Executive Team:

Francine A. Maigue – WECAN Executive Director

Success is subjective. Happiness is a decision. — FAM

Originally from the Philippines and raised in San Diego, California, Francine received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in World Arts & Cultures from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Senior, Distinguished Bruin, Woman for Change, and Chancellor’s Service Awards and was honored as the university’s Homecoming Queen, “The Royal Bruin.” She was also a Gold Shield Alumnae Scholar and member and leader of 8 international honor societies. Francine now serves as a UCLA Chancellor’s Associate and Life Member. Francine represented UCLA and won at the prestigious American College Dance Festival for which National Finals were held at The John F. Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. As a means of empowering her fellow undergraduates, Francine founded UCLA’s Outta WAC Dance Company, which toured throughout southern California with performances ranging from charity events to appearances at Downtown Disney and the House of Blues. She also developed The Neverland Youth Dance Project (NYDP), a college bound program for aspiring performers who wish to pursue dance at the university level and beyond. For this project, Francine was presented with the illustrious Charles E. Young Humanitarian Award.

An accomplished dancer and choreographer, Francine has worked with The San Francisco Ballet, Jackie Jackson of the Jackson 5, Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oak Dance Project, Gregory Hines, Fayard Nicholas of The Nicholas Brothers, and Rennie Harris, to name a few. Francine’s work has been performed at venues such as Royce Hall and The Lincoln Center. She was the choreographer, dance soloist and backing vocalist for Euro Grammy Award-winning pop superstar, Sweetbox, and toured Germany, Japan and Korea. Most recently, Francine choreographed for the Emmy Award-winning Live Awards Show, “A Salute to Teachers,” and the internationally televised, GMA-produced “Pinoy Dance Showdown” featuring Mark Herras and Jay-R. Francine is also a faculty member of San Diego’s #1 Voted Dance Studio, Mystic Stepper Entertainment, and also serves as the organization’s Public Relations Manager and Company Director. In addition, she is an award-winning public speaker and writer. Currently, Francine is a cover story writer and columnist (The Pampered Pinay) for the west coast’s weekly newspaper, “The Filipino Press,” a columnist (The Ultimate It Girl) for Boston’s “The Ultimate Magazine” and host of their show “Ultimate Magazine TV,” and is the fashion editor for the west-coast based magazine “The Skinny.” Her writing and hosting have also won her praise as a host for both taped and live events ranging from showcases and conventions to pageants and festivals.

Francine has also been featured on television on both ABC and ABC Family as s guest host with Forbes Riley on the Sears Produced Show, “Movie Xtra” and as the “RA” (Resident Advisor) on the reality-TV series, “The Scholar,” produced by Bunim-Murray Productions and Steve Martin, which aired internationally. She produced and directed a documentary entitled “Youth in Studio & Competitive Dance: No Small Act of Heroism.”

When in her hometown of San Diego, Francine enjoys leading services at Nestor United Methodist Church.

This coming May, Francine will receive her Master’s Degree in Management from Harvard University, where she is a company member and choreographer for the Harvard-Radcliffe Modern Dance Company, a dancer with the Harvard Ballet Company, and serves as the Diversity Ambassador for Women Entrepreneurs for the Business Society as well as the society’s “Innovation in Challenging Times” Business Conference Director of Logistics & Hospitality.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Stephanie Yu – WECAN Marketing Director

A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. — Maya Angelou

After receiving both her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Graphic Design (BGD) from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Stephanie gained experience in the high growth cities of Asia, Shanghai and Taipei. Stephanie’s design background landed her a position with Fubon Art Foundation in Taiwan where she managed two major public exhibitions in both Hong Kong and Taipei. Executing a brand building campaign for the startup television network, Momo Kids Channel (a subsidiary under the established TV shopping Network in Taiwan, Momo Shopping Channel) exposed her to integrated marketing strategies in the media industry. Stephanie’s expertise in print, media, outdoor, and event planning then led her to the position of Art Director at Bates 141 Shanghai, a 4A Advertising Agency. Working alongside Strategic Planners and Creative Directors, she handled full scale multinational corporate campaigns with Remy Martin, Pizza Hut, Big Babol, as well as other local Chinese brands Miiow and Little Swan. Currently, Stephanie is obtaining her Masters in Management with Harvard.

