Who We Are
Our Mission
Our mission is to make comfortable and good-quality menstrual hygiene products available and accessible to students who need them and to cultivate a supportive and open culture around periods in these schools.
Our Story
We are two high schoolers from the Bay Area, Aanya Aggarwal and Laya Sunkara, who started Pads for Peers in 2023 because we experienced firsthand the stigma and lack of knowledge surrounding menstruation in our society. On top of all that, upon noticing the unmet need for period products in our area, we felt that the issue required immediate action.
In 8th grade, for one of our classes, we were assigned with identifying an issue in society and how we, as students, could work towards solving it. Since then, after months of researching period poverty and its effects on the student population, we have been building Pads for Peers, which aims to donate menstrual products to underprivileged Bay Area schools in an effort to combat period poverty amongst students.
Our Team
Meet our team!
Aanya Aggarwal
Co-founder
Aanya is a senior at a Bay Area high school with a keen interest in biotechnology research and medicine. Driven by her passion for using science to positively impact women's lives, she aspires to contribute to advancements in these fields. Aanya enjoys singing, acting, cooking, traveling, and reading murder mysteries.
Laya Sunkara
Co-founder
Laya is a senior at a Bay Area high school. Passionate about bioinformatics and business (especially investing), Laya hopes to one day run a genetics research lab. Outside of her academics, she enjoys writing songs, traveling, singing, baking cookies, making earrings, and watching detective shows.
Leah Koo
Director of Finances
Leah is a sophomore in the Bay Area with interests in local and federal civics and the economy. One day, she aspires to create a more equitable future where no one is limited by their background or birthplace. When she has extra time, Leah enjoys writing, reading (preferably fantasy/mystery novels), singing, advocacy, and eating good food.
Hannah Sachse
Director of Outreach
Hannah Sachse is a sophomore at a Bay Area High School and a competitive athlete. She hopes to one day be a professional athlete or author and is passionate about writing and history (specifically women in history). Outside of her academics, Hannah enjoys reading, writing, journaling, watching movies and anime, building legos, and playing tennis.
Arsema Asmelash
De Anza School Ambassador
I am passionate about aviation and enjoy learning about different cultures. I hope to become a pilot and explore the world through travel. Outside of academics, I love watching movies, painting, traveling, and playing the piano.
Adrianna Cettei
West Valley School Ambassador
Hi! I am a student at The Harker School who is passionate about feminism, and I hope to make a mark in the lives of young women through my work!
Brianna Madrigal
Co-Director of Digital Creation
Brianna is a senior at a Bay Area high school. She is interested in studying oncology and biology, and she dreams of one day becoming a doctor. Outside of her academics, she enjoys singing, dancing, drawing, reading, watching movies with her brother, and playing guitar.
Isabella Pop
Co-Director of Digital Creation
Isabella is a junior at a Bay Area high school enthusiastic about medicine and biotechnology. Her interest in mental health and women's rights drives her involvement in women's health initiatives. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, listening to music, and writing movie reviews.