Board of Directors
Savitri Grover, Executive Vice President
Savitri is an advocate, artist, storyteller, and Global Goals Ambassador for SDG 6, clean water and sanitation. Drawing from her experiences, she uses art, data, and storytelling to raise awareness about health, safety, and women's rights.
With a Master's in Health Care Administration and a PhD in Public Policy, Savitri combines data storytelling with real-world insights. As a Data Fellow with the Mayor's Office in St. Louis, she helped analyze community data to inform policy and improve programs. Her work as a regional representative for UNA-USA allowed her to understand the importance of understanding global issues from a local lens.
Believing in the power of collaboration, Savitri works with organizations to drive collective action and create lasting change. Passionate about community engagement, she organizes events connecting people, fostering collaboration, and amplifying important causes, empowering others to take action for a more equitable world.
Farah Alam, Director Development
Farah is an idealist who believes our life is our most precious gift. It is essential to make every moment count. Farah believes in a sustainable world without boundaries, where everyone is supported equitably to achieve their highest potential. Little Angels Foundation is part of that vision to create hunger-free and resilient communities.
Farah has 18 years of expertise in the investment management and investment banking industries and has worked in the US, UAE, and India. Farah earned her MBA in Finance & Consulting from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis in 2007 and was a Dean’s Scholar. She graduated with top honors with a B.S. in Chemistry and M.S. in Chemistry from India.
She is married and a mother. She is a voracious reader; her favorite pastimes are traveling, trekking, and spending time with her family.
Roel Harryvan, Director Finance & Interim Treasurer
Roel Harryvan is a retired Managing Director at Deloitte Consulting LLP, and Roel is widely recognized for his skills to plan and execute strategies that deliver value and produce innovative solutions. He is a hands-on leader focused on quality and cost management while fostering productive relationships with colleagues, partners and clients.
He is the Honorary Consul in St. Louis for the Kingdom of The Netherlands, covering Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. In this diplomatic role he officially represents The Kingdom, and he is responsible for business development (Ag & Bio Tech, Water Management and Consumer Products) and fostering relationships between government and educational institutions in his home country and his region. In addition, he provides emergency support to Dutch citizens who live in or are visiting his area of responsibility.
Roel’s hobbies include classic cars, skiing, and music, and he is the Treasurer for the United Nations Association in Saint Louis, an organization aimed at educating Americans about the work of, and need for the Unted Nations. He holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration. He served in the Royal Netherlands Army and completed an active tour of duty in The Middle East in 1982. For his services he received the medal of recognition for the Nobel Peace Prize for UN Peacekeeping (1988).
Joanna Abraham, Director Communication
oanna is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and the Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics at Washington University School of Medicine. Her research interests lie at the intersection of computer science, social and organizational sciences, and implementation science. Joanna’s research focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative and cutting-edge tools and protocols to promote patient safety and patient-centered care.
In her free time, she spends time with her husband (Thomas), daughter (Becca), dog (Romeo) and guinea pig (Othello). Her hobbies include watching movies, playing games, hosting and cooking for family and friends, etc.
Karen Aroesty, Innovation Officer
Karen received her BA from Barnard College and her JD from the Washington University School of Law, starting her legal career with the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and then moving to civil rights litigation. After years of Board service, she was recruited to serve as Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League Heartland office, following 20+ years with the ADL and almost 2 with the Department of Administration for St. Louis County. In early 2024, she founded Aroesty Allied LLC to concentrate on high-performing leaders and relentlessly optimistic change management, emphasizing education innovation.
Positive impact has been at the core of Karen's commitment to improving the region for decades.
She is a member of the St. Louis County Human Relations Commission and the US Attorney's Hate Crimes Task Force, the St. Louis Sisterhood of Salaam-Shalom, the Board of the Little Angels Foundation, and a member of Compassionate St. Louis, among others.
Nergis Yüksel Cavitt, Director Corporate Relations
ergis is a Lead Consultant for Learning & Development at BJC Healthcare. In her role, she helps leaders create strategies and goals for the training and development needs of their teams, leads executive team retreats focused on community building and organizational culture, and creates initiatives aimed at providing patient and employee care that is equitable, people-centered, and trauma-informed.
She also serves as Co-Lead of the BJC Global Connection Group (Employee Resource Group) and leads the BJC Executive Coaching Program.
Sudhir Ranjan Saha, Director Programs
Sudhir has been a dedicated member of the Little Angels Foundation for over 2 years, supporting homeless individuals, refugees, and displaced families. He plays a key role in organizing food distribution programs, ensuring no one goes hungry. Sudhir also builds empathy by connecting with those in need and creating a compassionate environment.
As a board member, Sudhir helps shape strategic decisions, fundraising, and ensures the Foundation’s programs align with its mission to alleviate hardship. His leadership and community engagement have expanded the Foundation’s impact.
Outside of the Foundation, Sudhir enjoys spending time with his family, dog, and two cats, biking, and gardening.
Manisha Gopal, Director Community & Volunteer Engagement
Manisha Gopal immigrated to the United States in 1979 as a teenager, learned English, and earned a degree in Computer Programming. She raised two children who graduated with advanced degrees and later operated a successful business for 30 years. Now retired and a proud grandmother, Manisha is passionate about helping those in need, mainly through feeding people experiencing poverty.
She has held various leadership roles at the Sathya Sai Center, including Food Coordinator, Vice President, President, and Regional Service Coordinator of the Sri Sathya Sai Organization. Manisha has enjoyed cooking, administrative work, volunteering, and supporting programs like Meals on Wheels, Peter and Paul Shelter, and the Little Angels Foundation since 1996 and 2021.
Stephen O’Brien, Director Legal & Regulatory Compliance
Stephen came to us wanting to help the community and to help those less fortunate. He volunteers weekly as a server and enjoys participating immensely. He has worked as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in St. Louis County since 1996 and is the head supervisor for the Domestic Violence unit. Stephen earned his BA at the University of Tulsa and earned his JD Cum Laude at St. Louis University. Stephen has been married for over 25 years and has two college aged children.
Advisory Board Members
Cindy Serrano Roberts, Strategic Advisor
Cindy Serrano Roberts is a native New Yorker, combat veteran and the CEO & Founder of Global Freedom Group (501c3). Additionally, Cindy is a member of the United States Institute of Peace Civil Society Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security and Chairs the Global Committee, bringing global goals to local leaders. She is a Truman National Security Political Partner and was selected as the 2021 United Nations Association (USA) Advocate of the Year Award for her resounding impacts made across government and her local community and 2020 Air Force nominee for the National Public Service Award recipient.
Serving hope, one meal at a time.
- At Little Angels Foundation, we believe that no one should go hungry. We are committed to providing hot, nutritious meals to those in need. Your support helps us make a difference in our community. Together, we can ensure no one goes hungry.
Thank you for being a part of this life-changing work!