Youth Leadership PROGRAM DIRECTOR, NAVIGATORS, AND ADVISORS
Youth Leadership Program Director & Navigators
ANNU LUTHRA
DIRECTOR
Annu’s family moved to Seattle in 1982 and she participated and performed in IACS/IAWW events from the start of the organization back in the late 1980s. During her teenage years, IAWW (now IACS) provided her a platform to connect with peers sharing similar backgrounds, fostering lifelong friendships.
Driven by a passion for making a positive impact through volunteering, Annu served as the PTSA treasurer for two years at Newcastle Elementary. In 2012, she joined the IACS executive board to give back to the community. She started volunteering in the Youth Program the same year. Over the past decade, she has held various roles on the IACS board, including Secretary, Vice President, and President. Currently, she celebrates her tenth year as the Youth Leadership Program Director. Annu values the enthusiasm and vitality that youth bring to the program, considering the connections she forms with them to be invaluable. Annu is also on the King County Children and Youth Advisory Board.
Annu started her career at Microsoft while pursuing Marketing major at the University of Washington (Foster School of Business). Over the years, she held diverse roles at Microsoft, PARC, Stanford, and Silicon Valley Press.
Email: ypdirector@iaww.org
AYSU RAHMAN
NAVIGATOR
Aysu joined the Youth Leadership Program Team as the YLP Navigator in March 2023. She was born in Ankara, Turkey (hence her Turkish name) when her diplomat parents were posted there. Aysu spent her childhood and schooling in over ten different countries.
She has a Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery and a Masters in Public Health from Dhaka Medical College in Bangladesh. After moving to Seattle with her family in 2004, Aysu then earned a second Masters in Public Administration from the Evans School at University of Washington.
Following her passion for women’s reproductive healthcare, she worked for several non-profit organizations such as Marie Stopes and Planned Parenthood. Aysu then harnessed her passion for healthcare accessibility into founding her own non-profit: Suraiya Ataur Medical Center – a healthcare clinic for women and children in her ancestral village in Bangladesh.
With four kids of her own, Aysu fully appreciates the energy and value youths bring to the world. She is very excited to be a part of the Youth Leadership Program at IACS to foster community and uplift our leaders of tomorrow!
Email: ylpnavigator@iaww.org
HETAL KANAKIA
NAVIGATOR
Hetal is originally from city of Mumbai, India and moved to Seattle in 2005. She holds her Masters in Finance from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management. She is currently working at Amazon after her roles at American Express and Pepsico.
While in India, pursuing her passion for community engagement, she dedicated her time mentoring youth through tutoring and coaching. To contribute meaningfully and make a positive impact on the lives of others that extends beyond the workplace, Hetal joined IACS Youth Leadership Program in March 2023.
Hetal is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the community through this youth-focused initiative.
Email: ylpnav@iaww.org
Youth Board and Youth Advocacy Advisors
Sahara Nath
Youth Board Advisor
Sahara is currently a CX/Operational Specialist at a Seattle start up, Convoy. In addition to her full time job she runs a successful dessert catering business, “Cakes by Sahara”.
In her free time, she enjoys being active with soccer and working out, spending time with friends, traveling, and trying lots of restaurants.
As a child, Sahara enjoyed attending Camp Bharat, performing at IAWW/IACS events, and participating in the Youth Council. This will be Sahara’s 4th year as an Advisor. She truly cherishes all the connections she has made and all she has learned from working with the IACS youth. She is passionate about giving back to the community through the YB program and is looking forward to another fantastic year.
Priyanka Sarnaik
Youth Advocacy Advisor
Priyanka has received her BA from University of Washington-Bothell, double majoring in Political Science and Global Studies as well as double minoring in Human Rights and Health Studies. In 2022, she received her Master's in Public Health with a concentration in management and policy from San Diego State University.
Priyanka currently works as a housing specialist at a non-profit in Seattle, with the goal of providing housing for those experiencing homelessness. Her hobbies include reading and spending time with family. Priyanka is excited to start her second year as an Youth Advocacy Advisor for the IACS Youth Leadership Program!
