Nikolas “Nik” Ristev (Treasurer) – An Ohio State University (OSU) graduate in Accounting and Law, Nik is responsible for the financial and regulatory oversight of the foundation. As Treasurer of the foundation, Nik will ensure transparency in all financial transactions and help the foundation to make the most effective use of capital in execution of the foundation’s programs.

Tiffany Hofmann – Tiffany has over 12 years of Public Relations experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She launched her career in New York City where she managed media relations and events for international luxury clients. Currently she’s responsible for educating, advocating and fundraising on behalf of a national nonprofit organization. Her transition between the two worlds was sparked when, while travelling to Southeast Asia with a humanitarian aid start-up, she witnessed both the extreme hardships faced by Burmese refugees (women and children especially), as well as the immediate and lasting impact one person can have of the lives of others. Tiffany brings this personal and professional experience to her role leading media relations for the Foundation.

Lauren Shuty (Board Secretary) – Lauren Shuty (BA: International Studies, Journalism; MA: Teaching) works as an English as a Second Language teacher at a local school district in Pittsburgh, PA. Having spent a significant amount of time conducting research, studying, and traveling throughout Nepal, she is well-versed in the challenges that face the country and its people. As a teacher who can also converse in the Nepali language, Lauren’s passion for educating international students will help the foundation to implement effective educational programs. She is also looking forward to utilizing her photo-journalistic skills to help the Rukmini Foundation produce written and visual content.

Allyce Pinchback – Allyce is Professional Development Project Manager for Pittsburgh Public Schools where she is responsible for providing professional development supports for teachers around the District’s Measures of Effective Teaching. Previously employed at the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, she has a strong passion for urban education and international affairs and hopes to utilize her skills and talents to promote cross-cultural communication and understanding between the girls the foundation serves and urban students in the Pittsburgh region.

Dennis Kremer (Vice-President) – As a Director for Technology for EFI (a leading printing software vendor), Dennis has been spearheading technical architecture work for many years. He brings over 17 years of software development and management experience to the table in areas ranging from large corporate development in the finance industry, transportation/logistics and independent software vendor experience in the print industry. Dennis also possesses a keen understanding of how technologies can transform and enable agile organizations to achieve
success. Dennis will help the organization make the best use of technologies in an effort to run the foundation efficiently as well as outline new and innovative ways to bridge the technology gap that exists between students in the US and the students and school(s) that Rukmini Foundation is supporting in Nepal.

Linda Githiora – Linda brings not only her academic credentials with a Masters in Public Administration, she also brings her talents in proposal development, research, and grants management along with her firsthand experience in combating gender discrimination in her homeland of Kenya. Linda has seen the positive
impact that grassroots development can have in a community, and is looking to utilize her skills and experience to make an impact in the communities that Rukmini Foundation serves. Linda will be helping to build a sustainable source of funding for our programs by seeking grants through the various organizations that support education, gender equity initiatives and development work.

Bibhuti Aryal (President) – With his years of business management knowledge through consulting work in various industries as well as an education from Carnegie Mellon University’s Business School, Bibhuti is responsible for ensuring that the organization fulfills its mission and achieves the goals set by the board through coordination of efforts of all volunteers of the Rukmini Foundation. Bibhuti brings his years of experience in various industries like: government, construction, finance and technology along with a desire to initiate a positive change in the world.

Niroj Shrestha (Program Officer) – Niroj has been managing many of the activities of A School for Community (ASC) in Nepal that has been established to not only promote formal education, but also to leverage the experiences and skills of community leaders and members to promote local development. Niroj will bring his local expertise as well as his experience in managing programs at the grassroots level. He seeks to help the foundation to continually improve the delivery of programs while also building the capacity of our Didis and local volunteers.

Rasmita K C (Operations) – Rasmita manages the day to day operations of the Rukmini Foundation program by coordinating activities with school staff, parents, guardians and foundation leadership in Nepal. Her key responsibilities include making regular contact with the students to ensure that they are receiving the necessary help and support throughout the program. Rasmita is also responsible for tracking progress and escalating any potential issues. She is also attending college at Shikharapur College and will serve as a role model for the girls.

Pramila Gajmer (Administration & Accounting) – Pramila will work with Rasmita to support the day-to-day affairs, but will also be working with the Program Manager to ensure that all expenses are accounted for. Pramila will be responsible for record-keeping and providing regular reports to Foundation leadership in Nepal. She will also be supporting the Didi Program and will serve as a mentor to the girls.

