2023 – 2024 STATE OFFICERS
President: Diya Mangatt
president@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/leadership/your-state-officers/state-president/
Hello, New York State FBLA! My name is Diya Mangatt, and I will be serving as your State President for the 2023-2024 school year. This fall, I will be a senior at Monroe-Woodbury High School.
I have been very involved in FBLA since my freshman year of high school, and I cannot wait to continue the journey. FBLA has enabled me to grow as a leader and gain confidence as an individual. During my time in FBLA, I have served as chapter Secretary for Monroe-Woodbury High School, as well as the State Vice President for District 3N. With the support and guidance of my teachers and peers, I have accomplished so many milestones that I never dreamt of reaching. I am proud to have improved my public speaking skills through the competitions that I have participated in during my time in FBLA, and I look forward to everyone reaching their full potential this year. FBLA has so many opportunities for everyone, whether it is your first or last year in the organization. It can teach you vital skills that you can utilize in multiple different aspects of your life. I look forward to making your experience in FBLA the best that it can be!
For the 2023-2024 school year, there are a few goals that I would like to focus on. A few of my main objectives are to expand our social media presence, increase membership participation, and to implement more workshops frequently for local districts to practice any skill that they deem necessary. Promoting FBLA through social media and practicing skills that members can utilize during competitions will only better prepare the members for any future endeavors that they must face. Encouraging members to participate in more workshops and competitions will also increase New York State representation when we attend NLC!
Outside of FBLA, I am a part of the school tennis team, and I also play flute and piano. I had the opportunity to play in our pit orchestra for our high school musical production Les Mis this year. I am currently a volunteer at Garnet Health Medical Center, and I also volunteer at the local library. I am also involved in other clubs such as LEAD, STARS, Model UN, and Interact. During my free time, I love to read, hike, and bake.
I am grateful to be serving as the State President, and I cannot wait to see all the amazing things that New York State FBLA will accomplish this year! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach me at president@nysfbla.org.
Executive Vice President: Sohum Aggarwal
evp@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/leadership/your-state-officers/executive-vice-president/
Greetings New York FBLA! My name is Sohum Aggarwal, and I will be serving as your 2023-2024 NYS FBLA State Executive Vice President. I cannot describe the honor it is to have this opportunity to continue to give back to this profound organization and serve a second term in state office. To provide some background on me, I am a rising Senior at Lakeland High School and a member of District 3S. Outside of FBLA, I am the captain of Lakeland’s Track and Field Team, an employee at Trader Joe’s, a Student Representative for Lakeland’s Board of Education, a volunteer at a local hospital, and a member of several honor societies.
I began my FBLA journey at the beginning of my freshman year, but at that time, I never really knew what to expect. After attending several meetings, community events, and conference cues, my view of the organization changed completely, and I fell in love with the club. With a push from some of the other chapter officers, I ran for State Parliamentarian, and I was elected. Fast forward to next year, I was standing on stage in front of 700 people at the opening ceremony of the State Leadership Conference. I was able to create an unforgettable bond with the other State Officers, develop into a person that I wouldn’t have recognized at the start of my time in FBLA, and create a plethora of memories to cherish. Conducting workshops, attending conferences, networking, and just wearing the State Officer blazer has given me a new sense of the organization and has inspired me to pursue a career in business and continue my efforts to provide members with a similar experience to my own in FBLA.
In the upcoming year, I have several goals and ambitions to fulfill as EVP. My first goal is to boost membership to grow our footprint and network for the members to benefit from. My second goal is to ignite activity and excitement within chapters. This can be done by listening to our members and inducing a passion for career development, fundraising, and community service. My third goal is to promote our members and continue our impact to a setting larger than New York by targeting state initiatives toward growing chapter social media accounts, gathering news coverage, and shining a spotlight on chapters with Instagram takeovers. I look forward to tackling these goals, bonding with the rest of the state officers, networking with other members of FBLA, and making sure that NYS FBLA is successful for another year. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at evp@nysfbla.org.
