OUR TEAM
Nik Kalra – Founder
I’m Nik Kalra, a 16-year-old high school student with a passion for helping seniors feel confident and connected in today’s digital world. I started The HEAT Squad after watching my grandmother struggle with her phone and computer, often feeling frustrated and left behind in a world that was moving too fast. Seeing how much she wanted to stay connected but lacked the right support made me realize that countless other seniors were facing the same challenge. That’s why I created this nonprofit—to provide compassionate, hands-on tech support, scam prevention education, and easy-to-follow resources designed specifically for seniors. My goal is simple: to make technology accessible, empowering seniors to stay connected, independent, and safe in a digital world that should include everyone.
Varun Kaushik - Chief Technology Officer
My name is Varun Kaushik, a health informatics graduate who spent over 15 years as a dental surgeon before shifting my focus to something that felt even more urgent—helping people feel less lost and more empowered in today’s digital healthcare world. I’ve seen firsthand how seniors struggle with telehealth, patient portals, and technology that’s meant to help but often leaves them behind. That’s what drew me to The HEAT Squad. Here, I found a mission that matches my own: using compassion and technical knowledge to bridge the gap between healthcare and real people’s lives. As a CTO, I focus on more than just the systems themselves—I care deeply about how people experience them. Whether it’s shaping how tools are introduced or supporting team efforts to guide first-time users, I work to build trust, confidence, and clarity. Everyone deserves to feel supported and confident when using healthcare technology—because that’s what truly makes it work for people. That’s what I’m here for.
Sravan Mandepudi - Chief Operating Officer
My name is Sravan Mandepudi. I currently work as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital, where I am involved in research focused on technology and its applications in medicine. I plan to pursue a career in medicine and am particularly interested in how digital health technologies and data-driven tools can improve patient care. Through my clinical and research experiences, I have seen that technology is only effective when people are able to use it confidently and meaningfully. Many older adults struggle with adopting new technologies, which can limit their access to healthcare resources, communication, and independence. Recognizing this gap motivated me to get involved with The HEAT Squad. In my role as COO, I help oversee operations and program development while expanding the organization’s reach, strengthening volunteer infrastructure, and scaling our programs so that more older adults can benefit from accessible, hands-on, patient-centered technology support.
Chapter Leaders
Aarav Tiwari - Metro West of Boston
My name is Aarav Tiwari, and I am a 16-year-old high school student at Brookline High School. I first discovered the HEAT Squad while searching online for volunteer opportunities. As I explored the website, I realized that this experience could be much more than just a way to complete my service hours—I could contribute meaningfully to a cause I truly care about. I believe helping our elders, especially with technology, should be a common practice. Many of us can relate to seeing our grandparents or parents struggle with using the internet or sending messages. This is a universal challenge, and I want to be proud of playing a part in addressing it. I am committed to putting 110% and going above and beyond—to help older generations develop the skills that will benefit them in today’s world. Supporting them in this way not only empowers individuals but also strengthens our community as a whole.
Sophia Killoran - Newton South
My name is Sophia Killoran, and I’m a 16 year old junior at Newton South High School. I’m passionate about helping others feel more confident using technology, especially those who didn’t grow up with it. Through spending time with my grandparents and older relatives, I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating and disheartening it can be to navigate smartphones, computers, and the internet without guidance. Those experiences inspired me to volunteer with HEAT Squad and support seniors as they learn new skills, from sending emails to staying connected with family online. I’m patient, approachable, and committed to making technology feel more accessible and less intimidating for everyone I work with.
Orhan Yildiz - Newton North
My name is Orhan Yildiz, and I’m a student at Newton North High School. I joined HEAT Squad because I wanted to use my interest in technology to make a meaningful difference in my community. After helping my grandparents and older family members navigate smartphones, computers, and online services, I realized how overwhelming technology can feel without the right support. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to stay connected and confidently use the tools that have become such a vital part of everyday life. I’m committed to creating a welcoming environment where seniors can ask questions, build new skills, and discover that technology doesn’t have to seem so intimidating, with the ultimate goal of making technology more accessible, approachable, and empowering for the older generation. By helping older adults become more comfortable with technology, I hope to strengthen generational relationships and make a positive impact in my local community.
Senior Technology Specialists
Gerry Meng - Boston, MA
My name is Gerry Meng. Before joining the HEAT Squad as a Technology Tutor, I served as a Subway Communication Systems Engineer over 11 years, specializing in designing and commissioning on-board Passenger Information Systems (PIS). While my career was built on managing complex communication devices, my current mission is to simplify technology for the seniors in our community. Having witnessed the anxieties and challenges my own parents face when using smartphones, I deeply empathize with the frustrations seniors experience in this fast-paced digital era. I understand how a confusing app interface or a sudden pop-up message can feel overwhelming and even intimidating. I am truly passionate about helping you overcome these hurdles and empowering you to discover the convenience and joy that technology can bring to your daily life.
Rim Araya - Boston, MA
Rim Araya is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and has experience as an IT Consultant and Language Annotator. She is passionate about using technology to help others and enjoys supporting seniors in learning digital skills. Through her volunteer work, she helps make technology more accessible and empowering for people of all ages.