Shashi Sharma (Regional Director) – Mr. Sharma has been leading community development work in the areas surrounding Pharping for nearly 40 years. He has led programs to bring infrastructure to the villages, such as: providing running water to homes, building electricity and telephony infrastructure, establishing school systems, and building healthcare facilities. Mr. Sharma will serve in an advisory capacity to develop partnerships with local organizations and build consensus with local leaders in order to effectively implement our programs.

Dr. Nabin Aryal, PhD (Program Manager) – After receiving a PhD in Economics from Hitotsubashi University, Dr. Aryal has been managing NGO programs in underdeveloped areas in India and Sri Lanka and has extensive experience in grassroots development efforts. Based in Nepal, Dr. Aryal will monitor the efforts of the Rukmini Foundation and oversee the progress of the students. He will also work closely with the regional directors to ensure that the foundation’s agendas are feasible and ensure that they are met.

Kedar Nath Acharya (Student Selection Committee Head) – Mr. Acharya has been an educator in the Pharping region for over 35 years, and is keenly aware of the challenges faced by potential students there. He is also driven by the opportunities that exist for providing a bright future to people in the surrounding communities. As an educator and a local community leader, Mr. Acharya provides our foundation with the energy needed at the local level to make this program a success.

Sandesh Aryal (Chief Technology Officer) – Sandesh will lead all technology initiatives of the foundation. One of his chief goals will be to establish Internet connectivity for the students in Nepal and to implement a distance learning program. He is also responsible for the technical infrastructure that supports our foundation’s communication and marketing initiatives. He brings expertise in technology and communications as well as his credentials as an educator. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science from Texas A&M University.

Keith J. Hostler (Creative Director): brings years of experience, involving multiple responsibilities in various fields, including: military, investigations, teacher/counselor, mental health/drug and alcohol, experiential education, videography, residential design, fitness, law enforcement, creative writing, and photography. He is passionate about the arts, traveling, education, and helping children. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Television, Film, and Media from San Diego State University. Keith, also known as “KJ” will utilize his diverse background to provide and develop creative approaches and campaigns to help foster further awareness, as well as additional funding for the Rukmini Foundation.

Ang Dawa Sherpa (Principal Designer) – Ang Sherpa, or Dawa as he is known to us, brings a blend of technical expertise and an eye for aesthetics that helps us present our ideas in a visually stunning manner. He has years of experience in the Technology and Marketing disciplines, but he also has a passion for photography and design. Dawa
comes from a proud Sherpa family and has a desire to contribute to the development of Nepal through education.

Steve Rettstadt (Marketing) – Steve is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s College of Business Administration. He brings a keen knowledge of Marketing and insight into utilizing social media to spread the positive message of the Rukmini Foundation. Steve’s parents are public school teachers and as a result he has a great appreciation of the importance of education. Steve will also work to build collaboration opportunities with local educational institutions in order to bring the educational community in the US in closer contact with the community in Nepal.

Jodi Aryal (Principal Fundraiser) – Jodi coordinates the fundraising efforts in the US and is responsible for raising the profile of the foundation, which will serve as the chief source of funds for the foundation. She works tirelessly to promote the foundation and also seeks to gain partnerships with companies that share similar values to Rukmini Foundation. Her involvement in the foundation is based on her belief that education holds the key to attaining equality for women.

Laxmi Aryal (Advisor) – Laxmi was the first female in her family to receive an education. While the education she received was limited, she was able to make the best of it and became the first person from her family and village to complete high school, undergraduate studies and eventually a Masters degree. She eventually earned a Masters Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Public Policy. Hers is an inspirational story that the Rukmini Foundation hopes to replicate. She serves as an inspiration for the foundation and its leadership.

Eri Taniguchi (Gender & Development Issues Advisor) – With a M Phil in Development Studies from Oxford University, Eri is an expert in the field of development with a focus on gender equality. Her studies and works have been dedicated to bringing more gender equality and opportunities for women, especially in underdeveloped areas. She serves as a consultant by helping to set the agenda of the Rukmini Foundation as we strive to provide young girls more opportunities in the area of education. She is currently stationed in Ulan Bator, Mongolia with the UNFPA program.