Our
Board
Meet the Project Lux Nonprofit board! The board is responsible for creating new chapters, securing community partnerships, and ensuring that every step we take aligns with our goal to support the unhoused community. Hover over each member’s photo to learn more about them and what inspired them to join Project Lux’s mission.
Shefali
CEO & Co-Founder
Shefali is one of the founding directors for Project Lux nonprofit, and she previously served as president for the UCLA chapter. She founded Project Lux in order to create a difference in a community after witnessing the disparities present within healthcare for unhoused populations. She is dedicated to creating a lasting change in her community and hopes to continue her work as a physician in the future.
Shefali Varma
CEO & Co-founder
William Seng
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
Johan Carrascoza
Co-Founder
Johaan is one of the founding directors for Project Lux and its UCLA chapter. He is passionate about analyzing real world problems through an interdisciplinary lens, especially the mental health struggles of the homeless community. In the future, Johan aspires to attend medical school and work toward improving pharmaceutical and societal framework for the mental health of others.
Johan Carrascoza
Co-Founder
William Seng
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
Ishita Srivastava
External Vice President
Ishita Srivastava is the co-founder and co-president of the UCB chapter. They joined Project Lux with the belief that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their background or circumstances. Being part of a dedicated team that shares this vision has been extremely rewarding for them. Outside of Project Lux, they enjoy exploring new hiking trails, laughing with friends, and adventuring with their dog. Fun fact: They are a master at uncovering the best hidden nature spots around the Bay Area.
Ishita Srivastava
External Vice President
William Seng
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
Brandon Truong
President
Brandon Truong joined Project Lux in 2020 and previously served as the president of the UCLA Project Lux Chapter. They joined Project Lux to engage more with the unhoused community in Los Angeles and make a meaningful impact, no matter how small. Fun fact: their birthday is on Star Wars Day!
Brandon Truong
President
William Seng
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
Name
Secretary
Jonanne Talebloo serves as the Internal Vice President of the Project Lux non-profit and the co-president of the UC Berkeley chapter. She initially joined the organization driven by her passion for health advocacy and her commitment to improving healthcare accessibility within her community.
Johanne Talebloo
Internal Vice President
Jonanne Talebloo
Internal Vice President
William Seng
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
Nikhitha Nair
Publicity Director
Nikhitha Nair previously served as Advocacy Chair for the UCLA Project Lux chapter. She joined Project Lux in 2021 because she wanted to help raise awareness about the housing crisis, demystify misconceptions surrounding houselessness, and work towards making healthcare accessible to all. A fun fact about Nikhitha is that she enjoys watching true crime documentaries in her spare time.
Nikhitha Nair
Publicity Director
William Seng
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
Ila Youssefi
Board Member
Ila Youssefi is the founder of the UCR chapter. She joined Project Lux because she was inspired by its mission to address healthcare disparities among individuals experiencing houselessness. Ila started the UCR chapter to inspire student volunteers to recognize the broader societal issue of houselessness and offer them a space to make a tangible difference. A fun fact about Ila is that she loves exploring new hiking trails during her free time.
Ila Youssefi
Board Member
William Seng
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
William Seng
Board Member
William Seng is the current president of the USC Project Lux chapter. Going to school in downtown LA, he was constantly reminded of the large unhoused population and the many struggles they must go through. Project Lux appealed to him because he found it very fulfilling to be face to face with the people he is helping. A fun fact about William is that he skipped kindergarten!
William Seng
Board Member
William Seng
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
Suhasini Guttalu
Board Member
Suhasini Guttalu is a member of UCR Project Lux from Cerritos, California. She joined the organization to work with and assist underprivileged communities in the Inland Empire. Suhasini is dedicated to making a tangible impact through her work with Project Lux. A fun fact about her is that she played basketball for nine years.
Suhasini Guttalu
Board Member
William Seng
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
Joellen Bragasin
Board Member
Joellen is the current president of the UCLA Project Lux chapter. She joined the organization during her freshman year, drawn to its mission of bridging the gap between healthcare and houselessness. Joellen was inspired by the tangible efforts of the board members and wanted to contribute to creating meaningful change. A fun fact about her is that she loves arts and crafts!