ASHA MATHEW serves as Senior Research Associate for the JoyCorps Studio. She holds a PhD in International Relations, and her research interests include understanding democratic structures and the incorporation of minorities. She currently lives in Dehradun, India
ERICA D’SOUZA is a Senior Associate at the JoyCorps Studio. She loves working with data and helping people see the importance of it. She also loves understanding how processes and systems work and how they can be improved. She lives with her husband, two cats, and a dog in Mumbai, India.
JOBY VARGHESE is the Lead of Fellowship & Ecosystem. He grew up in South India and has worked in various leadership roles for over two decades. He studied leadership in the US, where he helped with strategy development for a cross-cultural team. Joby lives in Dehradun, India, with his wife, Rhema, and their two daughters.
JOSIE MACKENZIE serves as the Lead of the JoyCorps Studio, where she works with clients to create entrepreneurial solutions that are contextually appropriate. She has a Master's degree in Design Thinking. She lives in Ireland.
LIRIS THOMAS is the Coordinator for the Aspire Program. Growing up in Delhi, he has always been passionate about creating opportunities for people to thrive. With years of experience working on projects that empower those in need, Liris believes in the power of communities to drive meaningful change. Outside of work, Liris enjoys riding his motorcycle and filling his home with plants. He lives in Trivandrum, India with his wife, two daughters, and a few stray cats that frequently visit.
NIKHIL DWARKA serves as Senior Associate of Community Development, developing and managing our community support initiatives in India. He has spent many years as a mentor for young Tibetan men and women with backgrounds of addiction. Nikhil lives with his wife and their daughter in Dehradun, India.
SAM PARAKKAL is our Executive Director. He grew up in the Arabian Gulf, earned a business degree in the US, and spent a decade gaining experience in business processes. He began coaching JoyCorps Fellows in India in 2018 and became E.D. in 2021. Sam lives in Dehradun, India with his wife and their two daughters.
SARAH BERNAL serves as Coordinator for Ecosystem programs. She is dedicated to and has worked in social work for over 15 years. Passionate about cultures and languages, she thrives in new contexts. With a background in Sociology (BA) and a decade of experience teaching internationally, Sarah enjoys discovering innovative approaches to training and learning. Currently, she resides in Dehradun, India, with her husband, two daughters, and three lively dogs.
SHALEM KALLIMEL steps in as Coordinator, Fellowship for JoyCorps. Having roots in South India, Shalem has lived mostly in North India, and is married to Kim, from the Northeast. His multi-cultural background, along with his passion to see people thrive and flourish, helps him easily adapt and be flexible. Shalem lives in Dehradun, India, with his wife and their three boys.
SHWETA KAKKAR is the Lead of Operations and Communication. She holds a postgraduate degree in Development Studies and an undergraduate degree in Business Studies. Shweta is skilled in operations management, cross-cultural communication, and program management, and loves connecting like-minded people. She lives with her husband and their two dogs in Dehradun, India.
TENZIN TSERING is our Senior Associate for Fellowship. A Tibetan born and raised in northern India, Tenzin is guided by a commitment to purposeful work and continuous growth. He supports the fellowship through program coordination, systems thinking, and backend operations. He lives in Dehradun with his wife, their daughter, and their dog, Buddy.
Our Board
DR. KRISTEN WILLARD
Kristen is an economist who holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Economics from Princeton University. She taught microeconomics for ten years, spent ten years in litigation consulting, and has traveled extensively to Asia to serve and teach. She has served on JoyCorps’ board since 2019 and as its chairman since 2020.
HENRY HO
Henry is the CSO and Co-Founder of Field Agent and spent 19 years at Procter & Gamble, in both the US and Asia. He has been a part of multiple start-ups and helped to start or support several Multiple Bottom Line businesses in Asia. Henry has a B.S. from Furman University and has served on the JoyCorps board since 2016.
DEMI LLOYD
Demi is co-founder and owner of DEMDACO, a wholesale gift company, and RedRock Traditions, a direct selling company. She is committed to the idea that business is first and foremost a human endeavor. She was previously CEO of House of Lloyd and has served on the JoyCorps board since 2020.
LISA PINEIRA
Lisa works as a Global Outreach Coordinator developing emerging redemptive leaders and mentoring them once they launch globally. She volunteers with the Lakota First Nations Tribe in South Dakota and has served on the JoyCorps board since 2021.
What we value
joy
We believe joy is the lasting trait of somebody who is thriving. It is the core of who we are, the first part of our name and our desire for each person.
community
We also believe there is nothing more powerful than a community working together, supporting one another, and creating opportunities for dignified work.
collaboration
We believe in collaboration, acting as conduits between local leaders and the resources they need to create solutions for their communities.
work
We believe humans were created for work. No act of service has the power to transform lives quite like addressing an individual’s basic need for meaningful and dignified work.
Interested in partnering with us?
