MEET THE FOUNDER
"To be a changemaker through community service is to turn compassion into action, knowing that even the smallest effort can lead to a lasting impact."
– Shirene Khandpur, Inglemoor High School Student, Kirkland, WA
Shirene Khandpur (she/her) is the Founder and President of The Cultural Connect. A high school senior, Shirene strongly advocates for the underprivileged and marginalized individuals in her community, especially the refugees, whom she supports through this platform.
Shirene found inspiration in an unexpected place—after a chance encounter with a refugee family at the exit ramp requesting any help they could get. She was moved by their struggles to adapt to a new life in a foreign land. Especially when she learned about her grandparents' struggle to relocate as refugees after the partition of India, Shirene felt like she could transform empathy into action, impacting the lives of those starting over.
This moment in 2019 sparked the creation of The Cultural Connect, a nonprofit organization that helps marginalized communities like refugees survive and thrive. Unlike traditional aid groups, Cultural Connect’s vision goes beyond basic needs, offering personalized mentorship, cultural exchange programs, and career-building workshops.
While pursuing her IB Diploma, Shirene uses her voice as the Chief Editor of her school newspaper as well as a paid writer for a local newspaper to raise awareness for conquering the cultural divide.
digital INCLUSION head
Angad Sabharwal is the head of digital inclusion at the Melbourne Chapter of The Cultural Connect. Through community-driven events, outreach programs, and innovative ways of connecting the elderly and the Mauri tribes with vital digital resources, Angad shows that age is no barrier to making a real impact. He holds monthly workshops with five other volunteers from his primary school, training seniors at the local senior care center on using technology, including Office and Google products.
cultural workshops head
Tanya Singh has taken on the role of head of cultural workshops for The Cultural Connect for the Redmond Chapter. Through this platform, she creates safe spaces in monthly seminars where people from different backgrounds can share their stories, traditions, and skills, fostering mutual respect and learning. Thus far, she has organized baking and art skill workshops as well as Diwali and Eid cultural celebrations raising funds through handmade jewelry sales.
JOB SKILLS TRAINING HEAD
Veer Khandpur has taken on the role of job skills training head for The Cultural Connect's Kirkland chapter. Upon visiting India in 2019, he realized that some individuals' only barrier to a fresh start is access to proper and affordable skill learning. He has been leading monthly workshops where volunteers like himself provide hands-on training in areas like resume building, interview techniques, and technical skills, empowering those needing to reclaim their independence.
language exchange HEAD
Raj Khandpur is the head of the language exchange for the Kirkland chapter of The Cultural Connect. Along with a few other high school volunteers from his school, International Community School, he has been leading the English and Math tutoring for ESL students online, pairing individuals in need with mentors who could offer homework help and translator/interpreter support.