State Vice President District 1S: Manya Khatri
svp1s@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/district/district-1s/
Hello New York State FBLA! My name is Manya Khatri and this fall, I will be a junior at Commack High School on Long Island. I am beyond excited to serve as your State Vice 0President of District 1S for the 2023-2024 school year!
Deciding to join FBLA in my freshmen year was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Not only have I learned so many business and real-life skills, but I’ve also gotten close with and made so many memories with amazing people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. By engaging myself in countless competitions and workshops, I’ve gained immense knowledge and experience in solving business-related problems quickly and efficiently, along with developing soft-skills that help me work and collaborate with my peers.
Over the past two years, I’ve gotten the opportunity to attend both SLC and NLC twice, and have participated and won in several events including Intro to Business Presentation, Business and Finance, Intro to Decision Making and Intro to FBLA. At both SLC and NLC, I’ve gotten the opportunity to hone my presentational skills, grow my knowledge of the business world, and network with new like-minded people across the country. Most importantly, I’ve had so much fun and I can’t wait to participate (and organize) these events in the near future! Additionally, I was super fortunate to have placed third in Business Presentation, Business and Finance & Intro to Decision Making and first in Intro to FBLA at SLC. Through the next two years, I can’t wait to meet new members, learn life-long lessons and promote FBLA.
My advisor, as well as my peers, encouraged me to run for state office, and throughout the process of doing so, I kept my goals, values and love for business in the center. Being chapter president, I look to engage more people not only in FBLA, but also allow them to explore their passions in a business-specific field, and gain the opportunity to get involved in business at the highschool level via internships/jobs, competitions and workshops. I, personally, tend to enjoy extracurriculars more when I’m with my friends and am able to have fun, so I look to work to make business activities more enjoyable and help everyone create great memories and experiences.
It’s important to me to be involved with the community at all levels– starting at school. Along with FBLA, I am heavily involved with Mock Trial, Science research and sports. I’m a part of numerous honor societies and volunteer weekly at B.A.P.S Charities in the children program. Also, I’ve interned with Jon Kaiman and the Jericho Group over the past year, and helped run the books of a local LLC. I play soccer in the fall and lacrosse in the spring, and I enjoy going to Orangetheory when I’m not active. Additionally, I value balancing work and school with all the other aspects of life, and I like to hang out with friends, go to concerts and work out in my free time.
It’s going to be an awesome year for NYS FBLA, and I can’t wait to get working. Definitely reach out to me at svp1s@nysfbla.org with any questions or concerns.
State Vice President District 3S: Maxwell Robinson
svp3s@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/district/district-3s/
Hello NYS FBLA. It’s a pleasure to address you all as the 2023-2024 New York State FBLA State Vice President for District 3S. I want to start by expressing my deep appreciation for the incredible journey FBLA has taken me on since my freshman year. This organization has truly opened my eyes to its amazing potential and the remarkable impact it has on individuals like us.
Throughout my FBLA experience, I’ve had the privilege of attending various conferences, including SLC, NFLC, FDM and SDM. These events have taught me invaluable skills such as public speaking, resume writing, and professional etiquette. More importantly, they have shaped me into a more confident and empathetic leader.
This year, my focus as State Vice President is to ensure that our Spring and Fall District Meetings become the best they can be. Inspired by a recent TED talk I organized in my community, where I was fortunate enough to welcome influential leaders from various fields, including CEOs, news anchors, and community figures, I believe it would be incredible to have them speak, host workshops, and even judge at our SDMs and FDMs. Their wisdom and expertise would undoubtedly enrich our experiences and inspire us all.
In addition to bringing exceptional speakers, I aim to infuse these conferences with more interactivity, engagement, and fun. By incorporating elements such as photo booths, sweet stations, and games, we can create an atmosphere that promotes collaboration, friendship, and memorable moments for everyone attending.
Another area close to my heart is further promoting equity within NYS FBLA. I firmly believe that each chapter can make a profound impact in their community. I will devote my energy to facilitating individual chapters to be more involved locally and, ideally, guide them in starting their own non-profit initiatives. This way, FBLA members can acquire essential business and leadership skills while making a positive difference and gaining invaluable life experiences.
