Namee is a former corporate attorney from New York. She has been actively involved in various forms of public service throughout her life. Namee served as an intern to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and to then California Attorney General Dan Lungren (now U.S. House Representative), and volunteered weekly at a mentally disabled women’s center during her studies at university. While in law school, she was elected board member to Student Funded Fellowships, a student-run organization raising funds and providing substantial monetary grants to law students seeking employment in the non-profit sector. In addition, she has provided legal counsel to multiple non-profit organizations on a pro bono basis, representing them on a variety of matters.

Nilima was born in Calcutta, schooled in Mumbai and migrated to Australia in 1988. With her husband, she has had the opportunity to live and work in several countries including New Zealand, Japan and other countries in Asia. These opportunities have been amazing for them as they love to travel and experience many different cultures and cuisines.

Gautami is a school teacher and an ecologist who has quite recently discovered her inner gourmet. Having lived over the years in Chennai, Nigeria, Muscat, UK and now Bangalore, she is unsure which to call home but enjoys moving between them with her husband and daughters. Gautami trained as an ecologist and organised nature camps and treks for children to forests across India. This led to a career in education and she became a teacher and teacher trainer working with children for the last 15 years in the UK and in India. She has worked in the UK for the last 10 years helping schools train teachers, develop curriculum and successfully apply Montessori methods and philosophy. She continues to work with Montessori schools and training centres in Bangalore and runs science, language and art activities for children. With a passion for education, food and travel, Gautami and her family spend their time travelling, experiencing and tasting their way around the world. Food for Cause lets her do just that without having to leave town.

Rachana has served as a Quality and Configuration engineer for a large multinational corporation called Sabre Holdings in Dallas, Texas for over 7years in US and in India for Sapient. In addition, she has significant experience in Event Management as she runs a company called Lasting Events in Bangalore after relocating to India. A native of Bangalore, during her growing years she volunteered at a home for the aged in Richmond road and has helped raise funds through school organizations. And currently, she is working for food for cause team to help raise funds for various causes. She is passionate about good food and is open to enjoying every cuisine. Loves to travel. Currently lives in Bangalore with her husband and two daughters.

Jaya’s father worked for the Indian Railways and was posted in many different cities all over India. She loves the different regional cuisines from India. A graduate of English literature, from Delhi University and then a fashion designer in Bangalore, where she moved after her husband had to relocate, being from the IT industry. Living in Singapore opened a wider variety of culture and food preparations, which were appreciated and greatly enjoyed by her children and her husband. It also gave her an opportunity to learn and work with a French artist who exposed her into the world of painting and using different mediums to portray. Bangalore is home now, and she is a counsellor by profession. she is working in two different corporate houses as a visiting counsellor. Psychology has always been a subject of major intrigue for her. “I am fascinated with the human mind”, she says. ‘Food for cause’ brought the best of both worlds. Relishing the different delights and more importantly helping raise money for a noble cause. Today she feels after every ‘food for cause’ event; when the aroma of food settles down; it’s the thought of the contribution raised for the charity that gives her the ultimate high!