Meet women leaders at UC Berkeley
Happy Women’s History Month, Golden Bears! To celebrate, the staff here at UC Berkeley Life wanted to highlight some of our leading women on campus — club presidents, scientists, engineers, future lawyers, and Berkeley’s very own ASUC (Associated Students of the University of California) President.
Being a leader doesn’t always simply mean being in a leadership position. The women featured in this story are people I’ve met through classes and activities. Hopefully, this blog can inspire some future women leaders on campus to go out and pursue their goals! Who knows? You could be the next interviewee for a UC Berkeley Life story…
Lyra Rhoades, President of Undergraduate Women in Law at Berkeley
Lyra Rhoades, Class of 2027, is majoring in political science and minoring in history. I was lucky to connect with Lyra when we took a class together in my freshman year, and she also happened to live on my floor in the residence halls!
How did you get involved in your organization as a leader?
“I joined Undergraduate Women in Law at Berkeley (UWIL) in the spring semester of my freshman year. That was its first semester being active after it was created by Ashley Howard, so a special thanks to Ashley for starting this club. I later applied to be the Assistant Director of Public Relations (PR). Then, in the fall semester of my sophomore year, I was elected as the President, and have been settling into that role.”
What is one fulfilling/rewarding moment you’ve had as a woman in your field?
“As President of UWIL, it’s my responsibility to help oversee and make sure we have a really welcoming and supportive environment for women pursuing law, which is a very male-dominated field still to this day. It’s really rewarding to know that a community that I’ve helped foster, and that I contribute to in a meaningful way, is loved by the people in it. Whenever I hear that UWIL is a safe space for somebody or that they always look forward to our meetings — it proves that we’ve created a very nice environment for people to rely on, whether that be for LSAT (Law School Administration Test) prep or if it’s just a nice place to meet a lot of like-minded people.”
Lyra before presenting the first meeting of the semester for her club.
Sabeane Escobedo Palacios, Electrical Engineering and a Computer Science Instructor at Tech Trek
Sabeane Escobedo Palacios, Class of 2028, is majoring in aerospace engineering and bioengineering. I met Sabeane in Physics 7B; we were labmates! Sabeane is featured in the cover of this post: “I was a full-ride scholar at the Advanced Space Academy, where I served as Capsule Commander for a simulated International Space Station mission and completed Underwater Astronaut Training.”
What is one fulfilling/rewarding moment you’ve had as a woman in your field?
“One of the most fulfilling moments I’ve had as a woman in STEM definitely comes from my experience and overall journey with Tech Trek, an all-female STEM camp that played a pivotal role in shaping my confidence and sense of belonging in engineering. I first attended Tech Trek as a middle school student, where I was placed in an aerospace engineering class. Growing up in an area with limited access to STEM enrichment opportunities, it was the first time I experienced science and engineering in an environment that actively encouraged curiosity, welcomed questions, and, most importantly, showcased women as visible and inspiring role models in technical fields. For the first time, I felt safe asking questions and was challenged to think beyond my existing knowledge, reframing engineering not as an exclusive space, but as one where I belonged.
In the years that followed, I returned to Tech Trek as a Junior Counselor and later as the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Instructor, an experience that truly brought my journey full circle. Designing hands-on engineering projects and teaching young, female-identifying students how to code, build circuits, and problem-solve was incredibly rewarding. Watching students gain confidence, ask thoughtful questions, and realize they were capable of succeeding in STEM reminded me deeply of my younger self and reinforced the importance of representation and mentorship. Seeing that spark in them was one of the most meaningful moments of my journey so far. As a woman in my field, it is incredibly fulfilling to know that I am able to pay forward the same support and encouragement that once shaped my own path. The kindness, patience, and belief others showed in me were what allowed me to build the confidence I carry today, which is why it is so important to me to offer that same level of attention, encouragement, and reassurance to the next generation of students, engineers, and scientists.”
How did you get involved in your organization as a leader?
“My leadership roles grew naturally from my experience with Tech Trek, as I became more involved in supporting students; designing STEM curricula for elementary, middle school, high school, and college-level courses; helping plan engaging activities; and intentionally creating inclusive learning environments where everyone felt comfortable experimenting, making mistakes, and learning from them. The confidence I developed through Tech Trek extended far beyond the camp and gave me the courage to pursue research and internship opportunities by openly sharing my interests and passions. By advocating for myself and building meaningful connections with mentors who recognized and valued my enthusiasm, I was able to secure positions such as my research role at the Berkeley Biomechanics Laboratory and my Space Biosciences Engineering internship at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center. Tech Trek not only shaped my leadership journey, but also provided the foundation and confidence that empowered me to pursue opportunities I once thought were out of reach.”
