FOunders
Aayush Goel
Aayush Goel is a junior at University of California, Berkeley studying Computer Science & Mathematics. Aayush co-founded Apart But Not Alone to foster psychological safety and mental wellbeing for fellow students. Aayush has been practicing mindfulness since 7th grade, which helps him respond with intentional calm during challenging situations.
Aayush is a 2022 recipient of The Diana Award for his global impact on improving the mental wellbeing of youth.
Aayush raised $3700 (after a 100% corporate match) for his school's lunch fund within three days of his school closing due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
An avid water polo player, Aayush loves anime and losing to his six-year old cousin in arm wrestling.
Riyana Goel
Riyana Goel is a high school senior from Cupertino, CA. She has practiced mindfulness since she was eight and attended several overnight Vipassana camps. Riyana co-founded Apart But Not Alone to share mindfulness practices that have shaped her own journey—whether managing academic rigor or finding focus during fencing tournaments.
In 7th grade, Riyana launched #beautifulthewayiam, a campaign supporting kids dealing with Alopecia Areata, and has remained an active advocate for this community. She won the 2021 New York Times Podcast contest where she shared her journey with Alopecia Areata.
Riyana is a TEDx speaker and coach. In March 2025, she took the stage at her Catholic school to deliver a TEDx talk challenging assumptions about faith and atheism through her exploration of faith-neutrality.
Mindfulness & YOGA COACHES
Monica Kamran
Monica Kamran is a mindfulness & stress management coach, Emotion Code practitioner, and a Reiki healer in San Ramon, CA. Her experience includes working with teens and children with a focus on depression, anxiety, & insomnia. Her workshops have benefitted many on their spiritual journey and others dealing with everyday stress. She is actively involved in serving the community by volunteering for Scouts, SEWA, and The National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse. She truly believes that each individual has the ability to tap into their inner guidance for the highest good. She has also launched a program specializing in working with children with special needs using Holistic Healing and Assistive Technology.
Katie Pokojny
Katie is a 500-hour trained and certified Yoga Guide based in San Jose, CA. Having taught over 1500 hours of yoga collectively, she is passionate about expanding its reach and growing a community of connected, mindful individuals. She works with ages ranging from 10-75 years young and roots her lessons in accessibility and limitless potential. Katie is grateful to guide her students through these experiences as well as coach aspiring instructors through yoga teacher training programs. When she is not teaching, coaching, or taking class, she can be found partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank and the Health Trust hosting local events that advocate for poverty alleviation and social justice.
MANDALA ART DIRECTOR
ADViSOrY BOARD
Paul Heussenstamm
Paul Heussenstamm’s art was greatly influenced by growing up in a home where both parents and siblings were artists, and conversations about spirituality surrounded his everyday life with guests including Sufi master Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan and health guru Gypsy Boots. While in his 30’s Paul began to paint and discovered his love for painting mandalas. When Paul painted his first mandala, he knew he had found his life path. The mandala has become his signature motif reflecting its mystical symbolism, wholeness and unified energy. He incorporates principles from many religious traditions, among them, Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. Heussenstamm’s work has been featured in numerous religious and spiritual centers including healing centers of Deepak Chopra’s in La Jolla, California, Unity in Chicago, and Oglethorpe University Museum. Paul has authored the book, “Divine Forces: Art that Awakens the Soul,” as well as co-authored several coloring books.
Ruchika Sikri
Ruchika Sikri describes her life's purpose and mission to create a better world by supporting globally accessible mindfulness, compassion and wellness offerings. She is doing this by activating communities of wellness and mindfulness learning and practice in workplaces; by accelerating the growth of wellness innovation and technologies that enable human connection and compassion.
Ruchika's inspiration comes from leading Well Being and Mindfulness Learning Programs & Strategy for 8+ years at Google. Ruchika has successfully architected, facilitated, and curated several well-being and mindfulness programs for over 120,000 employees at Google. She helped establish a self-sustaining culture where tens of thousands of Googlers regularly practice mindfulness for better well-being, healthier interpersonal relationships, and sustainable high performance.
Web Administrator
Ishan Agrawal
Ishan Agrawal is a high school junior from Gurgaon, India, making a significant impact through his school's student government as the IT Head. He handles all tech and AV matters with precision. An avid traveler and speaker, Ishan won the prestigious Ishikawa Award at the International Quality Control Circle Case Study Competition in Mauritius, where he was felicitated by the President. He has actively participated in Model United Nations in Mumbai and Lucknow, debating global issues with fervor. In his downtime, Ishan unwinds in the kitchen, where his culinary creativity shines through in every dish, just as much as it does in his other pursuits.
ABOUT US
Golden Fingers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in 2017. The foundation benefits Parkinson's patients, has raised money to support meal services for families affected due to COVID-19, and provides a platform to build mental wellbeing among teens and young adults through its Apart But Not Alone initiative.