About Us

Co-Founder

As an immigrant to the US from India, Sweta Shah has also spent her life in a world of stories expressed orally, in books, films and photography. Two of Sweta’s favorite activities as a young child was to listen to her father tell traditional stories from India, and go to the library to get as many books to read as she could. Early in her career, Sweta was part of the group 3rd I Films which was committed to promoting diverse images of South Asians in the US through independent film. They used those films for advocacy and social change. Her focus then shifted outside of the US where she built a career over 20 years as a strong advocate and leader for children and families, especially the youngest and most marginalized. This humanitarian and development work has spanned the US, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Latin America where she regularly used programming practice and research evidence to advocate for policy change. Sweta has always believed in the power of storytelling to impact the world.

Sweta has a PhD in Education/Early Childhood Development from UCL Institute of Education and an MA in International Development and Education from The George Washington University. She has published the book “Early Childhood Development in Humanitarian Contexts: South Sudanese Refugees in Uganda” and speaks 6 languages. She’s a mother of 2 girls, who also share her love of stories and books. They remind her every day of the power of children’s perspectives and their stories.

Co-Founder

Lucy has long been engaged in impact storytelling. As a young child, she obsessively watched a documentary about women on strike for better pay and began to write her own stories about social justice. This led her to participate in an international youth exchange with children in the then-USSR, create and act in public street performances about peace, and focus her studies in college on literature and social change. Since then, she has continued to value stories, whether gathering oral histories in an indigenous K’iche’ village in Guatemala during the Peace Corps, documenting children’s perspectives as a Reggio Emilia pre-K teacher, or building storytelling into her public policy classes at the University of Virginia.

Complementing her commitment to storytelling as a vehicle for empowerment and change, Lucy has two decades of experience working to support young children’s learning and development around the world with the World Bank, UNICEF, and other organizations. Outside of ChildArise, Lucy is mother to 3 delightful children whose stories she relishes, avid reader and adventurer, and Professor of Practice at the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and co-Director of the Humanitarian Collaborative, an applied research initiative focused on improving humanitarian response.

Kate Charles (she/her) is a purpose-driven marketing executive who brings together cultural trends, human truths and media behavior to move organizations forward. Kate has over 20 years experience identifying breakthrough strategies for some of the world’s most successful brands including the ACLU, March of Dimes, American Express, Thinx, and Lincoln Center. Prior to Child Arise, Kate was Secretary of the Board of Directors for the global non-profit Colors of Connection. She’s passionate about connecting the next generation of donors with non-profits by understanding digital behaviors, consumer motivations, and bridging generational barriers.

Kate is currently Managing Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at OBERLAND, a purpose-driven ad agency based in New York City. She developed her deep expertise in consumer, media and brand insights leading insights and planning groups at award-winning agencies, Lippe Taylor and 360i. Prior to the creative agency world, she spent eight years in brand consulting at Hall & Partners, working in the London and New York City offices. Originally from Minnesota, Kate now calls New York home, with seats at the dinner table for her daughter, son, husband and Boston Terrier dog named Bronx.

Alex Castro (he/him) s the Chief Operations Officer for the non-profit organization - Community Connections for Youth. Prior to joining CCFY, Alex served as the Chief Operating Officer at a Harlem-based nonprofit for over 8 years, where he was responsible for finances and operations, and technology. In addition to serving on the organization’s board committees of finance, facilities, and technology, Alex spearheaded the annual budgeting process and provided financial forecasts while maintaining an effective and efficient system of internal management controls.

Alex has used his years of experience in operations and financial management to support various local non-profits and small businesses.

Alex is a very proud first-generation immigrant, New Yorker, and advocate for resident-led initiatives in the South Bronx and Northern Manhattan.