Payal Chulani

Diwali Chair for Emory’s Indian Cultural Association; an organization serving anyone who identifies with or wants to learn about India culturally, socially, or philanthropically. ICA fosters a more unified community by promoting conversation, advocacy, and cultural understanding. The primary objective is to organize events celebrating major Indian festivities worldwide, emphasizing thoughtful discussions. Diwali is Emory’s largest off-campus event, hosted by the college’s undergraduate students. RESPONSIBILITIES • Create an inclusive environment by welcoming diverse perspectives and ensuring events cater to the varied interests of the community. • Effectively communicate with ICA members, campus organizations, and stakeholders. • Ensure that Diwali celebrations uphold the essence of Indian traditions, serving as a bridge between cultural authenticity and contemporary relevance. • Balancing expenses and budget for event. • Sourcing vendors in all aspects such as DJ, lighting, food, venue, decoration, transportation, security, and beverages. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS I have attained proficiency in event planning and management, showcasing my ability to navigate logistical complexities and ensure the successful execution of a significant cultural celebration. Engaged in consistent and effective communication with six renowned vendors, managing various facets. This helped me develop thorough organizational skills and the knowledge of how to build and sustain relationships with external stakeholders. Leading a team of over 30 individuals, both in the pre-event preparations and during the event itself, I learned team management and fostered a collaborative and cohesive working environment. I was able to bring diverse talents together along with my co-chairs to achieve a shared vision. Through the emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and belonging within ICA, I gained valuable insights into different regions and cultures in India, which fostered my cultural understanding.

• Conducted demographic analysis to expand EIIG’s operations. • Led revenue and cost projection analysis for a startup and forecasted 13% growth for the current year. • Performed competitor analysis for an embroider company and used collected data to create 3 pricing models.

Mentor for The International Student Welcome Program (ISW); a program required for all incoming first-year and transfer students holding an F-1 visa. ISW aims to connect international students and students with an international background to campus resources and the Emory community – with the hopes of facilitating a smoother transition into life on camps and the United States. It is a very crucial week for the new incoming students as they are introduced to all campus involvements and student resources while being mentored by students previously in the same position. My role was to mentor incoming students and serve as a firsthand resource for them and their families. RESPONSIBILITIES • Share insights into academic expectations, classroom etiquette, and cultural nuances specific to the university and the United States. • Assist students with practical matters such as setting up bank accounts, obtaining local SIM cards, and navigating public transportation. • Organize social events and gatherings to foster a sense of community among international students. • Encourage participation in student clubs and organizations, helping them build a network of friends and contacts. • Create resource guides or handouts summarizing key campus services, emergency contacts, and important deadlines. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Successfully increased participation rates in campus activities and clubs among mentored students by implementing targeted engagement strategies. Improved communication channels between international students and campus resources, resulting in more seamless problem-solving and issue resolution. Received positive feedback from mentees and their families, indicating a smoother transition into university life and increased satisfaction with the support provided. Contributed to the establishment of a mentorship network among international students, fostering long-term connections and support beyond the initial welcome program.

Founder of One Smile at A Time; a non-profit organization where we bring together college students who become mentors, friends, and advocates to help children with special needs. During the holiday season, the organization plans festive activities and events where the children develop daily life skills with the help of a trained buddy. RESPONSIBILITIES • Manage day-to-day operations. • Organize fundraising efforts. • Plan and implement events during the holiday season. • Assess board performance. • Match children with special needs to college students • Train volunteers KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Established a comprehensive database of families with children with special needs by directly engaging with individuals throughout the country and conducting surveys to gain insights into their unique requirements. Successfully planned and organized multiple Christmas events with Autism Belize (non-profit dedicated to children with Autism), each attended by over 30 children with special needs. During these events, we facilitated engaging activities that helped the children develop their motor, sensory, and speaking skills. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People’s Affairs in Belize highlighted our event on the news. We were acknowledged as one of the leading organizations in the country, actively contributing to the growth and well-being of the children.

