Ambassadors

Santa Clara University students, faculty, and staff have been select to be Opus Prize Ambassadors. The Ambassadors join team members from the Opus Prize Foundation on week-long site visits to engage with the finalist organizations. Ambassadors share observations with Opus Representatives to inform the decision of the final prizes. Most importantly, Ambassadors see first-hand the incredible work and impact of some of the most inspiring change-makers of the world and bring that experience back to SCU.

The first ambassador group traveled for a site visit during the week of March 24:

• Jake Brathwaite, S.J., M.Div. ‘26, Jesuit School of Theology, graduate student
• Jessica Kuczenski, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, School of Engineering
• Elise Murugasu ’26, Engineering, undergraduate student
• Susan Popko, Associate Provost for International Programs
• Duane Voigt, University Registrar

The second group traveled during the week of June 16:

• Taara Khan ’27, Political Science and Philosophy, undergraduate student
• Sharmila Lodhia, Chair and Associate Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies
• Samuel Lundy ’26, Economics and Philosophy, undergraduate student
• Allan Báez Morales, Director of Programs and Partnerships, Frugal Innovation Lab, School of Engineering
• Shá Duncan Smith, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

The third group traveled during the week of June 23:

• Jim Bennett, Chair and Associate Professor, Religious Studies
• Marco Bravo, Professor and Associate Dean, School of Education and Counseling Psychology
• Charles Olsen ’26, Engineering, undergraduate student
• Darcy Phillips, Director of Community Engaged Student Learning, Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education
• Akash Ravani ’25, Economics, undergraduate student
• Margaret Russell, Professor, School of Law