Beyond FBLA, I find joy in running track and cross country, with the 1600m being my favorite distance. Athletics have taught me discipline and perseverance, qualities that have undoubtedly contributed to my growth within FBLA. Additionally, I have a deep passion for cooking and baking. From crafting intricate wedding cakes to creating model gingerbread house replicas, I love exploring my creativity in the kitchen. As a result, I even started my own small business and charity, driven by my desire to combine my passion for baking with giving back to the community.
I am humbled and honored to have been elected to this position, and I approach it with utmost gratitude and excitement. I genuinely cannot wait to serve you all as the 2023-2024 NYS FBLA State Vice President for District 3S. Together, let’s embark on a journey filled with collaboration, growth, and making a lasting impact.
If you would like to contact me, you can reach me at svp3s@nysfbla.org.
Thank you, and I eagerly anticipate the remarkable year ahead.
State Vice President District 9: Joely LaPage
svp9@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/district/district-9/
Hello NYS FBLA, my name is Joely LaPage and I will be serving as the District 9 SVP for the 2023-2024 school year. I am a rising senior from a small town named Fulton in upstate NY, and I have been a part of FBLA for the past three years. When I joined, I did not particularly have the same business drive and enthusiasm I saw in many of my classmates, and I joined FBLA not really knowing what I was getting myself into. To the surprise of no one who has been involved with FBLA, the club quickly wrapped a hold on me, ultimately being one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Due to FBLA’s wide variety of tests and skills to learn, I have been able to practice numerous skills that will be essential in helping me thrive when I am older. For example, I have had the opportunity to go to our District competitions, as well as SLC in Public Speaking, Marketing, Business Communications, and Business Calculations. These experiences have assisted in developing my knowledge and skills to create the best version of myself possible.
FBLA has been an integral part of my life throughout high school and has prepared me to implement positive and effective comments, questions, concerns, and changes throughout District 9. I want to hear first-hand stories and ideas as to what can be done to ultimately make everyone’s FBLA experience smoother.
Personally, as an individual, I believe I can connect to all social spectrums and I have had very good experiences connecting and socializing with people of all kinds. This is due to over a decade worth of sports and sports teams, 7 years’ worth of instrument playing within bands and ensembles, as well as membership in various clubs.
As the District 9 SVP, I will be committed to actively communicating with the chapters in my District. I plan on doing this by holding regular meetings, gathering input from all chapters, as well as gathering needs or wants from students, as well as their advisors to create the best FBLA experience possible. This will help me propose and promote change that directly reflects the needs and concerns of the student body, for the student body. Additionally, I plan to focus on communication and connection between our District’s Chapters. I want to maintain a regular line of contact between all Chapters, creating a District that can work as a whole to thrive to its fullest, implementing ideas from our variety of schools. I believe that if the Districts remain unified through collaboration, vast improvements can be made to make us stronger, and, overall, more successful.
This year I am very eager to be working with my fellow officers to achieve many amazing things. I am looking forward to meeting as many FBLA members throughout New York State that I can, and I am confident that together we can make FBLA the best organization it can be. If you would like to let me know anything, feel free to reach out to me at svp9@nysfbla.org.
State Vice President District 12: Nathan Wan
svp12@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/district/district-12/
Hello, New York State FBLA. My name is Nathan Wan, and I will be serving as the District 12 Vice President for the 2023-2024 school year. I’m a rising senior from Williamsville East High School and I’ve been a part of FBLA for the past three years. As a freshman during covid looking for activities to participate in, I joined FBLA. Upon joining, I was an inactive member, thinking that FBLA was just something I would add to my resume. However, since then, FBLA has become so much more than that. Last year, I served as my school’s Historian and Reporter and I am currently our President for the 2023-2024 year. Outside of school, I continue to participate in any FBLA events I can. I’ve attended SLC and NLC, placing in many different events such as Business Communication, Public Service Announcement, and Coding and Programming. FBLA has helped prepare me for the future, teaching me many integral skills such as leadership, networking, communication, and more. Throughout all my time in FBLA, I’ve come to learn the impact that it can have on student’s lives, and this is what impacted me to become your next District 12 Vice President.
