About Us:  

Layla is a co-founder and president of Bruin Mates, an organization founded to help UCLA students build meaningful connections on campus. As a transfer student, she experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to form a network at a large university, particularly in the post-pandemic period, and that experience led her and her co-founders to create a platform for networking, friendship, and mentorship. Raised in Barnes, London, and later Laguna Beach, California, Layla brings a global perspective to her work. She currently interns in Private Wealth Management at Wells Fargo Advisors, works part-time in hospitality in Santa Monica, and spent last summer studying International Business Law and International Business in Paris through the Anderson School of Business. She remains grateful for Bruin Mates' growth and continues working alongside her co-founders to expand its impact across the UCLA community.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laylashayan

Sofia is a third-year student at UCLA studying Business Economics with an intended minor in Data Science Engineering. She grew up in France and Italy and moved to Los Angeles three years ago. She is a transfer student from Santa Monica College where she actively participated in organizations such as the Rotaract Business Club, the Economics Club and served as Vice Chair during student elections. She is passionate about helping people and helped tutor homeless kids through the SchoolOnWheels program, in addition to assisting her peers. Sofia has continuously worked at her part-time job throughout her education. Her engagements strengthened her leadership, time management, and communication skills and helped others exploit their potential through knowledge. Sofia’s favorite hobbies are traveling, tennis, fashion, music and she is passionate about finance and tech.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-kellou-265323252/

Shanya Rostami is the Vice President and Co-founder of Bruin Mates and a fourth-year student at UCLA, majoring in History and minoring in Music Industry. After completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to attend law school with aspirations to specialize in entertainment law. This past summer, Shanya spent six weeks studying abroad in Florence, Italy, where she immersed herself in the history and culture of the region. This experience was enriching as it allowed her to meet students from other UC schools and study internationally.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanya-rostami-a74b841aa/