FOUNDING TEAM

Priya Sule

Director and Founder

I’m a big champion of the power of people. The Owl House is where I lend my energy to build and strengthen community and educational initiatives for people with Special Needs. I am a creativity enabler - I love bringing disparate pieces together to create meaning. It’s a personal mission.

Over the last 15 years, I’ve experienced different job roles and work spaces, from production sets, to an animation and visual effects studio, to a pest management company. Having worked in HR and Marketing, I’ve had the opportunity to position experience-based learning with adults and to drive the power of brand and brand cultures. I love purpose-driven brands with great philosophies and greater execution – Those who turn their values to action.

I feel privileged to be able to build my dream project within a community that is always willing to share and with some of my closest friends!

Renuka Figueiredo

Director and Founding Team Member

I spent the first 2 years of my career setting up and running operations at The Owl House. My time here has been the greatest source of meaning & joy in my life.

At my current day job, I help the founders of a healthcare startup that has raised over $30M. I now bring in lessons from operationalizing processes in emotionally sensitive environments to help deliver better experiences to more families at The Owl House.

Joshua Rao

Director and Advisor

I’ve experienced The Owl House journey from the very beginning. As a family, we have watched the house transform into a space that offers different types of engagement and learning opportunities for so many people.

Over the last few years I’ve enjoyed being a sounding board to the ideas that we’ve evolved here and I look forward to doing more of that with our new team.

I’m excited to see where this journey goes, the lives and futures that we will positively impact along the way.

Shawna Nazareth

Operations & Execution Head

Educational Qualifications:

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology - S.N.D.T Women's University, Mumbai

Human behavior has always intrigued me and my curiosity led me to train as a clinical psychologist. Over the years, I've used my skill set to work in the field of mental health, palliative care, rehabilitation, education and physical fitness.

I've always supported the idea of living in a more inclusive society and working with The Owl House has only broadened my perspective on Neurodiversity. This space is like my second home and has given me many opportunities to use my skills and grow. And I work everyday towards providing the same for my students.

EDUCATORS

Tabitha Kagoo

Learning Facilitator

Educational Qualification: Diploma in Special Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders - National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD)

I have been working with children and adults on the spectrum for the past 3 years and over time I've realized that acknowledging neurodiversity is the only way forward. Being neurodiverse myself I know the impact that acceptance has on an individual .

Being drawn to Music from a very young age, and being a songwriter myself, I want to explore music as a medium for self expression and regulation for individuals on the spectrum.

Jazmyne Robyne Gonsalves

Junior Learning Facilitator

Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Arts in English Literature - St. Xavier’s College, Goa

I am a zest of energy that loves to indulge myself in all things creative such as flow, dancing, painting , sculpting, handicrafts, cooking and baking. Dance has always been a mode of expression throughout my life. It is an aspiration to further study dance therapy to boost motor functions like coordination, flexibility and strength as well as using dance as a non verbal communication to help build relationships, self esteem, and socialization skills creating a safe space for expression.

I have always had a strong connection to psychology and the effects it has on daily life and functioning. Spending time with the students I believe any skill can be taught if we learn to adjust the way we teach it. I couldn't be happier with the opportunity given to me to create work opportunities by sharing my skills with the The Owl House community.

Kenisha Fernandes

Junior Learning Facilitator

Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology- St. Xavier’s College, Goa

My curiosity allows for me to be constantly in search of knowledge, learning and experiences and that is the definition of neurodiversity: the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.

So nothing excites me more than knowing that this is how I get to spend my days, teaching skills and imparting knowledge that the students will hone and use in their day to day.

Pradnya Sawant

Trainee Learning Facilitator

Educational Qualification: Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology - St. Xavier’s College, Goa

I am an adventurous soul and keen on exploring new things .The pandemic allowed me to realize how important psychological help is and that is what drew me to this profession. Being a dance artist, on the other hand, has always mesmerised me to watch the magic being created when the mind, body and soul are in sync.

THE SUPPORT STAFF

Sidney Fernandes

Administration and Procurement Manager

I'm a traveler at heart and a family man who believes that there is no alternative to hard work. In my past experiences, I hadn't spent too much time with people who are neurologically different, but the last few years has increased my understanding of their needs and how to work with their strengths, instead of focusing on their challenges. When something at The Owl House needs to get done, I am your man.

Sabina Miranda

Caregiver

I'm from Aldona and live very close to The Owl House with my family. I love animals and take care of quite a few pets. I've been working here since the start and have seen so many students with different needs come through. Although they may communicate or behave differently, they are very kind and always listen to me.

Harshad Chari

Driver

A desk job was not for me so I switched to driving. I'm never bored driving around my daily schedule and enjoy my job.

Prakash Ghadi

Gardener

I'm your local handyman from Aldona. Over the years I have picked up many skills by observing and assisting other professionals. Gardening is also a skill I learned very early as I wanted to build my own garden at home with different trees and unique plants, and now I wish to do the same at The Owl House.