Our Beginning
Founder Seena Jacob conceived the idea of Bookwallah Organization in late 2009 while doing some soul searching. As a child, reading stories in US libraries helped her get over through hardship in her own life and she wanted to share that incredible power of stories with other children of trauma.
Partnering with her two Founding Board of Directors, G Riley Mills and Ranjeet Nambiar, the organization was incorporated in 2010.
Board of Directors
Aalap Shah
Aalap Shah is a Chicago-born entrepreneur, public speaker, philanthropist, and the founder of 1o8, a fresh digital marketing start-up focused on deepening brand awareness and increasing sales for Amazon + e-commerce companies nationwide. Aalap happily shares his personal entrepreneurial story and his passion for crafting digital strategy, creating content, navigating the ever-evolving digital marketplace, and captaining the entrepreneurs’ life at events far and wide. As a husband and father of three, Aalap is committed to supporting and improving K-12 education and developing his community through philanthropy. In 2013, Aalap was recognized as Crain’s Chicago’s Emerging Young Philanthropist and NFTE’s National Volunteer of the Year. Most recently, Aalap won the Carson Scholars Fund’s Trailblazer Award.
Preethi Maroli
Preethi Maroli is Global Brand Builder. Her fascination with human behavior and diverse cultures led her to work in Mumbai, HK, Singapore, Bangalore, Bangkok and London, leading Regional teams across 26+ Asia Pacific countries and Global teams across 3 continents. Preethi has tremendous experience in Branding with clients such as Unilever, Britannia, Volvo Cars, Philips, and brands like Shopper Stop, Sunsilk. One of her key strengths is working to successfully launch and turn brands around. Here experiences have led her to realize that understanding cultural nuances and accepting every culture helps breed an environment of inclusivity. This has helped her save businesses, create fiscal profits and win national and international creative awards.
Ranjeet Nambiar
Ranjeet Nambiar’s passion and experience in digital marketing and innovation, presence and knowledge of developing nations is invaluable as the BookWallah Organization moves forward with its mission in countries such as India. Ranjeet Nambiar is a Co-founder and Director at Urja Communications in Mumbai, India. He has over 20 years of experience as an advertising professional and as an Entrepreneur. He is acknowledged by clients and by associates alike as being “a high-energy partner who provokes you to think anew”. In his ‘after office hours’, he taught advertising to MBA students. At Urja, Ranjeet has worked with companies such as Citibank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Tata, AIG.
Deep Patel
Deep is a Principal and Consulting Actuary with Milliman Inc. He is a leading expert in the area of financial risk management for the life insurance industry. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences on topics related to risk management, hedging, capital management, and product development. Deep has a degree in Mathematics and Actuarial Science from the University of Waterloo and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. Deep is also an Associate Board Member of Bookwallah. Deep became involved with Bookwallah after attending a speech given by Seena Jacob and seeing how passionate she was about helping children. Deep has focused on raising awareness and fundraising in the Chicago area. He has also had the pleasure of visiting several Bookwallah libraries and spent time with the children attending the libraries.
Kumar Thason
With over 20 years of technology experience, Kumar has worked for Dell Technologies, EMC, IBM and Hitachi Data Systems, as well as forming start-ups focused on building niche software products. Currently, Kumar is the Principal/CTO & Co-Founder of Trillisent which specializes in Cloud, Data Center, and Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery products and services. Kumar has been a Board of Directors member at Bookwallah since 2019, however, he has been involved during the early days when Seena Jacob formed the organization, as well as helping form the Associate Board. Bookwallah's mission and message has been something that Kumar and his wife Shaheen try to instill in their three children.
Seena Jacob - Founder & CEO
Seena Jacob is the Founder of the Bookwallah Organization. She conceived the idea of Bookwallah Organization in 2009 with her desire to spread the joy of reading to children of orphanages in developing nations across the globe. Seena believes by sharing the gift of imagination with children of orphanages who have endured hardships early in their lives, she will empower, inspire, and give them hope for a better life. Seena’s previous professional experience includes management and management consulting positions for CCC Information Services, Heritage Financial Services, Citigroup, MarchFirst, Alpha Thought Group, and The Build Operate Transfer Group. Seena is currently a member of the President’s Circle of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the North Shore International Women’s Network.