(Photo 1) Sabeane Escobedo Palacios with astronaut James van Hoften after his guest seminar at UC Berkeley’s Aerospace Engineering Program, where they discussed the physiological effects of space flight and his firsthand experiences in extreme environments. (Photo 2) Sabeane Escobedo Palacios with the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science class she teaches at Tech Trek; she’s “proud to be their instructor!”
Komal Kaur, C0-President of the Undergraduate Astronomy Society
Komal Kaur is part of the Class of 2026 and is majoring in astrophysics and computer science. I met Komal through the Undergraduate Astronomy Society, where, in addition to being one of the current Co-Presidents, she also served as a mentor to the Instrumentation cluster (the group that focuses on building astronomical instruments, like telescopes) in the Cluster Mentorship Program in the past.
What’s a tip or “secret to success” you can share for future student leaders?
“I believe that leadership requires a balance between your relationship with the people you work with. In many cases, the people you ‘lead’ in your organization are also your friends outside of that space, and it is very important to maintain a mutual respect for one another and remember that both of you are working for the well-being of the organization.”
What inspires you as a leader?
“The sense of community that UAS stands for inspires me to go above and beyond for the officers and general members. This field of academia can get competitive sometimes and having a strong community to rely on within that field can be very beneficial to remind people that we can all be friends despite the rigor of our classes and research. This idea of valuing people for who they are continues to prove that we can improve the world we live in!”
What have you gained from your leadership experience?
“I have gained a lot of insight into overseeing and carrying out long term goals. These goals often start in a very nebulous form, but the key is breaking them down into small, concrete steps that align with the overarching vision over time.”
Abigail Verino, ASUC President at UC Berkeley
Abigail Verino is majoring in ethnic studies and legal studies and is graduating in the spring of 2026. Abigail has been representing the student population at Berkeley since fall 2025, when she was elected by the student body to be the 148th ASUC President for the 2025–2026 school year.
What is one fulfilling/rewarding moment you’ve had as a woman in your field?
“Filipino Americans in public service are less than 1% in this field, and Filipinas even lower. It was inspiring to see Asian American women lead, however it was rare and often not even a thing to see a Filipina in public office. Upon starting my term, I was invited to speak at Pilipinx Academic Student Orientation hosted by Pilipinx Academic Student Services during the fall 2025 semester, welcoming Pilipinx first years and transfer students to our university. After the event concluded, I was approached by a first-year student who shared with me that their decision to commit to Cal was solidified upon finding out the Student Body President is Pinay. At that moment, I understood that this role was so much bigger than myself. I became a pillar of representation, but more importantly proof that women of color can take space at prestigious universities such as UC Berkeley.”
What inspires you as a leader?
“My immigrant parents were my very first inspiration to pursue and develop my leadership. Hailing from Bulacan and Tarlac City in the Philippines, my dad’s strength and my mother’s prayers have instilled deep values of heartwork and intentional leadership in me. Through their sacrifices, my leadership is guided in a nuanced understanding that the success that I achieve also accomplishes their dreams as well.”
How did you get involved in your organization as a leader?
“When I first came to Cal, I started in the community space. From living in an Asian American-themed program housing to taking a DeCal class about Pilipinx activism, my experience at this institution started with learning from my peers, sometimes beyond the academia space. I then learned about the student government here at Cal, and wanted to intersect my community experience into this space. I started my journey in the ASUC as an Intern in the Office of the President & Executive Vice President during the spring semester of my freshman year, eventually serving as Chief of Staff to an ASUC Senator my second year. I was so inspired by the community office I helped lead that I decided to run to succeed the seat. I ran my own senate campaign, ranking as #3 out of a 40-student race, and served as the Pilipinx & Southeast Asian Community-endorsed ASUC Senator during my junior year. I was planning on taking a step back from the association after my senate term; however, so many people believed in me to run for the highest executive role in the association. Because of all the trust, I ended up taking a leap of faith and believed in myself. I now serve as the 148th Student Body President of the Association, and the 2nd Pinay in ASUC history.”
Abby takes the stage during a rally!
Now, it’s your turn.
One of my favorite things about Berkeley is the support for, trust in, and general quantity of women in leadership roles. Every day, I am inspired by peers, teachers, friends, and all of the other hard-working, deserving women on campus. I hope you find their stories just as motivating as I do!
Milana Berhe, Class of 2028, is majoring in astrophysics and political science and minoring in creative writing. Cover images provided by Sabeane Escobedo Palacios and Abigail Verino.
Want more?
- Read about Reva’s leadership experience from being a GBO Leader.
- Read Melissa’s Job Prep Advice, where she talks about some of her leadership on campus!
- Read about how Res Life Safety Coordinator, Megan, serves students on campus.