Meet our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The Hands to Heart team works together to help organize events and ensure that the organization continues to strive towards its mission of providing CPR training to all high school students.
Founder and President
Mariella Nissirios
Mariella is a sophomore at Bergen County Academies in the Academy of Medical Science and Technology. As a certified Emergency Medical Responder and certified in Basic Life Support, Mariella recognizes the importance of providing CPR education to all.
Outreach and Communication Director
Giannis Nissirios
Giannis is a senior at Northern Highlands Regional High School. Having volunteered in a local hospital the past 4 years, he has witnessed first hand the prevalence of cardiac arrests. He is driven to providing a solution to the lack of CPR education in our youth today.
Chief Financial Officer
Selena Daley
Selena is a sophomore at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in Massachusetts.
She is an aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon dedicated to teaching heart health to underserved communities.
Chief Operating Officer
Rory Chiossi
Rory is a sophomore at Ramsey High School and is passionate about keeping the community safe. As a lifeguard, Rory has seen first-hand the importance of CPR and hopes to spread CPR knowledge to youth so that everyone can be ready to help when it matters most.
Chief Marketing Officer
Hannah Eyre
Hannah is a sophomore at Ramsey High School, dedicated to helping her community. With experience as a lifeguard, she has learned the value of CPR and being prepared for emergencies. Hannah hopes to help young people feel confident, informed, and ready to step up when it matters most.
Chief Technology Officer
Siya Adhikari
Siya Adhikari is a sophomore at Park Vista High School in Florida with a strong passion for community service, particularly in CPR education and emergency preparedness. She is committed to raising awareness about the importance of life-saving skills .
Meet our State Directors
Our State Directors play a vital role in advancing our mission across their states. They oversee all chapters within their state and ensure each one is fully equipped with the resources and support needed to expand and strengthen CPR education in schools.
Interested in becoming State Director? Please click the link below and complete the form provided.
Massachusetts Director
Selena Daley
Selena is a sophomore from Massachusetts with a strong interest in cardiothoracic surgery. She serves as our Chief Financial Officer and is passionate about expanding access to CPR education throughout her state.
Minnesota Director
Sanjana Mantha
Sanjana Mantha is junior at Wayzata High School and a certified lifeguard with experience in emergency response and exposure to hospital environments. These experiences have strengthened her interest in healthcare and emphasized the importance of compassion, preparedness, and calm decision making when supporting others in critical moments.
New Jersey Director
Robert Stanley
Robert is a sophomore at Ramsey High School who is motivated to improve safety measures within the community. Robert completed CPR training as a lifeguard and recognizes the importance of understanding safety procedures, since they can be essential in many everyday situations.
Florida Director
Siya Adhikari
Siya is a sophomore from Florida with a strong passion for community service and CPR awareness. She serves as our Chief Technology Officer and is passionate about expanding access to CPR education throughout her state. She is committed to helping her community become more informed and prepared in emergency situations.
Mississippi Director
Isaiah Barbour
Isaiah is a junior at Tupelo High School in Mississippi with a passion for science, service, and healthcare equity in the Deep South. An Eagle Scout and longtime lifeguard, he serves on the Northeast MS Youth Foundation Board and the Real Men Stand Up mentorship board, where he works to inspire and support underserved youth. Isaiah plans to study biology and pursue an MD/PhD to advance medical research and improve patient care.
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Illinois Director
Nicole Mulla
Nicole Mulla is a high school student from Illinois with a strong commitment to community health education and youth leadership. As the founder and president of her school’s Future Doctors Club and a dedicated mentor, she works to make medical knowledge accessible and practical for students.
Connecticut Director
Kenley Yardis
Kenley is a motivated high school junior from Connecticut with a passion for medicine and emergency preparedness. Kenley is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of CPR education among the youth. Through her role as Connecticut State Director, she hopes to inspire students to step up and make a difference when it matters most.
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New York Director
Claire Sopkin
Claire is a freshman at Marymount High School in New York who is passionate about helping others and making a positive impact in her community. She is currently working toward her ocean lifeguard and CPR certification and recognizes the importance of safety in everyday situations.
North Carolina Director
Ilaha Mohammad Ali
Ilaha is a freshman at Wake Early College of Health and Science who hopes to become a pediatrician, enjoys helping others, and works to make a positive impact in her community. She is involved in fundraising and advocacy for those affected by blood cancer and promotes CPR and emergency response education to help others be prepared in critical situations.
Georgia Director
Kennedy Thomas
Kennedy is a student at Houston County High School with a strong aspiration to pursue a career in healthcare. She is passionate about helping others and is dedicated to promoting CPR awareness and education. Kennedy is proud to be part of an organization that makes a meaningful impact in this important field.
California Director
Harshini Kolagotla
Harshini is an early graduate from Heritage High School. She became CPR certified in 2025 during her CNA course. Through Hands to Heart, she aspires to spread awareness about the importance of CPR education and its potential to make life-changing impacts.
Ohio Director
Harswith Buchireddy
Harswith Buchireddy is a sophomore at Olentangy Berlin High School in Ohio who is passionate about helping others and making a positive impact in his community. He is dedicated to expanding CPR awareness and ensuring more people are prepared to take action and save lives in emergency situations.
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Arizona Director
Dalanie Cannon
Dalanie is from Scottsdale, Arizona, and is currently a freshman in high school. She is interested in public health and policy and hopes to spread the importance of being well-informed about life-saving measures and overall health.
Missouri Director
Catalina Campos
Catalina is a junior at Liberty High School who is committed to a career in healthcare and research. Through her work as a lifeguard for two years, she understands the importance of CPR in public safety and vows to spread her passion and knowledge to strengthen her community.
Tennessee Director
Prisha Patel
Prisha is a junior at Hardin Valley Academy with a strong interest in medicine and a future career in oncology. She has completed over 50 hours shadowing a radiation oncologist and earned her CPR and EKG certifications through her school’s Diagnostic Medicine program. As State Director for Hands to Heart, she is passionate about leadership, service, and making a positive impact in her community.