________________________________________________________________________________

Merve Calayir – WECAN Financial Director

You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try. — Beverly Sills

Merve Calayir is a candidate in the Master of Liberal Arts in Management program at Harvard University. Before coming to Harvard, Merve completed her undergraduate studies at Koc University Istanbul, Turkey in the field of business administration. She also worked as an area sales manager assistant in a private company where she was responsible for the foreign export markets and further improved her expertise in finance and accounting. Upon graduation Merve is planning to pursue a career as a management consultant. She speaks Turkish, English and Russian. She enjoys traveling, and learning about different cuisines of the world.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Ricardo De La Fuente – WECAN Sponsorship Director

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.  —Anais Nin

Born in San Diego, California, Ricardo has been influenced by a rich cultural background combined with a passion for travels and speaking multiple foreign Languages English, Spanish, French, Farsi, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, and now taking Urdu/Hindi at Harvard being appeal to break the language/cultural barriers has been within Ricardo since childhood. Background is a strong Mexican Business family from Father’s side and an a old-culture Iranian Background from Mother’s side.

Growing up between three cultures as a child later developing in adolescence with a plethora of worldly cultures while attending International Boarding Schools for middle and high school in Switzerland world renown “Le Rosey” being amongst them, Ricardo cultural identity can be described as a Citizen of the world, finally finishing transferring to finish his senior year in Torrey Pines High School. Awards and Leaderships position were such as “Most Improved Student Award” also serving in a student council, demonstrating Ricardo’s ability to appeal to the masses. Ricardo attended University of San Diego for his Bachelors in Business and Administration, as an undergraduate Ricardo was in the University’s Rowing team and appointed Student-service leader to help coordinate student’s efforts into charitable causes. Now currently residing and pursuing his Masters in Management in the prestigious Harvard University and pursuing his California Real Estate Broker’s License.

Having lived abroad for most of his life, Switzerland, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, and China combined with a passion for traveling and exploring new cultures has kept Ricardo’s fascination with people and their cultures.  Having Sales experience while working at a local San Diego Cadillac Car dealership has been part of his personality to sell. Ricardo’s drive, ambition, and self-discipline has led him into various activities from sports to charity organizations. During the teenage years Ricardo has been a member various organizations of Rugby, Ski, Fencing, and Rowing team. Also obtain a Green-belt in self-defense and taekwondo. Ricardo is an active member in the CYMO foundation to help fund kids rehab expenses from drug addiction. Now while at Harvard Ricardo is part of the Harvard Ballroom Dance team to cha-cha-cha and jive his way into his path to success in his personal and professional life.

_____________________________________________________________________________

William Gray – WECAN Media & Public Relations Director

Think before you speak – one sentence can make or break you. – WTG

After spending the first 22 years of his life in the South, graduating from the McCallie High School and obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English from Centre College, William needed a catalyst that only a radical change could offer. Seeking out the Harvard Extension School, and moving to Cambridge just two weeks after graduation, William began pursuing an advanced degree while working simultaneously in the journalism field. He actively spreads his network across as many fields as possible – politics, science, non-profits, media, business and more. His initial goal – to successfully meld academic with popular discourse – evolved into a broader desire: to facilitate communication on any level, through any means, amongst as many people as possible to the best of his abilities.

This lead to speech writing opportunities and collaboration opportunities, media outreach for clubs and cable academics, an internship at C-SPAN and book-writing and editing gigs. Through active involvement in activities as diverse as reading clubs, martial arts, and the HEBS Innovation Conference, William only limits his opportunities by the hours in the day.

William is a professional journalist, publicist, networker and marketing guru. Whether working on international projects, nonprofits, events or television and print appearances, he approaches every project with his unique brand of creativity and style, bolstered by work-ethic and a passionate understanding of each subject.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Tracie Jones – WECAN Logistics Director

If you do not tell the truth about yourself, you cannot tell it about other people.  —Virginia Woolf

Tracie has over 10 years of logistics experience. As a Sales Facilitator with FedEx Corporate Services, she helped plan and organize the annual Sales Conferences in Orlando and Las Vegas. As a Vessel Operations Coordinator with Amistad America she managed the logistics for the Atlantic Freedom Tour at ports of call in the United States, Europe and Africa.  In 2009 Tracie worked with the Harvard Extension International Relations Club and the Harvard Extension Business Society on their first large scale conferences.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Speakers Committee:

Francine Maigue, William Gray, Merve Calayir, Tracie Jones, Ram Dhan

_______________________________________________________________________________

Sponsorship Committee:

Francine Maigue, Ricardo De La Fuente, Tracie Jones, William Gray, Viqar Hussain, Denver Attaway

_______________________________________________________________________________

For questions, comments or to get in touch with us, e-mail HarvardWECAN@gmail.com.