Change through education.
Shanti Bhavan, a unique boarding school in Tamil Nadu, India, caters to the children of India’s so-called “untouchable” caste and changes lives through education.
Our mission is to break the cycle of poverty for India’s “lowest caste” by providing impoverished children with a world-class education, enabling them to aspire to careers and professions of their choice. We provide 17+ years of holistic education to these children—pre-kindergarten through college, and into their working careers.
Our beautiful boarding school campus is an oasis supported by a devoted administration and global network of volunteers. Our children see that a better world isn’t just an idea but a real possibility.
Daughters of Destiny is an award-winning Netflix documentary that follows the lives of several Shanti Bhavan students. Through their stories, the power of change through education and the incredible strength and potential of our students is realized.
As Director of Operations for the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project, I oversee multiple functions of our nonprofit, including:
- domestic and international fundraising
- volunteer and teacher recruitment
- media relations
- strategic partnerships
- Shanti Bhavan mentorship program
I commute between the U.S. and India two to three times a year, spending three to four months in the field working with the children of Shanti Bhavan and the communities they’re a part of. My work at Shanti Bhavan inspires me to consult with other educational nonprofits, helping dedicated people change the world through education.
Change through community.
Nearly 40% of India’s 1.25 billion person population lives under the international poverty line. By developing these communities, we can create lasting change.
The situation is dire for India’s rural population, where economic growth has been stagnant. On average, a family in the villages near Shanti Bhavan survives on $100 per month. This population is undernourished, at risk for a variety of health concerns, and without access to basic medical care.
To combat this problem, my family and I founded the Baldev Medical and Community Center. The Baldev Center works with Shanti Bhavan’s surrounding villages to supply them with medical care, housing, and community development. The center provides inpatient and outpatient care, as well as emergency medicine, at-home visitation, and easy access to healthcare professionals.
Volunteers and professionals from around the world have helped build homes, roads, plumbing, and other infrastructure improvements. In cooperation with the Baldev Center, we continue to work with local government and village residents to deconstruct barriers of race and caste, and to ensure the locals have a say in their futures.
My work with the Baldev Center has shown me the potential that can be realized when communities are supported. I provide consultation services to municipalities, community groups, and individuals looking to create change.
Change through accountability.
The Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media trains a new generation of young journalists in demanding accountability and transparency from their countries.
As a member of the board of IIJNM, I support our students in their work to combat systemic corruption and oppression in Southeast Asia. Accurate reporting conducted with journalistic integrity is key to creating change in local communities, regional governments, and the world.
The Institute’s mission is to educate students in a broad range of practical skills and concepts involving the gathering, editing, and presentation of information to prepare them for a career in journalism. While there is a strong emphasis on the “craft” of journalism, the curriculum is designed to help students draw on and supplement their basic education so they are better equipped to intelligently handle the fundamental issues of the day.
At IIJNM, students are exposed to the principles and ethics intrinsic to the profession, which enable them to hone their journalistic skills. Robust curriculums, a strong commitment to educational quality, and world-class instructors are why the Institute is consistently regarded as one of the top two journalism schools in Asia. IIJNM’s journalists are not merely competent practitioners by today’s standards, but help raise those standards worldwide.
I promote the mission and success of IIJNM through speaking engagements and consultations with other educational institutions in India, the United States, and around the globe.
Change through creativity.
Games are the new media of our time. Opening up avenues for creativity, innovation, and representation in games can create powerful change in the world.
Games have been a passion of mine since I was a young man. Even then I recognized their power to affect lives and shape culture. Video games in particular have emerged as a cultural touchstone, creating an industry to rival Hollywood, but my interests range across the spectrum of games. Narrative and interactive games, from tabletop to video to performative, bring together people who compete, create, and share experiences with another.
The current industry suffers from a need for greater and better representation in games. Aware of the power of representation, I’ve used my activist background to advocate for diversity in the industry. I advise game companies on creating better hiring practices and lobby for improved recognition of women, people of color, and the lgbtq community. And by lending my creative talents to a number of game studios, I have injected my life and passion into games themselves.
The way games are conceptualized, planned, and created is changing. I was honored to present the first-ever Nebula Award for Game Writing, which shows how rapidly the industry has grown. Working as a diversity consultant allows me to help create meaningful change through creative expression.
I’ve worked with: Big Bad Con, Bully Pulpit Games, Burning Wheel HQ, Critical Role, Gen Con, Guildhall Studios, Harebrained Schemes, Heart of the Deernicorn, Monte Cook Games, Wizards of the Coast/Dungeons & Dragons and more.