NINA VENDHAM

UNITED STATES, 24

Project: India School Access
Pronouns: She/Her

As the daughter of immigrants, Nina is passionate about employing economics and technology to alleviate inequalities in emerging economies. Through self-advocacy workshops centered around topics such as equity, collective impact, and systems thinking, ISA helps the children of Indian immigrants, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, navigate the intricacies of the school system. 

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How does India School Access address intersectionality in its work? 

As a woman of color, gen Z-er, and the daughter of immigrants, intersectionality has shaped my experiences in every aspect. Unfortunately, most well-intentioned programs fail to cater to women of color. I remember reading "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg. Despite offering practical advice on standing up for yourself, the book failed to address the problem that most women of color face: what do you do when advocating for yourself and leaning in isn’t enough? At ISA, we approach all of our work through a lens of intersectionality. We provide tailored frameworks and empower our participants to unapologetically share their experiences.

“The vision of ISA is to ensure that every Indian-origin child—no matter their nationality, religion, caste, gender, or socio-economic status—receives a quality education and the skill sets needed to achieve their dreams.”
Evan Wei-Haas