Dina Pahlajani, MD is the cofounder and president of the organization. She is a practicing pediatrician with Physician Partners, Northwell Health in Long Island, NY. In addition to her passion for helping children, she is also interested in global medicine and has led medical missions to India and El Salvador. She is a member of Nassau Pediatric Society and sits on its Charity Committee.
Moneesha Sani grew up in India and received a Bachelor’s Degree in economics and sociology from St. Xavier’s College. She has lived in Mumbai, San Francisco and New York and traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia, bringing a unique perspective to the organization. Moneesha is a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman and is involved with the Arthritis Foundation, in addition to her energetic dedication to CHI. Moneesha has served for the past 11 years on the Benefit Committee for the Children’s Hope Luncheon. She likes to get people together in creating a more engaged world, and is an avid reader, animal lover and enjoys the outdoors.
Maya Rajani is the owner and president of Infocache Corporation, a data management services company. She brings to the board expertise in strategic planning, corporate development, and marketing. Maya was also the most recent president of CHI.
A cofounder and former president of CHI, Lavina has been involved in every aspect of the organization since its inception–from fundraising to creative partnerships, publicity, and social media. Lavina graduated from the University of Delhi with a degree in history honors, and lived in Hong Kong, Africa and the US. An award-winning journalist who has written for several international publications including India Today, The Hindu and the Wall Street Journal, she also publishes the online lifestyle portal Lassi with Lavina and has blogged for the Smithsonian.
A graduate of the prestigious St. Mira’s College in Pune, Nisha has over twenty years of small business accounting and administration experience, and her professionalism and leadership in managing CHI’s financial accounting has been productive. Nisha is passionate about providing educational and development opportunities to children who want to achieve. She is actively involved with CHI projects in India and commutes between the two countries to supervise projects and interact with the India chapter of CHI.
Kalika is a passionate business Owner/ Operator of multiple and successful locations of The UPS Stores on Long Island, NY for the last 22 years. She was given the honor by UPS to ring the opening bell at Nasdaq in August 2014. Born and raised in India, she came to this country after completing her Bachelor’s in Business and worked in the fashion industry as a Designer for 8 years prior to owning her UPS Store franchises. She loves to read, spend time in nature, and likes to have a growth mindset in her personal, professional, and spiritual life through meeting people from various walks of life. Kalika is a new Board member and is excited to serve CHI with dedication and compassion.
Aarti Kamat is currently Director of Product Development at JennZ, a New York based children’s’ accessory company. She has spent almost her entire career immersed in the fashion/lifestyle space. Previously, Aarti curated jewelry pop-ups in New York and worked as a Fashion Merchandiser in her family owned business in Bombay & New York. Aarti attended the American College of London where she earned a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising & Design. Committed to Children’s Hope for over the past decade, she has played an integral role in the annual Children’s Hope Luncheon Benefit since 2009. Aarti enjoys traveling home to Asia, tennis, the outdoors and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Kavita Lund is a long-standing member of the Executive Board of CHI for the last 26 years. She has served as President of CHI for 4 years, Treasurer for 7 years and Vice President for 3 years. She is currently Treasurer of The Forest Hills Montessori School and has been there since its inception over 4 decades ago. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Economics and Mathematics. Kavita has a strong background in the Non-Profit field and her empathy, dedication and compassion have been with her since her childhood.
Kavita (Gigi) Ramnani is the president and owner of Stanford Care Center, an early-childhood education facility, with multiple locations based in New York. Prior to Stanford Care Center, Gigi worked at Price Waterhouse and various family owned businesses. Gigi graduated from New York University with a B.S. in Economics. Outside of the workplace, Gigi enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking and enjoying the arts. Gigi also sits on the executive committee of the Babes Against Cancer.
Sagorica has been a board member of CHI since 1995 and previously served as secretary. She has spearheaded the silent auction at the annual gala and other charity events, and has overseen CHI’s programs in Kolkata, India. Rudra entered the financial services industry in 1993, after earning an MBA in International Finance from St. John’s University.
Radha Vanjani is the president of Teachers Placement Group as well as a founding member of CHI. She has served as a treasurer of CHI in past years and is currently the head of the Journal Committee for producing the Annual Gala and the CHI newsletter. Radha travels to India every year and visits CHI projects regularly. She has a Masters in nutrition from MLB college in Bhopal, India.