juris Doctor degree. Justin loves learning things about other cultures. His ambition for a legal career coupled with his commerce background would enable him to view things in a holistic manner. As a Residential Advisory at the Burgmann College for the past two years, Justin has seen a gap between international students and domestic students in
terms of cultural engagement and concerned that both parties would have missed so many opportunities that would be beneficial to them if no action/measure is taken. He is passionate about working alongside with other members and stakeholders at the ANU to address current challenges and making a positive contribution to Culture interaction here at the ANU.

SAM TAYLOR  
​University of Melbourne Director