Leadership Team
Rishik Shenolikar, Founder
Rishik Shenolikar is the Founder and President of Potomac PiRates. He started PiRates with the goal of making math feel more fun, approachable, and engaging for students through hands-on learning. He helps lead the organization’s programs, partnerships, and new initiatives while working with schools and communities to expand its reach. Rishik is a student at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, with interests in math, engineering, and debate. Outside of school and PiRates, he enjoys playing music, biking, and golfing.
Kuzey Turan, Director of Curriculum & Innovations
Kuzey is a junior in the Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science program at Poolesville High School (Maryland). He is interested in mathematics, finance, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies such as quantum computing. Outside the classroom, Kuzey is a varsity wrestler and enjoys staying active through sports. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, playing chess, and spending time with his dog.
Siyona Dharker, Director of Special Programs
Siyona is a 7th grader who loves climbing, pop music, math, problem-solving, and engineering. She volunteers with nonprofits supporting children and adults with disabilities and explores science and engineering through projects in health and adaptive technology. Siyona is fluent in Marathi, is learning Spanish, and enjoys community theater and Model UN. As Director of Special Programs, she hopes to connect with more kids and leaders from around the world. She looks forward to continuing this journey of learning, having fun, making new connections, and helping build a stronger and more inclusive support system for kids.
Angela Zhu, Director of Marketing & Communications
Angela is a sophomore at Covenant Life School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with academic interests in algebra and marketing. She is particularly drawn to algebra because it challenges her to think logically and approach problems from different perspectives. Angela's interest in marketing comes from its unique combination of creativity, communication, and strategic thinking. As Director of Marketing & Communications, Angela is responsible for helping shape promotional strategies and communicate the team’s goals to a wider audience.