CO-FOUNDER, CO-PRESIDENT

NEW YORK CHAPTER COORDINATOR

Hi, I’m Iris! I’m a senior in the Class of ’27 at the Dalton School, and I’m a National Master and a Woman Grandmaster in chess. Since Kindergarten, I’ve consistently ranked among the top 2-3 girls in the U.S. for my age, and I’m a 6x KCF All-Girls National Chess Champion. I’ve always been passionate about encouraging more girls to get involved in chess. I’m also deeply involved in math through competitions, school, and extracurriculars, and I’ve seen firsthand how underrepresented girls are in both chess and math. That’s why I co-founded Rooks and Roots: to support and inspire young girls to explore and grow in these fields. Outside of chess and math, I love Robotics, 3D modeling and game design!

CO-FOUNDER, CO-PRESIDENT

NEW YORK CHAPTER COORDINATOR

Hi! I’m Lisa and I’m a junior at Hunter College High School. I’d love to see more girls in chess and math because when I was younger, I often wished that I knew more girls who were interested in the same activities as me. By co-founding this organization, I hope for more girls to find interest in and excel in chess and math, creating a space where they can make friends and have fun. I have helped lead my school team to National Champion at Girls Nationals in the U14 and U16 sections, competed on my school’s MATHCOUNTS State Team, and am a PROMYS alum. Outside of chess and math, I enjoy playing piano and chamber music. I have experience as a counselor at a chess camp, love working with kids, and am excited to help support girls in our shared passions!

VICE PRESIDENT

Hi! I’m Sophie, a rising freshman from Dalton (in New York). I’ve made my school’s top team for MATHCOUNTS and attended the competition at the State Level with them. As a girl in the world of competition math, I often notice the gender differences; at Dalton, there were only 3 girls on a 12 person team. State MATHCOUNTS was heavily male. Even my teammates were all boys. I really hope to encourage more girls to compete in these contests and teach them knowledge they need to know. I have been a counselor in training at summer camp and taught 4th grade math club at school so I have plenty of experience with kids. I enjoy debating and dancing outside of math (I can also write debate cases!).

CHESS PROGRAMMING AMBASSADOR

Hi! I’m Ruiyang, a sophomore at Smith College. I’m a FIDE Master and Woman International Master, a two-time Susan Polgar Foundation Girls Invitational Champion, and I recently won 4th place at the 2025 U.S. Junior Girls Chess Championship. Right now, I’m ranked #3 among U.S. female players under 21. I’m excited to be a part of Rooks and Roots because I love seeing new people—especially girls—get into chess. Chess can feel pretty isolating sometimes, so I’m thrilled to be part of a team of amazing women in chess and math who are making the game feel friendly and inclusive. Rooks and Roots really connects with my passion for empowering young women in intellectual spaces and building inclusive communities through education and mentorship. Outside of chess, I like to take walks in the great outdoors. 

ONLINE CHAPTER COORDINATOR

Hello! I’m Soumili, an upcoming 8th grader at Oak Middle in Massachusetts! I joined Rooks and Roots because I enjoy helping the younger generation, especially young girls, engage, learn, and create as they develop a new hobby. I have been playing competitive chess for the past 3 years, and I love the game for its problem-solving, prophylactic thinking, and the complexity of some positions. I competed in the All-Girls Nationals 3 times in U12 and U14, winning 12th and 10th on tiebreaks. I competed for the Mass State Girls Championship 2 times. I’ve also qualified for my school’s math olympiad (MOEMS) individual contest several times, and I’m going into honors math this school year. This led me to notice the huge gender gap in chess and math, as well as in other STEM fields, which made me passionate about how I can take action to close it. Besides chess and math, I like to play the piano, go swimming, read books, watch movies, and draw/paint. In this organization, I wish to create a fun, empowering environment where young girls can enjoy the game of chess and the exploration of mathematics.

TEXAS CHAPTER COORDINATOR

Hey, I'm Dhanvi! I'm a student at the Lowery Freshman Center in Dallas, Texas, and I’m excited to help create more opportunities for girls in chess and math. After playing chess for years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how few girls there are in tournament halls. That lack of representation can feel isolating, and I’d hate for any girl to feel like she doesn’t belong. That’s why I’m passionate about building a friendly, encouraging space where girls can express themselves, make friends, and grow through chess and math through Rooks and Roots. I’ve represented the U.S. in international events like the World Youth Chess Championship and the Pan-American U-20 Championship. I’m a gifted and talented student and have consistently placed in the top percentile on Texas state exams. I love working with kids and look forward to mentoring young girls as they explore their interests!

NYC REGIONAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER, ONLINE REGIONAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

Hi! I'm Tasnim and from the Bronx but I go to Stuyvesant High School. I'm entering 10th grade this year (2026-2027). I really want to volunteer for Rooks and Roots in order empower women and this organization allows me to start with two of my favorite topics: chess and math. Additionally, I can spread my enjoyment for these subjects with others. In middle school, I have won two math competitions with my team and in chess, I won a 1st place trophy, 3rd place trophy, a 4th place trophy (in an only girls tournament), and 2 medals. I haven't had much experience with teaching kids but I do teach my brother and cousin sometimes. Other than chess and math, I love reading, writing, drawing/painting, playing games (video games, board games, card games, etc...), and watching Youtube or movies. I have also done debate and I'm interested in badminton and fencing.