Saqif Ahmed
Youth Board Advisor
Saqif was born and raised in Bangladesh and moved to Seattle in 2019. Currently he is working as a Tech Recruiter at T-Mobile. Besides his full-time work, he is also involved with another Non-Profit Organization called "Suraiya Ataur Medical Center" - A healthcare clinic for women and children in one of the rural villages in Bangladesh.
In his free time, Saqif loves playing and watching soccer, researching technology, spending time outdoors with family, and loves traveling!
Saqif has taught presentation skills to the freshman year students and also led a science club as the President during his time at the University. He truly enjoys working with the youth and is excited to learn from them as well. Saqif is looking forward to being an integral part of IACS Youth Leadership Program, especially as the YB Advisor.
Amanda Tehaney
Youth Advocacy Coordinator
Amanda was born and raised in California. In 2020 her and her fiancé moved to Seattle and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest!
Amanda is currently a Masters student at the University of Washington. She was an intern with the program in 2021-22, working closely with the YA program. During the summer she worked with the YB team on their annual camp planning and at the camp. This year she continues on as an advisor as she finishes her last year of school. She looks forward to getting to know a new team!
In her free time Amanda enjoys hiking, being with her dogs, traveling, and reading.
Manasvi Karia
Youth Advocacy Advisor
Manasvi is a final year student in the dual Doctor of Pharmacy & MBA program at Washington State University in Spokane, WA. She was born & raised in Redmond and went through both the Youth Council and Youth Board programs. In her free time, she enjoys reading, trying new recipes, and playing with her dog.
This is Manasvi’s first year with the advisory team and she is excited to work with the youth to advocate, empower, and influence the local community. She enjoys being a part of organizations that align with her passions and values. Manasvi also works with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Communities in School of Washington, & attempts to further her research on ‘Opioid Misuse Among Teens’ by educating those that are interested and/or at risk.
YOUTH Council and Youth Outreach Advisors 2023-24
Krish Doshi
YC Advisor (YC Lead 2022-23/YB Alum)
Jaisal Vohra
YO Advisor (YO Lead 2022-23/YB Alum)
Rishi Lakshminarayanan
YC Advisor (YB 2022-23 President/YB Alum)
Mallika Sheth
YO Advisor (YB Scribe 2022-23/YB Alum)
Shivraj Raichur
YC Advisor (YB 2022-23 Treasurer/YB Alum)
Ruthu Mavnur
YO Advisor (YA 2022-23 President/YA Alum)
Yash Buddhdeo
YC Advisor (YB 2022-23 VP/YB Alum)Youth Board Leaders 2023-24
Mahima Balakrishnan
2023-24 President
Hi! My name is Mahima Balakrishnan, and I am a junior. This is my second year on the board and I am looking forward to working with the rest of the board to create fun events and further my outreach within the community. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, going on hikes with my dog, and reading books. A fun fact about me is that I am a roller coaster enthusiast and love traveling. If I could switch lives with any cartoon character it would have to be Phineas from Phineas and Ferb, because I would like to invent cool things and go on daily adventures. I couldn’t be more excited for what this year holds and I am super excited for camp!
Rajiv Arvind
Vice PresidentHey! My name is Rajiv Arvind, and I am a junior. This is my second year on the Youth Board, and I cannot wait for an amazing year! One fun fact about me is that I have been playing the violin for nearly 9 years. In my free time, I like to watch Netflix, hang out with my friends, and go on hikes with my family. If I could switch places with any celebrity, it would definitely be Chris Hemsworth. I can’t wait for an amazing year and forming bonds with so many new people!
Saanvi Datta
PR Officer
Hi! My name is Saanvi Datta, and I’m a junior. This is my second year on the Youth Board, and I’m looking forward to an exciting year! In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends or baking. One fun fact about me is that I was on a TV show a couple of years ago. If I were to switch lives with any celebrity, it would definitely be Taylor Swift. I can’t wait to work on YB this year with amazing people and create new memories together!
Shaan Saraiya
Treasurer
Hi! My name is Shaan Saraiya and I’m a sophomore! This is my second year on YB, and a fun fact about me is that I’ve been attending camp for 6 years! In my free time, I like to listen to music, play with my dog, and hang out with friends, and if I could switch lives with a celebrity for a day, I would pick Drake. I’m ecstatic for the year to come!