For the incoming school year, I have various goals and milestones that I would like to reach. As a district with very few members and only one chapter, I want to revive old chapters and increase membership as much as possible. I want to increase District 12’s representation at SLC and NLC by giving more students the opportunity to join this amazing organization. I also want to use social media to increase FBLA’s presence and reach more FBLA members throughout the district. As an SVP, I am extremely excited to run the Fall and Spring District Meetings, host workshops, and meet all District 12 members.
Outside of FBLA, I am involved in various activities. I am the setter for my school’s varsity volleyball team, treasurer of student council, and an amazing summer camp counselor. I am also a member of multiple Honors Societies at my school, and I perform research in computer science at the University of Buffalo. In my free time, I like to hang out with my friends, play video games, and eat food from all over the world. However, my most defining characteristic is that I am Canadian.
I’m so excited to work with the State Officer Team to give everyone the best FBLA experience possible. I feel so honored to have the privilege of working with all of you, and know together, we are going to make this year a great success.
If you need to reach out to me, please contact me at svp12@nysfbla.org.
State Vice President District 13: Anna Carlson
svp13@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/district/district-13/
Hello, New York State, FBLA. My name is Anna Carlson and I’ll be your District 13 State Vice President for the 2023-2024 school year. As a rising senior at Falconer High School, I am highly active in both my school and community.
I first joined FBLA when I was in 8th grade. Since then, I have held the positions of Parliamentarian and Vice President. Currently I am the President for my chapter. I’m ready to take the experiences of my last 4 years in FBLA and the skills I’ve learned to the next level as a state officer, while improving my public speaking and professional abilities.
In addition to my role in FBLA, I’m a part of my school’s Honor Society and I am a Girl Scout. I participated on my school’s swim team, where I qualified to swim in the Section VI Class C Championships Preliminaries. Finally, I am a member of the Trap Team, where I have received High Shooter – Female for the past 2 years. I am also very passionate about sewing. Not only do I sew clothes for myself, but I used these skills to help prepare costumes for the School Musical productions, such as Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast. In my limited spare time, I enjoy sewing, as well as reading a wide variety of books. I also enjoy helping my family with our family business in any way that I’m capable of.
I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve as the District 13 State Vice President this year. Holding this position allows me to be more involved in the organization that has helped me grow throughout these past few years. I look forward to working with my teammates and creating the best year we can for the NYS FBLA membership. If you need to reach me for anything, you can email me at svp13@nysfbla.org.
Secretary: Elise Carpenter
secretary@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/leadership/your-state-officers/state-secretary/
Hello New York FBLA! My name is Elise Carpenter, I’m a rising senior at Mamaroneck High School, and I am honored to be serving as your State Secretary this year.
I first joined FBLA when the organization came to my middle school in seventh grade. As chapter president in eighth, FBLA was my first real leadership position. Since, I have served at the local, district, state, and national levels as a council member and officer — most recently gaining national office as FBLA High School’s National Parliamentarian. From assembling Program of Works, to negotiating the color of award show dresses, I credit these roles in FBLA for making me the leader I am today.
Outside of FBLA, I hold interest in nature, technology, and art. I am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and weekly volunteer at two local nature centers. I am co-president and head of engineering and design of my school’s robotics team, work part-time as an instructor of robotics, programming, and 3D printing. I am a senior editor of my school’s yearbook, and a deacon at my church. I have a lot of passion for my ongoing project of applying machine learning to bird song. I started this project with one species last year and am now expanding my methods into an iOS app. In my free time, I enjoy sketching with oil pastels and hanging out with my lop-eared rabbit, Cleo.
