Team:

Our leadership team shares no single office, occupation, or expertise, yet we are bound by a common vision and our shared commitment to the actualization of our educational mission.

 
 

Willy Oppenheim- Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Email: willy@omprakash.org
Phone: 203 554 0350
Skype: willyoppenheim

Willy Oppenheim grew up going to school in Connecticut and spending the rest of his time fishing and hiking in the mountains of western Maine. Willy came up with the initial idea for Omprakash after serving as a volunteer English teacher at the Louisiana-Himalaya Association (LHA) in northern India in the autumn of 2004. He then attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where he completed a self-designed major in religion, education, and anthropology. Willy is pursuing a career as an educator and enjoys rock climbing, telemark skiing, playing guitar, and baking bread. In 2009, he received a Rhodes Scholarship to pursue a Master of Science degree in Comparative and International Education at Oxford University. He currently works for the National Outdoor Leadership School, and is involved with all operations of Omprakash.  Willy sits as President of the Board of Directors.
 

 

Steve Le- Director of Outreach

Email: steve@omprakash.org
Phone: 562 884 2903
Skype: stevedl321

Steve currently teaches English at Pacific Ridge School, in Carlsbad, CA, and is co-director of PRS’s upper-school Service Learning. He joined Omprakash in 2006 after following its progress since the inception, and met Willy, Nick, Gordon, and Ashley while teaching at The Taft School, in Watertown, CT. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Steve saw the natural connection in education and service. In addition to coordinating volunteers and fundraisers, Steve works to bring the Omprakash network into schools and colleges throughout the country to enable others to learn and serve in a meaningful way.  He also reviews applications from prospective Partners and grantees.
 
 

Ashley Moore- Director of Operations

Email: ashley@omprakash.org
Skype: ashleysmoore

Ashley Moore grew up in San Francisco, CA and enjoys backpacking, climbing, snowboarding, and writing. She went to high school at The Taft School in Connecticut, where she met Willy, Gordon, Nick, and Steve. Ashley joined the Omprakash team in the fall of 2006 after taking a gap year during which she volunteered as a teacher in Ghana, Tanzania, Nepal, and Thailand. She enjoys helping out with the website and volunteer grants program, advising potential volunteers, and presenting at schools in the Baltimore area. She graduated from Johns Hopkins with a major in International Studies and Creative Writing, and plans on pursuing a career in education and writing.
 
 

Kelly Rula- Director of Media and Communications 

Email: kelly@omprakash.org
Phone: 214 995 1516

Kelly grew up in Dallas, Texas, and attended Bowdoin College in Maine. She graduated in 2007 with degrees in Biochemistry and Environmental Studies. She joined the Omprakash team in the fall of 2009 to help with social media development, web marketing, and outreach. She also reviews applications from prospective Partners and grantees.  Kelly currently works as an environmental consultant for Cascadia Consulting Group in Seattle, WA, and spends her free time skiing, sailing, and climbing.
 

 

Nick Smith - Co-Founder and Advisor on Marketing, Corporate Outreach, and Development

Email: nick@omprakash.org
Phone: 908 625 6901

Nick Smith grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and currently lives in San Francisco, California. Nick plays an integral role in developing and guiding Omprakash's growth path. After graduating with Willy and Gordon from The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut in 2004, Nick took a year “on” and spent several months volunteering at the Louisiana-Himalaya Association in northern India. In 2009, he graduated from Harvard College, where he studied Political Science and was the captain of the men’s lacrosse team. Nick currently works in sales and trading for Goldman Sachs. Nick is an avid surfer, an aspiring guitar player, and loves to travel.  Nick currently sits as Treasurer of the Board of Directors.
 

 

Gordon Guthrie - Advisor on Legal Affairs

Email: gordon@omprakash.org
Skype: gpguthrie99

Gordon Guthrie was raised in Georgetown, Kentucky, and joined the Omprakash family in 2007. He attended the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, where he met many of the Omprakash directors, and completed an undergraduate degree at Emory University in 2008. He enjoys kayaking, skiing, and soccer, and is currently pursuing a degree in international law at Louisiana State University.  Gordon currently sits as Secretary of the Board of Directors. 
 
 

Elliot Wright- Advisor on Fundraising
and Strategic Planning

Email: elliott@omprakash.org

Elliott Wright has spent the past six years advancing nonprofits through grant writing, community organizing, event management and donor outreach.  He currently serves as Development Director for Canopy, an urban forestry nonprofit based in Palo Alto.  After graduating in 2004 from Bowdoin College, Elliott spent three years with El Pomar Foundation in Colorado serving as their Senior Program Associate. From 2007 through 2009, Elliott worked as Development Associate for Sempervirens Fund, and recently served as Event Manager for Acterra. Elliott grew up playing in the mountains of New Mexico, and today calls Northern California home.  Elliott currently sits as Vice-President of the Board of Directors.