#project mesa

My name is Harini Pennathur and I am a sophomore studying Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan. This semester, I joined Project MESA and its finance subcommittee on the Business end of the team. 

I joined Project MESA because I shared a passion for its vision for Women’s Health. I resonated with the work it was doing in Nicaragua for women who did not have access to accurate, comfortable, or sanitary preventative exams and who were losing their lives because of it. I felt as though my skillset was a perfect match for this team and I could not wait to ultimately help the team widen its reach beginning in Nicaragua and expanding across the world. 

Throughout my time on the team, I have applied to grants and competitions such as the OptiMize Challenge and the Global Social Venture Competition. These applications entailed constructing a five year financial projection, a revenue model, and writing essays highlighting Project MESA. Additionally, I have helped create a restaurant fundraiser for our team. 

Being a member of Project MESA has opened my eyes to the severity of cervical cancer in low resource areas and has broadened my global health perspective immensely. By being part of finance specifically, I have learned how to effectively spend money to increase sustainability of medical equipment and of our team as a whole. Additionally, overseeing finances has shown me the importance of considering funding when making any sort of decision. Furthermore, through grant writing, I have learned how to properly and effectively advocate for my team and for our cause. 

Beyond the numerous professional knowledge I have gained, Project MESA has introduced me to wonderful group of passionate, intelligent and kind people with whom I feel lucky to spend meetings and share a common goal with. Regardless of the fact that I was a new member this year, I have felt welcomed and embraced by the entire team, and I am excited to continue to contribute and learn in the years to come.