Our 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 - President of the Board
'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.'
Kelsey Walsh Crain - Secretary of the Board
'My connection to intercultural exchange has been shaped by the overseas cross-cultural programs in which I have been fortunate to participate. I have studied Spanish in both Mexico and Argentina, worked in Spain, volunteered in Peru, taught English in Costa Rica, and traveled throughout many other countries. These experiences were transformative to my interpersonal development as a young adult, building my skills in communicating, problem-solving, and connecting with people across differences in language and culture. My gratitude for these experiences inspired me to pursue a career in International Education to help other young people pursue their dreams of studying abroad.
I completed my Master’s degree in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute, and since then I have worked for youth exchange organizations and on college campuses welcoming international students to the United States. I currently work for the University of Washington Tacoma as an International Student Advisor.
I am thrilled to be joining Culturous as the Board Secretary. It is more important than ever that young people learn how to connect across differences to build empathy and understanding. I am especially inspired by Culturous’ mission to provide these special opportunities to teens who face barriers to accessing traditional study abroad.
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.