Meet the Board.
Learn more about the people that keep SHOP running so smoothly!
Co-President
Aravind Krishnan
Biology & Healthcare Management & Statistics
CAS & Wharton '25
"While many view SHOP as an organization solely to give back to the community, to me, it is also one from which I have gained and learned so much. While many of the things we all do at Penn involve talking and doing, to be a truly great member of SHOP involves listening—deeply listening to the stories of the people we work with and having an open ear to learn how we can lend a helping hand. Truly impactful service starts with not only understanding the needs of those that are marginalized, but also bringing them to the table along with other stakeholders in collaboratively solving social inequities, a core value of SHOP I’ve loved taking part in, whether through exploring historical and current inequities in Philadelphia through SHOP-wide debriefs or working with guests and site directors to develop new initiatives to improve health outcomes. I have learned a lot about talking and doing during my three years here at Penn so far, but it is only through SHOP that I have truly learned how to listen, and that is what makes all the difference."
Co-President
Ella Esigbee
Neuroscience
CAS '25
"Being a part of SHOP has been the single most meaningful experience I’ve had during my time at Penn. I was initially drawn to joining SHOP because of its emphasis on developing lasting relationships with the communities we serve. Sometimes, it’s very easy to have volunteer experiences be temporary, one-time interactions. But as I’ve continued to grow as a volunteer and witness SHOP’s growth as well, I’ve appreciated more and more the opportunities we get to connect with our partners and guests on a deeper level. I’ve learned so much about the Philadelphia community and how to approach making intentional and meaningful changes in reducing barriers to care. And I’m so grateful to do it alongside such amazing people!"
Clinic Director
Aurora Yuan
Neuroscience
CAS '25
"SHOP has been an integral part of my life in college and has influenced me greatly in my present and future goals. I love that SHOP prioritizes building connections with the communities that we serve and encourages long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. The continuity and our partnerships with different shelter sites around the greater Philadelphia region makes it so that our volunteers are able to meaningfully connect and contribute, and serve those experiencing homelessness whether it be through blood pressure work and clinical readings, serving food, or simply having a conversation. Furthermore, SHOP is full of passionate individuals who are dedicated to hearing from the community and working with our partners to establish networks and programs that allow unhoused individuals to better access care and community resources. I learn so much from these individuals everyday and am lucky to be a part of this team."
Director of Training
Sophie Gu
Bioengineering
SEAS '25
"My decision to join SHOP was rooted in a commitment to effecting meaningful change within my community. I was drawn to the opportunity to contribute to healthcare accessibility while advocating for and empowering underserved individuals. SHOP's mission to form consistent and long term relations with the guests we serve has reaffirmed the potency of collective, purpose-driven actions in fostering a healthier and more inclusive tomorrow."
Finance Chair
Rishi Patel
Biochemistry & Biophysics & Physics
CAS '25
"What stands out to me most about SHOP is its relentless ambition. Although our student group is rooted in weekly blood pressure outreach, the observations that we make on shift continue to motivate new community health interventions to better support our surrounding communities. Through long-term relationships developed with guests, it has been even more encouraging to be able to see tangible positive outcomes emerge from our efforts.."
Engagement Chair
Gabriel Jung
Philosophy & Communications
CAS '26
"SHOP is an opportunity to break out of the University City bubble. I think a lot of students who come to Penn fail to recognize broader Philadelphia and the community they live in at first. Without deliberate effort to connect with the Philadelphia community, it’s easy to neglect what surrounds us and what was here before us. I think thats where SHOP can uniquely uplift students. While it may be intimidating to leave the University City bubble alone, SHOP brings a community of people making that deliberate effort to not only familiarize themselves with broader Philadelphia but also contribute to it."
Co-Development
Manav Parikh
Biology
CAS '26
"Being a part of SHOP has been one of the most integral parts of my Penn experience - the ability to foster long term relationships with our guests while collaborating with passionate peers has taught me a great deal about our Philadelphia community and the role I can play in providing equitable access to health services for all. The breadth and quality of services that SHOP’s dedicated volunteers provide are a testament to our commitment to making a long term impact on those around us. I hope to help increase SHOP’s reach to as many communities as possible and explore new opportunities for our guests to receive personalized care and services! ."
Co-Development
Connie Ni
Health & Societies; Health Policy & Law
CAS '26
"SHOP is so incredibly special to me because of the organization’s guiding commitment to the empowerment of people to take agency over their lives and health—to have choice. Rather than going into communities, that we are often outsiders of, and pushing what we think individuals should need or want, SHOP intentionally views change through the lens of connecting and building trust with organizations to understand what the community actually needs and how we fit into the complicated pre-existing structure of the greater Philadelphia area by prioritizing relationships with local partners. SHOP doesn’t talk circles around hypothetical “change”: we push for impact and action."
On-Site External
Rashmi Acharya
Health & Societies
CAS '25
"SHOP has helped shape a large part of my experiences at Penn and my trajectory hoping to continue advocating for health equity after Penn. Through SHOP, I feel like I’ve truly been able to build invaluable relationships community members and peers, learn more about the history of Philly, and meaningfully connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. I’ve learned so much from all of the connections I’ve made through SHOP and am grateful to help contribute to its mission as part of the team."
On-Site Internal
Chloe Chang
Health & Societies
CAS '26
"While our role as undergraduate volunteers limits the medical services we can offer, what truly defines SHOP is the depth of the connections we build with our guests. Each conversation we hold is a learning experience that brings the joy of human connection, both for our guests and us volunteers. SHOP actively works against typical power dynamics that are often present between volunteers and guests, focusing on meaningful engagement rather than simply providing a service and leaving afterwards. As Penn students and temporary Philadelphia residents, SHOP is a way for us to utilize our privileges to take agency and proactively engage with the community of local Philadelphia residents experiencing houselessness. Despite our limitations, SHOP's incredible community simultaneously challenges and inspires me to discover and navigate avenues for change."
Operations Chair
Yutong Yi
​Biology
CAS '26
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