Our Network
You!
Heartfelt Tidbits is operated by 100% volunteer power! We rely on over 110 volunteers to make our programs work. Would you like to join us? Learn how to volunteer or make a donation to join our network today.
Community partners
Heartfelt Tidbits is made possible in part by our community partners. We would like to thank them for their invaluable support of refugees and immigrants in the Cincinnati area, and we encourage you to learn more about them.
Board of Directors
Sheryl has had a passion for learning about people from other countries since she was a child. In her 20’s, this curiosity led her to meet her husband, Amsu. In 2008 after meeting the first refugee family from Bhutan she knew she had to have a role in helping them resettle in a welcoming community. Eventually, this work led her to leave her enterprise architect career to focus on supporting local refugees and immigrants. Sheryl currently acts as the executive director for all programs.
In 2008, Giri’s family was one of the first aided by Heartfelt Tidbits. Following his own ‘long welcome’ to Cincinnati, Giri was inspired to help other refugees and soon began volunteering for Heartfelt Tidbits. Giri helps with English and citizenship classes, conducts a senior citizen class each week, and interprets for clients. Giri is now a US citizen, a homeowner, and a father of sons who attend college. “I encourage other people – if they work hard they can do the same. That gives meaning to my being here beyond simply looking after myself.”
In 2008, Shiva arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio from a refugee camp in Nepal to start a new life under the refugee resettlement program. He graduated with a Master of Science degree in Quality System Management from The National Graduate School in 2016. He now works in the quality department of a manufacturing industry that produces cosmetics, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Shiva joined the board because he believes, “Everyone likes to live a better life. A refugee right is a human right.”
Dani is the founder and CEO of a mission-driven startup, Bridgeable, that aims to catalyze civic engagement by organizing real conversations between local decision makers and the communities that they serve. Prior to starting Bridgeable, Dani received a B.S. in International Relations from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, a MPhil in Politics from Cambridge University, and graduated from Yale Law School. He has an extensive background in political campaigning, organizing, and government.
Sarah is originally from Kalamazoo, MI. She came to Ohio for college and graduate school. She received her MHSA and MBA from Xavier University. She works at The Christ Hospital in the Project Management Office where she manages projects involving process improvement, lean concepts and operational excellence for the organization. Sarah is new to the Heartfelt Tidbits Board. She looks forward to providing expertise in strategy development and setting up the organization to continue with their outstanding work in the community.
A native Cincinnatian, Rose received her BS in Health Promotion and Education (with a focus on community health) from the University of Cincinnati. After working in the Mercy Health System for almost a decade, Rose met Sheryl and was inspired by the strength, grace, and resiliency of the people she met from the refugee community. After transitioning to a career in IT at Cincinnati Insurance Company, Rose found she missed interacting with the refugee community in a meaningful way and jumped at the chance to join the Board of Heartfelt Tidbits.
Anjali is a community psychologist with a passion for social justice. She is an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati where her research and teaching focus on human rights, activism, community collaborations, and social change. She received her B.A. from the College of New Jersey, and her M.S. and PhD from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has previously worked at a drop-in center for homeless women in Washington and conducted in rural Nicaragua. She began volunteering at Heartfelt Tidbits soon after she moved to Cincinnati in 2017, and she now is very proud to be serving on the board of this fantastic organization.
Amsu Rajbhandari left Nepal in 1998 to start a new life in the US. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, he joined Procter & Gamble, where he currently works as a senior scientist. When Bhutanese refugees started to arrive in Cincinnati in 2008, he knew he had to pass knowledge and experience to these newest Americans so they would not have to struggle more than necessary. He believes in teaching people how to get things done in the US, rather than doing it for them. Today he helps out with Heartfelt Tidbits, as needed.