Diya Modi
Secretary
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Aneri Bhatt
Youth Council Lead Hi, I’m Aneri Bhatt, I’m in 10th grade, and this is my second year on the board! A fun fact about myself is that I’ve been skiing since I was 8 years old. Some things I like to do in my free time are listening to music, playing tennis, and traveling. If I could switch places with any celebrity in my life it would be SZA.
Laksh Patel
Youth Council Lead My name is Laksh Patel. I am a junior and this is my first year as a YB. One fun fact about me is that I play the drums. In my free time, I like to play sports with my friends or play on my PlayStation. If I could swap places with one celebrity, I would swap with Robert Pattinson because he is the current actor playing Batman.
Nikita Chopra
Youth Council Lead My name is Nikita Chopra and I’m a sophomore. This is my second year on the board and I’m excited to be back on it. A fun fact about me is that I play competitive chess. In my free time, I debate and read political literature. If I could, I would switch lives with Magnus Carlsen for a day because he is so smart and awesome. I am super thrilled to serve the community this year again!!
Sanya Sinha
Youth Council Lead
Hi, my name is Sanya Sinha and I’m a sophomore. This is my second year on YB and my 7th year going to camp! In my free time I love to listen to music, workout, and talk to friends. A fun fact about me is that I’ve played tennis for 8 years! If I could be any celebrity for a day I would want to be SZA. I’m so excited to meet everyone and create memories together!
Shruti Chadalavada
Youth Outreach LeadHi! My name is Shruti Chadalavada, I’m in my junior year, and this is my third year being a YB. One fun fact about me is that I play the tenor saxophone and have been for the last 6 years. Other than that, in my free time I like to read, write, sleep (of course), and hang out with friends and family. If I had to switch places with a celebrity for a day, I would choose Taylor Swift because she’s in a good place in her career right now. I’m so excited to have a great final year of YB!
Samay Sheth
Youth Outreach Lead
Hi! My name is Samay Sheth and I am a Sophomore. This will be my first year on the Youth Board. A fun fact about myself is that I have been skiing since I was 5 years old and travel everywhere to go skiing. My hobbies include things like playing basketball, listening to music and hanging out with friends. If I could switch lives with a celebrity for a day I would be Drake. I would choose him not only because he is famous but because I would be able to meet all of the famous people that he knows
Anagha Krishna
Youth Outreach Lead
Hi! My name is Anagha Krishna and I am a sophomore. This is my 2nd year on YB. A fun fact about me is that I have traveled to over 13 countries! Some of my hobbies include playing soccer, listening to music, and also hanging out with friends. If I could switch lives with any celebrity for a day I would switch lives with Drake!
Aadit Aggarwal
Youth Board
Hi, my name is Aadit Aggarwal, and I'm a sophomore. This is my first year as a YB, and this will be my 4th year at camp. I love spending time with my friends, playing tennis, and listening to music. One fun fact about me is that I love to travel! If I could, I would switch lives with Drake for a day. I'm super excited to be a part of YB this year, and I can't wait to meet new people!.
Aasha Parikh
Youth Board
Hi, my name is Aasha. I am a junior and this is my third year on the youth board. A fun fact about me is that I am a black belt in karate, and if I could switch lives with a celebrity, I would swap with WNBA star Sue Bird. Some things I like to do in my free time include listening to music, hanging out with friends, and taking naps. I am so excited for this upcoming year!
Amara Paliwal
Youth Board
Hey! I’m Amara, I’m in 10th grade, and this is my second year on YB. I love playing soccer, snowboarding, listening to music, and spending time with my friends in my free time! I also love to travel and have been to 15 countries. If I could be anyone for one day it would be Messi! I would love to experience how amazing he is at soccer. Looking forward to the rest of this year!
Anand Krishnan
Youth Board
Hi! I’m Anand, I am a sophomore, and this is my 1st year at YB! In my free time, I love to play the guitar and tennis, as well as listening to music and reading. A fun fact about me is that I once watched an entire Stranger Things season in one night! If there were one person I would switch lives with for a day, it would be tennis player Novak Djokovic. I am excited about this coming year of YB, and I look forward to making a positive impact on my community!
