Welcome New Board Members!
Interviewed by Carlea Bauman
The Sambhali U.S. Board of Directors recently added three wonderful new members, Nishita Challa, Ellie Hamburger, and Lynn Broadbent, each of whom brings great experience, passion, and energy to move Sambhali U.S. forward. Nishita serves on the Development and Volunteer Engagement Committees for Sambhali U.S., enabling the organization to better communicate with and activate its core of volunteers. Ellie, a retired pediatrician, visited Sambhali Trust in February 2024 and is in the process of developing a series of health workshops for Sambhali students. Lynn has served on Sambhali U.S.’s Development Committee since 2023 and has led the organization’s foundation research and grant proposal submissions.
The three told us a little bit about themselves.
Q: Please tell us about the professional, educational, and personal background you bring to your work at Sambhali U.S.
Nishita Challa:
I have a strong background in Analytics and IT, holding double master’s degrees in these fields, which has equipped me with problem-solving and strategic skills that I now bring to my role at Sambhali U.S. However, beyond my professional qualifications, my personal experiences with education have shaped my journey. Over the years, I’ve been committed to helping others access education, especially those from underserved communities. One pivotal experience was mentoring a young girl through her school years and witnessing firsthand the positive impact education can have, not just on an individual, but on entire families. It’s this belief in the transformative power of education that drives me in my work with Sambhali U.S.
Ellie Hamburger:
In my career as a pediatrician, I had the opportunity to teach medical students and train pediatric residents in addition to seeing patients. A big part of being a pediatrician also involves teaching and learning from families as their children grow and develop. While I won't be providing clinical care anymore, this practice of learning and educating is one I bring with me to my work with Sambhali U.S.
Lynn Broadbent:
After studying languages at Oxford Brookes, I joined the World Bank in Washington DC, working alongside people from every part of the world. I went on to serve as the U.S. Fellowship Director of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, a global network of changemakers headquartered in London, helping to set up the U.S. nonprofit structure and managing a transatlantic program of events. Along the way I started volunteering with Together Women Rise (Rise), a national giving circle supporting grassroots women's empowerment programs in developing countries, serving as a chapter leader and chair of the Grant Selection Committee.
Q: Every board member has a unique journey to this role. Please describe yours.
Nishita:
My journey to joining the Sambhali U.S. board stems from a deep commitment to making a difference, particularly in the lives of women and girls. I’ve had the privilege of working with non-profits focused on empowerment, but Sambhali’s mission deeply resonates with me because it reflects values I’ve held since childhood. I was raised in a household where education and integrity were central, and those values have guided my professional and personal paths. When I was asked to join the board, I saw it as an opportunity to channel my skills and passion into making an even bigger impact for the communities Sambhali serves.
Ellie:
I learned about Sambhali when I rekindled my friendship with Shereen Arent a couple of years after retiring from pediatrics. When she told me about Sambhali, I wondered whether I might be able to contribute by developing health education workshops for the children, youth, and women that Sambhali serves. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Sambhali with Shereen in February 2024. On that visit, I met the girls in the boarding homes in Jodhpur, and the teachers, women, and children in the empowerment centers and primary education centers in Jodhpur, Setrawa, and Jaisalmer. The joy, dignity, and love that is so evident in every part of this small, effective organization had a powerful impact on me.
Lynn:
I love experiencing different cultures, climates and cuisines, especially in southeast Asia. I also saw what poverty looked like in the rural areas of Malaysia in the 1970s. These experiences strongly influenced the direction my life would take.
Q: What is important to you about serving on the Sambhali U.S. board?
Nishita:
Being part of the Sambhali U.S. board is important to me because it allows me to contribute to a cause that directly addresses systemic issues like gender inequality and lack of educational access. For me, it’s not just about offering temporary support but creating opportunities that empower women and girls to become self-reliant and confident in their ability to shape their futures. Sambhali’s approach to empowerment through education aligns with my personal values, and I’m dedicated to ensuring that our efforts create long-lasting change.
Ellie:
I look forward to serving on the Sambhali U.S. board to use my expertise and background to help respond to needs as they arise at the Sambhali Trust. As I tell friends the story of Sambhali, many have joined in some way or another in contributing to the mission. I hope to continue to spread the word about the incredible impact Sambhali has on the lives of the otherwise marginalized people that they serve. I know that I have a lot to learn from my fellow board members and the girls, youth, women, and staff at Sambhali, and look forward to that journey.
Lynn:
In 2019, I discovered Sambhali on a trip to Rajasthan with other Rise members. I had recently met Shereen Arent but I didn't know about her connection to Sambhali. We found out later that she was in Jodhpur volunteering at Sambhali at the time of my visit and that she was about to set up Sambhali U.S. Whether it was fate or coincidence that brought us together, all I know is that suddenly there was a wonderful opportunity in front of me to join the Sambhali U.S. team and work to support the women and girls served by Sambhali Trust.
Q: Finally, what’s something that our readers might be surprised or interested to learn about you?
Nishita:
I’ve always had a passion for traveling, a love that started in childhood thanks to my father’s job, which took our family all over India. One of the most impactful places we lived was Jaisalmer, where I spent two years and witnessed firsthand the deep-rooted inequalities in rural areas. Even at a young age, I remember how surprised people were to see my mother, an independent woman who drove and earned her own money. That experience shaped my understanding of gender roles and sparked my commitment to supporting women’s empowerment.
Ellie:
I've enjoyed starting pottery classes at a studio near my home in Washington, DC. From the time I first saw potters in the town of Delft, Holland as a little girl, I've been drawn to the magical process of turning a ball of clay into a functional piece, and even hopefully a thing of beauty. Another post-retirement journey that I'm enjoying.
Lynn:
As an army "BRAT" (British Regiment Attached Traveler) I attended 9 different schools in England, Germany, Malaysia, and Singapore.