Meet Our Team
Board
President
Raven McKelvin
Raven is a senior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, and serves as President of L&D Matter.
Vice President
Natali Chung
Natali Chung is a senior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and this year’s Vice President of L&D Matter. She has previously worked with her hometown organizations teaching children with learning disabilities along with L&D’s Ambassador Program. Natali strives to widen L&D’s impact among the IMSA community and beyond, and hopes to see a future free from discrimination and stigma of people with disabilities. Aside from schoolwork, you’ll probably see her hanging out with friends, playing the drums, or doing some photography or digital art.
Ambassador Program Co-Chair
Christin Sanchez
Christin Sanchez, a Senior at IMSA, is the Co-Head of the Ambassador Program. After researching issues impacting those with disabilities as an Ambassador, she is excited to help lead social media initiatives and informational events to help raise awareness. In her free time, you can find her running on the Cross Country/Track team, playing the flute, or learning new skills.
Ambassador Program Co-Chair
Kaylee Zhou
Kaylee Zhou is a junior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy who transferred from Dekalb High School. This is Kaylee’s first year as a L&D Ambassador but she is excited to contribute to the cause. Some of Kaylee’s hobbies include writing, running, and music. She has past experience managing a mental health account, which has helped fuel her passion for eliminating stigmas of all kinds. Kaylee also enjoys helping others whether it be through volunteering or tutoring, which will help her in her role as ambassador this year.
Buddy Program Co-Chair
Anjali Ali
Anjali Ali is a junior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, and is Co-Chair of the Buddy Program.
Buddy Program Co-Chair
Ria Cherukuri
Ria Cherukuri is a junior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, and is Co-Chair of the Buddy Program.
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Ambassador Program
Ambassador
Aarya Khapre
My name is Aarya Khapre and I am a junior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and a Learning & Disabilities Matter ambassador. I am eager to educate both myself and others on disabilities, neurodiversity, and the importance of providing equitable opportunities to individuals with said disabilities. I enjoy reading, long walks, and Marvel movies.
Ambassador
Annabelle Lu
Annabelle Lu is a senior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. This is her second year as an L&D Matter ambassador, and she is looking forward to continuing to pursue the goals that L&D Matter has set for itself. One of Annabelle’s biggest goals in life is to do as much as she can to help others, and that’s why she wants to become a clinical psychologist. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and baking.
Ambassador
Shanan Riley
Christin Sanchez, a Senior at IMSA, is the Co-Head of the Ambassador Program. After researching issues impacting those with disabilities as an Ambassador, she is excited to help lead social media initiatives and informational events to help raise awareness. In her free time, you can find her running on the Cross Country/Track team, playing the flute, or learning new skills.
Ambassador
Shreeya Avadhanula
Shreeya Avadhanula is a junior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and is a Learning & Disabilities Matter ambassador. Due to past experiences and personal connections for the past couple years, Shreeya has developed a great passion for helping children who struggle with disabilities, furthermore, advocating for a safe and inclusive learning environment. In her free time, Shreeya loves to binge watch disney movies and netflix shows, along with going on runs, dancing, and drawing!
Ambassador
Sridevi Krothapalli
Sridevi Krothapalli is a junior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and an ambassador for L&D. As someone with passions for helping others in ways such as tutoring and volunteering, she is enthusiastic about taking part in this organization and working as an ambassador to increase awareness about learning and developmental disabilities! In her free time, Sridevi likes to sing with her friends, go on walks, and meet new people!
Ambassador
Sabrina Zhang
Sabrina Zhang is currently a senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy. She is an Ambassador and is also serving as one of the mentors for the Buddy Program this year and is looking forward to getting to share her passion of advocating for people with disabilities in the program! In her free time, she loves to play tennis and basketball, drink lots of oat milk lattes, and paint! She can’t wait to work with all of the wonderful people in both programs this year.
Buddy Program
Mentor
Becca Pae
Becca Pae is a rising junior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy. She is one of the new mentors of the Buddy Program and has experience tutoring students. She enjoys working with children and is excited to get the opportunity to help teach students with disabilities this year. In her free time, she enjoys playing the violin, swimming, and trying new and random hobbies.
Mentor
Bhavya Vegesna
Bhavya Vegesna is a junior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and is also one of the new mentors for the Buddy Program. As a tutor for the past 5 years, Bhavya is looking forward to working with her students and helping them learn new things. In her free time, she likes to play badminton, dance, and watch Netflix. She is super excited to work with both the students and the other mentors!
Mentor
Damilola Tabiti
Damilola Tabiti, a Junior at IMSA, is a tutor/mentor for the Buddy Program. This is her second year being a mentor for the program, she is eager to show her upbeat and positive attitude towards teaching and helping for this year’s Buddy’s Program. She owns her own small business and loves to cook new recipes.
Mentor
Jessica Lyseng
Jessica Lyseng, a senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy, is a mentor of the Buddy Program this year. She has worked with many students with learning disabilities all throughout high school and is excited to continue that through this program. In her time outside of this program, she enjoys soccer, slam poetry, and filmmaking.
Mentor
Jonah Fisher
Jonah Fisher is currently a senior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. This is his second year as a mentor, and he is so excited to get to know some more wonderful students! Outside of the Buddy Program, Jonah works as a writing center and peer tutor. He also loves to play percussion in band and play all sorts of video games. He can’t wait to tutor again this year!
Mentor
Maya Holland
Maya Holland, a Junior, is a member of the Buddy Program at Illinois Math and Science Academy this year. She has worked with many students with disabilities throughout middle school and high school and cannot wait to share her experience throughout this program. In her free time, she enjoys painting, baking, and spending time at the gym.
Mentor
Nandana Varma
Nandana Varma is a junior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy, and is a mentor in the Buddy Program. As a member of numerous tutoring programs, she is very fond of working with others and helping students learn and grow. In her free time she loves to read, sing, and binge watch tv! She is excited to work with the other mentors in the program this year.
Mentor
Promise Obazuaye
Promise Obazuaye is a junior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and is one of the mentors in the Buddy Program. Between tutoring for other programs and working towards disability equity, they are excited to share their experience and work with students more through this program! In their free time, they enjoy writing, reading, making various types of art, and watching kdramas.
Mentor
Sabrina Zhang
Sabrina Zhang is currently a senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy. She is serving as one of the mentors for the Buddy Program this year and is also looking forward to getting to share her passion of advocating for people with disabilities through the Ambassador Program! In her free time, she loves to play tennis and basketball, drink lots of oat milk lattes, and paint! She can’t wait to work with all of the wonderful people in both programs this year.
Mentor
Umi Arora
Umi Arora is one of the mentors in the Buddy Program. Umi is a junior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, where she is a part of multiple tutoring clubs. With just 3 years of tutoring experience under her belt, Umi has developed a passion for helping students discover their love of learning. In her free time, Umi likes to draw, watch Netflix, and workout.