Leadership
Our leadership team create opportunities and deepen the engagement of knowledge presented on our published and digital skills chassis. The collective knowledge and shared values firmly establishes the diversity champions – women and men – who are investing in the success of our future talent pipeline.
Our Board of Directors
Loxley Browne
BOARD DIRECTOR
Athenian, Founder & CEO
BACKGROUND: Design, Invention, Fabrication, Start-Up, PR, Marketing, Photography, Education, Skilled Trades
Zach Sharpell
BOARD DIRECTOR
Qualcomm, Mechanical Engineer
BACKGROUND: Start-Up Mentor, Founder, Designer, Engineer, Research, Skilled Trades, Motorsports, SAE
Rob Northcutt
BOARD DIRECTOR
Rayno, Real Estate Investor
BACKGROUND: Finance, Real Estate, Start-Up, Tech, Golf, Tennis, Business, Communication
My Why: “One of the greatest gifts we can give our daughters is the belief that their future has no boundaries. Stories have a remarkable way of planting that belief. They become the spark for imagination, the courage to ask “what if,” and the confidence to keep going when life gets hard. That’s why I believe so deeply in Books That Build Skills—because every girl deserves stories that don’t just entertain her, but inspire her to build a life filled with curiosity, purpose, and possibility.”
Our Team of Experts
Carissa Tridina
Public Relations
My Why: “Books that Build Skills is something out of a childhood dream! I jumped at the chance to volunteer because getting books in children’s hands is so close to my heart, and books like these have the potential to bring so much joy, inspiration, and a drive to explore the world. “
Elmer Ayala
Google Ad Grant Management & Digital Marketing
My Why: “As a proud girl dad (2X), I have a vested interest in helping Books That Build Skills further its mission to impact real-world outcomes for women in STEM fields. I have witnessed first-hand how much richer and impactful a diverse collection of team contributors can be.”
Rashi Dhoju
Website UX & Strategy
Area of Expertise:UX/UI Designer specializing in user experience research, usability testing, and information architecture, with experience designing intuitive digital products from concept to launch.
My Why: “I believe education has the power to change lives, and I wanted to contribute my skills to something that creates lasting impact. Books That Build Skills stood out as a mission-drive initiative where I could help build meaningful resources while growing alongside a passionate team.”
Manasa Bedadala
Founding Product Strategy Advisor
My Why: “I chose to volunteer with Books That Build Skills because its mission closely aligns with work I have previously done to mentor and motivate young girls. I was especially drawn to the organization’s approach of using stories, practical learning, and career exploration to help girls build confidence and see new possibilities for their future. Supporting the build of the Secret Book Society has given me an opportunity to contribute my product and strategy experience to a mission I genuinely care about.”
Becca Pettinaro
Graphic Design
Area of Expertise: Graphic Design, specializing in familiarizing the strange through logo design, brand identity, typography, visual storytelling, creative strategy and art direction.
My Why: “I am so pleased to be a volunteer with Books That Build Skills because I believe thoughtful design can make learning more engaging, accessible, and inspiring for children. As a graphic designer, I enjoy creating visuals that communicate ideas clearly and spark curiosity. I’m excited to use my creative skills to help support an organization that promotes literacy and lifelong learning.”
Nadia Angeline
Brand & Creative Designer
My Why: “As a kid, I fell in love with books that felt like treasure hunts filled with hand-drawn maps, playful typography, curious characters, and invitations to explore. They sparked my imagination, nurtured my love of reading, and eventually inspired my career in design. I’m excited to help Books That Build Skills create experiences that invite girls to stay curious and dream bigger.”
Prakash Nagpal
Marketing Strategy & Systems Planning
My Why: “Books That Build Skills combines thoughtful programming with a genuine commitment to equipping young women with the skills they need to navigate life with confidence. The depth of their messaging and the clarity of their mission reflect an organization that truly understands its audience and its purpose. It was a privilege to contribute to an organization building tomorrow’s leaders — one book, one skill, one young person at a time.”
Shreyanka Seetharam
Website Strategy & Audit
My Why: “Honestly, I said yes to this because I remember exactly which books made me feel like I could figure anything out as a kid, and I wanted to help build that same feeling for someone else. I like how intentional this organization is: using stories, hands-on learning, and real career exposure to help girls actually see themselves doing something bigger. It’s a small thing, but if it means one more girl finds the site, gets the book, and thinks ‘oh, I could do that too,’ that’s the whole point for me.”