Executive Branch
The Executive Branch sets the policy agenda and conducts the day-to-day business of the SBA. It is headed by the SBA President, who serves as the executive leader and head of the Cabinet. The Chief of Staff assists the President in guiding the direction of the SBA and serves as a primary advisor. The Executive Vice President serves as the head of the SBA Senate and as a primary advisor to the President. We are dedicated to making sure that all GW Law students have a great experience while they’re here. We work hard to make sure that students are listened to and to create a community with a place for everyone here at GW Law.
Cherissa Lindsay, President
Contact: [email protected]
Cherissa Lindsay is a 3L from the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Tulane University in May 2022 where she studied Sociology, Homeland Security, and Education. Cherissa’s legal interests are in Family and Special Education Law. This past summer she participated in the GW-Oxford International Human Rights Law Summer School. In addition to SBA, Cherissa is the Chair of the Collegiate Connections Committee for her alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and a Student Attorney in the Family Law Division of GW Law Clinics. In SBA, she has previously served as the Vice President of Programming and Assistant Director of Student Organizations. Outside of law school Cherissa enjoys attending musicals, exploring museums and monuments, watching gymnastics, and volunteering.
Nigel Walton, Executive Vice President
Contact: [email protected]
Nigel Walton is a 2L from Albany, Georgia. He is a graduate of Georgia State University, where he graduated with a BS in Public Policy. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Student Bar Association, Co First-Year Coordinator for Black Law Students Association, a member of Moot Court Board, a member of the GW Journal of Energy and Environmental Law. When not in school, you can find Nigel running miles around the DMV, weightlifting in the gym, or going to hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Ebony Upshaw, Chief of Staff
Contact: [email protected]
Ebony is a 2L from Lithonia, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Minors in Criminal Justice Studies and Sociology from the University of Georgia. Ebony's legal interests include health law, FDA, life sciences, and regulatory and compliance. This past summer, she worked at the Center for HIV Law and Policy, focusing on the myriad of ways HIV is criminalized in the US and best practices for health privacy in HIV prevention and surveillance programs. In addition to SBA, she is a Student Inn Advisor for Cardozo Inn, a Member of the George Washington Law Review, and is involved with the Black Law Students Association and Student Health Law Association. Outside of law school, you'll find her going on hikes, exploring museums, trying new restaurants, and laughing with friends.
Calia Johnson, Chief of Staff for Operations
Contact: [email protected]
Calia is from Charlotte, NC and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in Business Administration. After undergrad, she worked for 2 years at Credit Suisse in the Investment Banking and Capital Markets sector, which is where she developed her interests in corporate law. This summer she spent her time with K&L Gates and Sealed Air in their Charlotte office and will return summer 2025. Outside of SBA, she is involved in Black Law Students Association and the Christian Legal Society. In her free time, she loves to visit museums, try different foods, and hang out with friends and family.
Kaci Waguespack, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications
Contact: [email protected]
Kaci Waguespack is a 2L from Destrehan, LA. She earned a BA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Humanities and Social Thought and a BS Psychology with minors in Social Science and Spanish at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Kaci's legal interests include government contracts, anti-corruption and compliance, and administrative law. Last summer, she worked as a legal intern at a small immigration firm focusing on asylum and special immigrant juvenile status cases. In addition to SBA, Kaci is a member of the Public Contract Law Journal, a Writing Fellow, a Research Assistant to Professor Heidi Liu, and a member of the GW Law Softball Team. In her free time, Kaci enjoys taking a drive to the suburbs, working out, and trying new restaurants in DC.
Amanda Hichez, Vice President of Finance
Contact: [email protected]
Amanda Hichez is a 2L from Hoboken, New Jersey and a graduate of Drew University where she studied political science. Currently, Amanda serves as President of the Law Association for Women, Student Advisor for the Inns of Court Program, Member of the Federal Circuit Bar Journal and the GW Law Moot Court Board, a Civil Procedure Teaching Assistant, Member of the National Advocacy and Social Action Committee (NASAC) for the National Black Law Students Association, Member of the Latin American Law Students Association, and Academic Chair for the Black Law Student Association. This Fall 2024 semester, Amanda is externing at Poverty & Race Research Action Council through GW Law’s Field Placement Program. In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading non-fiction novels exploring contemporary race relations in the United States. Her favorite book is Between the World and Me by author Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Arpitha Gorur, Vice President of First-Year Students
Contact: [email protected]
Arpitha Gorur is a 2L from Bridgewater, NJ and a graduate of Fordham University-Lincoln Center where she studied global business with a concentration in finance and economics as well as business law and ethics. Prior to law school, she worked as a Credit Risk Analyst at UBS in New York. At GW, apart from serving as the Vice President of First Year Students for the SBA, Arpitha is the Treasurer of the South Asian Law Students Association, the Assistant Director of Professional Development for the First Generation Professionals, the Coaching Chair of the Mock Trial Board, a member of the International Law Review, and a member of the GW Law Revue. Outside of school, Arpitha enjoys singing, traveling, cooking, working out, and exploring new restaurants and museums in DC.
Jo Slaughter
Contact: [email protected]
Jo Slaughter is a 2L and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. While in college, Jo was involved in marching band and was a competitive ballroom dancer. Between college and law school, Jo took five years off and in that time worked primarily as an addiction counselor. She decided to go to law school after becoming interested in the labor movement, and hopes to be a labor or employment attorney after law school. Currently, she is the co-president of the Labor and Employment Law Society, a member of the Federal Communications Bar Journal, and is externing at the National Labor Relations Board in the Office of the Special Counsel. In her free time, Jo likes dancing, sewing, reading and spending time with her three-legged cat.
Aria Charles, Vice President of Programming
Contact: [email protected]
Aria Charles is a 2L from Livingston, NJ and a graduate of Howard University where she earned a BS in Psychology and completed an honors thesis entitled the “Socio-Behavioral Effects of Parental Incarceration on Children.” Aria’s legal interests include corporate law and post-conviction appeals. Last summer, Aria worked for a large non profit organization based in Alexandria, VA where she worked on both corporate and litigation matters. In addition to Aria’s role in SBA, she serves as Alumni Chair and PRH Committee Chair for the Black Law Students Association, a Junior Staff Member for the Federal Circuit Bar Journal, and 2L Representative for the Music Law Association. Outside of law school, Aria enjoys going to the gym, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Elone Mengistu, Vice President of Student Enrichment Services
Contact: [email protected]
Elone Mengistu is originally from Los Angeles, CA. She double majored in Political Science and Psychology in undergrad, and is interested in civil rights appellate litigation. In addition to SBA, Elone is a Dean’s Fellow, a member of GW International Law Review, a member of the Moot Court Board, and Parliamentarian for the Black Law Student Association. In her free time Elone enjoys soccer, crocheting, and spending time with friends.
Salvatore Antonucci, Attorney General
Contact: [email protected]
Salvatore Antonucci is a 3L from Doylestown, Pennsylvania and currently serves as the Attorney General for the SBA. Before law school, Sal attended Penn State University where he received his Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Accounting. In his free time, he enjoys rooting for Philly sports and exploring DC.