I am so excited to be serving as New York State Secretary this year. Communication is an essential aspect of any successful organization, and FBLA is no exception. Thus, I’m hoping to “nail communication” through direct outreach with members, chapter president chats, and secretarial and professional education promoted through the New York State FBLA Instagram page.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at secretary@nysfbla.org. I look forward to hearing from you!
Treasurer: Nicole Aumell
treasurer@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/leadership/your-state-officers/state-reporter/
Hello, New York State FBLA! My name is Nicole Aumell and I’m currently a rising senior at Canastota High School. I’m honored to be serving as your State Treasurer for the 2023 – 2024 year and I express my sincerest gratitude for the opportunity to be a state officer for a second term. Having represented District 7 as their State Vice President last year, my experiences taught me so much about leadership and the successful outcomes of effective communication, collaboration, and dedication.
I first joined FBLA as a freshman and quickly developed a passion for the organization. I earned the position of chapter secretary and helped my advisor keep track of various fundraisers. I decided to try the Help Desk competition at my local SDM and eventually competed as a Nationals finalist later that year. Throughout my time in FBLA, I’ve placed in the Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure, Journalism, and Job Interview competitions, all of which have helped me develop valuable leadership skills. I’m a member of the NYS FBLA Honor Society and allocate most of my free time to volunteering in my community. I’ve also held the positions of treasurer and most recently president of my local FBLA chapter. Through this, I learned the ins and outs of how to plan and host fundraisers and how to increase membership. Therefore, my goals for this year are to promote the understanding of financial literacy, whether it be through virtual workshops or presentations, as well as guide chapters to being able to host their own fundraisers and create budgets. Most importantly, I want members to gain knowledge of finance that will help them make smart money decisions for their future. Overall, as a state, I would like to improve membership, continue the use of social media to keep members engaged and informed, and ensure members are college and career ready!
Excluding FBLA, I’m heavily involved in extracurriculars and my own interests. I’m a three-sport athlete, as I play field hockey and compete as a distance runner in both indoor and outdoor track. Furthermore, I’m a member of my school’s musical association and currently serve as their treasurer, in addition to being in a local band and playing the keyboard. I’m vice president of my class, NHS President, and have spearheaded several initiatives for the Superintendent’s Cabinet, such as a one-on-one reading program for elementary students. A few of my hobbies include listening to Taylor Swift, reading, and learning how to play guitar.
I’m looking forward with excitement and anticipation to having a great upcoming year! I’m eager to meet the amazing members of NYS FBLA at networking nights and conferences and will work diligently to give members the tools necessary to make the best financial choices they can. I can’t wait to see what the State Officer Team will accomplish and if you would like to reach out with any questions, concerns, or simply would like to reach out please email me at treasurer@nysfbla.org!
Reporter: Tulesi Suresh
reporter@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/leadership/your-state-officers/state-reporter/
Hello, New York State FBLA! My name is Tulesi Suresh, and I’m a rising senior at Williamsville East High School in Buffalo, NY. I’m honored to serve as your 2023-2024 State Reporter.
I first joined FBLA as a freshman after taking my first business class. Since then, I’ve served as a chapter officer, placed at virtual and in-person State Leadership Conferences, and was fortunate enough to win 7th nationally in E-Business this past year. I have also competed in Introduction to Business Procedures, Graphic Design, and Electronic Career Portfolio. Other than competitions, FBLA has also allowed me to meet like-minded people, learn from workshops, and make real-world impacts by participating in Programs of Work.
My main task this year will be publishing our state newspaper, The FBLA Express. My goal is to represent all districts of New York State in the paper and inform members about upcoming opportunities and initiatives. I aim to accomplish this through social media engagement and articles about what NYS FBLA is up to this year.
Other than FBLA, I have many interests. One of these is music–I’ve played the piano for over a decade, am President of my school’s Chorale, and practice a style of Indian singing called Hindustani music, where I improvise melodies and learn cultural songs. Another passion I have is the environment. I collect recycling as a member of Project Green, write articles about environmental issues for the school newspaper, own a Depop shop where I sell secondhand clothing, and am working on a research project diving into loopholes in environmental policies. In my free time, you can find me running around on the tennis court, trying out new restaurants with my friends, or making Spotify playlists.
