Our Beginning
Founder Seena Jacob conceived the idea of Bookwallah Organization in late 2009 while doing some soul searching. As a child, reading stories in US libraries helped her get over through hardship in her own life and she wanted to share that incredible power of stories with other children of trauma.
Partnering with her two Founding Board of Directors, G Riley Mills and Ranjeet Nambiar, the organization was incorporated in 2010.
Board of Directors
Board of Advisors
Lopamudra Mohanty
Lopamudra Mohanty is the founder of BBW Education Pvt Ltd. Her recent venture Cheers2Bhasha has been preincubated at IIM Bangalore NSRCEL for the Women Startup Program. She has done her Rural Management from Xavier’s Institute of Management and a Gold Medalist of the batch and was in the banking industry for 10 years. She is an entrepreneur, a professional storyteller, an Indian language crusader, an Odissi dancer, and a cyclist. She is actively into storytelling for children, adults, and corporates. She uses storytelling as a powerful tool to create a family reading culture and strongly believes in the power of storytelling in the field of Personal Storytelling for adults. She uses Indian mythology in her corporate storytelling work.
Olivia Moraes
A dedicated professional with a lifelong commitment to special education and management who has a rich career history that spans over three decades, initially as a special educator for deaf children from 1987 and later transitioning to the role of a Principal in 2007. The 34 years of experience have endowed me with a deep understanding, a strong sense of perseverance and confidence in the field. My philosophy is supported by a belief that disabilities are merely variations in abilities. I am passionate about exploring the potential beyond these differences. My commitment to inclusivity and advocacy for individuals with disabilities is evident in my career choices and personal values.
My journey with Bookwallah Organization began as a volunteer project leader at ‘The East meets West’ library at The Stephen High School for the Deaf and Aphasic. I have been more than content to extend my expertise and services as an Advisor and Mentor to the volunteers and staff providing regular training in Challenges faced in children’s behaviour.
My mantra ‘when you wish upon a star it doesn't matter who you are’
Associate Board Members
Muneet Kakani
Muneet Kakani is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a commerce graduate with a wide experience of consulting, industry & corporates including work experience with fortune 500 companies and market leaders like Kimberly-Clark & TATA Motors. He has worked across different business & finance verticals with cross boundary experience of working with entities based out of US and Asia Pacific Region and holds certifications in varied domain including Social & Emotional Intelligence, Blockchain, Analytics and Audit. Muneet started with Bookwallah as a storyteller & volunteer with hopes to make a difference like many others and with him being a public speaking enthusiast having tender spot for children, this seemed like a perfect match.
Kalyan Dubal
Kalyan Dubal is an experienced IT professional currently working with Cognizant Technology Solutions. He has completed his MBA - IT along with a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering from the University of Pune and holds several Salesforce certifications. He has been associated with Bookwallah for more than 8 years and has worn multiple hats during his tenure like storyteller, volunteer & event coordinator, HR manager, Vice president, and President fellow. He has been instrumental in the smooth functioning of operations in Pune and collaborating with different CSRs, College/Universities, Nonprofits, and Bookwallah alumni. With his penchant for technology, concern for social causes, and drive to accomplish his goals, Kalyan says the bond and the smiling innocent faces of the orphan kids motivate him to share the gift of imagination.