Our Team
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Amit Dodani, Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer
Amit is an Aspen Ideas Scholar,  Peace First Fellow and Founding Member of Ashoka’s Global Youth Council. He is originally from Los Angeles, and attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill as a Robertson Scholar. Since founding MNMS in 2011, Amit has been passionate about being a catalyst for change in school climate and empowering young people to become changemakers.  Amit is also a nationally recognized public speaker - sharing his message of Empathy & Changemaking to over 50,000 young people across the country, from the Boys & Girls Club LA to Yale University. He is a basketball enthusiast and a die-hard LeBron James fan. 
Kimberly Alli, Advisory Board Member / Fellow & Program Facilitator
Kimberly is a graduate from San Diego State University. On campus she has served as a Resident Advisor, SDSU Ambassador, and the Chief Justice of her student government. One of her proudest accomplishments was leading her 2018 Dance Marathon board of 50+ students in raising over $243 thousand dollars for San Diego's local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Kimberly has defined her leadership in each of her roles with the core values of empathy and authenticity, placing a focus on genuine interaction and building the leaders around her. With a passion to serve, a heart for diversity, and an attitude of gratitude, Kimberly is excited to empower our youth with the knowledge that their stories matter and their capacity to make a difference is unlimited. 
Julie LaBelle, Advisory Board Member / Head of Curriculum Development
Julie is a graduate of the University of San Diego and has been working with youth for the past 17 years. She was a Youth Minister at St. Frances Cabrini Church and counselor for students at Columbine High School after the tragic shootings in 1999. In 2004, she became the Director of Student Activities at Chaminade College Preparatory - coordinating events for a 1300+ student. In 2006, Julie created and ran the school's first ever Diversity Program that continues to have a strong presence on campus today, with 50+ student leaders involved and programming throughout the year. In her free time, Julie loves to watch sports and go wine-tasting with friends. 
Ra’idah Noohu, Advisory Board Member / Facilitator & Program Development
Ra'idah Noohu is a speaker and researcher with years of work in community building and inter-religious dialogue. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Religious Studies and International Studies. In addition to her work with My Name My Story, she is a Junior Research Fellow at the Annenberg Center at USC, and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at the University of Chicago. Ra'idah's journey of moving to the United States from Sri Lanka when she was 11 years old, helps shape her global perception of the world. She is passionate about empowering young people and building bridges across difference. ​
Harsha Dodani, Advisory Board Member / Director of Events & Outreach
Harsha graduated from California State University Northridge with a degree in Business Education and Marketing. She works closely with our facilitators and educators, coordinating events and helping them spread the message of empathy on their campuses.
​Fondly called “ the heart of My Name My Story” Harsha loves to spend time with friends and family, and is happiest serving everyone she touches.
Ajit Dodani, Advisory Board Chair
Ajit started his first social venture in 1994, producing sustainable clothing and accessories out of recycled material. The company worked closely with companies like Disney, LA County & Dole and was recognized by John McConnell, founder of Earth Day.
Ajit is a recognized and involved financial professional who has helped several companies scale over the last 25 years.
​His work with My Name My Story stems from a passion for combining his business knowledge to empower young people to create change themselves. 
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MK Larson, National Youth Spokesperson ~ 2016
Mary Kathryn Larson is a Sophomore and Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholar the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Youth Ambassador for the Tourette Association of America,  and has raised over $6,500 to help children with Tourette thrive in school and in their local communities. In high school, MK served as the Vice President of the Student Body and was selected as the salutatorian of her class.  She is a powerful changemaker who  continues to empower other young people to use their stories to drive change. MK loves long-distance running, country music, and spending time with her friends and family.  ​
Joshua Breard, National Youth Spokesperson ~ 2017
Joshua has always been the voice of the youth on the MNMS decision making table.  Along with having a passion to serve and spread his joy to all around him,  Joshua is also the driving force behind the development and research behind the impact and plans to scale MNMS.
At his high school, he was the president of the My Name My Story club, a member of the LIFE team, and a leader of the Diversity program. Today, Josh attends St. Mary's University in San Antonio, is in the Marianist Leadership Program (MLP) as well as taking on various different roles in his community. ​He is also the current Marketing Intern for the 2018-2019 school year for student life, a Community Coordinator for MLP through the Office of Residence Life, and is looking to start up his own project to give back to students who have great ideas. 
Julia Wilson, National Youth Spokesperson ~ 2018
Julia is a senior at Chaminade College Preparatory, where she not only leads the My Name My Story club on campus, but also is a Commissioner for the Diversity Team, a part of Student Council, and the President of Ambassadors.  She discovered her passion for changemaking when she started to volunteer in her community with her mom.  Her mother taught her that "if you want to change the world, you must start with yourself."  She loves traveling, watching movies, and spending time with family, friends, and her dogs.  Julia provides MNMS the youth’s perspective with decision making and is constantly encouraging those around her to share their stories, see their worth, and discover the power within themselves.
James Dockery, Community Outreach & Development
James grew up in Charlotte North Carolina. He is a junior at UNC Chapel Hill studying business and sustainability. James realized the power of storytelling during a recent backpacking service trip to Patagonia, where his experience serving and interacting with Argentinian farmers whom he shared little to nothing in common with helped him realize that even people from opposite ends of two continents can overcome otherwise daunting cultural boundaries to co-create and inspire one another.