Anika Kothari
Youth Board
Hi, I'm Anika Kothari! I am a junior. A fun fact about myself is that I was born in California, and if I could switch lives with a celebrity for a day I would choose Drake. In my free time I like baking and making bracelets. This is my first year as a YB and I’m so excited for the work we are going to do together!
Anjali Patel
Youth Board
Hi, I'm Anjali Patel. I'm in 11th grade, and this is my first year on YB. I am really passionate about music, and I love playing the piano and violin! In my free time, I watch TV shows like Gossip Girl and The Office. If I could switch lives with any celebrity for a day, I'd switch lives with Zendaya because I love her fashion and movies.
Anya Lukka
Youth Board
Hi! My name is Anya and I am a junior and it’s my first year on YB. A fun fact about me is that my middle name is a single letter. In my free time I love to paint and volunteer. If I had to switch lives with a celebrity for a day, I would choose Zendaya because of all the cool things she gets to do! I can’t wait to be a YB this year and am so excited to help out our community in new ways!
Kavin Pruthi
Youth Board
Hello! My name is Kavin Pruthi, and it is my first year on the Youth Board! I am currently a junior and this is my fourth year in the program. A fun fact about me is that I love to swim! In my free time, I love to hangout with friends and play sports! If I had the chance to trade places with any celebrity, it would undoubtedly be Stephen Curry. He has inspired me from a young age and being able to be a professional player like him would be an honor. Overall, I'm looking forward to this year and what it holds!
Khushi Bhimani
Youth BoardHi my name is Khushi Bhimani. I am a freshman and this is my first year on YB. A fun fact about me is that I've traveled to nine countries. In my free time I like playing basketball, singing, and listening to music. If I could switch lives with a celebrity for a day I would switch with Emma Watson.
Liam Parikh
Youth BoardHi I’m Liam Parikh and I’m super excited to be on the board this year. I'm a junior and have been on YB for 2 years. One thing I do in my free time is hangout with friends and one celebrity I’d switch lives with is Lewis Hamilton. A fun fact about me is I know how to drive a stick.
Natasha Parakh
Youth Board
Hi!! My name is Natasha Parakh, and this is my first year on YB. A fun fact about me is that I ran cross country for the first time this year, and I swam for 5 years before that. In my free time, I like to be outside, hang out with my friends, read, do stuff with my siblings, and cook/bake. If i had to switch lives with a celebrity for a day, it would either be Dove Cameron or Usian Bolt because they’re both super cool.
Palash Sahai
Youth Board
Hi! My name is Palash Sahai, and I am a Sophomore. This is my first year on the Youth Board. One fun fact about me is that I love to ski, as I have been skiing for 6 years. There are many things I love to do in my free time. If I'm not swamped with homework, then I spend my time playing soccer, hanging out with my friends, or just chilling at home with my dog. I also love exercising and listening to music whenever I can. If I could switch lives with a celebrity for one day, it would be Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy Fallon is always going around meeting other celebrities, so it would be cool to become him for a day.
Rishi Vora
Youth Board My name is Rishi Vora. I like pineapple on pizza. I like to listen to music in my free time. I would switch lives with Elon Musk for a day.
Sachi Tambe
Youth Board My name is Sachi Tambe, and I'm delighted to be on the IACS Youth Board this year. I'm a sophomore, and this is my first year as a YB. I love reading and hanging out with friends in my free time. Outside of school and YB, I also participate in Indian classical dance (Bharatanatyam). One fun fact about me is that I have a golden retriever named Virat after the cricket player! If I could switch lives with a celebrity for a day, I'd switch lives with a baking show judge (like Prue Leith) to try all the delicious desserts.
Saachi Surana
Youth BoardHi, my name is Saachi! I'm a junior, and this is my first year on YB. I have previously been on YC and this will be my second year at camp. In my free time, I love to hike, dance, bake, play badminton, do photography, and hang out with my friends. I also love to read, especially mystery! I'm currently reading the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Trilogy. A fun fact about me is that in elementary school, there was another Sachi in my aftercare, and since I had a pink and blue striped backpack, they nicknamed me Pinkybee. If I had to switch lives with a celebrity for a day, I would switch lives with Zendaya, because she seems like she has such a fun and interesting life, plus it would be cool to run a clothing brand for a day.
