• The Love Your Natural Self Foundation•
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Here are the passionate individuals that make our work possible- Meet our team!
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Sanah Jivani
Sanah Jivani is the CEO of The Love Your Natural Self Foundation. After waking up one morning in the 7th grade and finding all of her hair on her pillow, she struggled with wigs, self-esteem, bullying, and self-harm. an honors college student double majoring in sociology and communications at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is the founder and CEO of a non-profit organization called The Love Your Natural Self Foundation, which focuses on empowering individuals through events, movements and hands-on sessions. She started this organization after losing all of her hair to Alopecia in the seventh grade and struggling with wigs, bullying and low self-worth. Now, her non-profit organization hosts projects in 70 schools and 28 countries worldwide. The biggest project hosted by her non-profit is the International Natural Day movement. She has reached over 10,000 students through speaking engagements and raised over $10,000 in fundraising.
Outside of her work with her non-profit, she is one of thirty We Are Family Foundation's Global Teen Leaders, a TEDx Speaker, an American Association of University Women Student Advisory Council Member, an America’s Promise Alliance Board of Trustee Member, a Pearson student Advisor, a State Farm Youth Advisory Board Member, a DoSomething and College Board Youth Advisory Council Member, a 2016-2017 Character Counts Person of Character, the social media Intern at Gobie and an Editorial Intern at HelloFlo among other things. She hopes that this hard work and positive energy will someday change the world!
Outside of her work with her non-profit, she is one of thirty We Are Family Foundation's Global Teen Leaders, a TEDx Speaker, an American Association of University Women Student Advisory Council Member, an America’s Promise Alliance Board of Trustee Member, a Pearson student Advisor, a State Farm Youth Advisory Board Member, a DoSomething and College Board Youth Advisory Council Member, a 2016-2017 Character Counts Person of Character, the social media Intern at Gobie and an Editorial Intern at HelloFlo among other things. She hopes that this hard work and positive energy will someday change the world!
Director of Business- Jake Erney
Jake Erney is majoring in Cyber Security with a minor in Spanish at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He has a passion for the culinary arts and in his free time researches different cooking styles and enjoys experimenting with flavors. Jake also loves to travel, he has studied abroad in three South American countries, two Central American countries, and has lived in nine states across the nation. His largest role model is Joan Rivers; he believes she was able to teach the public how to find comedy in the things that make us different. Understanding that concept enabled Jake to love himself and taught him to love others for their differences. Incorporating that aspect into his life, Jake is on the path of loving his natural self on a daily basis and with being a member of the Love Your Natural Self Foundation team, he hopes to learn more about the things people do to make themselves happy.
Starting with a $25,000-dollar donation from Dell, Jake and a team of students reimaged the functionality of the conference room and library. He managed five different departments inside this project: Interior Design, Architecture, Business, Engineering, and Web Development. Jake was also a figurehead for the entire project, this enabled him to travel and speak at different conferences. He spoke locally to nationally at various conferences varying in disciplines. As of today, the library and conference room designed by Jake and his friends are being utilized and shown to all that enter the building. He hopes to use skills he’s learned in experiences, such as this, in the Love Your Natural Self Foundation to grow the foundation and to touch as many lives with the company’s message as possible.
Starting with a $25,000-dollar donation from Dell, Jake and a team of students reimaged the functionality of the conference room and library. He managed five different departments inside this project: Interior Design, Architecture, Business, Engineering, and Web Development. Jake was also a figurehead for the entire project, this enabled him to travel and speak at different conferences. He spoke locally to nationally at various conferences varying in disciplines. As of today, the library and conference room designed by Jake and his friends are being utilized and shown to all that enter the building. He hopes to use skills he’s learned in experiences, such as this, in the Love Your Natural Self Foundation to grow the foundation and to touch as many lives with the company’s message as possible.
Director of Partnerships- Aisha Azimi
Aisha Azimi is a third year undergraduate student majoring in speech pathology and minoring in journalism and mass communications at the George Washington University in DC. Currently, she is spending a semester studying international development at the University of Amsterdam. She is the director of partnerships of a non-profit organization called The Love Your Natural Self Foundation, which focuses on empowering individuals through events, movements and hands-on sessions. Outside of her work with the non-profit, she is a member of the College Board Youth Advisory Council, volunteer for Free Women Writers and the business development and marketing Intern at Bird + Stone. She hopes to inspire confidence in women and girls in the US and abroad!
