Experience: I was raised in an immigrant family who migrated from India to the USA while I was in middle school. Both my parents were educators, one a tenured professor and one a special education teacher. Education was there ‘raison d’être’. They drilled into their three children that education was the way to a successful and fulfilling life. As soon as they were able they even helped educate their own siblings. My siblings and I were given all the opportunities that we could wish for and more. So it is time for us to give back. LearningWorks is a great way to give back to those who have less opportunities and need more help. It aligns with all that I was taught throughout my life.

Education: Niru is a retired optometrist who graduated from the New England College of Optometry in 1982. Over the next 40 years she practiced in New Haven, CT, Portland, ME , and at the Maine VA clinics. She has always had a soft place in her heart for LearningWorks. Starting in 2010 she volunteered in the Literacy program with the immigrant population. Then she moved onto volunteering in the Youth Build program. Finally she joined the Board at LW in 2017. She has also been involved in the mentoring and tutoring program in the Portland school system. During her career as an optometrist she participated in providing free eye care abroad through ‘Eye Missions’ with various groups. Most recently she has joined Third Act, an organization of seniors who believe that it is their responsibility to care for the planet and work to fight climate change.