Saachit Durga
Youth Board
Hi, I’m Saachit. One fun fact about me is that I’m 6 foot 5! Some of my hobbies include snowboarding, driving, rock climbing, and playing video games. If I were to switch lives with any celebrity for a day I would choose Max Verstappen.
Tejas Panja
Youth BoardMy name is Tejas Panja. I am a sophomore, and this is my first year on YB. A fun fact about me is that during quarantine, I grew my hair out to a foot long. In my free time, I play videogames, badminton and piano, as well as coding. A celebrity I would want to switch lives with would be Superstar Rajinikanth.
Tiana Malhotra
Youth Board Hi! My name is Tiana Malhotra and I’m currently a freshman. This 2023-2024 year is my first year as a youth board member and I’m so excited to see what it has in store for me! A fun fact about myself is that my biggest bucket list item is to travel to every single country in the world! However big dreams aside, in my free time I love to read mystery, thriller books and listen to music. Finally, a celebrity I would switch lives with for a day would be Jimmy Fallon, because he gets to interview all different types of celebrities and is one of the funniest comedians out there.
Vihan Agarwal
Youth Board
I'm Vihan Agarwal, a junior and I'm currently in my first year at YB. I have a twin brother named Vedant, and during my free time, I like to hang out with my friends, give back to the community, and spend quality time with my family. If I could, I'd love to switch lives with Cristiano Ronaldo for a day.
Vihaan Mehta
Youth BoardHi my name is Vihaan Mehta, currently a 9th grader and this is my first year on the Youth Board. I have also attended Camp Bharat for 3 years and did one year as a Youth Council member. A fun fact about me, is I completed a Seattle to Portland, 206 mile bike ride over two days. In my freetime, I like to swim, ski, play basketball, hangout with friends and be outdoors. If I had to switch lives with a celebrity for a day I would choose Dwayne Johnson.
Youth Advocacy Leaders 2022-23
Ruthu Mavnur
Youth Advocacy President Hi! I’m a junior in high school and the Youth Advocacy President this year. I’m extremely passionate about Equity in all aspects. Advocacy benefits me and my community by educating against inequality and providing resources to those in need. Some of my hobbies include badminton, piano, coding, crocheting, and spending time with friends and family. I’m excited to see the wonderful projects led by the advocacy teams this year, as well as get to know my YA teammates.
Tarisha Chokshi
Youth Advocacy Vice PresidentHello! My name is Tarisha, I’m a sophomore, and this is my first year on YA! Some of my hobbies include skiing, playing guitar, and hanging out with friends. I am in the equity advocacy team and I am most excited this year to work on my group’s advocacy projects and being able to spread awareness in our community. Being in the equity advocacy lets me contribute to our community and give to others and I am very excited to see how this year’s advocacy runs!
Srimedha Thummala
Youth Advocacy Secretary Hi I am Srimedha and this is my second year as a YA member. Last year, I was the co-lead of the homelessness and animal rights groups. This year, I am the Youth Advocacy secretary, and I am part of the human rights advocacy group, which focuses on a broader category of topics. I know that my advocacy, and collaboration with my peers, can make a positive impact on the community, whether it is by spreading awareness to positively change the understanding and perspectives of a person or by executing projects with various organizations and groups. I am excited about continuing to build a bond and connection with both the new and returning YA members. Outside of IACS, I love to practice martial arts with my friends, code, read fictional/fantasy books, and tutor.
Aadit Aggarwal
Youth Advocacy Public RelationsHi! My name is Aadit Aggarwal, and I am a freshman. I am the PR Officers for the 2022-23 Youth Advocacy. Some of my hobbies are playing badminton, tennis, and chess. A fun fact about me is my favorite food is pizza, especially with the pan crust from Pizza Hut. I am part of the Mental Health and Wellness advocacy team. My experience with advocacy has helped me gain more awareness of the problem and how we as a community can help fight stigma around it.
Avni Panchal
Youth Advocacy Scribe ChairHi! My name is Avni Panchal and I am currently a freshman. In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, working out, listening to music, and spending time with those I love. I am also very passionate about supporting Human Rights! Human Rights Policy work gives me the advantage to learn and educate others by spreading awareness, as well as encouraging others to fight for equal opportunities!