Director of Development- Raygan Sylvester
Raygan is a native of North Little Rock, Arkansas and a current junior at the University of Arkansas where she is enrolled in the Sam M. Walton College of Business. She started volunteering at a young age with the Mayor’s Youth Council and later founded her own non-profit organization after her brother, Cody, was in a devastating car accident. In August of 2010, her brother was driving to college when he set his cruise control on 75 mph, fell asleep at the wheel, and crashed. Cody’s injuries were extensive and included badly broken legs, crushed feet and severe nerve damage. The only reason that Cody is alive today is because he was buckled up. Wearing a seat belt has always been a rule in Raygan’s home, but sadly, Arkansas is ranked 46th in the nation in usage. She decided to start a program to encourage seat belt use and to educate children and teenagers about being a safe rider and avoiding the dangers of distractions while driving.
Her program is called “Think S.A.F.E.: Seatbelts Are For Everyone.” Raygan has partnered with Arkansas Children’s Hospital, UAMS, and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office on projects to promote vehicle safety. Her mission is to spread the word that wearing a seat belt is your best defense against death or serious injury in car crashes. In the past three years she has initiated several different education programs about vehicle safety and been able to speak to more than 3,000 students. Raygan is a 2014 Coca Cola Scholars Foundation scholarship recipient. She was the North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council Volunteer of the Year in 2013 and was named a finalist for the Nestle Very Best in Youth program. She was also a delegate to Arkansas Girl’s State and the 2012 National Ambassador for Youth Service America and their Festival of Children campaign.
Her program is called “Think S.A.F.E.: Seatbelts Are For Everyone.” Raygan has partnered with Arkansas Children’s Hospital, UAMS, and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office on projects to promote vehicle safety. Her mission is to spread the word that wearing a seat belt is your best defense against death or serious injury in car crashes. In the past three years she has initiated several different education programs about vehicle safety and been able to speak to more than 3,000 students. Raygan is a 2014 Coca Cola Scholars Foundation scholarship recipient. She was the North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council Volunteer of the Year in 2013 and was named a finalist for the Nestle Very Best in Youth program. She was also a delegate to Arkansas Girl’s State and the 2012 National Ambassador for Youth Service America and their Festival of Children campaign.
Director of Fundraising- Bharath Ram
Bharath Ram is completing a bachelor of sciences degree, with a biology major and psychology minor, at the University of Texas at San Antonio. An Honors College student and a member of the Top Scholar Program, Bharath is a pre-medical student and hopes to ensure all people receive the healthcare they need and deserve, including mental and psychological care. As the Fundraising Director for the LYNS Foundation, Bharath hopes to raise funds to support an increase in awareness of mental health issues that people face, especially those that lead to low self-esteem, depression, and self-harm.
To Bharath, the phrase “Love Your Natural Self” involves accepting yourself for who you are, but goes beyond simply loving your physical self. He believes that it also extends to loving your personality and soul, something he hopes to spread through the foundation. After being bullied for being a dancer when he was younger, Bharath knows the importance of self-acceptance and open-mindedness. Now, Bharath is a professional Indian dancer and hopes to use his experience to help other children learn to accept themselves and their passions. In addition to LYNS, Bharath is an officer for UTSA VOICES and UTSA GlobeMed. He is also member of the Pre-Medical Society and the UTSA Ambassadors. In his free time, Bharath enjoys traveling, trying new things, and spending time with his family and friends.
To Bharath, the phrase “Love Your Natural Self” involves accepting yourself for who you are, but goes beyond simply loving your physical self. He believes that it also extends to loving your personality and soul, something he hopes to spread through the foundation. After being bullied for being a dancer when he was younger, Bharath knows the importance of self-acceptance and open-mindedness. Now, Bharath is a professional Indian dancer and hopes to use his experience to help other children learn to accept themselves and their passions. In addition to LYNS, Bharath is an officer for UTSA VOICES and UTSA GlobeMed. He is also member of the Pre-Medical Society and the UTSA Ambassadors. In his free time, Bharath enjoys traveling, trying new things, and spending time with his family and friends.
