New Employee Bios – May and June 2015
Room to Read India
Mukesh Kumar Agarwal joined Room to Read India as Senior Associate- Accounts and Admin at
Delhi office on 7th May 2015. He brings in 12+ years of experience in Finance & Administration.
He has done Bachelor of Commerce from M.J.P. University, Bareilly (U.P) along with Master of
Commerce from M.J.P. University, Bareilly (U.P). He also holds a Diploma in Management from
IGNOU.
Mahima Sukheja joined Room to Read India as Program Officer, GEP based at Delhi on 1st May
2015. She brings in close to 6 years of experience in the education sector. She has done B.A. in
Sociology from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University and M.A. in Social Work
from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. She has actively been a part of field researches
and experiences.
Pritam Kumar Mishra joined Room to Read India as Literacy Program Operations Officer at
Rajasthan Office on 5th June 2015. He brings in 10+ years of experience in the education sector.
He has done Post Graduate diploma in Rural Development from Xavier institute of social service
(XISS), Ranchi along with Bachelor of Science (Physics Hons.) from R. D. $ D. J. college, Munger.
He has been a part of various trainings and workshops in development sector.
Amit Saraswat joined Room to Read India on 6th July 2015 as Literacy Program Operations
Associate at Uttarakhand Office. He brings in close to 7 years of experience. He has done Post
graduation, M.A IN Sociology from Verdhman Open University, Rajasthan along with B.Ed from
Jammu University and B.Sc from MDS University, Rajasthan.
Room to Read Sri Lanka
Geetha Mayadunne joined Room to Read on 5th May 2015 as a Research, Monitoring and
Evaluation Manager. She has completed B.Sc. Degree, Master in Statistics & Ph.D. in Economics
from University of Paradniya. Geetha had over 15 years’ experience in Monitoring & evaluation
Field. She has worked at Centre for poverty Analysis, Ministry of Agriculture & Department of
Census & statistics.
Thilini Kavindya Herath joined Room to Read on 5th May 2015 as a Program Associate in Quality
Reading Material Units. She has completed B.Sc. Degree in Computation & Management. Thilini
is fresh starting with Room to Read for QRM Program.
Ellan Pushparaj joined us on 15th June, 2015 as a Program Officer in the Instructional Design &
Teacher Support Unit. He has completed his Bachelor of Art degree in Sociology & his M.Sc.
Degree in Development Communication. Ellan had experience in NG sector. He has worked with
Human Development Organization & Berendina Development Service.
1
Salinda Dissanayake joined us on 15th June, 2015 as a Field Account & Finance Assistant in the
Anuradhapura Office. He has completed a Diploma in Business Information Technology. Salinda
has worked with Hatton nation Bank & Sarwordhya Finance Company as an Assistant.
Room to Read Cambodia
Mr. Koh Sarach joined with Room to Read on May 04, 2015 as a GEP Program Associate, based
in Field Office – Skun, Kampong Cham province. He has almost four years of experience with in
MH Bio-Energy and Worked for Asia Vintage Co., Ltd as HR & Admin Officer, over one year as
Sponsorship Service with Good Neighbors Cambodia and two years as Taught English Course
Book of True Color Series with Newton Thilay School. He has graduated Bachelor of Arts in
English and pursuing the Master in Educational Administration and Leadership.
Jacob Risner joined Room to Read in May of 2015 as the new Country Operations Manager for
Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Jacob has eight years in the experience in the development
sector, and he comes to us from the International Youth Foundation in Baltimore in various
capacities, leaving as Eurasia Program Manager. Prior to IYF he worked for a community-based
family services agency in the U.S. where he first worked directly with disadvantaged families
and youth and then managed the implementation and evaluation of the agency’s
programming. Jacob holds an M.P.A. from the University of Baltimore and a B.S. in psychology
and French from Washington College.