Anand Krishnan
Youth AdvocacyHello, my name is Anand Krishnan and I am currently a freshman and this is my first year of YA. I am passionate about the Climate Change advocacy because it is a critical issue and am super excited to be part of this advocacy team. Some of my hobbies include playing guitar and coding, and I am excited to get working on the projects we have planned this year.
Ansh Chavda
Youth Advocacy My name is Ansh Chavda, and I am a Co-Lead for the climate change group. Some of my hobbies include learning new things and playing games with my friends. I'm excited to make a real change in our community when it comes to climate change! I'll work hard to benefit the community by learning and teaching others about climate change. I'm looking forward to this year as a YA!
Arjun Menon
Youth Advocacy My name is Arjun Menon and I'm a high school senior. I enjoy photography and spend my time reading, hiking, and fishkeeping. I am very passionate about advocacy and love the power it has to spark change. Not only does it teach me to be a more globally-aware citizen but it helps instill passion in members of the community. I'm very excited to finish my last year in YA on a high note, as the Mental Health advocacy team has a lot of great events in the works.
Dhruv Kasarabada
Youth AdvocacyMy name is Dhruv Kasarabada, and I am a sophomore at Redmond High School. I am a part of the Climate Change Team in YA. Some of my hobbies are playing soccer, reading books, and watching tv. I’m most excited about meeting new people in the YA team, and learning new things. Advocacy is important and beneficial to the community because it allows our voices to be heard and considered when decisions are being made.
Diya Reddy
Youth AdvocacyMy name is Diya Reddy and I am a senior this year! This is my second year doing youth advocacy and I am so excited to be part of the equity team this year! I hope to work with my team to educate ourselves and our communities! I am also excited to create conversations as well as opportunities to support people via fundraising and community workshops! In my free time I I love to read, paint, play soccer and participate in my school's Model United Nations club!
Drithi Pasupuleti
Youth Advocacy Hi! I'm a sophomore, and this is my 2nd year in YA! I like to sing and play piano, and I'm really passionate about mental health advocacy. It gives me and others in my community a voice, and I'm looking forward to all the projects and memories I'll make with my group this year!
Manan Vora
Youth Advocacy My name is Manan Vora and I am a senior in high school. This is my third year in YA . As part of the climate change team, I am excited to work on new projects and work with other passionate advocates. In my free time, I love to hike and play basketball. As part of the YA Team, I love seeing how we educate our community from young middle schoolers all the way to senior citizens. This year I am excited to help in the climate fight and make an impact.
Mihir Mishra
Youth Advocacy Hi there! My name is Mihir Mishra and I'm a senior in high school. I am most passionate about mental health and wellness, and my hobbies include singing, painting, reading, and crocheting. As a second-year YA, I'm most excited to continue collaborating with other youth to fight against mental health stigma in our community. My advocacy benefits my community by spreading awareness on pressing issues in the form of awareness posts and donation projects, through which I've worked to quantify mental health concepts and create actionable changes within the greater Seattle area. Bonding with last year's YA group was also so much fun, and I can't wait to see what this program year holds!
Neha Nedungadi
Youth AdvocacyMy name is Neha and I'm a junior who is part of the equity group. Some of my hobbies include coaching and participating in dance as well as reading and spending time with friends. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to educate myself and those around me about important advocacy issues that I feel strongly about, as well as building long lasting relationships with peers. My advocacy will inform the public about common issues regarding harmful stereotypes and misconceptions that we face daily. I hope that our work and dedication will make a change in our community.
Pranav Adhikari
Youth AdvocacyMy name is Pranav, and I’m a sophomore who is one of the co-leads of the Equity group. I enjoy painting, reading, and spending time with friends. This year I’m looking forward to connecting with my community and advocating for important topics within my community. My advocacy alongside my peers will help educate, inform, and create resources for those around me and provide insight to my community. I hope to help create change and to be part of something bigger than myself.
Pranav Alaparthi
Youth Advocacy Hi, I’m Pranav Alaparthi, and I’m in 12th grade. This is my third year on the YA climate change team! Some of my hobbies include soccer, piano, vintage coin collecting, and volunteering. This will be my first year in YA with almost no COVID restrictions, so I’m excited to see how we take advantage of that! I think advocacy is extremely important because it brings attention to important societal issues.
