Meet Our Team:
The Heart of Anaya's Village
No mission-based organization can thrive on its own, and Anaya Scholars is no different.
That’s why we proudly call our team and network of supporters Anaya's Village—because it truly takes a village to raise a child and nurture a young person through the journey of college.
Our team is made up of passionate professionals who are dedicated to keeping our scholars on track, inspiring our mentors, and ensuring the growth and strength of our entire village. Each member plays an essential role in making Anaya's dream of an equitable and accessible college education a reality for first-generation college students and those facing financial challenges.
Meet the people who make it all possible below!
Monica Kachru
Founder, Board Chair
Neeta Ruhela
Mentorships
Rajeev Tipnis
Administration
Gretchen Cook-Anderson
Chief Marketing Advisor
Stephanie Wallace
Bookkeeper
Leela Ramachandran
Partnerships Coordinator
Debbie Kessler Martinez
Fundraising, Partnerships
Julia Dyck
Head of Mentor Affairs
Aiden Nguyen
Scholar Success,
Lead
Aisha Tipnis
Marketing Associate
Rob REmiesiewicz
Internships, Lead
Anaya Scholar Spotlight
Beshair Nurhussien
“My first years of college were difficult academically and financially and the foundation addressed both of my issues. I, like many first generation students, felt like I did not belong in college. My mentor Monika was a crucial part of my college experience. She did not hesitate to remind me that I worked hard to get to where I am and I should keep going.
I had financial hardships the foundation assisted me with, especially in my first two years of college. I can definitely say that a weight was lifted off my shoulders and I was able to focus more on my studies instead of the tuition deadline.”