Our Story
Empower InvisAbilities was founded from our deep personal connections to those we love and care about. Each of us has known someone with an invisible disability—whether family or friends - and we’ve seen firsthand the struggles they face, often going unnoticed because their challenges aren’t immediately visible. For years, we wanted to help and make a meaningful difference in their lives, but we sometimes felt powerless, unsure of where to find the right resources or support to create real change.
Now, as we’ve come together with a shared vision, we no longer want to simply help those we love but to extend that support to others as well. We know that invisible disabilities
affect many individuals, and too often, their needs go unrecognized. That’s why we founded Empower InvisAbilities - to raise awareness, advocate for inclusion, and provide resources for individuals who face these challenges. Our goal is to create a world where people are not judged by what others can see but by their abilities and worth.
Through our nonprofit, we’re working to build a community where everyone, regardless of the visibility of their disability, feels valued, supported, and understood. Our journey began with the desire to help the people we care about, but now it’s about supporting a much larger group - and creating change that goes beyond our own experiences.
Mission
Our mission is to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and advocate for the needs of individuals with unique abilities through community engagement, education, and targeted support initiatives.
Vision
Provide free and accessible education for individuals with unique abilities to ensure that everyone, regardless of the visibility of their disability, feels recognized, valued and supported.
Our Team
CEO
Navya Tuteja
Navya Tuteja, founder and CEO of Empower InvisAbilities, is a sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She is passionate about advocating for individuals with invisible disabilities. After witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by loved pens in gaining, awareness, understanding, and support she founded Empower InvisAbilities to bridge this gap.
Her mission is to foster a more inclusive society by raising awareness, providing resources, and ensuring that everyone - regardless of the visibility of their disability - is valued and empowered. Through education, advocacy, and outreach, she is dedicated to creating lasting change.
COO
Aashi Bandam
Aashi Bandam, co-founder and COO of Empower Invisibilities, is 13 years old and an eighth grader at Rocky Run Middle School. Growing up, she watched close friends struggle with invisible disabilities, often facing misunderstandings and a lack of support from those around them. Seeing their challenges first hand made her realize how important it is to create spaces where people feel seen and heard, regardless of the obstacles they face. Motivated by this, she helped establish Empower InvisAbilities, an initiative dedicated to spreading awareness, fostering inclusivity, and building a supportive community. Through this work, she hopes to inspire others to recognize the impact of invisible disabilities and take steps toward a more understanding and accepting world.
CTO
Arya Takalkar
Arya Takalkar, CTO of Empower InvisAbilities, is 16 years old and a sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Arya decided to help start Empower InvisAbilities due to her inspiration from personal connections with loved ones who face unique challenges known as invisible disabilities. Through Empower InvisAbilities, Arya aims to build, and inspire others to build, a supportive environment for anyone and everyone to feel valued.
