Our Team
“I found this beautiful community of women and villagers and elders who wanted to take part in this.” - Maggie Doyne
BlinkNow may have started with the drive of one person, but it is the dedication and determination of one amazing team that makes everything hum. From “aunties” and “uncles” who keep our home happy to teachers who provide much more than education. From the Kopila Board of respected leaders and elders in Nepal to the BlinkNow Board of Directors and staff in the US. From the cooks to the construction team to a group of remarkable directors. It is these resilient, beautiful people – most of whom come from the local community – that make Kopila Valley shine and BlinkNow stronger than ever. We are all in this together.
OUR TEAM IN NEPAL: Aunties & Uncles | Teaching Team | Program & Operations Team | Kopila Board
OUR TEAM IN THE US: BlinkNow Board | US Staff
KOPILA STAFF
CO-FOUNDERS
TOPE MALLA & MAGGIE DOYNE
Tope & Maggie co-founded the Kopila Valley Children's Home together in 2007. After meeting at Ramana's Garden in India, a children's home primarily serving Nepali refugees, the two decided to enter into a partnership to serve the needs of Nepal's children back in Tope's home country.
The two have been a dynamic duo ever since, running the organization side by side.
When Maggie and Tope founded the Children’s Home in Surkhet in 2007, they named it Kopila Valley—“kopila” means “flower bud” in Nepali. Now “Kopila Valley” encompasses BlinkNow’s entire campus in Surkhet, where our little Kopilas get what they need to blossom and grow.
AUNTIES AND UNCLES
These are the caregivers, cooks, and communal parents to our children. They are the heart, soul, and glue of the Children’s Home. They keep the project organized and running smoothly. They prepare healthy meals, go on doctors’ visits, do laundry, grow vegetables, and serve as incredible role models. And they are always smiling, laughing, and joking around (even at six in the morning).
Sachyam Upadhay, Children's Home Coordinator
Sachyam manages all things related to the home and kids at Kopila, with Aakriti. Originally from Lalitpur, he moved to Kathmandu where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from King’s College. His love for hard work, compassion for others, and affinity for communication soon led him to BlinkNow. As a caregiver, he hopes to bring his love for meditation and mindfulness to the children’s home.
Aakriti Subedi, Children's Home Coordinator
Aakriti is responsible for all things related to the Kopila Valley Children’s Home, including the incredible kids in the home. Originally from Kathmandu, Aakriti joined the BlinkNow team after volunteering for Dashain Camp. She earned her Bachelor in Business Information System in Kathmandu College of Management in Nepal. She aspires to explore a course of study that will provide her with the tools necessary to bring positive change to Nepalese society. At Kopila Valley Children's home, she looks after the kids and keeps track of their day to day activities.
TEACHING TEAM
Kopila Valley School is run by local teachers, administrators, counselors, and health workers who are completely dedicated to the education, health and well-being of our children and community. They make so much of the magic happen at Kopila Valley, working both inside and outside of the classroom all hours of the day (and sometimes nights) to make sure our students have what they need. The kids all truly love and respect them – and the feeling is clearly mutual.
Rajen Karki, Acting-Principal, Kopila Valley School
Rajen joined the Kopila family in 2017 as Vice Principal. His role is to support developing a model school that is setting a precedent for the quality of education provided to children in rural Nepal. Prior to joining Kopila Valley School, Rajen worked in Kathmandu for an environment and community development sector INGO. He has experience in the educational sector as a teacher, ECA coordinator, Vice Principal and Principal, and in the I/NGO sector in various roles and responsibilities. Rajen holds Masters of Science in Environment Management, M.A. (Sociology) and M.Ed (Education Planning & Management). He believes that education is the most powerful medium to change the world. The children are our future and providing them with a quality education will ensure a better future for all of us. Rajen feels proud to be a part of the KV family working in Surkhet to educate children of greatest need.
Eva Manandhar, Education Manager
Eva's journey in the education sector started after she joined Teach for Nepal, as an English fellow in Sindhupalchok. She worked in a government school in Lubhu, where she helped form the Collaborative Schools Network, and looked after the management of the schools as a School Leader. She was a Teacher Coach and supported teachers around the Basantapur area. Before joining the education sector, Eva worked in media as a Senior Sub Editor for The Independent Daily (Le Matinal) in Mauritius, The Himalayan Times as a Sub-editor/Reporter, and was a feature writer at ECS Magazine. It was during Eva's fellowship that she realized the classroom and school are where she belongs. Eva feels there is a lot that needs to change and improve in this field and she wants to be a part of that change.
PROGRAM & OPERATIONS TEAM
This is a team of talented individuals from around the world who work in specialized roles to make sure our project runs smoothly every day. We're lucky to count these guys as part of our family!
SP Kalaunee, Country Representative, Nepal 
SP is an experienced professional with a diverse background in the education and healthcare sectors. As the leader of BlinkNow's functions and team in Nepal, SP brings over two decades of expertise to the organization. Before joining BlinkNow, SP served as the Executive Director of Nyaya Health Nepal (NHN), a healthcare nonprofit. During his tenure at NHN, SP played a crucial role in developing a partnership model with the government of Nepal.
Prior to his work with NHN, SP led another Nepali nonprofit organization that focused on health, education, and community development. SP's journey in education includes serving as a principal of a secondary school and teaching students from primary to university levels in various schools across Nepal, Vietnam, Finland, and the USA.
SP holds several academic degrees, including an M.A. in Sociology, an M.A. in English Literature, a B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education), and an LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws). Furthermore, he pursued his doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University in the United States, where he also served as an adjunct faculty member at the School of Leadership and Development.
Sudha Shakya, Operations Director
Sudha brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as Operations Director at Kopila. Her 14 years of experience with an international non-government organization in various fields such as finance, human resources, administration, and logistics, her international experience working in different capacities and countries, provides her with the ability to work effectively in diverse and multicultural environments. She has also worked as a Deputy Country Director in Nepal and Finance and Administration Coordinator in South East Asia.
Sudha holds an MBA in Business Administration with specializations in Finance, Human Resource Management, Operation Development, and Strategic Management. She obtained a Diploma in Training and Human Development with a specialization in Leadership and Management, Project Management, Social Inclusion, Good Governance, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding, and Project Monitoring and Evaluation.
Beyond her professional achievements, Sudha is interested in sports, has earned an international Black Belt in Karate Martial Arts, and is an Executive Member of the Women Olympic Committee in Nepal.
Sunita Bhandari, Sustainability Officer
Sunita was born and raised in the village of Chapakot, Syangja, Nepal. She completed her masters in Environmental Science from CDES (Central Department of Environmental Science), Tribhuvan University, with research on Air pollution. Previously Sunita was a general member at YUWA (a youth led organization) and Secretary at Youth for Environment Solution (YES)(student’s club). Sunita became environmentally active as a City Environment Volunteer under Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC,) and Clean Air Ambassador under Clean Energy Nepal (CEN). Her eagerness to learn more about sustainable and regenerative initiations from the local level has brought Sunita to BlinkNow. She works to operate an environmentally friendly school campus, integrate sustainability in the teaching & learning process, and help KVS families to find ways to make their homes mores sustainable through regenerative agriculture activities. Sunita feels lucky to have grown up in a rural setting, feeling of connected to nature, which ultimately led to her immense love and respect for the environment and the natural world.
Prashneel Nepal, Sustainability Education Specialist
Prashneel joined BlinkNow as Sustainability Teacher in 2022. A native from Dolakha, he completed his bachelors in business studies and education management. He is a Teach for Nepal alumnus, 2014-16 and has been involved in the education sector since 2008. Prashneel feels that his life is meaningful when he gets a chance to educate marginalized children of Nepal. He thinks there are enough of talented people in the city and chose to move to a rural part of Nepal to touch the lives of children and help them become responsible citizens of Nepal and the world.
Luna Bhattarai, Women's Center Program Coordinator
Luna was born and raised in Surkhet, Nepal. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Development Studies and Master’s degree in Rural Development. She has five years of working experience in the field of women and youth empowerment. Before serving on our Women’s Center team, Luna worked as Program Coordinator at a reputed local NGO. At Kopila Valley, she's responsible for supervising the Women's Center staff, overseeing the vocational training and counseling programs, and designing new training opportunities to meet the needs of vulnerable women.
Prakash Dhakal, Senior Operations and HR Manager
Prakash Dhakal, our Operations and Human Resources Manager has over ten years of experience in People Operations Management; and a focus on strengthening organizational culture and systems to foster performance and growth at BlinkNow Nepal; and its partner organizations. Before joining BlinkNow, Prakash was General Manager - HR and Operations at Nyaya Health Nepal, where he oversaw HR across the organization; and operations functions for the Hospital, PHC, and Community Health Programs in district hubs. Prior to NHN, Prakash delivered efficient recruiting and people management practices working in leading tech companies, a recruiting company, and a media house in Nepal. Prakash was also a member of the executive committee of HR Society Nepal, a formal body of HR professionals in Nepal. Prakash holds an MBA with a specialization in Human Resource Management, and currently pursuing PGD in counseling psychology.
Narendra Rokaya, Monitoring & Evaluation Manager
Narendra joined BlinkNow in January 2023. With a master’s degree in Sociology and Development Studies, Narendra brings nearly two decades of experience in the development and humanitarian sector. Starting as a child club graduate, he progressed through different roles in local, national, and international NGOs across Nepal. His career started with volunteering services in social mobilization and gradually moved to program operations at Aawaaj Nepal, Safer Society, and AASTHA Nepal, and later with International Development Enterprises, World Vision International, Center for International Studies and Cooperations, and Finn Church Aid Foundation. Narendra has gained diverse expertise in humanitarian and development programs, focusing on the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning sectors. He brings a wide range of experience in child protection, education, health, gender & economic empowerment, public accountability, and governance. Narendra is committed to measuring impacts, creating positive change, evidence-based decision-making, and transforming lives.
Ashrina Ranjit, Partnerships Manager
Ashrina Ranjit has been working extensively in the field of education for over 7 years. An ADB-JSP awardee for Master in Development Management at the Asian Institute of Management, Philippines, her focus has been on children, women, and youth empowerment. She was associated with organizations like Teach For Nepal, Moods Media, and Skill Lab.
Ashin Poudel, Communications Officer
Ashin has strategic communication, knowledge management, and social media optimization expertise. A University graduate, he managed social media and developed communication strategies in his previous role. Prior to joining BlinkNow, Ashin worked on a project in Kathmandu focused on Anti-Human Trafficking, showcasing his dedication to meaningful and impactful initiatives. As a filmmaker, writer, and photographer, he is committed to bringing impactful storytelling to our team and stakeholders, aligning with BlinkNow’s mission and communication goals.
Deepa Khatri, Account Officer
Deepa was born in Dailekh and raised in Surkhet, Nepal. She is a graduate of the Kopila Valley School. While working for BlinkNow as an accountant, Deepa is also studying for her bachelor's degree from the Siddhapail School. She thrives on learning new things, and aspires to encourage other girls with backgrounds similar to hers. Deepa wants girls to know that “You can dream your own life, but never stop struggling, and never stop believing in yourself.”
WE BELIEVE IN BUILDING A COMMUNITY FROM WITHIN
KOPILA VALLEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Nepali board consists of respected local leaders, professionals, and elders who bring knowledge, expertise, and supervision to Kopila Valley. They wrote our bylaws, hold community meetings, and meet monthly to discuss new and ongoing Kopila projects and approve spending. The Kopila Board consists of Tope Malla (Co-founder and Chairman), Minkosha Shahi (Vice Chairwoman), Gogan Malla (Secutary), Kalpana Karki (Treasurer), Man Bahadur Singh, Ganga Thapa, and Gita Buda.
Tope Bahadur Malla, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj
Tope Bahadur Malla is the co-founder and chairman of Kopila Valley. After serving at Ramana's Garden for over 15 years, a project for Nepali refugees in India, Tope made the decision to return to his birth country and found Kopila. Tope grew up in a small Himalayan village where he was orphaned at a young age. Kopila is his way of giving the children of his country the childhood he always dreamed of. As Maggie’s partner, Tope is responsible for the development, oversight, and management of Kopila Valley on the ground. He oversees a staff of over 50 people and is the key to making ideas become reality at Kopila. He now lives at the Kopila Valley project with his wife and son.
BLINKNOW FOUNDATION TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BLINKNOW
Maggie Doyne, Co-Founder and CEO
Maggie is originally from New Jersey and has dedicated the last 13+ years of her life to educating children and empowering women. Maggie created the BlinkNow Foundation to sustain, grow, and support Kopila Valley Children’s Home and School in Nepal, and to serve as a vehicle to share her ideas with young people, especially children in the U.S. Maggie believes that in the blink of an eye, we can all make a difference.
At age 19, Maggie used her life savings to build a home for orphaned children in war-ravaged Nepal. Since then, she has helped provide a loving home to over 50 children. In 2010, BlinkNow opened a school for the region’s most impoverished children. The school now serves 400 students and is rated top in the region. Maggie was named 2015 CNN Hero of the Year. She was honored by the Dalai Lama as an Unsung Hero of Compassion in 2014. Her work was championed by Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Nicholas Kristof in a cover story for The New York Times Magazine. In 2012, Maggie shared her story at the Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy, and in 2013 she received the Forbes Award for Excellence in Education. Her work has been recognized by Elizabeth Gilbert, Katie Couric, and Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan of Sussex.
While Maggie’s work as CEO is focused on Nepal, she speaks all over the world in the hope of inspiring others to start projects of their own that will generate positive change. She shares her memoir in Between the Mountain and the Sky: A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss, Healing, and Hope — released in March, 2022.
Leslie Shaw, Board Chair, Development Committee Co-chair
Leslie is a Board Member and also serves on our BlinkNow Futures Committee. During the last 20 years, Leslie has had extensive non-profit board and volunteer experience with many organizations, all of which involved issues of childcare, public education and foster care. She loves kids of all ages, from one day old infants to those pesky teenagers. She describes the best job she ever had as serving as administrative staff at a girls summer camp in Northern Wisconsin. Those friendships are still active 40 years later. She grew up in Southern Illinois and has lived most of her adult life in Boonton Township, NJ. She is a National Trustee for National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado. When Leslie was 14, her parents took a year off to live on a small sailboat in the Bahamas with her twin brother and the family’s two dogs. She and her husband, Jeremy, have three grown daughters. Leslie loves words and information and is a avid reader. She also love hiking, trail running, boating and being outdoors.
Beth Holly, Vice Chair
Beth is an attorney and has worked in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry for the last 28 years, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Beth received a BS from Cornell University and a JD from Fordham Law School. She is the recipient of the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers in Business (2000), the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Luminary Award (2017), the 914Inc. Women in Business Awards (2017), and the NOW Women of Power and Influence Award (2018). An avid skier, theater lover and aspiring writer, Beth is also a mom to two adult children and two hairy dogs. Introduced to Maggie and her work in Nepal by her daughter over ten years ago, Beth has been an ardent supporter of the inspiring work of BlinkNow and is thrilled to be able to contribute as a Board Member.
Claudia Mott, Treasurer
Claudia is the Principal at Epona Financial Solutions LLC, a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. Prior to obtaining her Certified Financial Planner® and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ designations, she was a Managing Director at Prudential Securities following the small-cap segment of the stock market. Claudia earned her undergraduate degree cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her MBA from Boston University. She has always been involved in her community; from chairing committees for the PTO to leading Girl Scout and Cub Scout troops. With her children now grown, she is actively engaged in a number of non-profit organizations. Claudia is a founding member of the Long Hill Township Library Foundation and serves on the Women United Steering Committee for the United Way of Northern New Jersey. She is also a member of the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable and Impact 100 Garden State. She lives in the Millington section of Long Hill Township, is the mother of three and is a passionate equestrienne.
Joke Aerts, Board Member
Joke has over 20 years of both field and market experience in nonprofit sustainable agriculture work and sustainability standards (Rainforest Alliance, Forest Stewardship Council, Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil, Fairtrade). She is currently the Inspire to Actress at Tony's Chocoloney in Amsterdam, networking with other chocolate and confectionary companies to collaborate on impact and join together to change the norm in the cocoa industry. When she isn't fighting for sustainable livelihoods and land use, you can find Joke with her head in a book, in the kitchen cooking something (probably Japanese or Korean, lately), or getting some fresh air with her sketchbook in hand. She is happily married and mother to three children, all of whom adore Maggie. Joke and Maggie met in 2018 in Amsterdam, and Joke has supported BlinkNow every since, serving initially (and still) on the Science + Sustainability Advisory Committee. Joke is excited to serve on the board.
Bill Bartzak, Board Member
Bill Bartzak is an accomplished entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in healthcare technology, investing, and advising. Bill successfully founded and sold MD On-Line, a healthcare technology company, in 2014, and is currently the managing director and co-founder of Kai Equity. Kai Equity is an investing company that advises and invests in early-to-mid stage businesses helping CEOs and management teams take companies to the next levels of success. Currently sitting on the board of directors for multiple companies, Bill is also a dedicated advisor on the board of Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business Center for Entrepreneurial Studies as well as Seton Hall University’s Leadership Council.
A frequent speaker at healthcare and medical technology industry conferences, Bill is the recipient of numerous business and healthcare awards and accolades. He has also the co-author of a series of books for C-level executives.
Steve Buffone, Board Member
Steve Buffone is a Partner in the New York office of Gibson Dunn. He serves as Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate Transactions Practice Group and Energy and Infrastructure Practice Groups. He is a corporate transactional lawyer who has represented clients in mergers and acquisitions, public and private issuances of debt and equity securities, venture capital financings, corporate restructurings and bankruptcies, and general corporate counseling.
Steve is a cum laude graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and the Cornell and Stanford Law Schools. He is a member of the New York and California bars and is active in firm management, having previously served as Co-Partner in Charge of the New York office and as a member of the firm's Executive Committee.
Steve is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Do Something.Org, a national charity that inspires and trains teenagers to be leaders in community service. He is a member of the Board of Echoing Green, the premier not-for-profit that provides seed funding to social entrepreneurs around the world and of the National Crisis Text Line, which is making crisis counseling available to young people who prefer to text rather than call. Steve serves on the Board of Regents of Georgetown University, the Board of Visitors of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and as a member of Georgetown’s Campaign Executive Council. He is a former member of the Board of Visitors of Stanford Law School. Steve is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations. Steve was recently honored for his pro bono and community service activities by receiving the Cornerstone Award from the Lawyers Alliance of New York, the Outstanding Citizen Award from Do Something and the Point of Light Award from the Points of Light Foundation.
Libby DeLana, Board Member
Founder and Creative Director at Mechanica a branding firm, north of Boston. Also a mom to two very tall and spectacular boys, impatient knitter, JV beekeeper, wife of a master furniture builder, kombucha brewmaster, book nerd, tea junkie, morning walk advocate, and believer in the power of each of us to make our world a great place.
Andy Furlong, Board Member
Andy has held Senior Leadership positions in the corporate world for over 35 years. His experience has led to a of vast array of global facilities management positions for companies such as Union Bank of Switzerland, Deutsche Bank AG and Compass Group. As a result, Andy managed businesses in over 50 countries. In his early career, Andy spent a great amount of time in Europe and then spent most his career operating businesses in Central and South East Asia, Middle East, Africa, The Americas, India, Turkey and China. During these years Andy obtained a unique view into so many different markets and had the opportunity to build very diverse teams. He also had the privilege to cross many cultural boundaries and gain a wealth of market knowledge within his broad and diverse base of experience. As part of his career, Andy always had a passion for Corporate Social Responsibility and alongside of his colleagues, set up many programs in third world countries which served to help alleviate the desperate plight of many youngsters in economically poor and non-industrialized regions.
Andy first knew Maggie as a teenager in NJ and as such, was able to follow her bold and courageous efforts from the very beginning. After taking early retirement, Andy vowed to help Maggie and has since been a very active volunteer for the BlinkNow cause. He has made over a dozen trips to Nepal where his primary function has been to use his knowledge of facilities management to become an advisor on the construction of the new Koplia Valley school.
Joel Segre, Board Member
Joel is an entrepreneurial leader who develops and scales solutions that improve lives. After 6 years at Google X, Joel went on a sabbatical with his family where his kids enrolled in 5 schools in five countries, including a month at the Kopila Valley School. Previously, Joel worked with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, GE, Save the Children, CARE, and The Aravind Eye Care System to develop products and strategy in global health in India, Nepal, Ethiopia, and Malawi. His formal training includes a BS in Biomechanical Engineering from Stanford University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and too many all nighters at McKinsey & Company. He's pictured here with Sachyam Upadhay at Kopila's 2023 Holi celebration.
Jagdish Upadhyay, Board Member
Jagdish recently retired from the United Nations after serving over 22 years. A lead global voice for family planning, reproductive health commodity supply, demographic dividends and youth issues, Jagdish has played the lead role in the formation of a number of key global initiatives namely, Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC) and Family Planning 2020 (FP2020). As part of the United Nations Population Fund, Jagdish worked together with UNICEF to steer the secretariat of the UN Commission of Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children. A recipient of various awards and recognitions, Jagdish started his carrier some 40 years ago from Nepal where he headed a Social Marketing company including many other positions and affiliations. Jagdish earned a Master of Science degree in Community Health Sciences from Manitoba, Canada.
U.S. STAFF
John Estrella, Executive Director & Board Secretary
John is responsible for BlinkNow’s day-to-day operations and for developing and fulfilling its short and long-term strategic plans. Prior to joining BlinkNow, John served as Radio Free Asia’s Chief Operating Officer & Vice President of External Affairs, responsible for identifying and prioritizing ways to achieve organizational mission, planning implementation strategy, advising on strategic budgeting issues, and evaluating and recommending changes in organizational operations. Prior to joining RFA, John served as Deputy Director of Public Policy at People for the American Way (PFAW) where he led efforts on constitutional liberties legislation, human rights issues and immigrants’ rights issues. John also previously served as Senior Policy Associate at the American Immigration Lawyers Association where he worked on asylum issues, comprehensive immigration reform and immigration reform legislation for young children and students. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business with a certificate in Pacific Rim studies from the University of San Francisco and a Juris Doctor degree from the College of William & Mary School of Law. John and his wife Debbie live in Boulder, Colorado with their twin sons and four cats.
Ruth Dekker, Chief of Staff
Ruth provides support and leadership for BlinkNow's administration and ensures that the programs in Nepal are running smoothly and the organization’s programmatic goals are being met. Ruth has spent 25 years working and volunteering in the nonprofit youth-based sector. Prior to joining BlinkNow, Ruth worked as the Kids Resources Manager at the NJ Community FoodBank where she oversaw the collection and statewide distribution of school supplies and new clothing. Ruth has also served as the Public Policy Director for YouWho Inc. Policy Watchdog for Kids, and the Director of Public Education and Advocacy for Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana. She holds a master’s degree in Public Health from Tulane University and a BA from Macalester College. Ruth previously served on the Board of NJ CASA and on the Environmental Commission in Chatham, New Jersey. A yoga enthusiast and runner, Ruth loves working with BlinkNow and believes we all have the power to change our world. She is the mother of two daughters and lives with her husband and quirky little dog in Chatham.
Bidisa Rai, Director of Development
Bidisa oversees BlinkNow’s development strategy, managing and executing fundraising campaigns, events, and donor development. Prior to working with BlinkNow, Bidisa served on the development team of a regional medical center in New Jersey that provides healthcare to under-privileged and at-risk patient populations. Preceding that, Bidisa served as Vice President of Business Development to one of the largest regional chambers of commerce in the New York metro area. Bidisa is a native of Nepal, where she earned an Engineer’s Degree in Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering from Kathmandu University. She traveled to the United States upon receiving a scholarship from New Jersey Institute of Technology where she earned her Master of Science in Information Systems. Bidisa and her husband live in Bergen County, New Jersey with their three cats Peanut Butter, Jelly and Sandwich. They love to snowboard and are learning to scuba-dive.
Jeanne LeMon, Accounting Manager
Jeanne manages the books of BlinkNow, working closely with BlinkNow and Kopila auditors and the Finance Committee to maintain proper accounting and tax controls. Jeanne is also Treasurer for Stanley Nursery School and accountant for Girls on the Run NJ East and Sum it Up For Girls, all 501(c)(3) organizations. Previously, Jeanne was an Assistant Controller for Corporate Property Investors and a Manager with Ernst & Young. Jeanne is a CPA with a BS in Accounting from LeMoyne College. Jeanne and her husband Jim live in Chatham, New Jersey, and are the parents of five children, with the oldest two currently in college.
Allison Dalziel, Program Associate
Allison oversees donor data and donor communications, while supporting BlinkNow's financial development and administrative teams. She has a strong background in administration and accounting roles, and for eight years prior to joining BlinkNow was Office Manager and Bookkeeper for a privately owned bicycle business. After earning her B.A. in Economics and Music from Albion College in Michigan, Allison began her career in Arts Management in New York City, and worked in finance and human resources for The Rockefeller Group. She has been a long time volunteer, enjoys cycling, skiing, hiking, and is endeavoring to become a runner. Her fervent desire to be outside is reflected in her motto, "Any day on snow is a good day." Allison and her husband reside in Vermont, and are traveling empty nesters while their two adult children reside in Colorado.
Katy Munden Hays, PR Manager
Katy Munden Hays finds joy in telling BlinkNow's many stories because she is passionate about sharing the work of social impact organizations. Katy has experience connecting people with great causes as a freelance digital marketer and brand consultant in both non-profit and for-profit sectors. She was deeply involved in the volunteer startup team and PR work for Family Promise of Greater Wichita, a charity working with families facing homelessness, serving on the Board of Directors from 2017-2020 and as Interim Director in 2018. Prior to that, she worked for 12 years as Director of Operations at a natural health clinic. She is also active in numerous community volunteer efforts.
Katy earned a degree in Communications from Tabor College and is a Fellow with Moving Worlds Institute, a global change organization. Katy combines her love for global causes, social enterprise, and outdoor community events by connecting shoppers with Fair Trade products at local popup markets in her town of Wichita, Kansas. She enjoys stand-up paddleboarding and hiking with her friends and husband, Rob.