Director of Campus Relations (Primary Education)- Lucy Dang
Lucy Dang is from Memphis, TN and will graduate from the University of Memphis in May with Summa Cum Laude and University Honors distinction. She is studying Nonprofit Development and Administration with a minor in Accounting and aspires to become a nonprofit consultant to help organizations reach their fullest potential. On the college campus, she is a member of the Emerging Leaders scholarship program and involved with various organizations including Kappa Delta, a sorority that advocates confidence in young girls and college women. Her chapter promotes events that encourage women on campus to wear no make-up for a week and “free” themselves from the chains of society’s standards.
Lucy is currently employed at BRIDGES USA as a community organizer along with thirty youth organizers who work to create social change on issues that affect young lives in the Greater Memphis Area. Lucy works directly with students involved in the Memphis Youth Union, a platform for youth voice in decision making and political processes. Additionally, she serves as a facilitator and assists in curricula development for workshops that focus on individual, social, economic, and cultural diversity. At the City of Memphis Government, she interns with the Minority/Women’s Business Enterprise which increases opportunities for minority and women owned businesses to contract with the City. Lucy’s other professional experiences include internships at the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis, Kappa Delta Foundation, and BRIDGES USA. She has also served two years on the State Farm Youth Advisory Board allocating a total of $10million in grants to service-learning projects nationwide.
Lucy is currently employed at BRIDGES USA as a community organizer along with thirty youth organizers who work to create social change on issues that affect young lives in the Greater Memphis Area. Lucy works directly with students involved in the Memphis Youth Union, a platform for youth voice in decision making and political processes. Additionally, she serves as a facilitator and assists in curricula development for workshops that focus on individual, social, economic, and cultural diversity. At the City of Memphis Government, she interns with the Minority/Women’s Business Enterprise which increases opportunities for minority and women owned businesses to contract with the City. Lucy’s other professional experiences include internships at the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis, Kappa Delta Foundation, and BRIDGES USA. She has also served two years on the State Farm Youth Advisory Board allocating a total of $10million in grants to service-learning projects nationwide.
Director of Campus Relations (Higher Education)- Davante Wilson
Davante Wilson is an honors college student majoring in biochemistry at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is a proud Terry foundation scholarship recipient. He aspires of becoming a doctor and serve his community by setting an example for the youth. He is born and raised in San Antonio, TX where he was raised by a single mother household. He contributes this upbringing surrounded by his mom and supportive family as the building blocks to strive to help people. He is a member of the UTSA Ambassadors and has cherishes the opportunity to grow as a leader while serving the UTSA community and surrounding areas. He hopes to one day being able to give back to the younger generation through peer mentoring and positive reinforcement. He also wants to show that no matter your circumstances you can achieve your dreams and goals.
Director of Social Media- Minyoung Chung
Minyoung Chung is a biology major and pre-medical student of The University of Texas at San Antonio’s FAME B.S./M.D. dual-degree program. Minyoung has actively served her community since high school by volunteering at the local nursing home and coaching at her hometown’s recreational swim team for kids. She also has taken several leadership roles, acting as Drum Major of her high school marching band, and founding the “Coyotes Have Heart” club to fundraise for the American Heart Association. Her passion for medicine came from her interest in the human body and her love for interacting and building relationships with others. Minyoung was inspired to join The Love Your Natural Self Foundation because she believes it is very important to be confident in who you are and to empower others to feel the same. She is the Director of Social Media and is very excited to continue her journey of helping her community.
Director of Publicity- Susan D’Nae Brotherman
Susan D’Nae Brotherman is a senior and honors student at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a certification in early childhood through 6th grade education. After graduation, she plans to get her certification to teach middle school, as she has found a passion for working with middles schoolers. D’Nae is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the Honor Society in Education and served as the former secretary for her chapter. She is a founding member of the Iota Alpha chapter of Alpha Delta Pi and served as her chapter’s first president. She is also a member of For the Kids, otherwise called FTK and completed the Leadership Challenge at UTSA that took her to THON at Penn State where FTK got its start.
