DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be part of the Loop community! My background is in program and data management, where I’ve spent over 15 years helping organizations strengthen partnerships, improve systems, and expand opportunities for others. What drew me to Loop Works is its heart — creating real pathways for families to find stability, purpose, and growth.

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

As the Operations Manager, I oversee internal systems and onboarding processes that ensure our programs run smoothly across multiple states. With experience in nonprofit administration, I’m dedicated to improving organizational efficiency and collaboration by building accessible opportunities that strengthen families and communities.

TECH LEAD

I’m Sid, a recent Computer Engineering graduate from Binghamton University. I’ve loved computers for as long as I can remember, and I’m focused on turning that passion into real solutions that improve everyday life.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

I’m a Creative Director and Storytelling Strategist who blends editorial vision, brand strategy, and culture-forward creativity to build narratives that resonate and drive impact. With a decade of experience shaping content across beauty, entertainment, fashion, wellness, non-profit, and pharma, I specialize in transforming insights into cohesive campaigns that elevate identity, community, and purpose. I create work that feels human, culturally intentional, and designed for meaningful connection.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

As the Executive Assistant at LoopRoots Foundation, I create the space for our leaders to focus on innovation and growth by keeping operations organized, running efficiently and supporting their success. With a growing passion for strategic support, I am dedicated to contributing to our fast growing vision. My commitment to excellence remains strong and I’m eager to embark on this new chapter of my career

UI/UX LEAD DESIGNER

Daelan is a UX/UI Designer with a background in hospitality management. In the service industry, he learned how to anticipate needs and serve with empathy to curate personable, unique experiences and continues that work in a digital space creating thoughtful, human-centered interactions. Born and raised in Oakland, Daelan has worked with youth programs and is excited to work with Loop Roots Foundation to use UX design as a way to help support underserved communities to give voice to stories of those that often go unheard. 

HARDWARE INTEGRATION ENGINEER

Sunshin Jo recently graduated in Computer Engineering with a strong background in AI, software, and embedded systems.

He enjoys creating innovative solutions that connect technology and real-world impact, including wildfire detection and computer vision projects.

UI/UX PRODUCT DESIGNER

Shrutika Varshney is a product designer who swapped runway sketches for design systems and hasn’t looked back since. With 4+ years shaping intuitive experiences across fin-tech, fashion, and AI, she blends sharp UX thinking with a love for storytelling, structure, while sipping chai. She's here to make pixels purposeful.

FRONT/BACK-END DEVELOPER

Hi, I’m Naga Dileep Garigapati, a Full Stack Software Developer with experience building scalable web and cloud applications. I specialize in Python, Django, React, Node.js, and SQL, and have worked on secure authentication systems, microservices, and AI-powered recommendation models. My work focuses on creating efficient, user-centered solutions that improve performance, security, and real-time responsiveness across platforms.

I’m passionate about technology that drives meaningful impact, and I enjoy building innovative products that blend AI, data, and modern full-stack development

Hey! My name is Lajoie (pronounced luh-jwah), I’m a Software Developer here at Loop Roots. I’m so excited and grateful for this opportunity to create digital tools to help connect and support families to their loved ones. As a lifelong activist and woman of color, working for Loop Roots means a great deal to me. I’m excited to help create real, positive change by building tools that empower communities impacted by the prison industrial complex.

As a junior software developer, Tamara focuses on building purposeful solutions and learning something new every day. She is driven by the belief that technology should be a tool for equity and positive change. An activist and proud social justice warrior, she brings that same passion for advocacy into her technical work. When she isn't coding, she is likely deep-diving into podcasts - she is a fan of everything from investigative journalism to complex true-crime cases, always drawn to a good challenge and a powerful story. Tamara is thrilled to bring her energy to the team and is happy to be part of the loop!

I’m a Full-Stack Developer with a strong foundation in front-end and back-stack web development, recently served as a teaching assistant at an intensive coding bootcamp. My focus is on building responsive, accessible, and user-friendly applications using JavaScript, React, HTML, CSS, and Node.js, along with version control tools like Git and GitHub. Currently pursuing training in Networking, Cloud, and AI/ML.

With a professional background spanning survivor leadership, education, the arts, and customer experience, I bring a collaborative, empathetic, and solutions-oriented mindset to my work in tech. I thrive in environments where I can solve real-world problems, learn continuously, and contribute to meaningful projects.

