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
Koteswara Rao Valluripalli is a retired engineer who worked for Bechtel Corporation for over 33 years. He also loves to garden, read, travel and spend time with his extended family and friends. He is also a founding member of Kudaravalli Development Foundation. Some of the highlights of the foundation include helping to build an elementary school in 1980, a Panchayat building in memory of his parents, support of a drinking water project, and financial support to educate the students. His personal motto is “To serve Humanity is to serve God”.
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
Board Member
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.
Naveen Mandava
Naveen Mandava is an IT consultant lives in Frederick Maryland with his two kids Suhaas, Anvika and a beautiful wife Anu. He loves outdoor activities especially swimming and gardening.
He believes in “Do good, live in the most positive and joyful way possible every day”. He is excited to join this organization to serve the people in need and learn new things everyday.