Meet the Team

Neria Abbimutt

Neria Abbimutt is a 16-year-old activist with a deep passion for social justice and a strong belief in the transformative power of education. As the founder of TrailblazeHER, Neria is dedicated to empowering women in India and neighboring South Asian countries. Her upbringing was deeply influenced by the vibrant colors of traditional Indian attire, the rich flavors of sambars and curries, and the artistic storytelling of Bollywood cinema. This cultural richness sparked her admiration for the innovation and intelligence of South Asian women.Recognizing the untapped entrepreneurial passion among these women, she established TrailblazeHER with a clear mission: to provide the necessary resources and opportunities forthem to overcome societal barriers and achieve financial independence. Neria is passionate about uniting younger generations to drive positive change.

Pragnya Sankar

Pragnya is a junior at Newton North High School. She is very passionate about science, coding, and helping others. In her free time, Pragnya loves to paint, read, and is an avid Carnatic vocalist. As a South Asian woman herself, she loves feeling connected to her homeland and witnessing the rich culture. Unfortunately, due to the stigma surrounding women-run businesses, she has seen firsthand the missed opportunities for women in India and other neighboring South Asian countries. She believes that these women have great talent and potential and joined the TrailblazeHer mission to help these women thrive in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Kristin Kim

Kristin Kim is the Co-Research Director at TrailblazeHER, where she plays a crucial role in gathering information to help develop new ideas and future plans for the organization. Driven by a long-standing passion for supporting those who are underprivileged or under-resourced, Kristin embraced her position at TrailblazeHER as an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change. She firmly believes in the power of their efforts, recognizing that even as teenagers in the U.S., they can empower and support women across South Asia. In her free time, Kristin enjoys playing and listening to music and spending quality time with family and friends.

Anya Gopal

Anya Gopal is an Indian American with a deep connection to her heritage, spending summers in rural Karnataka, India. Her experiences there have given her firsthand insight into the aspirations, dreams, and talents of Indian women, both in and out of her village. Passionate about dance and travel, Anya found the perfect opportunity to make a difference as a Research Director at TrailblazeHER. She is excited to help these women pursue their passions and achieve success.

Zadie Besev

Zadie Besev is the Vice President of TrailblazeHER, a role that aligns with her passion for travel, cultural exploration, and supporting others. She treasures her time with friends and family, and her desire to learn more about Indian culture led her to join TrailblazeHER. Zadie was intrigued by the concept of microloans, recognizing their potential to empower women in India to achieve financial independence. She is eager to continue working on this project and is excited to connect with others on this journey.

Solvi Updyke

Solvi Updyke is a student of writing, film, and media arts, with a passion for dance. Having grown up in the USA, she has always felt fortunate not to face significant gender-based challenges, but recent events have opened her eyes to the ongoing struggle for equality, both in America and globally. This awareness led her to become involved with TrailblazeHER, where she is dedicated to empowering women who should not have to rely solely on male support. Solvi is excited to use her skills to spread awareness and contribute to the success of TrailblazeHER in all aspects.

Ruby Lammers

Ruby Lammers is the social media manager for the Trailblazeher fund. She is very excited to be a part of the Trailblazeher team and help build a platform to promote and amplify its mission. Ruby is a theatre major at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts. In addition to performing, loves to dance choreograph and direct. She’s from Bozeman, Montana where she grew up loving the outdoors; hiking, skiing or playing with her dogs Waffles and Snorji. Ruby has always been passionate about communication and community building and looks forward to continuing to spread the stories of Trailblazeher’s success and impact.

Anvita Venkatesh

Anvita Venkatesh is the Chief of operations for Trailblazehers. In her free time, Anvita loves to dance, play tennis and spend time with family and friends. Her time in India, while visiting family, has shown her the harsh reality for impoverished individuals. Through Trailblazehers, Anvita hopes to provide help to those people and make there lives easier.

Charlotte Morin

Charlotte Morin is the Volunteer Manager at TrailblazeHER. Outside of school, she researches coral reef restoration projects and enjoys playing piano and scuba diving. Growing up, Charlotte was privileged to live in the United States, where she always had equal opportunities to become the person she wanted to be. As her interest in news and politics grew, she realized that equality around the world, including in the US, is at risk. This realization strengthened her dedication to TrailblazeHER’s mission to support female South Asian trailblazers, as she firmly believes they can make a major difference. Charlotte is passionate about giving women the opportunity to have a seat at the table and create the life they dream of, and she is committed to working tirelessly at TrailblazeHER to bring success to the mission and change lives.

thetrailblazeherfund@gmail.com