We are thrilled to announce the addition of two exceptional leaders to our Board of Directors: Rowena Sahulee and Rayhnuma Ahmed. They bring deep expertise, heart for community, and a shared commitment to Thrive’s mission to unlock brighter futures through education with school meals.
Meet Rowena
Rowena Sahulee is the Founder of Meaningful Experiences, LLC, where she designs purpose‑driven programs that use hospitality and tourism as powerful tools for connection, cultural understanding, and belonging. With more than 20 years of leadership across economic development and strategic partnerships (including roles with I LOVE NY, Long Island City Partnership, Choose New Jersey, and the Greater Houston Partnership), Rowena brings a rare blend of strategic insight and human‑centered vision.
Grounded in her Filipino and Chinese heritage, Rowena’s work is shaped by a deep appreciation for culture, community, and the stories that bring people together. She lives with her husband, Raj, and their two sons, whose family story was lovingly completed through adoption.
This year, Rowena launched a personal fundraiser connected to her milestone birthday trip to Bohol – her first time returning to the Philippines in over 20 years. In her own words:
“I didn’t want to give to just any charity. I wanted to support an organization with an active local program creating real, tangible impact within the community. Knowing we will have the opportunity to visit the very school this fundraiser supports and witness the impact firsthand is what makes this experience so deeply meaningful—not just giving, but truly connecting to the lives we are helping support.”
Meet Rayhnuma
Rayhnuma Ahmed is a seasoned product and operations leader with over a decade of experience building transformative healthtech and digital health solutions. She currently serves as Fractional Head of Product at Moneta Health and runs Bushwick Labs, advising early‑stage startups on product strategy and go‑to‑market execution.
Her career includes leadership roles at Arrakis, Medidata Solutions, SHYFT Analytics, and Twine Health—organizations at the forefront of data, healthcare innovation, and scalable digital platforms. Rayhnuma holds a BA from Harvard University, where her commitment to grassroots impact began, including leading a Davis Projects for Peace clean water initiative in Bangladesh.
Blending analytical rigor with genuine empathy, Rayhnuma brings a thoughtful, systems‑oriented approach to building solutions that help communities flourish. She shared this reflection as she steps into her board role:
“What inspires me most about this mission is how a simple, consistent intervention—like a school meal—can unlock dignity, learning, and long‑term opportunity. I’ve spent my career building systems that help people thrive, and joining this board feels like a chance to do that in the most human way possible.”
A Stronger Future, Together
Rowena and Rayhnuma each bring a unique lens shaped by culture, community, innovation, and lived experience. Their leadership strengthens Thrive’s ability to grow sustainably, deepen our impact, and continue building programs that nourish children and empower communities.