Outside of her school career and activities, D’Nae is a counselor’s clerk at a school in San Antonio Independent School District and volunteers there when she is not working. She also sings on the praise team at her church and works in the children’s ministry. D’Nae is the Director of Publicity for The Love Your Natural Self Foundation. She is excited for the opportunity to be a part of the foundation, as she herself faced issues in the past accepting who she was and loving herself. She is ready to help others learn to love themselves, just the way they are!
Outside of her school career and activities, D’Nae is a counselor’s clerk at a school in San Antonio Independent School District and volunteers there when she is not working. She also sings on the praise team at her church and works in the children’s ministry. D’Nae is the Director of Publicity for The Love Your Natural Self Foundation. She is excited for the opportunity to be a part of the foundation, as she herself faced issues in the past accepting who she was and loving herself. She is ready to help others learn to love themselves, just the way they are!
Digital Media Director- Svannah Nguyen
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As the Digital Media Director of The Love Your Natural Self Foundation, Svannah Nguyen is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others through her creativity and designs. Since 2013, Svannah has helped The Love Your Natural Self Foundation with brand development, fundraising campaigns, and outreach programs for teens struggling with mental illnesses. After working closely with The Love Your Natural Self Foundation, Svannah is now creating her own nonprofit clothing brand, benefiting rehabilitation programs for the less fortunate and homeless.
Aside from her nonprofit work, Svannah is currently the Digital Media Assistant at Best Magazine, a creative marketing agency. Also branching off as a freelance designer, she has created identities for various companies (view her work here). She is majoring in graphic and web design in hopes of becoming a creative partner at a prestigious design agency. As a person who strongly believes in the power of creativity, she constantly strives for innovation in all that she does, in order to make great work better. |
Administrative Assistant- Alexander Rodriguez
Alexander Rodriguez is a sophomore education major at the University of Texas at San Antonio . Throughout his years as an educator at Cable Elementary, he has taught kindergarteners, second, third and fourth graders. Through his experience he has learned the truth that transcends all grade levels to effect all students. This is that no significant learning can occur when students feel badly about themselves or are being put down outside of the classroom by others. That is why he has dedicated his life to serving students and focus on teaching them how to care for themselves, so that they can in turn treat others with more respect and love. He serves the love your natural self-foundation in the hope that all students learn how to love themselves and others so that all students can learn in a safe and nurturing environment.
Voting Member- Shenée Simon
Shenée Lynette Simon a Virginia native with an emerging presence in the San Antonio community has over fifteen years of experience in for-profit and not-for-profit sectors specializing in Human Resources, Education and Non-Profit Management. Within these roles she was responsible for creation, program ideation, implementation, and strategic planning. Most recently she has established the Younger Woman’s Task Force (YWTF) San Antonio powered by American Association of University Women (AAUW). She has been an AAUW member since 2012. She also serves as AAUW Texas Public Policy Co-Chair. Shenée has held influential roles such as Director of Development-The Jeremiah Center: Homeless Initiative in Orlando, FL, Director of the Transition from Welfare to Work Program with the Virginia Foundation for Women, led Development/Fundraising work at two prominent all girl independent schools in Virginia. She is a proven performer committed to the betterment of women and girls in her community where she lives and works. She has served on local, state, regional and national boards as Chair or Director. Her commitment to community and service has allowed her to serve on local, state, regional and national boards- U.S Army Family Readiness Program (Trainer/Regional Director of Family Programs), University of Richmond Alumni Association (Regional Leader), Rollins College Alumni Association (Regional Leader), National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (Former National Vice President of Membership), Jobs Partnership (Professional Development Mentor). Shenée is a member of the National Women’s Studies Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the National Women’s History Museum (Charter Member). Shenée is currently pursuing a M.A. in Women and Gender Studies from Southern Connecticut State University. She holds a M.A. in Human Resources Management/Non Profit Management from Rollins College and B.A. in Women’s Studies & Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond. Shenée is married and proud parent of three! She is excited to be a new Texan!
