BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Krishna Rao (Boppana)
Krishna Boppana founded Hope for Humanity as a way to translate her feelings of compassion for the underprivileged into a meaningful vehicle of support for those in need. Krishna understands the value of being nurtured early in life, of being provided basic human rights, and of having hope even while facing enormous hardships. Krishna has always had a passion for social service, and has the ability to listen to others and take in different perspectives and points of view. These traits, combined with her organizational skills and strong work ethic honed over more than an impressive 30-year career as an accountant for the University of Maryland, has served the organization well in fulfilling its mission and continued development. Although no longer in charge of the day to day operations, Krishna continues to play a major role in oversight and providing guidance to the organization she created.
Koteswara Rao
I am a retired engineer, working for Bechtel Corporation for over 33 years. My hobbiescinclude gardening, reading, traveling, and spending time with my family including seven grandchildren, extended families, and friends.
Mandela’s wise words have influenced my personal motto. “To serve Humanity is to serve God.”
In 1980, I helped found the Kudaravalli Development Foundation (KDF) to improve the infrastructure and supports in my hometown in Andhra Pradesh (India). Over the last 40+ years, which funded an elementary school in 1981, a Panchayat building in memory of my parents in 2005, Built new 29 homes of needy fire victims in 2004-2005 year after a devasting fire, and built a clean water facility (called as Reverse Osmosis Plant or RO Plant ) in 2016 for the village after water supplies became contaminated because of toxins from fish farming. In addition to infrastructure projects, the foundation has provided continuous support since 2005 for students from underprivileged families to attend college. KDF also conducted an Eye Camp in February 2023 for village people. Many of them never went to an Eye doctor to get checked their eyes and over 200 prescription glasses ( All donated by one single generous donor) were distributed to the needy people in the village.
I also volunteered in several roles in my local community including serving as Treasurer for Greater Washington Telugu Culture Society (1991-1993) and Treasurer for the Avery Park Homeowner Association (2004-2021). I took an active role from 2005 through 2008 along with my neighbors to enhance neighborhood appearance by planting hundreds of trees (Leyland Cypress & others) and building 20 feet high berms along local highway and main road by coordinating with State government officials & neighbors. My work at Hope for Humanity is an extension of my philanthropic efforts started with KDF and in my local community. I joined at treasurer in 2016 and was appointed as President in 2019. HFH has been a very well an established organization in helping the humanity in need by helping the needy in education, health, feeding the hungry, rural development and many other causes since 2007. During the last 3 years since Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, we (Hope for Humanity Board) have accomplished the following the following major projects as several generous donors answered the call at the time of real need.
1. Feeding about 200 orphans of special needs with 3 nutrient meals on everyday in a year since July 2020 and continuing now at Abhaya Kshethram Trust, Renigunta, India because of generous donors.
2. Providing 5 years college education along with room & board for 72 girl students (orphans and underprivileged & low-income students ) at Sai Seva Sangh institution, Hyderabad, India since 2021-2022 academic year.
3. Providing special high school education for 81 hearing impaired children at Ashray Akruti, Hyderabad, India since 2022-2023 academic year.
4. Distributing winter blankets over 1500 to homeless people, senior homes and orphan homes etc., since last two years (since November 2022) in AP; Telangana states with the help local organizations (Extra Mile NGO, Sphoorti Foundation, Sai Seva Sangh etc.,) at the initiation of a generous donor.
5. Donated 3360 tress in December 2023 for Avenue plantation for displaced and relocated tribal area communities, affected by Polavaram National irrigation project in ASR & Eluru districts of AP, India. Vision Over the next several years: Pursue young and service-oriented people to continue the legacy of Hope For Humanity established in 2007 by continuing present programs and expand more programs to help the most needy people in this world by using new technology and utilizing 99% funds for the causes donated by generous donors. The present cost of overhead expenses at HFH is less than 1% since it was founded in 2007.
