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OUR FOUNDERS
DIYA TRIPATHY
CO-FOUNDER
Diya Tripathy co-founded Triangle STEM Foundation with Varnika Shanmuga in 2018 and served as President, where she led the organization’s vision, community engagement, and partnership development. Her focus was on expanding possibilities for young women interested in STEM by shaping experiences that were accessible, meaningful, and designed to grow over time. As an economics major at UNC Chapel Hill, Diya approached her role with a focus on systems thinking and decision-making. She brought attention to how structure and resource design can influence student access and confidence. Her leadership helped shape TSF into a space where students could explore their interests, gain meaningful exposure, and define success on their own terms.
VARNIKA SHANMUGA
CO-FOUNDER
Varnika Shanmuga co-founded Triangle STEM Foundation with Diya Tripathy in 2018 and served as Director of Finance Operations, contributing to the foundation’s early development, structure, and long-term planning. Her focus was on building systems that supported sustainable growth while helping translate the organization’s mission into real, accessible programs. While studying finance at NC State University, Varnika helped shape initiatives that were thoughtful, community focused, and built to serve students over time. Her leadership contributed to TSF’s evolution into a platform where young students can build confidence, develop practical skills, and use STEM as a tool to shape their futures, regardless of whether they pursue it as a long-term path.
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