Leadership Team
Daniela Borchmann - Founder & Executive Director
'I experienced the power of intercultural dialogue, cultural exchange, and community building in both, my personal life (in the triangle of German, U.S. American, and Indian cultures) and my international studies, careers, and volunteering work. Reinforced by my global travels and my journey of dancing the Argentine Tango, this set of values and the urge for action are always guiding my thought processes and decision-making.
My professional expertise spans over 20 years from global marketing communications to international program management and community relations in both the corporate and the nonprofit world. My diverse experiences provides me a unique skill set and perspective that I used in the creation of Culturous.
I developed Culturous in the second half of 2020 at the intersection of the uncertainties of a (post-)pandemic world, the increasing importance of cross-cultural competence, and existing barriers of traditional cultural exchange, especially for youth from historically underserved and marginalized, and low-income communities.
My vision is to help global teenagers to develop into engaged and active young global citizens who successfully navigate the globalized world with cross-cultural competence, communication, and compassion.'
Shaman D'Souza - Board of Directors - President
'I am an innovative product leader with 20+ years of experience in global product management, strategic partnerships, and consumer/brand marketing. During my incredible journey, I have had the privilege of learning from and working with some of the best customer-focused leaders in the world, including Amazon, Chewy, General Electric, and Procter & Gamble.
I have had the opportunity to study and work abroad multiple times (in Spain, Germany, and India). These experiences of immersing myself in unique life and work styles, cuisines, celebrations, and cultural experiences were truly life-changing. I gained a global perspective and understanding of cultures that have continued to shape and influence my life and my career.
In July 2021, I joined Chewy as the Product Leader for Shelters & Rescues, which includes Chewy Gives Back - Chewy’s philanthropic arm. We strive to build products and services that help Animal Welfare Organizations support pets in their care and obtain much-needed donations.
The combination of my customer-focused, mission-driven, and technical experiences will be essential as we grow Culturous to the next level. I am thrilled to join Culturous as Board President and leverage my diverse background and skillset to shape a program that will be life-changing for teenagers and young adults while helping them gain a global perspective to navigate our world.'
Safiya Dautricourt - Board of Directors - Secretary
It takes a ‘global’ village to raise children, and I could not be more proud to join Culturous as the Board Secretary. Teenagers deserve the opportunity to participate in cultural exchange learning communities that foster compassion for others. I am excited to support the mission of Culturous in fostering these intentional spaces for teenagers from around world.
Raised internationally by parents in the U.S. foreign service, I cultivated a passion for global awareness and meaningful cultural exchanges. I graduated with a B.A. in Anthropology from George Mason University. During my college years, I interned at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters, increasing my knowledge of security and analytics. I also studied abroad at The University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where I met my husband of 22 years.
I earned my Masters degree from The Ohio State University, was the recipient of the prestigious UC Berkeley 6-year Ph.D. Graduate Fellowship Award, and was awarded the UC Berkeley Teachers’ Award.
Over the past 20 years, I have worked as a policy analyst, graduate teacher, researcher, nonprofit manager and global exchange coordinator. My most recent position was Admissions Director at a private college preparatory institution. My journey has also included giving back through volunteerism and serving on several nonprofit boards
Treasurer of the Board: Open for Applications!
The Treasurer serves as the financial officer of the organization and ensures the accurate reporting of the fiscal health and required documentation of the organization’s finances for institutional records. The Treasurer will guide the board through financial reports and analyses to enable optimal fiduciary decisions on behalf of the organization. The Treasurer supports the Executive Director in general accounting and helps to set up internal control systems to maintain integrity and protect the organization and its assets.
Underrepresentation of minority and historically marginalized populations, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities is a significant issue in cultural exchange and international education. We believe that these communities must be centered in our work, and we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.