He serves as a camp counselor for the UNC Chapel Hill chapter of Camp
Kesem.  James is thrilled to be involved with My Name My Story and can't wait to see what the future holds.
Samantha Goetz, Curriculum Development & Community Outreach
Sam is from Los Gatos, California and is a rising Junior at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in global economics, trade and development with a minor in entrepreneurship. Aside from MNMS, at UNC Samantha develops her leadership skills through positions in the Catalyst Convention, Coalition for Human Rights, Active Minds of Carolina, and her sorority Zeta's annual Franklin 5k Fundraiser. Samantha is driven by the opportunity to catalyze social change through innovative ventures and international work.  Samantha connected with the mission behind MNMS instantly freshman year to divert more attention in education on empathy and life skills for high school students and was proud to be able to work alongside Amit for MNMS's mission. She is excited to work on curriculum and community outreach with the team and see the growth to come in the future.
Aamina Hennings, Program Facilitator
Aamina graduated from Purdue University with her B.A. in Sociology (2005), her M.S. in Education, and a Minor in School Counseling (2008). Due to her passion and her life’s experiences, she felt that becoming a School Counselor would allow her to help students on a consistent basis. Aamina believes that if she can be a help to one youth at a time, she can help impact an entire generation, and she understands and appreciates the power of storytelling to make a difference.  Aamina and her family moved to California in 2016, and since then she has found it to be rewarding to be a part of the “My Name My Story “family. Aamina is excited to be involved with this movement of spreading empathy, and allowing personal stories to guide continual growth in today’s youth. Aamina loves spending time with her husband and their active 2-year-old son; family always comes first!
Emily Kian, Content Creator
Emily Kian grew up in South Florida, and she currently attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Robertson Scholar. She is majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Global Health. Emily is Co-Founder of Phyta, a macroalgae cultivation initiative designed to address the nutritional requirements of a growing global population and mitigate the impacts of a worsening climate crisis. An ardent environmentalist and avid SCUBA diver, Emily is passionate about the planet and the many species that call it home. Emily was immediately drawn to My Name My Story after hearing about its mission and the impact that MNMS has made on so many students. She is a strong advocate for creative school curriculums that teach students intangible, invaluable skills such as teamwork and empathy.
Joanna Kuang, Community Outreach
Originally from New York City, Joanna currently attends the University of North Carolina as a Morehead-Cain scholar. In high school, Joanna became passionate about mental health and eating disorders in particular. Along with her friend, Joanna used the Alexander Capelluto Grant to bring The Body Project, a program that allows girls to discuss body image in the context of society’s appearance ideal. She hopes to become a psychiatrist specializing in adolescent care in the future. She firmly believes in the importance of listening to others and realizing that everyone has a story to share, which drew her My Name My Story. She loves its mission and message and cannot wait to work more with the organization. In her free time, she likes to go to the gym, play piano, and explore restaurants.
Melanie Lindsey, Program Facilitator
Melanie is a graduate of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education in South Africa and has been working with the world's greatest students for the past 17 years. She started her career as a junior lecturer in South Africa. Once she moved to the U.S. she started her teaching career at Buena High School in 2000. In 2001, she moved to Foothill Technology High School. Over the years she has taught Journalism, AVID, English and Psychology. She is currently the Activities Director, Renaissance Coordinator and AP Literature teacher at FTHS. She is responsible for building and maintaining a positive culture and climate on her campus through creating events that celebrate diversity, honor academic achievement and recognize positive character. In her free time, Melanie teaches classes at her gym, reads and spends as much time as she can with her husband and daughter.
Austin Ludwig, Outreach
Austin grew up in Holly Springs North Carolina and is currently a Junior at UNC Chapel Hill, studying Business Administration and Computer Science.  At a young age, Austin’s younger brother Mason was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  In an effort to give back to the cause, as the senior class president of Middle Creek High School, Austin hosted a charity golf tournament benefitting the Autism Society of North Carolina.  Since then, Austin has expanded his efforts to give back to the Autism community, founding his own non-profit organization centered around Autism awareness and acceptance.  Since getting involved in My Name My Story, Austin has derived a passion for social entrepreneurship.  He is eager to help others become change makers in their own community, and very excited for the future of MNMS.
Janie Price, Graphic Designer and Facilitator
Janie hails from Atlanta, GA and is currently a senior at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Entrepreneurial Studies and Studio Art. At UNC, Janie is an executive member of the local chapter of Kappa Delta sorority and works for the UNC football program.  Janie is the lead voice behind the design associated with MNMS. Social change is a high priority in her life. 
Talia Sanchez, Social Media Coordinator
​Talia grew up in the small beach town of Santa Barbara, California before moving to North Carolina to attend UNC, Chapel Hill. She is currently completing her sophomore year, double-majoring in Communication Studies and Public Policy. She first got involved in My Name My Story because she believes empathy is in important part of young peoples education that is often not taught in schools.
Colin Swales, NC Operations Manager 
​Colin is from Holly Springs, North Carolina. Currently a junior at UNC Chapel Hill studying computer science.  He met Amit during his freshman year and developed a real connection with My Name My Story. Colin works with the rest of the NC team to inspire change on the east coast. He loves his job and can’t wait to keep spreading our message.