Voting Member- Allison Annala
Allison began gymnastics at the age of 4 and continued her career through college at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Now, she uses the life lessons learned through the sport to help young people discover their greatness! Along with teaching, Allison now coaches gymnastics at her Alma matter, where she earned a BSE in Health and Human Performance and a MSE in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Physical Education. In 2011, she created a gymnastics program for the community. The training center has become a home for almost 200 young athletes. Creating an environment based on developing self-confidence and empowering young people has been one of Allison's proudest accomplishments.
Outside of her career, Allison is a huge advocate for women's empowerment. She has worked as an intern for the non-profit I AM THAT GIRL, whose mission it is to inspire girls to love, express and be exactly who they are. Her passion for inspiring others to embrace their authentic selves is a direct result of struggles she overcame as a young woman battling an eating disorder. Allison's journey has led her to be a fierce advocate for self-love and acceptance, and she is so thankful for the opportunity to work with The Love Your Natural Self Foundation.
Outside of her career, Allison is a huge advocate for women's empowerment. She has worked as an intern for the non-profit I AM THAT GIRL, whose mission it is to inspire girls to love, express and be exactly who they are. Her passion for inspiring others to embrace their authentic selves is a direct result of struggles she overcame as a young woman battling an eating disorder. Allison's journey has led her to be a fierce advocate for self-love and acceptance, and she is so thankful for the opportunity to work with The Love Your Natural Self Foundation.
Voting Member- Michael Bervell
Michael Bervell (born October 22, 1997) is a Ghanaian-American philosopher, philanthropist, essayist, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of “Hugs for Ghana,” an international student-run non-profit organization focused on using grassroots strategies to develop countries around the world. Under Bervell’s leadership, “Hugs for Ghana” won the National Caring Award, Unilever Bright Future Award, Huggable Hero Award, and other prizes. He is also a co-founder and consultant for The College Essayist, Texploit Literary Magazine, and Blueout. Bervell is currently studying philosophy and computer science at Harvard University. He was born and raised in Seattle, Washington with his parents and two older siblings.
Voting Member- Amanda Hernandez
Amanda Hernandez is a soon-to- be graduate (Class of 2017) of the University of Texas at San Antonio Honors College, with her baccalaureate in Women’s Studies. She is a proud alum of San Antonio College and NEW! Leadership Texas, a national bi-partisan program developed by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, that addresses the underrepresentation of women in politics and leadership.
Amanda’s research interests include the ways in which U.S. Latinas and Women of Color navigate social institutions. Her current project is titled, “Family, God, and Womanhood: Latina Higher Education Decision-Making”. In addition to her studies, Amanda is a mother to a wonderful two-year old feline and a six-year old human. She is confident that organizations such as The Love Your Natural Self Foundation are essential in empowering all to embrace themselves as they are, enabling them to live a healthy, fulfilling life!
Amanda’s research interests include the ways in which U.S. Latinas and Women of Color navigate social institutions. Her current project is titled, “Family, God, and Womanhood: Latina Higher Education Decision-Making”. In addition to her studies, Amanda is a mother to a wonderful two-year old feline and a six-year old human. She is confident that organizations such as The Love Your Natural Self Foundation are essential in empowering all to embrace themselves as they are, enabling them to live a healthy, fulfilling life!
Youth Voting Member- Farheen Ali
Farheen Ali is a 19-year- old student pursuing Bachelors in Business Administration. Farheen was born in New York, but moved to India when she was 4 years old. After living in India for about 15 years, she moved back to the United States, all alone. The transition of living with family and having so many friends, to living alone mixed in with culture shock, home-sickness, and loneliness, encouraged her to help other people struggling through the same thing. Farheen serves as a Support Teacher in her Mosque, and is now very excited to be a Youth Voting Member in the Love Your Natural Self Foundation.
She believes that her strong suit is speaking and has been the Deputy Speaker in her School Parliament in India. Farheen is very outspoken and believes that everyone should be treated equally. She also believes in spreading positivity and smiles, making the world more beautiful than it already is.
She believes that her strong suit is speaking and has been the Deputy Speaker in her School Parliament in India. Farheen is very outspoken and believes that everyone should be treated equally. She also believes in spreading positivity and smiles, making the world more beautiful than it already is.