Winter Workshop 2023 in collaboration with Special Needs Professor - Corozal, Belize In 2023, One Smile at a Time expanded its reach to Corozal, partnering with a former special needs professor to create a unique and tailored experience for children facing diverse challenges. This collaboration added an extra layer of expertise, ensuring that the activities planned for the children were not only enjoyable but also beneficial for their individual development. As always, our commitment to providing a one-on-one mentorship experience remained unwavering. Each child was paired with a dedicated college student volunteer who participated in a comprehensive training session before the event. This training equipped our volunteers with the knowledge and understanding needed to support children with various disabilities. The event, mirroring the success of previous years, facilitated the development of daily life skills for over 30 children. The strong partnership between volunteers, children, and the special needs professor created an atmosphere of inclusivity and encouragement. One Smile at a Time continues to make strides in advocating for the well-being of children with special needs, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those we touch. The 2023 event in Corozal reaffirms our commitment to creating positive and transformative experiences for all involved.

Winter Workshop 2022 - Camp Se Konsa, Cayo, Belize In 2022, One Smile at a Time continued its tradition of spreading joy and fostering personal development for children with special needs. This year's festive event took place at Camp Se Konsa in Cayo, Belize, where we transcended geographical barriers to create an unforgettable experience. Our dedicated team transported children to the specially equipped camp, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey. Camp Se Konsa, renowned as the only camp in the country with an accessible playground for children with special needs, provided an ideal setting for our festivities. The immersive environment allowed over 30 children to engage in various activities designed to enhance their motor, sensory, and speaking skills. Each child was paired with a trained college student mentor, forming a meaningful bond that extended beyond the event. Through meticulous volunteer training conducted days before the event, our volunteers gained valuable insights into the specific needs and disabilities of the children they would be paired with, ensuring a personalized and supportive experience. The success of this event was not only measured by the smiles on the children's faces but also by the positive impact it left on the entire community. One Smile at a Time is proud to continue breaking barriers and creating inclusive opportunities for children with special needs.

The Analyst position in the Business Banking Services sector at Belize Bank entails conducting thorough reviews and audits of financial statements for companies seeking loans or currently engaged in the loan process. The primary objective is to evaluate long-term profitability and determine whether loans should be continued or terminated. This role includes attending client meetings to analyze the rationale for new loan requests, utilizing provided financial data and business plans. I am responsible for creating detailed deliverables and proposals, presenting comprehensive analyses and recommendations to the bank's decision-makers to assess the viability and approval of loan applications.

Summer Analyst for PxA, a company that offers various courses and training for product managers to improve their job performance. The company believes in empowering people with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to avoid common pitfalls in the industry and achieve success in their Product and Agile role. My role is to oversee user interface, content on social media platforms, monthly expenses, track campaigns, and website traffic to develop reports. RESPONSIBILITIES • Maintaining and balancing the expense spreadsheet • Track campaigns on Google Ads and Google Analytics • Create bi-weekly reports. • Track customer and user traffic on Hotjar to improve UI/UX • Track webinar performance using Kajabi KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Successfully maintained and balanced the expense spreadsheet, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and financial responsibility. Provided actionable insights and recommendations based on the campaign data attained from Google Ads, Googol Analytics, and Hotjar to enhance future marketing strategies. Learned to create and analyze comprehensive bi-weekly reports that highlight key metrics, trends, and areas of improvement. Work collaboratively with various teams, such as marketing, content creation, and analytics, to ensure a cohesive approach to achieving company goals. Implement strategies to drive increased website traffic which contributed to the company's online visibility and reach by increasing sales by 15%.

Assistant manager for Mylights in Corozal Town branch. Mylights is a local Belizean company with 3 franchises that provides a wide assortment of decorative lights. They are one of the first few companies in the country to supply energy efficient solar lights which decreases pollution and other byproducts. My role was to supervise business operations and operate the point-of-inventory software. RESPONSIBILITIES • Conduct employee performance reviews. • Develop strategies for better workplace efficiency. • Record shipments of goods for old and new items purchased in POI. • Create legal paperwork to bring in new shipments from China. • Assist in the process of repricing merchandise. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Studied POI which helped me implement proactive inventory management strategies to address outdated stock, resulting in minimizing losses by selling them to a wholesaler in a more favorable market, effectively recouping costs. Executed strategic visual merchandising plans to optimize customer engagement and increase sales. Analyzed customer behavior and preferences to determine the most effective placement of items, resulting in a 5% boost of sales. Actively listened to customer feedback and identified areas for improvement in the customer experience. Implemented necessary changes which led to a 10% increase in conversion rates, revitalizing the declining customer base.

Courses: Real Estate Economics and Finance, Behavioral Economics