ABOUT US
AFEC works to ensure that all youth have a chance to reach their full potential
Our Mission
To support the journey of orphaned and vulnerable youth to adulthood.
Our Vision
We believe the world’s most vulnerable children, those who are abandoned or parentless, deserve to live in safe, loving, supportive environments and grow into happy, productive adults.
OUR STORY
How our founders embarked on a heartfelt mission to empower India’s forgotten youth
In 1997, our founders, Gita and Madan Gopal, adopted their daughter from Pune, India. They were overjoyed to have Richa in their lives, but always at the back of their minds were the countless abandoned children in India who had no hope of being adopted. Driven by personal experience and a desire to give back, the couple was determined to make a difference in the lives of these children.
Over the years, they looked for ways to give back to this community that had given them their daughter. When the couple heard that orphaned, abandoned youth are forced to leave care homes at age 18 with no support from family or the state, they were moved. These youth, who often end up in conflict with the law, are unable to support themselves and have virtually no chance of leading stable, successful lives. This was a stark contrast to our founders’ experience with their children and the kind of support they needed at the cusp of adulthood. In 2018, fueled by a determination to make a difference, Gita and Madan established AFEC with a clear vision of empowering these forgotten youth and providing them a chance to craft their own future. AFEC’s goal is to help them overcome the disadvantages of their childhood and adolescence and create opportunities for growth and success.
We believe that all youth deserve a chance at a better future.
OUR JOURNEY SO FAR
OUR BOARD
Gita Gopal
Co-founder & President
Gita shifted careers from tech to championing the cause of vulnerable children.
Gita Gopal
Co-founder & President
After a successful decades-long career in the tech industry, Gita shifted focus to championing the cause of orphaned and adopted children. Through her roles as president of the Los Altos Special Education PTA and mentor for low-income students, she witnessed the challenges faced by vulnerable youth in their transition to adulthood. With a personal connection as an adoptive parent, Gita is dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for youth in need, ensuring they have a brighter future.
Madan Gopal
Co-founder, Secretary & Treasurer
Madan discovered his true passion of leveraging technology for good, after several decades in networking
Madan Gopal
Co-founder, Secretary & Treasurer
With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in networking and software, in large companies as well as in startups, Madan discovered that his true passion lies in leveraging technology for good.
In keeping with his passion, he lends his technical expertise to local charities such as CHAC which offers counselling services to children and families in the Bay Area. As a proud father of two biological sons and an adopted daughter, Madan also serves as the family’s trusted tech support guru.
Sumi Aggarwal
Sumi is a journalist with an impressive career that spans several renowned media outlets.
Sumi Aggarwal
With an impressive career that spans renowned media outlets like 60 Minutes, Google, and The Today Show, Sumi Aggarwal is a seasoned journalist and communications professional. Her remarkable work has earned her accolades, including the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, two News Emmys, and an Edward R. Murrow award.
She actively volunteers at local schools and various non-profit organizations. Sumi lives with her husband, two adopted daughters, and beloved dog in San Francisco’s Bay Area.
Ruby Bolaria Shifrin
Ruby Bolaria Shifrin, leads the housing affordability program at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).
Ruby Bolaria Shifrin
Ruby Bolaria Shifrin, leads the housing affordability program at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). She is dedicated to fostering equitable access and generating housing supply through grants, technical assistance, strategic investments, and research. Ruby brings a unique blend of advocacy and non-profit expertise to AFEC.
Grounded in a passion for equity and social justice, Ruby holds a BA in Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Priya Jadeja
Priya has made a global impact in research, venture capital, and finance, with over 25 years experience.
Priya Jadeja
With over 25 years of diverse experience in research, venture capital, and finance, Priya has made her mark in India, Singapore, and the United States. She currently facilitates the philanthropic efforts of the Motwani Jadeja Family Foundation across the world.
As the Chief Thought Officer at the Virpur Heritage Foundation, she combines culture, heritage, and modern technology. Priya also serves as a volunteer jury member for Stanford’s International Documentary Film Festival.
Priya’s contributions encompass a wide range of sectors, all aimed at fostering social impact and bridging cultures.
Harbrinder Kang
Harbrinder is a creative and forward-thinking executive with three decades of experience.
Harbrinder Kang
With three decades of experience providing strategic guidance to Silicon Valley startups and Fortune 100 companies, Harbrinder is a creative and forward-thinking executive.
His passion for social impact, the future of work, and digital transformation drive his work and vision. Previously, Harbrinder led the Cisco Networking Academy, expanding its reach from 800K to 1.9M students annually.
Karl Kramer
A retired lawyer, Karl is the former head of litigation and managing partner at Morrison & Foerster’s Silicon Valley office.
Karl Kramer
A retired lawyer, Karl is the former head of litigation and managing partner at Morrison & Foerster’s Silicon Valley office. He has tried numerous intellectual property cases in courts throughout the United States, showcasing his expertise as a trial lawyer.