In my free time, I enjoy gardening, creating art, and supporting community initiatives around harm reduction, LGBTQ+ advocacy, disability justice, and food justice. These experiences shape my commitment to equity, inclusion, and social impact in technology.

I am a junior software developer eager to learn and grow in the tech field. I have a passion for helping others succeed and strive to better myself every day. I enjoy building new coding projects to explore and strengthen my skills, and I bring an open-minded, motivational, and team-oriented approach to everything I do. Outside of coding, I enjoy creative crafts, which inspire my problem-solving and creativity.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Gregory is a graphic designer and creative storyteller with a passion for turning bold ideas into meaningful visual experiences. With a BFA in Graphic Design and an AS in Media Arts and Design from the garden state of New Jersey. Gregory specializes in brand identity, social media content, and concept driven campaigns that resonate. 

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER /CONTENT CREATOR

Jessica Royce is a digital content professional for mission-driven organizations. She has led awareness and advocacy efforts for racial justice, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, religious freedom, and refugee populations in Syria and the surrounding region. She has a particular passion for advancing reproductive rights and challenging systemic injustices such as mass incarceration, police brutality, and discriminatory practices.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER /CONTENT CREATOR

Agugu Rita Bethrand is a social Media Manager/Content Creator who develops engaging digital content to connect brands with their audiences and drive online growth.

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Gabriela is an Art Director and a Master's student at the University of Florida with experience in marketing and advertising design, creative concepting, visual storytelling, and creative strategy. At LoopTroop she supports the Creative Director in developing and maintaining visual brand identity, contributes to storyboarding, photography direction, and campaign roll-outs, and translates strategic goals into visual concepts that inspire engagement and action. With a background in Philosophy and Art Direction, Gabriela uses her experience to create visually compelling assets with strong strategy to communicate LoopRoots' mission.

Associate Communications Director 

Maya Parkins is a results-driven marketing and communications strategist with over a decade of experience helping mission-driven nonprofits turn purpose into measurable impact. She leads end-to-end marketing and storytelling strategies that increase visibility, deepen donor engagement, and drive action across social impact causes. She blends data-informed insight, compelling narratives, and modern digital tools. She holds earned degrees from American University and the University of Maryland

PROJECT MANAGER (TRANSPORTATION)

I’m Shweta, people-first and process-driven. I streamline onboarding, schedules, and communication so programs run on time and feel welcoming for everyone. I value dignity, boundaries, and clear follow-through. At LoopRoots, I’m excited to support day-to-day operations and outreach that strengthen families, bridge gaps, and make it easier for community members to access the resources they deserve.

ZOHO SYSTEMS COORDINATOR

As the Zoho Systems Coordinator at LoopRoots Foundation, Habeebah designs and manages the foundation’s digital workspace across Zoho Projects, Desk, Connect, and WorkDrive. With a background in process organization and systems management, she focuses on creating scalable structures that keep programs running efficiently and teams aligned. Passionate about using systems to empower people, Habeebah believes that strong internal processes play a key role in supporting LoopRoots’ mission to bridge gaps, strengthen families, and connect communities to the resources they deserve.

OUTREACH SPECIALIST

As an outreach specialist, Maya has a background in community building and computer science. She is responsible for innovative outreach, events, and collaboration with other organizations that supports LoopRoots’ community, programs, and mission. She hopes through LoopRoots to help play a part in building community as well as make a positive difference in the lives of as many people as possible who are impacted by incarceration.

GRANT WRITER & RESEARCHER

Jiwon Jung is a Grant Writer and Research Analyst at LoopRoots Foundation, where she supports fundraising and program development to expand transportation, housing, and reentry support for families impacted by incarceration. With a background in ESG finance, she focuses on building data-driven strategies that transform community needs into sustainable funding. Jiwon is passionate about creating pathways that reconnect families and strengthen communities.

PRICING STRATEGY & REVENUE

I’m Yichen, a Master’s student in Information Systems at Stevens Institute of Technology. At LoopTroop, I support the team by analyzing data and developing sustainable pricing strategies that drive program growth. I’m passionate about data-driven problem solving and hope to use analytics to create meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector.

PRICING STRATEGY & REVENUE OPTIMIZATION ADVISOR

I'm Sahana Kuchangi, a recent graduate with a master's in business analytics.  I’m a data and business intelligence professional who loves turning numbers into stories that help companies make better decisions. I enjoy building tools and dashboards that make work easier, smarter, and more efficient.