Christie Scott joined Room to Read in May of 2015 as the new Asia Regional Director. Prior to
joining Room to Read Christie was working at the International Youth Foundation. Among other
relevant experience, she has served in senior staff roles within the Peace Corps in Central Asia,
served as the Field Coordinator, Afghanistan for the International Rescue Committee, and was a
Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya. She has provided technical and programmatic support in over
20 countries throughout her career. Christie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in International
Business and Masters in Finance from the American University (1989).
Room to Read South Africa
Dr. Philip Christensen joined Room to Read in May but has lived and worked in Africa since
1980, focusing on the design of learning systems that improve lives. While on this continent he
has inaugurated a pioneering online education company in South Africa, managed six multimillion-dollar, donor-funded educational development projects covering 15 countries, and
consulted on a variety of international development initiatives. His most recent assignments
include serving as Regional Project Director for Farmer Voice Radio, a six-year adult-education
initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, followed by proposal development
work for literacy and girls’ education in Northern Nigeria and Haiti. He earned a Bachelor’s
degree in Social Psychology from Harvard University and a Doctorate in Education from the
University of Massachusetts.
Room to Read – GO San Francisco
Elynn Kann joined Room to Read in May of 2015 as the new Office and HR Assistant. Elynn joins
us following a 15 country independent international research project on women’s health and
2
wellness issues. Prior to that assignment, Elynn as President, ran the Village Health Project
which support wellness and health issues in Uganda. BS in Sociology from the University of
Wisconsin Madison.
Erica Cuellar joined Room to Read in May of 2015 as the new Human Resources Associate. Erica
was an Account Analyst and then an Account Manager for Neovia, an Insurance broker, where
she earned her Insurance license in accident, health and life. Erica has also worked for Direct
Relief International. She earned her BA in Communications and Global Studies from the
University of California at Santa Barbara.
Sarah Luttman joined Room to Read in May of 2015 as the new Manager of Financial Planning
and Analysis. She was deeply involved in Room to Read’s chapter network for seven years in
Minneapolis. She has over 10 years of experience in financial planning, finance systems and
analytics including both Target and Google. She earned her degree in education at Augsburg
College and MBA from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota.
Elisa Manheim joined Room to Read in May of 2015 as our new Finance Associate. She just
completed her MBA program at George Washington in Washington, DC where she focused on
finance and business analytics. Prior to Business School Elisa worked that the Institute of
international Education in various finance roles and was actively involved in monitoring and
tracking expenses, payments and general office organization. Her degree is in a BA in Global
economics from UC Santa Cruz. She spent a semester studying abroad in Sienna, Italy in an
intensive language and culture program and is proficient in Italian.
Room to Read Vietnam
Thuy Nguyen joined on May 14, 2014 as the new GEP Program Associate in Tra On. She graduated
with BA degree from University of Can Tho, major in Biotechnology. She worked as translator for
construction project, Can Tho University in 1 year. She also had 1 year of experiences at AKIZ
project with the position of Project Assistant.
Room to Read Bangladesh
Mamunur Rashid joined Room to Read’s Country Office on 07 June, 2015 as the new Accounting
& Finance Manager. He has come with around 15 years of experience working with financial &
accounting monitoring & reporting. His most recent job was with STS Group as ‘Deputy General
Manager, Finance & Accounts’. He worked previously with CP Logistics Limited and Lotus Kamal
Group of Companies. He has completed the CA CC and studying ACCA and also completes the
Knowledge level. He has received his Bachelor in Commerce and obtained MBA degree from
International Islamic University of Chittagong
Mandira Guha Neogi joined Room to Read’s Country Office on 07 June, 2015 as the new Program
Associate, Quality Reading Materials. Previously she was working in CARE Bangladesh
(SHOUHARDO-II) project as the Knowledge Management Officer. She also worked in other
different development organization like Unnayan Shamannay as the Associate Coordinator,
Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust as the Research Officer etc. Considering her educational
3
background, she has completed her B.A. and M.A. in English Language and Literature from
Jahangirnagar University. She has also obtained MDS degree (Development Studies) from BRAC
University.
4