NYLA's Advisory Board members take on key responsibilities beyond those of regular members. While regular members gain access to modules and updates on upcoming "Entrees with Entrepreneurs" events, Advisory Board members establish chapters with students in their area, arrange Entrées events for these chapter members, and connect NYLA with at least three new professionals. In exchange, they are recognized as chapter heads on the website. Additionally, they can choose to organize a podcast, contribute a new module, or plan an "Entrees with Entrepreneurs" session with their connected professionals
Our Board Members
Samaya Shah
Founder and Executive Director
Samaya is a sophomore at the Pingry School in New Jersey, a creative writer and researcher in the field of English literature, and a budding social entrepreneur. She is a skilled community organizer, as well as an ideator. Samaya built NYLA and Entrées with Entrepeneurs to educate her generation on the new directions of business. Her major goal is to create access to big ideas and diverse, successful professionals in the business world. She wants to create for-profit and nonprofit pathways for ambitious students from all backgrounds and educations.
Sahasra Datla
Vice President
Sahasra is a sophomore in high school with a passion for problem-solving and helping others. With a strong interest in entrepreneurship and finance, she hopes to explore the world of business through NYLA’s platform. Her goal is to create a meaningful impact by spreading her knowledge and empowering young leaders with diverse backgrounds and help give them the resources they need to be successful.
Abhinav Pentyala
New Jersey Chapter Head
Abhinav Pentyala is a 15-year-old sophomore at John P. Stevens High School in Edison, New Jersey, with big dreams of entrepreneurship. Inspired by his own passion for innovation and driven by a desire to support fellow young visionaries, Abhinav founded PitchTank. His mission was to provide a platform where budding entrepreneurs can discover opportunities and kick-start their own entrepreneurial journeys. But Abhinav’s entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t stop there. He is also excited to be an advisory board member for NYLA, where he looks forward to helping shape the future of youth leadership and entrepreneurship.
Amer Bor
New York Chapter Head
Amer Bor is a freshman at The Avenues School in New York City. A passionate student of mathematics and social enterprise, he combines analytical thinking with a deep interest in business and impact-driven innovation. In addition to his academic pursuits, Amer plays JV basketball and conducts research at the intersection of sports and data science. He is also an avid student of investing and finance, always looking for new ways to connect numbers to real-world solutions.
Riya Prabhu
Riya is a sophomore and is a natural leader. She has been a part of student government for four years since middle school, and was student body president her freshman year of high school. She hopes being a part of NYLA will help her spread the knowledge of entrepreneurship and create a strong community of young leaders such as herself. The opportunity to interact with professionals one-on-one is one of the most exciting aspects of NYLA for her.
Ava Bowley
Meet Ava Bowley, 9th grader who lives in Rumson, New Jersey. Her extended family is from Hawaii, and she travels there often and journals about eco issues impacting island life. Ava is an environmental researcher and advocate as well as the founder and producer of https://turquoiseplanet.org/ and https://avaecocast.com/ and travels around the world reporting on and working to preserve and rejuvenate our global ecosystem.
Sophie Davidkhanian
Sophie is a sophomore in high school at the Pingry School, who is passionate about social impact and global citizenship. In her free time, she enjoys playing club and schcool soccer, running track, and spending time with family and friends. She hopes to gain entrepreneurial experience and knowledge by being a part of NYLA and is excited about the opportunities to meet successful business professionals.