Meet Karina Koppikar | Advocate, Performer, & Community Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karina Koppikar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karina, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is only pursuing projects I’m truly passionate about.
When I was a freshman in high school, I founded My Tasty Table, a nonprofit organization dedicated to battling food insecurity among children and families in Arizona. As a four-time winner of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, I have always had a passion for community service, but I wanted to take it a step further. Thus, along with my two amazing co-founders, I applied for a seed grant from the Dragon Kim Foundation to jumpstart our ambitious project. As finalists of this competition, My Tasty Table was awarded $5000 to aid our community. Through My Tasty Table, my cofounders and I have taught cooking classes at homeless shelters, title 1 schools, and community centers. Our classes are focused around creating healthy meals using affordable ingredients.

Finding inspiration in the life skills, confidence, and even courage my students were gaining, I became determined to take my mission further. I started volunteering for the Swift Youth Foundation, serving as a camp counselor and after-school tutor for children from economically disadvantaged homes.

Because of the extensive research I conducted on federal policies that impact food insecurity, I became interested in a political career. Over the summer, I was selected for an internship for a lobbying firm called Goldstein Policy Solutions in Washington, D.C. where I attending Capitol Hill meetings between clients and staffers, covered Congressional hearings, and conducted research on the firm’s key policy areas, including semiconductors, telecomm, and FinTech. I was then able to network with other community leaders and obtained a second internship with the U.S. Department of Affordable Housing. I was able to see the political world through an entirely different angle. Neither firm had ever hired a high-school student before, so I was initially nervous about performing to the standard of a professional. The incredible group of leaders I met eased my fears right away, and I’m incredibly thankful for the experience I gained in D.C.

My interest in policy isn’t limited to the summertime. As president of my school’s state-ranked Mock Trial team, I’ve dedicated myself to learning about the law and its impact on everyday citizens. As a member of the Speech and Debate team, I recently placed in the Top Ten at State for my speech, Hidden Histories, which explores the way government regulation of our education system often leads to important historical events being eliminated from public school curriculum.

None of this would be possible without a genuine love for the activities and organizations I am involved with. Even when balancing them seems overwhelming, it is easier to overcome obstacles when I feel passionate about the work that I’m doing. Seeing the end result of a passion project is always incredibly rewarding.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an avid musical theatre performer, I always strive to bring the art of storytelling to as many people as I can. My artistic journey began when I was four years old and fell in love with singing and dancing onstage. Endeavoring to take my passion a step further, I signed with an agency to become a professional child actress and model, going on to be featured in commercials for PetSmart, Talk Heals, Puma, Snow Bowl, and more. I also had the incredible honor of being cast in a regional production of Christmas Carol at Arizona Broadway Theatre. I was able to learn and perform alongside professional actors and actresses, an opportunity I will never forget. As a young woman of color in the arts, it can be difficult to find a place in the world of performing. It is important to me that young girls of color see themselves represented onstage, which is why I volunteer to teach theatre camps to elementary schoolers through Desert Stages Theatre.

I also recognize that theatre is not the only form of storytelling. In the eighth grade, I became an ambassador for a global nonprofit called Loving Library, whose mission is to improve the mental health and wellbeing on communities in need through books. Since then, I have led chapters for Afghan refugees, Valleywise Hospital, AZ Cancer Foundation, ChildHelp, and more. I was then promoted to the role of National Ambassador, and I get to train new ambassadors to teach them how to open up their own chapters. Through this organization, I am able to give speeches at nearly all of their events, sometimes even speaking alongside Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. I believe that a love for storytelling on the theatrical stage and Loving Library go hand-in-hand, which is why I have helped foster partnerships between the nonprofit and local theaters such as Arizona Theatre Company and Chaparral High School Theatre, both of which have helped to fund Loving Library chapters.

In an effort to make sure everyone has access to the art of storytelling, I aim to bridge the gap caused by language barriers. I volunteer as a virtual tutor for Ukrainian refugees, teaching them conversational English. I’ve also utilized resources from Loving Library to help young Afghani refugees in Arizona speak more fluently and assimilate into American life. By the end of high school, I hope to earn a Seal of Bi-literacy for Spanish, furthering my commitment to assure language barriers never inhibit social or intellectual connection.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve lived in Arizona my whole life and have so many favorite spots!

I highly recommend seeing the theatre productions at Desert Stages, Arizona Broadway, and Hale Theatre Centre. Their shows are always phenomenal and a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.

Experience Arizona’s rich culture at the Musical Instrument Museum and the Phoenix Art Museum.

One of my favorite things to do during weekends is hike Camelback Mountain or Piestawa Peak. Arizona has such gorgeous sunsets so it is always a privilege to get to watch them.

My favorite spots to grab lunch with friends are Pomo Pizzeria, Culinary Dropout, and the Chop Shop.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so grateful to have had many mentors and peers who have supported and encouraged me throughout my journey.

I first want to thank Lon Goldstein and Mali Smith from Goldstein Policy Solutions, for bringing me onto their team as their first high school intern. Their mentorship and guidance helped me to gain firsthand knowledge of policy, networking, and communication. My experience in D.C. would not have been what it was without their kindness and confidence in me.

I also want to recognize Anjleen Gumer, the Executive Director of Loving Library, where I work as a National Ambassador. I joined the organization in the eighth grade, and my passion for the work that they do only grew from there because of her guidance. Her mentorship has been an integral part of enhancing my leadership skills.

I would also like to shout out Professor Ori Soltes, who teaches theology and political history at Georgetown University. Prior to my D.C. trip, I had never met him; however, I had always been a fan of his work. I have always been extremely interested in interfaith relations and how religious divisions among young people impacts their view of other faiths as adults. My passion led me to write Six Point Star, a realistic fiction book about a young Hindu girl struggling with feeling of isolation because of her religion. I reached out to Professor Soltes, and he kindly agreed to meet with me and service as my advisor me on editing the novel. Because of his help, I was able to ensure the plot was authentic and sensitive to all of its potential readers. It’s now finished and on its way to being published!

Finally, from my personal life, I would like to mention my favorite English teacher Ms. Anderson, my long-time voice teacher Renee Koher, and, most importantly, my amazing mom, dad, and brother, whose unwavering support and encouragement have shaped me into who I am today.

Website: mytastytable.com | thelovinglibrary.org

Instagram: @karina_koppikar

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-koppikar-b6924a313