Chaitanya Sathi
I am Chaitanya Sathi, currently working as a Senior Machine Learning Engineer at CrossScreenMedia in Alexandria, VA. I love photography, playing tennis and piano. I truly feel that I am blessed with amazing resources to learn, grow and develop all my life. However, I see so many people in the world who are not so fortunate. Hence, I strongly feel I have a moral responsibility to help and serve others especially the underprivileged. Being away from India, I am most passionate in the cause of providing good education to underprivileged children in India. This passion aligned strongly with Hope for Humanity’s Programs and I became involved in the Education Sponsorship program. Seeing the good work of the organization, I volunteered in taking the lead to redesign the website in showcasing work done by the organization. Now I manage the website and other technical aspects of the organization.
Balaji Vanapamula
Balaji holds a B.Tech from Nagarjuna University, Vijayawada and M.S. from Johns Hopkins University. He has been working with HfH for more than 6 years. His main contributions were to handle all financial matters of HfH, Hold Annual Events and to conduct Local Community Events in MD/VA/DC areas. He played a major role for the October 2011 Walk-A-Thon (to benefit poor and marginal farmers). He also earned matching contributions through his company, Verizon since 2010. He is very passionate about Humanity and believes in Telugu Proverb “Manava Seva Ye Madhava Seva”.
Prasad Muppala
Prasad is an IT professional living in DC metro area for over two decades. He has been helping in the transportation needs of Senior Citizens and has been involved in volunteer activities at local temple and kitchen. After observing Hope for Humanity members commitment, compassion and dedication to serve others, joined the organization and currently volunteering in meals programs, providing support to manage the accounts.
Ratna Battula
Ratna Battula lives in Maryland. She has been working for Montgomery County Government, Mayland for almost 39 years. She has been doing volunteer work for Ashiyanaa (formerly Asha for Women) since 2011. Associated with Hope for Humanity for several years and is interested in continued service for the organization whichever way she can.
Shalendra Cherukuri
Shalendra who is well known as “Anil” is a Registered Pharmacist and earned a Master’s Degree in Science after completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy at Sri Ramachandra Harvard Medical International in India (affiliated with Harvard University). He currently owns and operates several pharmacies and businesses and is an entrepreneur at heart. In addition to operating multiple pharmacies, Anil is a member of the National Community Pharmacists Association, the Maryland Pharmacist’s Association, and Vice President of Independent Pharmacy Owners Association of Maryland. Anil’s passion for the pharmacy industry comes from the drive to help people. He is an avid philanthropist supporting multiple organizations within the community including schools, churches, temples, hospice care, and now COVID-19 testing for the community. Anil is the Trustee of Sri Hanuman Temple of North America, Board of Trustee of Murugan Temple of North America, Maryland, and Grand Sponsor of Hindu Temple of Delaware. When he is not operating his businesses and helping others, Anil enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys.
Dr. Sushma Boppana
Dr. Sushma Boppana is a physician (pathologist) in practice for over 25 years following her residency and fellowships. She currently lives in the Boston area with her husband and pet dog, and has two young adult children. Sushma grew up in Maryland, surrounded by a large Telugu community. She is passionate about helping others, and has been involved in various volunteer activities throughout her life including the non-profit organizations Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Horizons for Homeless Children, Raising A Reader and the Brookline Food Pantry. She is currently a co-chair of her neighborhood association, involved in community building. Sushma has been an enthusiastic supporter of Hope for Humanity since its inception, and has visited the HfH sponsored facilities in India, allowing her to see firsthand the great service work being done. She looks forward to serving on its Board in furtherance of their mission to advance education and economic empowerment for those most in need.
Sajani Yalamanchili
Sajani Yalamanchili lives in Frederick, Maryland. While raising three children, I volunteered at their schools and for the Frederick Medical Society Alliance raising funds for charities, clothing for the underprivileged and toys for the needy children. I also worked as Office manager of a neurosurgery practice for 17 years. Now retired, I would like to continue serving people to help them improve their lives.