STAFF
Passionately committed to combating discrimination and working with global organizations and the community to protect the inherent dignity and rights of Dalits, the underprivileged, the marginalized, and minorities.
Krishna Bishwakarma: IT Cordinator
Krishna is an IT Developer and Automation Testing professional with 12+ years of experience in software development, test automation, and quality engineering. He specializes in building reliable and scalable automation solutions using modern technologies, including AI-powered tools, to improve efficiency and software quality. He is passionate about continuous learning, problem-solving, and exploring emerging technologies to drive innovation and support future growth.
Christopher Dai: Developer
Chris is currently a student at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, CA awaiting his undergraduate university decisions. He plans on studying Computer Science or Data Science with his experience in web and software development. His expertise lies in developing fluid web applications using SCSS/SASS and JavaScript and he has prior experience as a coding instructor where he taught students web development and programming.
Jamie Lee
Program Officer
Maansi Shah: Survey Lead
Maansi Shah is a tenant organizer with Chhaya CDC in Queens, New York, and is passionate about racial and economic justice and land rights. They also sit on the board of the East Harlem El Barrio CLT and organize with SALAM, a South Asian left organization based in NYC.
Nikhil Mandalaparthy
Nikhil is an organizer, writer, researcher, and curator dedicated to promoting pluralism and social justice in South Asia and North America. He recently served as Deputy Executive Director of Hindus for Human Rights, and is currently a board member of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus. He also curates Voices of Bhakti, a digital archive showcasing translations of South Asian poetry on religion, caste, and gender. With the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program, he helped launch a national network of civic and faith leaders advancing religious pluralism. He has presented at national and international forums including the 2018 and 2021 Parliament of World’s Religions. Nikhil’s writing and reporting has been published in several outlets, such as Foreign Policy magazine, Religion News Service, and Religion Dispatches, and has been supported by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting. He has been quoted and interviewed by publications including BBC World Service, Al Jazeera, and the Huffington Post. Nikhil completed undergraduate and master’s degrees in public policy at the University of Chicago.
Marielle Costanza
Marielle is the founder and CEO of Tanza Group, LLC., a consulting firm specializing in business development, fundraising, and operational improvement. Marielle has over a decade of experience leading business development and fundraising efforts for national non-profits, consultancies, academic institutions, and small businesses. Her work has secured millions of dollars in contracts, grants, donations, and sponsorships from prominent philanthropists, foundations, corporations, and government agencies, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the U.S. Department of State, and the National Institute of Justice. Before starting Tanza Group, Marielle was the founding Senior Vice President of Valens Global. She managed company-wide business development efforts and built strategic partnerships — growing the consultancy from a start-up into a multi-million dollar business, listed as one of the best entrepreneurial companies in 2018 & 2019 by Entrepreneur Magazine. Before Valens, she was the head of development at several national 501(c)(3) organizations, including Young Invincibles and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Additionally, Marielle was a researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, and V1 Analytical Solutions. She is a graduate of Harvard University (M.A.) and the University of Utah (B.A., magna cum laude). Marielle holds degrees in History, International Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies. She is also fluent in Levantine Arabic.
Dr. Vishnu Kumari Tandon: Senior Program Officer
Ms. Tandon has joined the ICDR as Senior Program Officer. She is a highly experienced development professional with several years of professional experience in Governance, Citizen Participation, Gender and Social Inclusion, gained from national international organizations in Nepal, the Netherlands, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, and the United States of America. Her goal towards development initiatives lies in understanding and combating systematic structural gender and racial discrimination and inequality. She holds a PhD from École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) in Paris, France. Her research focuses on the circumstances under which people from marginalized communities, including discriminated castes, indigenous groups, and women can participate in the governance process in Nepal. In addition to her doctoral degree, she holds a Master of Arts in International Relations, a Master of Science in Ecology and Environment, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies.
Jinger Callwood: Legal Associate
Jinger is a rising second-year law student at The American University Washington College of Law. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from American University. As a future lawyer, Jinger aspires to use her law degree to uplift marginalized communities. She is a North Carolina native who enjoys writing book reviews for her blog in her free time and playing pickleball. As Legal Associate, she will serve ICDR, in a support capacity to conduct literature review, and draft/review/edit briefing and reports and help ICDR Social Service team to provide affordable immigration services for underprivileged and low-income communities in the United States. You will also provide support to the ICDR leaderships to prepare briefings and communicate and coordinate with legal experts and multiple stakeholders, such as civil rights groups, EEOC and Civil Rights division of the US Department of Justice.
Lauren Pyle Pro-bono: Legal Counsel
Ms. Lauren Pyle has joined ICDR as Pro-bono Legal Counsel. As Legal Counsel, she will serve ICDR, in an advisory and support capacity to provide guidance to ICDR’s leadership and Social Service teams to address strategic legal matters. This includes supporting to conduct pro bono legal training, recommending, and implementing partnerships and Social Service activities and policy requirements. Lauren will also provide support to the ICDR leaderships to prepare briefings and communicate and coordinate with legal experts and multiple stakeholders, such as civil rights groups, EEOC and Civil Rights division of the US Department of Justice.
Kripa Bishwakarma: Associate Developer
Ms. Kripa is an Associate Developer and Computer Science student at James Madison University, with a strong interest in software development and emerging technologies. She is gaining hands-on experience with modern programming tools and AI-powered technologies while building a strong foundation in computer science and software engineering.