Our People
Dedicated to education
Learn for Life Foundation is a United States-registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
Our small family-run operations team forges partnerships with trusted local volunteer organizations which share our mission and values.
Each partner is carefully vetted and operates with zero salaries or fundraising overhead, ensuring that 100% of every donation directly supports educational programs.
Our Team
Thomas Thekkethala, Founder
Kishore Seshadri, STEM Education Advsior
Thomas Thekkethala, Founder
Mr. Thekkethala is an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist with over twenty-five years of experience financing, operating, and scaling global technology companies through their growth and acquisition. He is currently the Managing Partner of TOLIMA LP, which invests in and advises disruptive innovation-driven technology companies in
Mr. Thekkethala is an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist with over twenty-five years of experience financing, operating, and scaling global technology companies through their growth and acquisition. He is currently the Managing Partner of TOLIMA LP, which invests in and advises disruptive innovation-driven technology companies in AI, cloud computing, and digital engagement. TOLIMA is the primary source of financial support for the foundation. He strongly believes that expanding access to education in rural areas can transform lives and uplift communities.
Matt Thekkethala, Founder
Kishore Seshadri, STEM Education Advsior
Thomas Thekkethala, Founder
Matt Thekkethala is a writer, artist, and nonprofit consultant based in Philadelphia, PA. He developed a passion for children’s education while volunteering at Snehagram, a residential school for HIV+ adolescents in rural Tamil Nadu, an experience he distilled into a TEDx Talk in 2014. A Fulbright Scholar, he received his M.F.A. in Creati
Matt Thekkethala is a writer, artist, and nonprofit consultant based in Philadelphia, PA. He developed a passion for children’s education while volunteering at Snehagram, a residential school for HIV+ adolescents in rural Tamil Nadu, an experience he distilled into a TEDx Talk in 2014. A Fulbright Scholar, he received his M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at Austin and his B.A. in Political Science from Yale University.
Kishore Seshadri, STEM Education Advsior
Kishore Seshadri, STEM Education Advsior
Kishore Seshadri, STEM Education Advsior
Mr. Seshadri is a Product Management executive who has held senior executive positions, always working on pioneering the first release of new products, at both startups and publicly listed technology companies in the US. Kishore has been granted several patents across many areas of networking and is on the advisory boards of several start
Mr. Seshadri is a Product Management executive who has held senior executive positions, always working on pioneering the first release of new products, at both startups and publicly listed technology companies in the US. Kishore has been granted several patents across many areas of networking and is on the advisory boards of several startups. He is passionate about rural children’s education, flying and photography.
Alisha D'SOUZA, AnAlyst
MARIA THEKKETHALA, MARKETING INTERN
Kishore Seshadri, STEM Education Advsior
Alisha D’souza is an aspiring data and analytics professional with a strong foundation in statistics and analytics. She currently works across finance and operations at Learn for Life Foundation, while also contributing to marketing, bringing a balanced mix of analytical thinking and creativity to her work.
Alisha holds a Master’s degree i
Alisha D’souza is an aspiring data and analytics professional with a strong foundation in statistics and analytics. She currently works across finance and operations at Learn for Life Foundation, while also contributing to marketing, bringing a balanced mix of analytical thinking and creativity to her work.
Alisha holds a Master’s degree in Big Data Analytics from St. Joseph’s University and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Bhandarkars’ Arts & Science College.
MARIA THEKKETHALA, MARKETING INTERN
MARIA THEKKETHALA, MARKETING INTERN
MARIA THEKKETHALA, MARKETING INTERN
Maria Thekkethala is a 2nd-year student at Rutgers University, New Brunswick with a passion for learning and leadership. At Rutgers, she is committed to academic excellence and social justice. She is also a proud athlete, competing on the Rutgers Club game team. She is thrilled to be working with the Learn for Life Foundation team on rais
Maria Thekkethala is a 2nd-year student at Rutgers University, New Brunswick with a passion for learning and leadership. At Rutgers, she is committed to academic excellence and social justice. She is also a proud athlete, competing on the Rutgers Club game team. She is thrilled to be working with the Learn for Life Foundation team on raising awareness and support for disadvantaged children's education in rural communities in India.
RYAN JOSHUA, FINANCE INTERN
MARIA THEKKETHALA, MARKETING INTERN
MARIA THEKKETHALA, MARKETING INTERN
Ryan Joshua is a recent graduate of X school, and is eager to bring his interest in finance and accounting to the Learn for Life team in support of rural education in India.
Our Partners
Sneha Charitable Trust
Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society
Sneha Charitable Trust
The Sneha Charitable Trust ensures quality of life and future of the orphan and vulnerable children infected with HIV and leads them to a healthy and productive adulthood, by comprehensively addressing their real and felt needs on education, health, psycho-social support, vocational training and life skill education.
Sunbird Trust
Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society
Sneha Charitable Trust
Sunbird Trust is a non-sectarian and non-religious Civil Society Organization striving for Peace in conflict-affected parts of North East India. They bring communities to live and work together in harmony and to build bridges between people and the Armed Forces. The Trust engages with local communities through educating and empowering underprivileged children.
Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society
Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society
Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society
KJES Missions work with a motto of serving the poorest of the poor victims of discrimination, injustice, and oppression. Over nearly 150 years in Karnataka, KJES and BJES have overseen the construction and management of over 42 primary, secondary and higher secondary schools, colleges and institutions educating over 25,000 students across the state.
St. Joseph's Institutions
St. Joseph's Institutions
Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society
St. Joseph's Institutions in Bengaluru comprise a group of Jesuit-run educational establishments, including schools and colleges, known for academic excellence, holistic development, and strong values. Learn for Life Foundation is grateful for the consistent support of the St. Joseph's School Class of 1977.
Joy Thomas Foundation
St. Joseph's Institutions
Purvanchal Pragati Samaj
The Joy Thomas Foundation brings together a global network of STEM mentors, who are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of STEM students, researchers and entrepreneurs.
Purvanchal Pragati Samaj
St. Joseph's Institutions
Purvanchal Pragati Samaj
The Purvanchal Pragati Samaj operates across several northeastern states, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. They sponsor a network of 29 schools, many with hostels for boys and girls and 3 colleges. They support local communities by promoting education, better sanitation and health, social and self-employment skills, and job accessibility.