Rihtik Banthia
Youth Advocacy My name is Rihtik Banthia. I am in 9th grade and this is my first year on Youth Advocacy. I am passionate about animal welfare and am part of that advocacy team.. I want to have animals treated better in today's world and raise awareness around this issue. My hobbies are playing and watching sports.
Rishi Vora
Youth AdvocacyMy name is Rishi Vora and I am a sophomore in high school. I am a Co-Lead in the Climate Change advocacy group. My hobbies include biking, hiking, and coding. I’m most excited about seeing the change we can make in our community! Advocacy benefits my community by creating awareness for topics that may not get enough attention or that people are unaware about.
Riya Gupta
Youth AdvocacyHi, my name is Riya and I am an 11th grader and this is my first year in YA. Some of my hobbies include: hip hop, tennis, digital art, horseback riding, interior designing, boxing, and bowling. I am currently in the human rights advocacy group this year because I am passionate about human rights issues and other current events. It is important to educate ourselves and spread awareness in the community about these issues.
Rohan Kurup
Youth Advocacy Rohan Kurup is a senior returning to his second year of IACS Youth Leadership and is the Youth Advocacy Mental Health Lead. In that position, he guides his team in destigmatizing mental illness, normalizing self-care, and promoting mental health-related careers. Through these efforts, he hopes to preserve and rebuff the mental health of his community. In college, Rohan hopes to continue his mental health advocacy as a psychology major. Beyond behavioral science, his hobbies include baking, hiking, and fishkeeping!
Sahasra Chinthireddy
Youth Advocacy Hi, my name is Sahasra Chinthireddy and I am a part of Youth Advocacy this year! I’m currently a junior in high school and this is my first year being in one of the IACS youth leadership programs. I am passionate about advocating for Human Rights. I am an active member in the Human Rights advocacy group while leading and organizing upcoming projects and campaigns. In my free time I love to listen to music, travel, and hang out with my friends. I can’t wait for this year to meet new people and give back to the community!
Sana Chaudhary
Youth Advocacy Hello, my name is Sana and I am a Sophomore in High School. I enjoy playing tennis, listening to music, and hanging out with my friends and family. I am on the Equity Advocacy team, and I am excited to meet and work alongside the other Youth Advocates this year. I believe we all play a role in helping make our community an equitable place for all, and I feel fortunate to be a part of this team.
Satvik Desai
Youth AdvocacyMy name is Satvik Desai and I am in 9th grade. I am most passionate about Mental Health advocacy, and I am the social chair in my group. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, listening to music, running, swimming, and cooking. This year I am most excited to help people destigmatize mental health and mental health workers. My advocacy allows people to recognize that mental health plays an important role in people's lives and is a source of problems. Destigmatizing mental health workers is important to reduce negativity around careers in mental health and boost mental health in our community in general.
Srujana Kodavalla
Youth AdvocacyMy name is Srujana Kodavalla and I am in 12th grade. This is my third year in IACS Youth Advocacy and I am so excited for this program year! Some of my hobbies include dancing, reading, and hanging out with my friends. Advocacy has helped educate me and my community to form more diverse perspectives on a wide variety of topics. This year I am so excited for the new out of the box ideas that each group has come up with and the amazing advocacy work we will continue to do for this year.
Subhasheni Venkatesh
Youth Advocacy Hello, my name is Subhasheni Venkatesh, I’m the scribe chair for the equity team this year. In my free time I enjoy playing piano, video games, walking in nature, and listening to music. Advocacy benefits me and my community by spreading awareness and educating against inequalities people face. I’m most excited about working with my group members and am looking forward to our out of the box project.
Syon Mishra
Youth Advocacy Hey! My name is Syon Mishra, and I’m a freshman. I am deeply interested in the advocacy issue of Animal Welfare, and I am the group lead of my team. Some of my hobbies include playing sports, I dance, I do Musical Theater, sing Hindustani Classical music, and I play the drums. What I’m most eager to do this year in the IACS YA is to make a difference in the community regarding Animal Welfare, which essentially means putting in worthwhile and impactful efforts (educating, informing, hands-on projects, etc.).