SID Bala
Sid Bala drives the vision and direction of an award-winning software firm dedicated to solving business challenges with technology. Under Sid’s leadership, the company has been recognized as a best-in-class partner, employer, and innovator. Sid learned early on the importance of hiring talented and amazing team members as early as possible, and he believes that the company’s most valuable investment is human capital. Throughout the years, Sid has remained an active member of the community. He has served on various charitable foundation boards and business councils. A Chicago native, Sid attended the University of Chicago for his bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and went on to the State University of New York, Stony Brook for a graduate degree in computer science.
Board of Advisors
Amy Christenson
Amy is a Senior Strategist at the West End Strategy Team in Washington, DC. WEST’s motto is ‘social change through creative communications strategies and campaigns.’ Amy develops various initiatives to place her clients, their stories, and advocacy in front of priority audiences. After crafting every kind of programming for every kind of outlet, she knows her way around a media story, and more importantly for her clients, knows what part of their story will attract media attention. Amy’s storytelling skills have taken her from Branson, Missouri to Bhutan. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Chicago’s North Park University, and she studied photography at The Art Institute of Chicago. She serves on the School of Nonprofit and Business Management advisory board of her alma. Amy lives in Chicago with four dogs that never listen to her strategic messaging training.
Lopamudra Mohanty
Lopamudra Mohanty is the founder of BBW Education Pvt Ltd. Her recent venture Cheers2Bhasha has been preincubated at IIM Bangalore NSRCEL for the Women Startup Program. She has done her Rural Management from Xavier’s Institute of Management and a Gold Medalist of the batch and was in the banking industry for 10 years. She is an entrepreneur, a professional storyteller, an Indian language crusader, an Odissi dancer, and a cyclist. She is actively into storytelling for children, adults, and corporates. She uses storytelling as a powerful tool to create a family reading culture and strongly believes in the power of storytelling in the field of Personal Storytelling for adults. She uses Indian mythology in her corporate storytelling work.
Dr. James Garbarino
Dr. James Garbarino holds the Maude C. Clarke Chair in Humanistic Psychology and was the founding Director of the Center for the Human Rights of Children at Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Garbarino has served as a consultant or advisor to a wide range of organizations, including the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse to the US Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect and the FBI. Books he has authored or edited include: The Positive Psychology of Personal Transformation: Leveraging Resilience for Life Change; Children and the Dark Side of Human Experience; Etc. Dr. Garbarino has received countless awards and also serves as a consultant to television, magazine, and newspaper reports on children and families.
Associate Board Members
Dr. Amy Governale - United States
Amy Governale, MA, is a doctoral candidate in the Developmental Psychology program at Loyola University Chicago. Her research focuses on the relation between participation in organized activities and the academic, psychological, and behavioral well-being among low-income, ethnically diverse adolescents. In addition to her research interests, she has extensive experience in survey methodology, advanced statistics, and program evaluation. As an Associate Board for Bookwallah Organization, she primarily works on the program evaluation and grant applications to ensure Bookwallah is utilizing rigorous research methodology in the application of their mission and program evaluation.
Muneet Kakani - India
Muneet Kakani is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a commerce graduate with a wide experience of consulting, industry & corporates including work experience with fortune 500 companies and market leaders like Kimberly-Clark & TATA Motors. He has worked across different business & finance verticals with cross boundary experience of working with entities based out of US and Asia Pacific Region and holds certifications in varied domain including Social & Emotional Intelligence, Blockchain, Analytics and Audit. Muneet started with Bookwallah as a storyteller & volunteer with hopes to make a difference like many others and with him being a public speaking enthusiast having tender spot for children, this seemed like a perfect match.
Kalyan Dubal - India
Kalyan Dubal is an experienced IT professional currently working with Cognizant Technology Solutions. He has completed his MBA - IT along with a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering from the University of Pune and holds several Salesforce certifications. He has been associated with Bookwallah for more than 8 years and has worn multiple hats during his tenure like storyteller, volunteer & event coordinator, HR manager, Vice president, and President fellow. He has been instrumental in the smooth functioning of operations in Pune and collaborating with different CSRs, College/Universities, Nonprofits, and Bookwallah alumni. With his penchant for technology, concern for social causes, and drive to accomplish his goals, Kalyan says the bond and the smiling innocent faces of the orphan kids motivate him to share the gift of imagination.
Shreya Singh - United States
Shreya Singh graduated from the University of Michigan in 2013 and began her career at J.P. Morgan where she worked with institutional insurance companies and endowments & foundations to manage their investment portfolios. In 2016, she transitioned to real estate and worked for JVM Realty, a firm that focuses on acquisitions and dispositions of multi-family assets. After completing her University of Chicago MBA in 2019, she joined Related Midwest on the affordable housing development team. She is focused on mixed-income developments, most notably Lathrop Homes, and affordable preservation transactions in Illinois. She has served on the Associate Boards for Teachers Supporting Teachers and Bookwallah.
Jorie Jelinek - United States
Listening to the radio on her way home, Jorie heard Seena Jacob’s voice. She was being interviewed by Jerome McDonald on NPR’s World View, and her unique vision and simple expression of the transformational magic storybooks can bring through the good feelings, ideas and morals they hold immediately struck a chord. A love of working with people brought Jorie to her career in hospitality. She is currently a Restaurant Manager at the University Club of Chicago, which shares her value of promoting literature and art. She is an active member of the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago, loves to try her feet at swing and salsa dancing, spends time with family and friends, and enjoys taking in Chicago’s many cultural and outdoor offerings.
Core Team Members
Rashmi Dilip Parab - Marketing Coordinator
Rashmi is driven by an unwavering passion that propels her to pour her heart and soul into the Bookwallah organization. Rashmi completed her Bachelor’s of Arts from N L Dalmia College. From a humble volunteer to now proudly holding the position of Marketing Coordinator, Rashmi's journey with Bookwallah had been a whirlwind of emotions. It transcended the mere physicality of four walls housing a library, with a quiet sofa, a cozy carpet, and enchanting murals. It held within its moments etched in her heart forever. She vividly recalled her first encounter with the children at the Mumbai Chapter library: their eyes lit up with uncontainable excitement upon seeing a new face, their unabated curiosity to know more about her, and the heartfelt hugs that made parting so bittersweet.
Priyanka Roy - Outreach Partnership Manager
Priyanka Roy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science (Chemistry -Hons) and a Master's Degree in Analytical Chemistry from Mumbai University. Priyanka is an ambitious individual, who believes in contributing to society through voluntary work. She has been a part of Bookwallah from 2018 and since then she has transitioned into diverse roles from being a project leader to a Co-President, to an Operations Manager, and now the Outreach Partnership Manager for the Organization. Spending quality time reading stories to the orphanage children and conducting creative activities at the Bookwallah library projects has always accorded her with serenity and immense happiness. Bookwallah has helped her grow as an individual and develop her personality.
Deena Daisy Shibu - Human Resource Coordinator
Deena Daisy Shibu is a highly skilled and dedicated HR Coordinator who plays a vital role in our organization. Deena has completed her Bachelor’s of Management Studies from Wilson College. With her exceptional expertise in human resources and unwavering commitment to fostering a positive work environment, she has become an invaluable asset to our team. The journey with Bookwallah had been nothing short of a thrilling roller coaster ride, starting from the early days of volunteering to progressing as an intern and eventually attaining the position of a coordinator. The transformative nature of this journey became evident as Bookwallah played a profound role in shaping Deena's character, molding them into a leader while enhancing her professional qualities.
Sharen Achangadan - Program Design and Development Manager
Sharen embarked on her Bookwallah journey in 2015, initially as a Storyteller, and eventually progressed to become a Project Leader and Chapter President. She holds a degree in English Literature and Education from Sophia College (Mumbai University), a B.Ed from St. Xavier's Institute of Education (Mumbai University), and an M.A. in Education from Azim Premji University. She possesses a keen interest in capturing images of anything that fills her with wonder. Additionally, she has a fondness for cakes, enjoys watching documentaries and listening to pop music and podcasts. Reading, attending seminars, exploring historical sites, and adopting a new hobby each year are among her other interests. Currently, she is immersing herself in learning Kathak
Simi Susan Shibu - Research & Development (R & D) Manager
Simi Susan Shibu is a Postgraduate who has completed her Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology (Specialization in Clinical Psychology), from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai. She has been part of Bookwallah since August, 2016 and has evolved through the following roles: Storyteller, HR Team member, Project Leader, R&D Project Coordinator, Mumbai and finally assuming the role as the R & D Manager for Bookwallah India, since 2021. In addition to her leadership role with Bookwallah, she is also working as Assistant Professor of Psychology, at her alma mater, Sophia College (Autonomous), Mumbai and is a Practicing Psychologist & Counselor, with Therapeutic Dwelling. Bookwallah is an amalgamation of her love for kids and passion for storybooks.
Vaishali Ravaria - Program Manager
Vaishali Ravaria holds a Bachelor's Degree in Science (Botany-Major) from Mithibai College, Mumbai. She has attended a diploma in Clinical Research. She has been a part of Bookwallah since 2019 and has evolved from storyteller, Project leader of two libraries, “Kings of Castle” & “Library of Hope”, to President of the Mumbai Chapter and now a Program Manager. It's astonishing for her to see children coming from traumatic experiences and hardships, taking inspiration and hope from storybooks. This unique concept is what made her volunteer for Bookwallah. Watching the children's eyes light up when they are immersed in the story is a magical experience and it inspires her to continue working for the mission. Her other interests include reading, singing, travelling, and experiencing various adventurous activities.
Presidents of Chapters
M Anne Anjali - Mangaluru
M Anne Anjali, the president of the Mangaluru chapter for Bookwallah is an altruistic and passionate person who firmly believes that change is the only constant. Combining her medical knowledge and cheerful personality to bring even the smallest change in one’s life has always been her pushing factor. Anne loves expressing herself by reading stories aloud and enacting them just to see her audience giggle. With her family and friends' constant support, she hopes to give back to the community by spreading awareness and reaching out to the underprivileged. Being an integral member of Bookwallah has given her a perspective of life and hope which she hopes to wield for the greater good.
Kunal Pawar - Pune
Kunal Pawar is an experienced IT professional based at Pune. He has completed his MBA - IT along with Bachelor's in Computer Engineering from Pune University and is passionate about Salesforce and the latest technologies. He has been an integral volunteer with Bookwallah for more than three years as an HR lead role for the Pune Bookwallah Chapter for a year with passion and enthusiasm which led to expanding the Pune Bookwalla family with many volunteers. From last year, he has been serving as the President of the PChapter. He engages the volunteers with each other and with the kids by showing the volunteer's unique skills apart from storytelling to inspire the Children. He loves to make connections with people due to which his contributions were highlighted many times in Sakal, Lokmat Newspapers, and in E - Deshdoot digital media for his generous social work.
Mrinalini Manda - Bengaluru
Mrinalini Manda is an energetic and eager learner currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science. Her passion lies in comprehending the intricate relationship between economic systems and political structures, and how these dynamics impact society. Mrinalini is a natural leader who consistently seeks ways to bring added value to every endeavour and her insatiable curiosity drives her to explore new opportunities and expand her skill set continuously. Throughout her childhood, Mrinalini, developed a deep bond with their parents through a shared love for books and stories. It is this passion that propelled her to eagerly embrace the opportunity at Bookwallah, desiring to offer children the chance to embark on the same magical journey that shaped their own youth.
Nagarjun V - Pune
Arjun is a computer engineer with a curiosity to learn a lot of new stuff and impart that knowledge to others. He has an Engineering Degree ( B.Tech) in Computer Science and is currently working as a Data scientist in ElasticRun, Pune. Born in Tamilnadu and brought up in multiple places because of being an army brat. Loves teaching and spending time with kids, making them happy and in turn becoming happy. Learn-Teach-Inspire-Have fun-Repeat has been his mantra. He loves to play cricket , listen to music and he is a traveller who loves to explore new places, meet new people, and understand their lives. He is an avid reader and loves mythology-based books. He has been a part of Bookwallah for the last year starting as a storyteller, then chapter lead, and now as Vice President.