Karl earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and holds a degree from Lawrence University.
Anusuya Rao
Originally from Mangalore and raised in Chennai, India, Anusuya has been a resident of the Bay Area for the past two decades.
Anusuya Rao
Originally from Mangalore and raised in Chennai, India, Anusuya has been a resident of the Bay Area for the past two decades. As a mother of two adopted children, an 18-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl from Pune, India, Anusuya actively engages in volunteering at her children’s schools and contributes her time to various organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Reading Partners, and the South Asian Heart Center.
Anusuya finds joy in culinary delights, music, travel, outdoor adventures, and creating cherished moments with her loved ones. She pours her passion for helping vulnerable children to expand AFEC’s reach.
Jayshree Radia
A passionate advocate for social causes, Jayshree actively supports multiple non-profits in the Bay Area.
Jayshree Radia
A passionate advocate for social causes, Jayshree actively supports multiple non-profits in the Bay Area and has made a significant impact as the Matching Funds Coordinator for prominent charities and a member of various boards.
Her philanthropic endeavors extend to fundraising for the homeless and hosting meditation sessions for peace and well-being. Jayshree brings people together to create positive change and is dedicated to empowering lives.
Amrita Venkatraman
Amrita graduated from Stanford University with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Psychology.
Amrita Venkatraman
Amrita graduated from Stanford University with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Psychology. She tutored middle and high school kids in East Palo Alto in robotics and game development as a part of Stanford’s DreamCatchers Organization.
Amrita is now a software engineer in Silicon Valley. She is passionate about AFEC because she feels any of the youth AFEC supports could be in her shoes, but by the luck of the draw, they are not.
Roshni Patel
Roshni Patel’s unwavering dedication to fostering literacy among underserved youth has made her a force for positive change.
Roshni Patel
Roshni Patel’s unwavering dedication to fostering literacy among underserved youth has made her a force for positive change. Through her volunteer work with organizations like Reading Partners, Read Ahead, and Junior Achievement, she has actively contributed to improving educational opportunities.
As a Product Marketer for Goodreads, Roshni developed a groundbreaking ‘pen pal’ program that connects colleagues with Oakland Public School students, inspiring a love for reading and creating a supportive community. With an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business, Roshni combines her passion for literacy with her expertise to transform lives.
OUR ADVISORS
Sonya Pelia
Sonya is a passionate advocate for gender equality, dedicating over 25 years to leadership, board, and volunteer work.
Sonya Pelia
Sonya is a passionate advocate for gender equality, dedicating over 25 years to leadership, board, and volunteer work at the renowned non-profit Maitri, supporting South Asian survivors of domestic violence in the Bay Area.
As a board member of MoveUp and advisor to non-profit founders, she extends her impact further. Sonya’s career as a Marketing Executive in B2B tech allows her to leverage her skills and networks to champion women’s leadership.
Anurag Wadehra
Anurag is a seasoned marketer with a proven track record in B2B software companies across diverse industries.
Anurag Wadehra
Anurag is a seasoned marketer with a proven track record in B2B software companies across diverse industries.
Anurag’s expertise extends beyond his corporate roles, as he actively serves as a board member and advisor to startups and nonprofits. Holding an MBA from the University of Chicago, Anurag embodies a unique blend of business acumen and technical proficiency.
OUR TEAM
Richa Gopal
Richa is an adoptee who is passionate about bringing the younger adoptive community together.
Richa Gopal
Richa is an adoptee who is passionate about bringing the younger adoptive community together. She has contributed to AFEC in many ways, including designing logos, icons, and other graphical assets.
She enjoys cooking and aspires to be a fitness trainer.
Shoba Iyer
Shoba was a software professional who worked long hours. She adopted a daughter 9 years ago and started pursuing her interests in health and wellness. In addition to championing the cause of adopted and vulnerable children, she makes jewelry, dances, and hikes with friends.
Geeta Athalye
Geeta is a technology executive with over two decades’ experience in the Semiconductor Industry.
Geeta Athalye
Geeta is a seasoned technology executive with decades of experience in the Semiconductor Industry. She has held various roles in engineering, marketing, and business development. Beyond her professional pursuits, Geeta is deeply passionate about education and fostering independence for children. Over the years, she has devoted her time to volunteering and empowering underprivileged school kids while also mentoring young college students.
Driven by her desire to create a meaningful impact for children, Geeta was naturally drawn to AFEC. She currently residing in Boston with her husband and daughter.
Surinder Kang
Surinder is currently a patient advocate at Stanford Hospital, where she helps patients navigate the healthcare system. She has had diverse experiences in her professional life, spanning from working as a radiation therapist, a consultant on interior design and construction projects to mentoring foster youth and juveniles as a court-appointed advocate.
Surinder and her husband have two biological children and an adopted daughter from Pune, India. Surinder is passionate about design, both interior and fashion, loves to travel, read, and enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
