Thank you Root Cause Summer Interns

Root Cause was lucky to have three fantastic interns over summer 2024. Saanvi Cherukumalli and Leah Perlman came to us from the DukeEngage program at Duke University while Seif Alyosef found his way to Root Cause through the Forest Foundation’s summer fellowship program. Learn more about them and the work they supported this summer.

Name: Saanvi Cherukumalli

Pronouns: she/her

Where is home: Columbia, South Carolina

University: Duke University, Class of 2027

Summer projects: Marketing & communications, strategic planning, Massachsuetts community health centers research

What drew you to this internship through the DukeEngage program? With an interest in learning about social impact and nonprofit work through a business lens, I was drawn to Root Cause as their projects amass a wide range of focus areas and services allowing me to explore my many different interests while also learning about Root Cause’s empowering work. The Root Cause team’s passion for their work is contagious, and I greatly appreciate their constantly adapting and growing work environment.

What has been your favorite part of working with the Root Cause team so far? The Root Cause team has showcased so much kindness and willingness to mentor interns such as myself. More than just coworkers, I feel like the Root Cause team is a family. I also have been enjoying taking advantage of the free snacks and coffee in the CIC office space.

Root Cause Fun Facts:

• I am passionate about… educational equity, gender equality, equitable representation of minorities in the corporate world
  
• What I’m currently listening to, reading, or watching…
  • Reading: The Selection by Kiera Cass
  • Watching: Crazy Rich Asians and She’s the Man
  • Listening to: “From Eden” by Hozier
• In my spare time I like to…hangout with friends, explore the city, try new foods, go to trivia nights

Name: Leah Perlman

Pronouns: she/her

Where is home: Highland Park, IL

University: Duke University, Class of 2026

Summer projects: Community Hub Schools Research and Evalution, Collective Action, United Way of Central and Northern CT Strategic Plan Implementation

What drew you to this internship through the DukeEngage program? I was excited by the opportunity to use my education and on-campus consulting experience at a non-profit dedicated to creating sustainable social impact. Additionally, I noticed that Root Cause is working on numerous projects that are striving to improve equity in the education and healthcare systems, which is something I am passionate about. I knew this internship would allow me to strengthen my analytical skills while having a tangible impact on communities around me.

What has been your favorite part of working with the Root Cause team so far?I have enjoyed meeting all the members of the Root Cause team because everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. I can tell the team truly cares about my goals and professional development. I was excited to learn from everyone through my project work this summer.

Root Cause Fun Facts:

• I am passionate about…educational equity, mental health advocacy, and social responsibility
  
• What I’m currently listening to, reading, or watching…
  • Reading: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and Macbeth by William Shakespeare
  • Watching: Good Will Hunting
  • Listening to: “Mermaid” by Train
• On weekends you can find me…hanging out with friends and family, walking/exploring, or reading a good book

Name: Seif Alyosef

Pronouns: he/him

Where is home: Orlando, FL

University: Middlebury College, 2025: Economics & Neuroscience

Summer projects: Racial equity research, MA Department of Health Burea of Community Health and Prevention Grant Support, United Way Massachusetts Bay Evaluation of Systems-Change Grantees

What drew you to this internship through the DukeEngage program? I am a second-year intern at the Forest Foundation and was looking for an organization that values social justice, DEI, and transformative social change. Last summer, I interned at Third Sector New England (TSNE) as a client intake intern which was a great opportunity but was looking for an organization that allowed me to work on projects that align with my passion for these areas. Root Cause’s mission to empower communities and advance racial and economic equity aligns perfectly with my goals. I wanted to be part of a team that is dedicated to making a tangible impact and supports continuous learning and improvement.

What has been your favorite part of working with the Root Cause team so far? My favorite part of working with the Root Cause team has been the people I work with. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and genuinely wants me to learn and grow. The collaborative and inclusive environment has made my internship experience rewarding so far.  It also aligned with my career goals in social justice and equitable healthcare. Additionally, the opportunity to explore different career areas and contribute to impactful projects has been immensely fulfilling.

Root Cause Fun Facts:

• I am passionate about…social justic and equitable healthcare access
  
• What I’m currently listening to, reading, or watching…
  • Reading: On Earth We’re Briefly Grogeous by Ocean Vuong
  • Watching: Everything Everywhere All At Once 
  • Listening to: Swim Good by Frank Ocean, The Doctor’s Pharmacy podcast
• On weekends you can find me…travelling, cooking, surfing, and hanging out with friends