Zoe, while living and working in Madurai, South India, met Kathryn Ugoretz, founding board member. Together, they realized that women’s higher education is an important and not often addressed cause. Zoe lives in New York City. Discover her story here.

Sidney has always been interested in women’s education and she knows the importance of education in creating a healthier family environment. The mission of WEP which helps women from the poorest families in India supports Sidney’s own value system. Sidney is a CPA with a Masters in Accounting and thinks education is so important that she is finishing her third degree, studying at Columbia University to earn a degree in Creative Writing. Sidney has worked with nonprofits and for profit businesses as a financial analyst and Chief Financial Officer.

Katherine first discovered the Women’s Education Project as an undergraduate while studying in Madurai, South India. She now studies and works in the field of interfaith relations, focusing on the role of women in creating more peaceful and harmonious societies. Katherine lives in New York City.

Melissa’s interest in WEP comes from working with young women in rural villages in Tanzania, East Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer, where she was inspired by the girls’ passion for learning, studying, and ingenuity in creating small business enterprises to improve their lives and those of their families. With hands-on training, tutoring, career counseling, and scholarships, the WEP model captivates her as a wonderful resource for young women who have the drive to move forward.

Lisa Koonce

Kelly McCann

Vimala Paliniswamy

Former Board Members

Nicole Cloutier, Founding Board Member

Pooja Renee Mottl

Kathryn Ugoretz, Founding Board Member

Advisory Board

Andrea Richardson

Andrea is career fundraiser who believes strongly in raising funds that support educational missions, and  for the past 12 years has been raising funds to support higher education. WEP is an exciting organization complete with both education for the underserved and grass-roots advocacy; two passions that are very close to her heart. She says “Education has the power to lift a person from poverty, create new opportunities and to change a person’s worldview. It is imperative that the mission of WEP exist spreading ideas, financial stability and new opportunities for women in India.”

Brandi is the Founder of IndiaThink a consulting firm that offers culture management strategies that build global business.  Brandi guides executives and their teams through cultural obstacles in India with specific management and negotiation techniques.  She is working with Women’s Education Project to expand public awareness and grow financial support inside corporate communities invested in India. She has a personal passion to change the lack of education inside India and believes projects like WEP signal an opening to build grass roots change.