2020-2021 Executive Team

​​Jason Li

Founder & Executive Director

Jason was a rising senior who served as the president of his school's Model United Nations team and regularly spoke in front of various audiences. Passionate in exploring the intersection between business and international relations, Jason hoped to positively impact both his community and society at large through various initiatives.

Vikram Pidaparthi

Vice President of Finance

Vikram was a rising senior in high school and was involved in public speaking, debating, and presentations since a very young age. He made it to elimination rounds and state qualifiers in Lincoln Douglas Debate and has expertise in many aspects of speaking and debating techniques which he regularly shared with students new to Speech and Debate. ​

Anisha Chawla

Vice President of Resources

Hi, my name is Anisha and I’m a rising senior at Cupertino High School. Public speaking is an excellent skill that is needed throughout your whole life. Not only does it improve communication skills, but it also boosts self-esteem and confidence. I believe exposing kids to public speaking at a young age is important so they are more comfortable with speaking in front of a crowd and can master this necessary skill. I am excited to have been a part of this organization and help make this happen!

Ashvin Loghashankar

Vice President of Events

Ashvin was a rising senior in high school who was an active participant in speech and debate for 5 years. He is currently the president of his school's speech and debate team and had qualified for elimination rounds in multiple major tournaments in both Impromptu Speaking and Lincoln Douglas Debate.

Luis Miguel Varona

Vice President of Expansion

Luis Miguel Varona is a social justice advocate, having initiated dozens of community development programs across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. He has spoken publicly about Teach for Speech's work at the University of the Philippines Cebu and the Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park. He was featured on the podcasts frontforumfocus and Curious Vedanth. Additionally, he serves on the C-Suite of two youth-led nonprofit organizations and on the Board of Advisors of two more.

Rajasi Laddha

Vice President of Marketing

Charlene Lin

Chief of Staff/Secretary

2020-2021 Core Leadership

Diya Parameshwaran

Director of Social Media

Diya was an incoming senior at Dougherty Valley High School and had actively participated in debate for five years. She is hopeful to pursue a career in business and co-founded two businesses in the past. She strongly believes in Teach for Speech’s mission to introduce the importance of public speaking to children at an early age and is very excited to be a part of the team. ​

Lydia Jin

Marketing Specialist

Hello! My name is Lydia, and I was a sophomore in a NYC-area high school. My focus of study in school is media communication, furthering my interest in the creative fields. Most of my volunteer work is being a language tutor for elementary students. I am excited to be a part of this organization to help kids become more comfortable in public speaking!

Siyona Behera

Director of Expansion

My name is Siyona Behera and I was a junior at Dougherty Valley High School. Some hobbies of mine are dancing, cooking and spending time with my family and friends. I’m glad to be a part of the Teach for Speech team and look forward to working with everyone!

Grace Baek

Marketing Specialist

​Grace was a junior in high school. Although she is not involved with public speaking, she loves working with children and hopes to pursue business and marketing after high school. Through Teach for Speech, she hopes to reach a global audience and bring more opportunities for children around the world.