Founder and Chairperson

Christine Sita Dave

I wanted to support the dreams and education of rural village girls in Odisha, India. I am building on the legacy of education that my father and his co-founder created when they established this girls’ school in 2011.  I believe the education of these female students is a key component to improve the lives of their generations, community, and nation.

Board Members

Judith Geary

Judith Geary is a Senior Lecturer at Appalachian State University and freelance editor and book designer. Her devotion to education is evidenced by her involvement in Future Problem Solving International and her dedication to the goals of EDGE. She lives in Boone, NC, USA.

Sheethal Satumane

My name is Sheethal, and I currently live in Boone, North Carolina. I hold an MBA in Human Resources and Marketing and have a background in HR. I joined EDGE because I believe every girl deserves access to quality education and the opportunity to build a brighter future. I am passionate about empowering girls to become confident, independent, and capable of achieving their dreams.

Dr. Anindita Das

Anindita Das is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Appalachian State University. She thinks education is empowerment, and empowerment will bring about equality. She thinks that empowerment for all is the first step towards global peace and educating women is the equivalent of a very big jump towards this goal.

Saloni Mahajan

Saloni Mahajan is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at Appalachian State University and a costume designer. Having studied and worked in both India and the United States, she credits education with shaping her journey and opening doors to new opportunities. She believes every girl deserves the same chance and is passionate about empowering girls in India to pursue their dreams with confidence and independence.

Susan Stelling

Education can change the world. Becoming a member of this non-profit allows me to use the skills achieved from my own educational experience and apply them in a way that can empower young girls across the globe. I am inspired and motivated to help the young women in Odisha, India, obtain a quality education. If our world seeks to achieve peace, equality, and justice, it must begin with the education of young girls.

Dr. Deborah Phillips

I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit India on four different occasions, and I have visited several rural villages.  Nothing is more important than providing the girls with an education to help them contribute to meaningful change in their own lives and communities, and for the future of their children.

Former Board Members

Gillian Baker

I love the opportunity to work on behalf of this organization to enhance the lives of young women in India.   Enabling the girls in the villages in Odisha, India, to obtain an education will empower them to grow into strong women.  My passion for community and education is fulfilled through the mission of this organization.

Dr. Lakshmi S. Iyer

Advancing women’s education has always been my passion. The “Women in Information Technology (IT)” initiative I founded in 2009 and the “Innovate for Social Good” started in 2018 both focus on increasing underrepresented students’ education and career opportunities in computing/IT.

Dr. Lubna Nafees

Educating women empowers them, which in turn strengthens society. Such is the need of the hour globally and all the more so in India. This is a cause close to my heart and I make an effort to contribute to it in my little way and joining this organization is part of that effort.

Susan Yashoda Jensen

I have always had a passion for service to the community, women, and children and have used the experience and wisdom gained through my yoga and meditation practice to do this. I am honored and very proud to be a part of EDGE and am dedicated to accomplishing the goals we have set for our girls’ school in Odisha, India. I know the power of education and the gift this opportunity brings for girls worldwide but especially in rural India. I believe that with the help and support of generous, compassionate souls we will be able to make a difference, one girl at a time. 

Dr. Heather Thorp

I am honored to have been a board member for EDGE in the past and watched as the school blossomed into what it is today. Christine has been a friend of mine for the past 20 years. Her vision for starting a girls’ school in India inspired me to join the board both to support her dream and to support the girls’ education. I truly believe the saying that if you educate a girl, you educate the village.