NYC REGIONAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

Hello! I’m Daisy, and I’m an 8th grader in the class of ‘27 at the Speyer Legacy School. I joined Rooks and Roots because I want to encourage younger girls to develop a passion for a game that I love and has helped me grow in many ways. I’ve been playing chess for around eight years, and I regularly participate in local and national tournaments. Some of my chess accomplishments include competing in the All Girls Nationals four times across the U10, U12, and U14 sections, and finishing 6th, 4th, 7th, and 4th on tiebreaks. I also participated in SuperNationals K-6 Championship, where I placed 11th. I find that chess can teach many valuable lessons, including the importance of thinking before acting, developing plans and strategy, and considering what might happen several steps ahead. These lessons have helped me become more patient, thoughtful, and intentional in the ways I act beyond the chess board. I have had many opportunities to work with children through volunteering at my church and mentoring students in grades K-1 at my school for the past three years. Outside of chess, I study piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music, and enjoy swimming, running, and doodling in my spare time. 

NYC REGIONAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

Hi! I’m Eleanor, and I’m a class of 2030 high schooler at The Dalton School in New York. One regret I have is quitting chess after elementary school; while the competitive nature of chess led me to leave, I do wish that I continued to experience the constant problem solving nature that chess provides. On the other hand, I love math and the unique sort of calmness and concentration that working through a hard problem brings. At school, I am accelerated a year in math, and I have done AMCs, Mathcounts, Purple Comet, and other math competitions. I also co-led fourth grade math club the past year, and I love teaching younger kids, especially girls, and if it means that I can be a big sister in their life. I am also a competitive figure skater, and I hope to someday become a pathologist. Through this program, I hope that I can empower young girls to enjoy chess and math as well as the community that comes with it!

NYC REGIONAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

Hi! I am Aaradhya, a middle-schooler in The Dalton School Class of ‘30. I love playing chess for the challenge of constantly thinking about strategy. I love doing math for the similar challenge of being creative in high-pressure settings. I want to encourage more girls to play chess and be there for each other. I am a 3M Young Scientist State merit award winner for New York and a math honors student. Other than chess and math, I love robotics, coding, and debate. I enjoy discovering new trails to run in Central Park and playing volleyball and tennis with my friends. I am so excited to help girls find their passion in chess and math, and build this amazing community along with these inspiring girls!

TEXAS REGIONAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

Hi! I’m Tanvi, a sophomore in high school from Allen, Texas, with a strong interest in algebra and geometry. I’ve always loved digging into problems, whether it's solving equations, building robots, or figuring out who did it in a good mystery novel. I’ve competed in FTC robotics and advanced to area for North Texas, which was both intense and really fun. At Allen High School, I’m also part of Girls in STEM, where I get to help build a space that encourages girls to explore and lead in science and tech. I’ve had experience working with younger students, and I love helping others discover their strengths, especially in areas where girls are often outnumbered. Whether it’s math, chess, robotics, or just learning to believe in yourself, I’m excited to be part of a space that makes learning feel energizing, supportive, and more fun.

TEXAS REGIONAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

Heyo, nice to meet you! I’m Keya, a sophomore at the Allen High School in Allen, Texas. Math and chess are both subjects I’m passionate about, so I couldn’t help but notice the gender gap in both. Therefore, being able to volunteer at Rooks and Roots and help girls feel that they belong feels like a dream come true—especially in the form of tutoring, which I enjoy doing. I’ve competed in the General Math TMSCA state competition, and participated in numerous such math regional competitions. I’ve also recently ranked in the first percentile of my class, and am a GT student. Currently, I am taking the honors class of Pre-Calculus. Besides math and chess, I also dabble in reading, tennis, debate, gatcha games, and anime. If you’ve played Limbus Company, hit me up! I hope to pursue neuroscience when I grow up, as well as become a creative writer. I’m excited to work with Rooks and Roots and help girls discover their passion!

TEXAS REGIONAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

Adetoun is a high school student who enjoys exploring the intersection of creativity, leadership, and community involvement. She is involved in robotics, choir, student organizations, and service projects, where she combines her interests in communication, marketing, music, and teamwork. She especially enjoys creating ideas that bring people together, whether through outreach events, performances, or creative projects. Academically, she is interested in psychology, sociology, business, and the ways people learn and interact with the world around them. She is always looking for opportunities to grow, take on new challenges, and make a meaningful impact in her school and community.

TEXAS REGIONAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

Hello! My name's Emilia, I'm a sophomore at AHS and a GT student taking advanced and AP courses. I'm passionate about all types of STEM, and I love learning new things, whether that's through competitions, independent study, or just nerd-maxxing in my free time. I've competed in TMSCA Calculator Applications and advanced to state, and as a freshman, I scored above average on the USABO Open Exam. Outside of academics, I've won multiple piano awards, including second place in an international competition, and I teach science at AYDN. In addition to being a FTC mentor, I love building with LEGO, playing video games, and recently, getting really into chess. As a member of other nonprofit organizations, I care about building supportive communities, which is why I've decided to volunteer with Rooks and Roots and encourage more girls to get involved in chess. I understand how intimidating it can feel to compete in spaces where you're underrepresented or feel like everyone else has a head start, and I'd love to help create an environment where girls feel welcomed, supported, and confident enough to keep learning and improving.

ONLINE PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

Hey! I'm Serena, and I'm in the class of '29 at Menlo School in California. I love chess and math because they both involve problem solving and are an awesome way to connect with peers. I've been playing chess since I was 7 years old, and I'd love to see more girls in the game. Some of my recent achievements include placing 5th in the U14 Girls section of the 2025 Pan-American Youth Chess Championships in Lima, Peru and placing 2nd on tiebreaks (tying for first) in the U14 Girls section of the 2025 North American Youth Chess Championships in Ontario, Canada. In addition to playing in numerous tournaments, I've also volunteered as a chess coach and tournament director, so I love working with kids. Outside of chess and math, I enjoy running, soccer, and debate. I look forward to meeting you!

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER