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Meet Our Team
NEIL SEKHRI
Founder/CEO
Neil is a passionate advocate for financial literacy and career readiness among youth. As a seasoned educator with a proven track record of engaging young minds, he excels at making complex financial concepts accessible. Recognizing the critical need for early financial education and career readiness opportunities, Neil founded The Finance Compass. This youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowers young people with the knowledge to build strong financial foundations and develop essential career skills, with a special emphasis on underserved and underrepresented communities.
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Neil's commitment extends beyond experience. He holds certifications from top institutions like the Wharton Global Youth Program and Wharton Online (University of Pennsylvania), the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF), Stanford Online, and Udemy. He is a junior at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, IL. He is the recipient of 2024 Mayor's Award of Excellence issued by City of Aurora for financial empowerment of youth, and 2025 Youth Service Award issued by City of Naperville for leadership and outstanding community service.
All current team members are students of Indian Prairie School District 204 and Naperville Community Unit School District 203.
 Nidhi Nair - Director of Operations Nidhi's efficient administration skills help enable The Finance Compass to reach more people. Her business acumen, leadership, and dedication to inclusivity help drive the organization's growth. Nidhi has diverse administrative experience, including data management and leadership roles at the Northern Illinois Joliet Food Bank. She has independently led multiple projects to expand the food bank's reach and provide meals to those in need. |  Grace Zhuang- Program Coordinator Grace is passionate about accounting and personal financial literacy. She’s active in her bullet-journaling club, ice skating, DECA, and enjoys exploring local boba shops. With experience as a teacher’s assistant and a public accounting intern, Grace is committed to helping others develop the financial skills needed for success in the 21st century. |  Boahemaa Danso - Media and Advertising Coordinator Boahemaa is a passionate dancer and musician dedicated to helping children. Her love for dance has fueled her drive and discipline, and she’s also pursuing music on the saxophone and piano. Outside of her artistic pursuits, Boahemaa is actively involved in tutoring and mentoring young people. |
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 Leo Sekhri - Website Administrator Leo enjoys exploring AI/ML and engineering, with a special focus on robotics. His projects reflect not only his technical skills but also his love for sports and games, which he approaches with genuine enjoyment and a fun-loving attitude. Leo's infectious personality, positive energy, and ability to connect with others make him a beloved colleague and friend. |  Kaitlyn Wei - Media and Advertising Coordinator Kaitlyn is a dedicated dancer and musician with a strong work ethic. She’s a member of Neuqua Valley's Orchesis Dance Company and plays the piano and the oboe. Her passion for her craft drives her commitment to her studies and extracurricular activities. Kaitlyn has experience assisting with children’s dance classes and is skilled at promoting The Finance Compass' cause through social media. |  Ojas Sachan - Program Coordinator & Lead Mentor Ojas is passionate about finance, tennis, and entrepreneurship. He enjoys reading and is a member of DECA and his school’s finance club. With experience in portfolio management and market analysis, Ojas has a strong background in the finance sector, which he hopes to use to help fill the gap in financial literacy with The Finance Compass. |
 Aarushi - Media and Advertising Coordinator Aarushi loves DECA and music, and always brings optimism and energy to what she does. She’s spent summers volunteering with young kids, helping them learn and grow. Eager to dive into social media marketing, Aarushi is excited to explore new ways to build community and engagement. She’s all about creating a positive impact and learning as she goes! |  Craig de Fiesta - Program Coordinator Craig is a determined learner with a passion for STEM and teaching children. He's actively involved in Science Olympiad and math competitions, and enjoys exploring programming and game development, showcasing his team-building and problem-solving skills. Craig is also committed to helping young students succeed through tutoring and summer camp coaching. |  Kunj Shah - Program Coordinator Kunj is passionate about finance, business, and education. He competes in BPA events and leads community financial literacy programs. Outside of academics, he has 5+ years of piano experience and enjoys competing in track events. With experience in business operations and a portfolio growth rate of 14.7%, Kunj aims to make an impact with The Finance Compass by fostering financial education and empowering children. |
 Defne Orucoglu - Fundraising Coordinator Defne is a dedicated student who loves organizing events and helping others, particularly through nonprofit initiatives and community-focused projects. She is actively involved in Youth and Government (YAG), Business Professionals of America (BPA), and UNICEF. She has a strong background in budgeting and financial management. Passionate about finance and giving back, Defne is committed to using her skills to make a meaningful impact in her community. |  Alex Serra - Outreach Coordinator Alex is passionate about finance, soccer, and inspiring others. His involvement in DECA and Finance Club helps him see the world of business through a different lens. Outside of academics, playing soccer year-round demonstrates his passion for collaboration and communication. Over the summer, he assisted his coach with a youth soccer camp, coaching players through drills and games. As the 2025 Business Fair Coordinator, he played a key role in its success. |  Alyssa Varghese - Expansion Team Alyssa is a devoted dancer who brings creativity and hard work to her endeavors. She cares deeply about educating and empowering youth. Through mentorship and guidance, she helps young people build confidence and prepare for their future. |
 Kevin Kaleraj - Expansion Team Kevin is passionate about finance, education, and helping others. He’s an active member of DECA and the Finance Club, where he enjoys exploring business ideas and real-world financial skills. Outside the classroom, you’ll find him playing tennis or working on content for his YouTube channel. He’s excited to be part of The Finance Compass and hopes to make financial literacy easier and more relatable for students like him. |  Ansh Jain - Expansion Team Ansh is a driven student passionate about business, innovation, and making a meaningful impact in his community. He has explored these interests through internships in finance, healthcare, and sustainability, where he’s worked on real-world challenges in business strategy and global outreach. Outside of his professional experiences, Ansh enjoys collaborating with others, loves to play tennis, and travel. |  Andrew Li - Expansion Team Andrew is interested in investment banking, global supply chains, and environmental sustainability. He’s involved in his school’s Environmental Club, DECA, and Finance Club where he gains experience in business and problem-solving. He has volunteered as a peer tutor and previously worked as a swim instructor, teaching kids and teens of all ages. Andrew values learning through hands-on experience and contributing to both his community and future career goals. |
 Rishith Gudepu - Program Coordinator Rishith is interested in finance, particularly investment banking. In his free time, he loves playing soccer. He is involved in his school's entrepreneurial club and DECA. He has volunteered as a Taekwondo Instructor, gaining experience in teaching younger children and problem-solving skills. Rishith values hands-on and visual learning, which he hopes to demonstrate through the Finance Compass. |  Anshuman Velankar - Program Coordinator Anshuman is a talented individual with a passion for music, technology, and community service. His commitment to education shows through his powerful mentorship of students through a local tutoring organization. He's a skilled bassist and has been awarded by I.L.M.E.A. His role in varsity trivia and dedication to coding highlights his intellectual curiosity and competitive spirit, while his strong interpersonal skills make him a valuable team player. |
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