Our Team

Cindy Charles, Founder

An advocate of literacy for all, Cindy O. Charles has focused much of her career- creating opportunities that inspire children and women in literacy.

Cindy is the Founder and President of Kupanda Sisters, Inc., with a mission to uplift women and young people in underserved communities by providing them with quality literacy resources and skills that will equip and empower them to transform their reality, unleash their full potential, and become meaningful contributors to their communities and our world.

Kupanda Sisters started providing services in early 2019 to more than 20 children to build their literacy levels to meet academic standards under the slogan “Together We Rise.” The organization also focuses on empowering women in Guyana through wellness, entrepreneurial workshops and awareness campaigns.

A native of Guyana, South America, Cindy grew up in small village on the East Bank of Essequibo name Parika. The last of two children, Cindy always had dreams of an obstacle free world where everyone was afforded the same opportunities.

During her childhood, she faced several emotional, psychological and physical challenges as she was forced to navigate the perplexities of growing up in a broken home. Her struggles at home added to her academic issues, and with limited resources available she felt like another statistic. Another voiceless child without a future.

In her early 20s, because of a family member, Cindy was given the opportunity to relocate to the United States of America. She packed her bags and travelled to New York, holding on to her dream of changing her story and creating her true destiny. Cindy saw this journey as the start of a new life, and though she knew that there would be obstacles, she was determined to conquer all hurdles. Cindy’s life experiences have given birth to an unquenchable passion to serve her community. She spends her free time volunteering in community groups such as Gallop NYC, U.S. Fund for UNICEF and Children of Promise.

In 2018, she was selected as a Mentor Coach for the America Needs You an organization that fights for economic mobility for ambitious, first-generation college students. Cindy holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hunter College-The City University of New York and currently works as an Executive Administrator for JP Morgan Chase & Co. A committed, focused individual, Cindy is looking forward to expanding the Kupanda Sisters program currently being held at the Sophia Primary School into the Parika School system in 2020.

Lynn M. Wilson, Singer/Songwriter

Lynn M. Wilson a.k.a. Lindsey Wilson is a NYC singer-songwriter privileged to have performed at the French Embassy in Washington, DC, the BMCC Tribeca Arts Center, Joe’s Pub, the renowned Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse as well as many other respectable venues in the New York City. She is a board member of Kupanda Sisters, Inc. and works for the Guild For Exceptional Children in Brooklyn, NY., serving the developmentally disabled community. Currently, she is Musician-in-Residence at the Riverdale-Yonkers Society of Ethical Culture. Lindsey has been honored to perform with folk and jazz singing notables as DuPree of the duo group Casselbury and DuPree, Bev Grant, Judy Gorman, Mike Glick, Barry Kornhauser, Daniel Carter and Bern Nix. In 2011, she formulated the band The Human Hearts Trio with Reggie Sylvester on drums and Michael Trotman on bass. The trio continues to perform extensively throughout the city and tri-state areas.

Michelle Cole Wagner, International Designer & Guyanese Entrepreneur

Michelle Cole is an international designer and corporate executive of her brand COLEFACTS. As a teenager, Michelle designed the wardrobe for a high school fashion contest and hasn’t looked back since and by using her unique creative ability she has made herself and her brand an international trademark.

Michelle is a designer who also wears many hats by volunteering her time and skills in giving back as co-founder of FACT (Fashion, Art & Creativity by Talented Students). Currently settling in New York, Michelle continues to shape and market her brand to fashion houses and various high end runway events and sits on the committee of Miss World Guyana as one of it’s executive directors.

Michelle Cole has over a decade of experience in wedding planning. Her resume of successful events has made her one of New York City’s respected event planner. Throughout the years she has worked in all aspects of the industry from creating the most beautiful gowns as a fashion designer to producing some of the memorable and unforgettable weddings.