Meet our team

Monika’s journey with football began at the age of 10, and since then, she’s experienced firsthand how sports can change lives, especially for young girls. Her time at Yuwa, India, opened her eyes to the power of sports for development, and now she’s giving back as a coach and mentor to hundreds of girls, helping them build confidence and leadership skills.

Her international football experience includes playing in Spain, competing in the Donosti Cup, and completing a coaching program with Real Sociedad San Sebastian. Monika’s leadership journey also led her to the Inspiring Girls Expedition, where she was the only girl from outside the US to trek Mount Baker, an ice-covered volcano. She was a three-time elected member of her School Student Council and loved participating in Talent Shows.

Monika continues to grow as a leader, attending the 2023 Women’s World Cup and taking part in the Festival 24 in Paris during the 2024 Olympics. For her, it’s all about helping girls dream big and realize their potential.

Hailing from the same region (the Terai) as Atoot girls, Alisha has graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Universal College of Medical Sciences, Tribhuvan University. Having worked for various health projects, she has sound experience on research and data collection, as well as implementing various projects on the ground. She believes every child should enjoy the basic right of education and freedom to play.

As a Women’s Sports Leaders Academy (WSLA) 2023 graduate and a young leader at Festival 24, a global sport for good festival at Paris during the Olympics 2024, Alisha is a passionate advocate for empowering women in sports, inspiring future generations of female leaders.

She loves being in the company of children, listening to music, watching korean dramas and recently has developed a taste for reading!

 Rooted in the philosophy of actively being the change she wishes to see, Upashana Pandey brings a structured and purposeful approach to her role. Having graduated with a BBA-FA from Lumbini Banijya Campus, she blends organized management with a deep passion for community development and girls' empowerment. An athlete at heart who spent her college days on the sports field, Upashana delivers impactful programming by both coaching on the football pitch and teaching in the classroom, using sport and education to build leadership skills and create high-energy, empowering spaces for young girls.
She is deeply committed to helping others and loves listening to diverse people's perspectives. Outside of her work with youth, Upashana enjoys listening to music, trekking in nature, and spending time with dogs. 

Sushant Khanal is a Grade 12 Computer student from Nepal with a keen interest in technology and learning. He enjoys exploring new ideas, developing digital skills, and engaging in activities that contribute to personal and community growth. Passionate about education and youth development, Sushant believes in the importance of creating opportunities that empower young people to learn, grow, and reach their potential. 

As a young learner, he is always eager to gain new experiences, build meaningful connections, and contribute positively to initiatives that make a difference in society.

A national-level ex-athlete from India, Sharanya has taught and mentored children in rural India and Nepal over the past 7 years. She has always been strongly drawn to children and believes that all children deserve a happy and safe childhood. 

Having graduated with a B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology-Sociology from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, she went on to receive her M.A. in Education from Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, where she specialised in Curriculum and Pedagogy. She is additionally a National Eligibility Test (NET) qualified teacher, by the University Grants Commission, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. 

Sharanya is an avid reader, an outdoors lover and is fluent in 6 languages. She loves to travel and is currently enjoying the thrill of learning to ride a motorbike in the Himalayas! 

A passionate feminist, Sarah Van Vooren has lived in India, Cambodia, Philippines, Haiti, Jordan, Kenya & Nepal the past seven years, working with & managing grassroots sport for development non-profits which use football & education to empower girls in rural communities of underdeveloped countries. 

Originally from Iowa, U.S.A., she graduated from Loyola University Chicago & completed a Master of Philosophy in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin. Sarah is a three time Guinness World Records holder. 

Sarah's passions include sports, empowering and mentoring girls and young women and traveling the world to continually learn by visiting new cultures, understanding different religions, and experiencing everyday life of different societies. And of course, coffee!

Hailing from Nepal, Mashreeb Aryal has worked with girls and adults using sports, education, and narrative therapy throughout Nepal & India over the past seven years. He strongly believes empowering girls to bring about gender equity is key for the holistic development of any society. 

An All India Football Federation (AIFF) licensed football coach; he graduated with a BA in English from Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce and completed a Masters’ Degree in Social Work from Madras Christian College, India. He is a trained Narrative Therapy practitioner as well. 

A passionate footballer, Mashreeb also enjoys spending time with children, practicing yoga and meditation, biking, hiking and all things nature.