Our Board
Akhil Mamnani is a freshman at Indian University, California, and the founder of the Acacia Foundation. Inspired by his grandfather’s resilience through poverty, Akhil founded Acacia with a vision to give every high schooler the chance to connect with their culture while making a meaningful impact. Acacia’s mission is to empower young people to shape their futures, grounded in cultural pride and community.
Under Akhil’s leadership, Acacia has positively impacted over a thousand children across five countries through projects impacting over 1500 children. By allowing students to lead initiatives addressing real-world challenges, Acacia fosters both empathy and cultural connection. Akhil envisions Acacia as a global platform where young people can find purpose, uplift communities, and inspire positive change worldwide.
Samih Hammadou is a senior at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula in Mountain View, California. As a co-founder and president of the Acacia Foundation, he has raised over $10,000 to support global youth initiatives in education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid.
At school, Samih holds multiple leadership positions: President of the Business Club, Student Ambassador Board Member, Social Media Manager for the school’s Chronicles, and he also captains the varsity volleyball team, bringing lively energy to the campus.
Having lived in Indonesia, Australia, Washington D.C., England, Argentina, and California, Samih brings a global perspective and a deep love for travel. Above all, he is committed to uplifting communities and making a positive impact wherever he goes.
Sasha Razi is a senior at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, CA, and currently serves as the Vice President and a board member at the Acacia Foundation. Sasha initially joined as a social media manager, bringing his passion for design, which he hopes to pursue in the future through Sustainable Architecture. Sasha has held numerous leadership roles, including Lancer Ambassador at St. Francis, Vice President of Senior Story nonprofit, and board member for the Middle Eastern Student Union and Cooking Club.
As an Iranian-American, Sasha aspires to support Middle Eastern communities through humanitarian work. He has led initiatives providing school supplies to marginalized students across the U.S., distributing warm clothing to Ukrainians for winter, and contributing to all Acacia Foundation projects.
Chapter Coordinators
Our Leadership Team
Social Media
Sophie Khan
408-515-5707
Ava Suakjian
415-423-4560
Matthew tang
Matthew Tang is passionate about youth empowerment and community growth. He has held various leadership roles, including volunteer coach at SFHS Baseball Summer Camp and Sunnyvale Little League, where he mentored over 100 kids in baseball skills and inspiration. As a board member and social media manager for the Acacia Foundation, Matthew contributed to global projects, from installing water filters in underserved areas to organizing cancer care packages in San Francisco. His entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in his business, Knot Lanyard, and his internship with the EquiEdify Initiative. Matthew also participated in the Wharton Global Youth program, where he engaged with CEOs and developed projects focused on innovation and leadership.
Shannon Paguia
Shannon Paguia is freshman at san diego state university, CA, and a founding executive board member of the Acacia Foundation. Inspired by witnessing poverty in the Philippines, Shannon is committed to impactful service, including projects delivering school supplies to children in Smokey Mountain, Manila, and care packages to cancer patients at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Beyond Acacia, Shannon is active in musical theater, volunteers as a volleyball coach and theater assistant, and runs small businesses, Botanical Lights and a Poshmark shop. Her dedication also shines through her roles with the Filipino American Student Union, Lancer Ambassadors, and local community cleanups. Shannon’s vision is to expand Acacia’s impact globally, addressing urgent needs through meaningful projects.
Sasha Razi
Sasha Razi is a freshman at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA, and currently serves as a board member at the Acacia Foundation. Sasha initially joined as a social media manager, bringing his passion for design, which he hopes to pursue in the future through Sustainable Architecture. Sasha has held numerous leadership roles, including Lancer Ambassador at St. Francis, Vice President of Senior Story nonprofit, and board member for the Middle Eastern Student Union and Cooking Club.
As an Iranian-American, Sasha aspires to support Middle Eastern communities through humanitarian work. He has led initiatives providing school supplies to marginalized students across the U.S., distributing warm clothing to Ukrainians for winter, and contributing to all Acacia Foundation projects.
