Meet the Team
Sruthi Sentil
Founder and Executive Director of Big Bend Chapter
After spending the summer of 2020 tutoring children in foster care under the guidance of a case manager, she became aware of the need for one-on-one services for underprivileged youth. In collaboration with local community leaders, she founded BuddyKnit, facilitating and nurturing connections of youth volunteers to children in the foster care system. She hopes to not only connect but provide the resources to the matches for sustainability and longevity. Through mentorship and companionship programs Sruthi seeks to establish long-lasting relationships and support structures, promoting equity and compassion for all.
Youth Leadership Team
BuddyKnit’s Youth Leadership Team is pivotal to its success, carrying out our day-to-day operations! Feel free to reach out if you’re a high schooler in Tallahassee interested in getting to work behind the scenes at a nonprofit organization!
Hansini Reddy
Volunteer Coordinator
Samitha Balireddy
Community Engagement Coordinator
Nishi Nandineni
Director of Events
Eshani Banugu
Director of Promotions
Himank Chhaya
Resouce Development Coordinator
Asmitha Etukala
Social Media Director
Meet Our Board of Directors
With a diverse Board of Directors of strong-willed women with a dearth of subject matter expertise in the child welfare space, BuddyKnit ensures it’s operations are socially and emotionally informed.
Laure Mulrooney
TBA
Niya Hubbard
I have dedicated over 20 years to defending the rights of the abused, neglected, exploited, person's living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ, underserved, and overlooked populations in Leon and Gadsden Counties. My professional experience includes over 10 years with the Florida Department of Children and Families and its Community Based agencies as a Child Protective Investigator and Dependency Case Manager.
Atarri Hall
Atarri Hall has a wealth of child welfare field experience. She currently serves as the Statewide Child Safety Specialist in The Office of Child Welfare. Two years prior to that she served as the Statewide CQI Specialist for the Hotline and Child Protective Investigations. Atarri was trained as a Safety Practice Expert and deemed proficient to train child welfare staff in the safety methodology.
Karen Snyder
Karen Snyder is a mom and grandmother, who has dedicated her life career to serving in the health and human services (HHS) space. Karen is excited to serve on the board of Buddyknit, assisting young adults support each other.
Letitia McClellan
Letitia McClellan is an Operations Review Specialist in the Practice and Policy Division for the Department of Children and Families. She is a liaison between field operations and the Department. Mrs. McClellan is responsible for leading organizational change for FSFN/CCWIS Integration and CPI Projects. Mrs. McClellan is a Certified Child Welfare Professional through the Florida Certification Board.