Our Team

Karan Verma, a high school sophomore from Texas, is thrilled to co-found a non-profit organization focused on financial literacy.

Karan has a passion for playing football, the culinary arts, and watching the latest Shark Tank episodes. He aspires to be an entrepreneur one day and enjoys giving back to his community often through the means of volunteering at a local chef academy and actively participating in and organizing nearby events.

He is deeply passionate about financial literacy and believes it is a fundamental right that everyone deserves. Through education, he aims to break the cycle of poverty, inspire economic independence, and create a brighter future for communities.

Aditya Herekar, is a high school sophomore from New Jersey and is excited to co-found Invest2Empower that involves finance and teaching, both areas he is passionate about.

Aditya loves playing and watching basketball, as well as indulging in creative writing. He enjoys reading Rick Riordan and J.K. Rowling. In his free time, Aditya also enjoys assisting residents at a veteran memorial home and helping them enjoy life as well as stay healthy.

He strongly believes in giving back to the society, by promoting financial literacy and imparting financial education to individuals, especially those from minority and underrepresented backgrounds, who lack access to this essential knowledge.

Karan Verma, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer

A big hello 👋👋 from the Invest2Empower team!!

Our team is passionate about making a difference to the world by simplifying the complexities of the financial world and making it easy to digest for young students and people who have had no exposure to financial planning before.

Aditya Herekar, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer

Rayan Batada, Director of Georgia Chapter

Rayan Batada, a high school senior in Georgia is so excited to elevate the growth of Invest2Empower by spreading Financial Literacy and starting a new chapter.

Rayan has a passion for advocacy, coding, reading, and loves to watch Netflix whenever he can. In his free time, Rayan also likes to partake in community service events, whether it be cleanups, protests, or just volunteering at local shelters.

By improving financial literacy through Invest2Empower, he believes he can make a significant impact, especially for those from minority and underrepresented backgrounds.

Raya Ahmed, Co-director of Texas Chapter

Raya Ahmed, a high school junior from Texas, is excited to be involved in a non-profit organization focused on financial literacy.

Raya has a passion for her business, Girl Scouts, and 3D art. She aspires to be a part of the medical field one day and enjoys being a part of community events such as pop up art markets and her volunteering community.

She is passionate about financial literacy and advocates that everyone deserves to be educated on this matter. Through education, she aims to aid people in reaching economic stability through smart financial decision making.

Maheen Rafique, Co-director of Texas Chapter and Chief Marketing Officer

Maheen Rafique, a high school sophomore from Texas, is delighted to co-direct the Texas chapter of Invest2Empower.

Maheen is passionate about all things art; including painting, photography, and sculpting. In the future, she wishes to have a career in veterinary medicine. Maheen spends much of her time volunteering in local areas or with friends.

Invest2Empower gives her a platform in which she can help spread the skillset of financial literacy to those who haven't yet been exposed to this vital knowledge. Financial education can help bring about prosperity that can resonate through generations, which is something she is more than happy to be a part of.

Ava Borkar, Director of New Jersey Chapter

Ava Borkar, a high school junior located in New Jersey, is elated to be a part of Invest2Empower, a non-profit organization that aligns with her core values which consist of furthering educational opportunities, youth empowerment, and community development.

Ava enjoys cheerleading and playing lacrosse. She is a part of Girl Scouts, and is currently pursuing her Gold Award, by teaching children about numerous laws and civic responsibility. In addition, she also takes delight in traveling around the world, and learning about various cultures.

She believes that financial literacy is a core field that all should be educated in. Recognizing that many individuals either lack or fail to realize its importance, she joined an organization dedicated to raising awareness on this essential life skill. Through Invest2Empower, she hopes to help people build a secure and stable financial future by expanding their business comprehension.

Ms. Tracy Tanner is a dedicated advocate for financial literacy education and youth empowerment. With over 12 years of experience in strategic planning and program development, she brings a wealth of expertise in creating impactful initiatives that inspire financial independence. Tracy’s passion lies in equipping young people with the tools and knowledge to make informed financial decisions and achieve long-term success.

Her background in nonprofit leadership, partnership cultivation, and curriculum development has enabled her to drive meaningful connections and innovative solutions that empower communities through education. In her free time, Tracy enjoys mentoring emerging leaders and exploring creative approaches to solving challenges in financial education.

Our Mentors and Advisors

Tracy Tanner - Founder & CEO Wealthy Habits, a 501(c)(3) organization

Dr. Jairo Borja - President of Borja Consulting Group

Dr. Jairo Borja, DBA, known as "Dr. B," is the President of Borja Consulting Group, focusing on uplifting small business owners and entrepreneurs. He is an International Best-Selling Author of “Networking Your Way to Success: 10 Steps to Building Relationships & Expanding Your Business," and hosts "The Dr. B Show" Podcast that highlights minority businesses. Additionally, Dr. B has created a course to help professionals network virtually, called “Transforming Your Way to Success.”

Committed to community service, Dr. B volunteers with several organizations, including Prospanica and ASIS International. He also serves as the Vice President of Corporate and Entrepreneurial Programs at the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. In his role, he oversees all programming for the SHCCNJ including the Hispanic Entrepreneurship Training Program (HETP) & the Latina Entrepreneurship Training Series (LETS). The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is the voice to 120,000 Hispanic business owners in the State of New Jersey.

Dr. B is an active real estate investor, with interests in multiple properties. He holds a DBA from Walden University, an MBA from Long Island University, and a BBA in Management from Berkeley College.

Melanie Barrett - Director of Development, The HOPE Program

Ms. Melanie Barrett is a development professional, currently leading The HOPE Program's fundraising strategy to grow individual giving, special events, and corporate relationships.

The HOPE Program's mission is to empower New Yorkers to build sustainable futures through comprehensive training, jobs, advancement and lifelong career support. HOPE participants gain skills development, hands-on learning, industry certifications and financial literacy guidance.

Before dedicating her fundraising efforts to HOPE, Melanie was an Advancement and Community Events Officer at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.