Our Team
Hailey Nguyen
Founder/CEO & Media Manager
Hailey founded BTW to merge her admiration for creative processes and commitment to driving change. Along with pursuing a Bio Sci major at Brooklyn Technical High School, she's consistently drawn to the idea of humanitarianism. Viewing BTW as a platform for personal and communal growth, she strives to lead with initiative and inspire others to take action by supporting those in need. Her aspirations include delivering a TedTalk, publishing a book, and as a Vietnamese American, preserving the resilience of her heritage. Outside of her pursuits, she enjoys music, shopping, medical documentaries, poetry books, and hitting the golf course with her dad.
Meher Niger
Founder & Event Coordinator
Meher helped start Beyond the Waters and coordinates fundraising events. She is currently a senior at Brooklyn Technical High School. Meher is passionate about educating herself about the various inequities around the world, inspiring her to share awareness of the underrepresented injustices in South and Southeast Asian communities.
Noor Hayat
Blog Writer
Noor Hayat is a Pakistani American in her senior year at Brooklyn Technical High School. Having a strong connection to Pakistan through her family recounts and from when she was in Pakistan, she has personally witnessed the harsh realities of poverty and injustices within her community. These first and secondhand experiences have fueled her desire to be part of a nonprofit organization focused on South Asia and Southeast Asia. Recognizing the challenges faced by her fellow Pakistanis, she empathizes with the shared struggles in neighboring regions. Through her role as a Blog Writer, she aims to shed light on marginalized communities and in doing so, humanize complex issues.
Hayley Lee
Blog Writer
Hayley is one of the blog writers for Beyond the Waters. Through this organization, she aims to spread awareness about current issues concerning South and Southeast Asian countries. She hopes that through her writing, people will be able to understand the problems these countries are facing and help support them.
Dylan Bhasin
Web Developer & Financial Manager
Dylan developed the official BTW website. As a bicultural South and Southeast Asian American, he is passionate and excited to be able to work on such an inspiring project as BTW. By spreading awareness and aiding communities internationally, he hopes to bring about change and encourage others to help make this world a better place.
Lenna Townend
Outreach Representative
Lenna is a senior at Brooklyn Technical High School. As an Asian American, she is motivated by her cultural roots to make a positive impact on communities in South/Southeast Asia that are facing challenges. By contributing through this nonprofit, she looks forward to learning about such communities and shining light on issues that are being overlooked. In the future, she hopes to find a job that will merge her passion for STEM with one that empowers those who may be more vulnerable.