My experience with this organization has guided my growth in high school. I can now communicate, collaborate, stay organized, and articulate myself. Most importantly, it has brought me some of my closest friends and given me memories to look back on. This organization brings together such a diverse group of people, yet we all share the desire to be leaders in our own ways. I am excited and grateful to serve as one of your state officers this year! Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at reporter@nysfbla.org.
Historian: Mikayla Zeldin
historian@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/leadership/your-state-officers/state-historian/
Hello, New York State FBLA! My name is Mikayla Zeldin, and I am presently a rising senior at William Floyd High School, located on Long Island. I’m honored and delighted to serve as your New York State Historian for the 2023-2024 year.
For the past three years, I’ve been an active member of FBLA. Prior to this year, I worked as the Secretary and the President of my chapter, and also the District 1S State Vice President for New York. I’ve learned and developed from these experiences and am excited to continue being a state officer.
In school, I am involved in Business Honor Society, National Honor Society, debate team, and drama club. I am also a part of the musical theater shows. Outside of school, I like to ski, read, and photography when I have free time.
I am really excited to be a member of the State Officer Team and to collaborate with such wonderful individuals. I’m beyond excited to serve as NYS Historian this coming year, and I hope we all learn from each other. I plan to implement multiple goals for the new year. For example, creating chapter stories on the NYS FBLA website and creating memorable videos throughout the FBLA year. I hope this year will be one of the best the state has ever had. Do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time at historian@nysfbla.org.
Parliamentarian: Angela Lala
parliamentarian@nysfbla.org
https://www.nysfbla.org/leadership/your-state-officers/state-parliamentarian/
Hello to everyone in New York FBLA!! My name is Angela Lala and I’m so excited to be serving as your 2023-2024 NYS FBLA State Parliamentarian. Earning this position in FBLA is something I take with great pride, and I hope to become a state officer you can all be proud of. Before I describe my FBLA Journey or my goals for this year, first let me introduce myself fully. I am going to be a junior at Lakeland High School, which is in District 3S, this upcoming year, and outside of FBLA I’m an active dancer (hours upon hours of ballet every week) and I’m in my school’s student government, my class planning committee, multiple honor societies, and I love being active in school events and extracurriculars in general. Most importantly, my all-time favorite romcom is 10 Things I Hate About You, I’m a Cancer Sun, Aries Moon, and Aquarius Rising, and my favorite artist of all time is Lana Del Rey
When I first joined FBLA I was there to collect some community service hours and just leave immediately after, but I got connected to the club through competitions, impactful community service projects, and forming friendships with my fellow club members. It was this investment in the club that pushed me to go to my first SLC in 2022. When I arrived, I saw so many passionate individuals who wanted to succeed, and I wanted to be a bigger part of this club, so I decided to run for and win the position of chapter president after that SLC. As a president I was humbled consistently throughout the year, but I loved working with my team and decided to go further and run for a state officer position. I went for Parliamentarian because being President forced me to learn a lot of Parliamentary Procedure to run meetings. It got to the point where I already had the Robert’s Rules of Order book before I even considered applying for office. I’m so honored to have been appointed to this position and I hope I can help FBLA as much as it’s helped me.
One of my main goals as your Parliamentarian this year will definitely be to make Parliamentary Procedure a tool that can be utilized by anyone and to raise awareness of it. Honestly, when I first tried reading Robert’s Rules of Order I was doodling in the margins and drawing question marks everywhere because there was a ton of information in a dense format. I believe through breaking down Parliamentary Procedure to basic concepts and using real world examples not only will it be less of a hassle to familiarize the state officers, but it will also save members the struggle of reading through 700+ pages and knowing enough to competently run meetings. I can’t wait to meet new members of New York’s FBLA, to work and bond with my state officer team, and to watch FBLA grow as an organization. If you have any questions or just something to say, feel free to contact me through my email at 1parliamentarian@nysfbla.org!