Team | The Finance Compass

Meet Our Team

NEIL SEKHRI
Founder/CEO

Neil is a passionate advocate for financial literacy and specializes in youth financial education. As a seasoned financial educator, Neil has a proven track record of engaging young minds. His tailored workshops and programs have made complex financial concepts accessible to kids of all ages. Recognizing the critical importance of early financial education, Neil founded The Finance Compass, a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to empowering youth with the knowledge they need to build a strong financial foundation.

Neil's commitment extends beyond experience. He holds certifications from top institutions like the Wharton Global Youth Program (University of Pennsylvania), the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF), and Stanford Online. He is a sophomore at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, IL.

All current team members are students of Indian Prairie School District 204 and Naperville Community Unit School District 203.

Annabelle Cheng - Director of Fundraising Annabelle is a driven individual with interest in music, math, and working with children. She is involved in musical activities, including singing, guitar, playing clarinet in the Wind Ensemble, and piano for the pit orchestra. Additionally, she has a strong background in competitive math and enjoys leading summer camps for young children through Happy Summer. Her experience planning these camps has involved building relationships with local leaders to secure facilities and partnerships.	Nidhi Nair - Director of Operations Nidhi's efficient administration skills help enable The Finance Compass to reach more people. Her business acumen, leadership, and dedication to inclusivity help drive the organization's growth. Nidhi has diverse administrative experience, including data management through a real estate institution and leadership roles at the Northern Illinois Joliet Food Bank. She has independently led multiple projects to expand the food bank's reach and provide meals to those in need.	Leo Sekhri - Website Administrator Leo is a tech prodigy who isn't afraid to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty, both in the real world and the digital one. His impressive skill set ranges from training cutting-edge AI models to crafting stunning mobile apps and websites. Beyond his technical prowess, Leo is also a passionate soccer player and robotics enthusiast. Leo's infectious personality, positive energy, and ability to connect with others make him a beloved colleague and friend.
Boahemaa Danso - Media and Advertising Coordinator Boahemaa is a passionate dancer and musician dedicated to helping children. Her love for dance has fueled her drive and discipline, and she’s also pursuing music on the saxophone and piano. Outside of her artistic pursuits, Boahemaa is actively involved in tutoring and mentoring young people.	Grace Zhuang - Program Coordinator Grace is passionate about accounting and personal financial literacy. She’s active in her bullet-journaling club, ice skating, DECA, and enjoys exploring local boba shops. With experience as a teacher’s assistant and a public accounting intern, Grace is committed to helping others develop the financial skills needed for success in the 21st century.	Alex Huang - Fundraising Coordinator Alex is passionate about music, finance, and Brawl Stars. His commitment to meeting new people and making meaningful connections drives progress in The Finance Compass. Alex has a strong background in helping others and working with kids. He has helped administrate summer camps and helped many youth succeed. He hopes to post Reels on the Instagram page.
Kaitlyn Wei - Media and Advertising Coordinator Kaitlyn is a dedicated dancer and musician with a strong work ethic. She’s a member of Neuqua Valley's Orchesis Dance Company and plays the piano and the oboe. Her passion for her craft drives her commitment to her studies and extracurricular activities. Kaitlyn has experience assisting with children’s dance classes and is skilled at promoting The Finance Compass' cause through social media.	James Zhou - Fundraising Coordinator James has a passionate interest in finance and the business world. He is involved in many extracurricular activities, such as violin, piano, tennis, finance club, and the symphony orchestra. He hopes to inspire change both through The Finance Compass and his life in general. James is always eager to learn more and meet new people, which is something he looks forward to at The Finance Compass.	Audrey Hu - Media and Advertising Coordinator Audrey is a motivated individual who is experienced with writing, graphic design, and helping others. She has worked for various startups, helping them with graphic design and marketing projects. She is a regionally acclaimed poet who is also passionate about piano, science, and digital media. Furthermore, she has a passion for tutoring and helping others. Her experience with tutoring gives her insight as to how to better promote and aid The Finance Compass.
Aarushi Singh - Media & Advertising Coordinator Aarushi loves DECA and music, and always brings optimism and energy to what she does. She’s spent summers volunteering with young kids, helping them learn and grow. Eager to dive into social media marketing, Aarushi is excited to explore new ways to build community and engagement. She’s all about creating a positive impact and learning as she goes!	Craig de Fiesta - Program Coordinator Craig is a determined learner with a passion for STEM and teaching children. He's actively involved in Science Olympiad and math competitions, and enjoys exploring programming and game development, showcasing his team-building and problem-solving skills. Craig is also committed to helping young students succeed through tutoring and summer camp coaching.	Ian Shao - Program Coordinator Ian is a passionate musician, tutor, and mathematician with a knack for both learning and teaching. He takes interest in various hobbies, including music production and composition, game design, and animation, as well as playing percussion in multiple school bands. Furthermore, his creative mind and experiences troubleshooting, teaching, and making user-friendly decisions from those activities equip him with a set of skills that help ensure strong programs and curriculums.
Abby May - Fundraising Coordinator Abby is passionate about giving back to others and supporting her community. Her love for working with kids inspired her to co-found an organization that assists pediatric patients. Additionally, Abby is actively involved in volleyball, DECA, and Red Cross Club, demonstrating her commitment to leadership and making a positive impact.	Ojas Sachan - Program Coordinator Ojas is passionate about finance, tennis, and entrepreneurship. He enjoys reading and is a member of DECA and his school’s finance club. With experience in portfolio management and market analysis, Ojas has a strong background in the finance sector, which he hopes to use to help fill the gap in financial literacy with The Finance Compass.	Anshuman Velankar - Program Coordinator Anshuman is a talented and versatile individual with a passion for music, technology, and community service. His commitment to education is shown through his powerful mentorship of students through a local tutoring organization. He's a skilled bassist and has been awarded by I.L.M.E.A. His role in varsity trivia and dedication to coding highlights his intellectual curiosity and competitive spirit, while his strong interpersonal skills make him a valuable team player.