Akshita is currently an Evaluation Specialist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while waiting patiently for an opportunity to work for Expanding Lives full-time.

Akshita Siddula

Akshita began volunteering with Expanding Lives in 2009 as a high school senior. A week-long opportunity to attend retreat soon turned into a summer-long commitment to attending classes daily and helping to organize social events. Through interactions with the visiting scholars and conversation about their home life, Akshita learned more about West Africa and the challenges girls face pursuing education and soon became a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment.

Heading into college, Akshita and a few other student volunteers organized together to form Expanding Lives’ Associate Board which she served on from 2010-2014. Throughout those four years, Akshita worked to manage Associate Board fundraisers, liaise with the Governing Board in regards to program planning, and continued to volunteer with the girls in classes. She was part of the team that started the organization’s annual 5k race and holiday gift wrapping fundraiser.

In 2014, she joined Expanding Lives for the summer conference in Benin and helped EL alumni explore international opportunities.