Dr. Ajay Shah serves as the President of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA). He is the founder and Convener of American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), the very first initiative of Hindus to stand up against the misrepresentation of Hindu icons, culture, and way of life, founder and Convener of Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective USA (HinduPACT USA), and co-host of HinduLounge, a weekly Facebook Live program on contemporary American Hindu issues. Dr. Shah also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Hindu University of America.
Dr. Shah is a co-founder of the Hindu Students Council (HSC), the first and the largest organization of Hindu students outside Bharat, co-founder, and CEO of HinduNet, the first and the most prominent Hindu website in the world which paved the way for Hindu presence in the electronic media. His pioneering role in presenting Hindu dharma on the internet was featured in the book, “The Soul of Cyberspace: How New Technology Is Changing Our Spiritual Lives” by Jeffrey Zaleski.
Dr. Shah served as the editor of HIndu Vishwa, a periodical published by VHPA and various internet Hindu forums. In 1990, he wrote “Our Kashmir,” a book about Kashmir issues and its impact on Hindus. Ajay credits Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad(ABVP) in Mumbai, India for inspiring him to work on Hindu causes.
Rakhi Israni has been actively involved in Hindu activities for most of her life. Rakhi was the first elected President of Hindus Students Council, the first and the largest organization of Hindu students outside India. She is a member of the Board for the Hindu American Political Action Committee. Rakhi holds a BBA in International Business, JD (Law) and MBA degrees. She is an attorney by profession, and lives in the SF Bay Area with her husband and 4 kids.
Dr. Bansal is a recognized expert in the field of energy efficient utilization of hydrocarbon resources. His most recent appointment was as a Distinguished Fellow at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, where he advised the Argonne scientists as well as the US Department of Energy on energy efficient transportation technologies. Prior to this, Dr. Bansal worked with a global petrochemical company for over 38 years, and in 2014 retired as the Chief Scientific Officer and the Global Product Development Advisor. He has published widely, keynoted at several international conferences, and holds over two dozen patents, including one which was nominated for the Most Valuable Patent Award. Fully retired from professional life, Dr. Bansal now shares his time between family activities and in service of the Hindu community through organizations like the VHPA. In recent times, he has been instrumental in organizing two highly successful conferences for the VHPA: Threads Conference in Boston in November 2019, and the Reflections@50 virtual conference in September 2020. Currently he is serving as a member of the VHPA Governing Council as well as HinduPACT Executive Director of Education.
Vandana Sharma is a passionate and dutiful nationalist.
Professionally she is a successful designer and a winner of prestigious ADesign Award in Italy for her innovative light fixture and restaurant designs. She has also designed several commercially successful kids’ educational products sold all over the world. She earned her Masters in Interior Architecture from Suffolk University, Boston, MA.
Vandana and her husband are actively involved in several philanthropic organizations like –
Ekal USA for primary education in rural India, America India Foundation (AIF), Hindu Seva Kendra for saving poor Hindu families, VisionAid for helping the visually impaired, Sankalp Taru for tree plantations, and Pratham for Slum children’s education, under the banner of ‘Vandana Vivek Foundation, USA.
RECENTLY, Vivek and Vandana Sharma foundation announced an India Initiative launched at D’Amore-McKim School of Business’ Center for Emerging Markets (CEM) at the Northeastern University. A groundbreaking package of programs that will expand and deepen the school’s engagement with economic and business issues in India.
Vallabha Tantry hails from a family of Priests & Astrologers and was raised in Mumbai. She is a resident of Minnesota, USA for the past 17 years. She is a coordinator for Hindu Mandir Executives Conference, a project of VHPA. Additionally, she is involved with the Hindu Society of Minnesota’s (HSMN) Religious and Cultural activities. She has implemented and led the Temple’s Social Service efforts.
By profession, Vallabha is a Regulatory Affairs Associate for a leading Medical Device Company.
Reetesh Sahu organizes and engages periodically in educationally and intellectually enriching seminars on economics, Business, Geo Politics, Strategy etc. with diverse participation from successful personalities comprising of Order of Canada Awardee, Padma Bhushan Awardee, Spiritual Gurus, Renowned Professors, CEO’s, Renowned Scientists, Bureaucrats, VP’s, Established Lawyers, Immigration Experts, Writers & Columnist. Reetesh was an a prominent student leader in India during his undergraduate days. He was an active member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)
Reetesh completed his Masters in Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island. He has more than 10 years of experience in Quality Analysis and Project Management in IT. He has executed multiple million dollar projects. Reetesh has been recognized for his enthusiasm, cheerfulness and team building.
Reetesh speaks fluent English and Hindi and intermediary French.
Deepa is an active member of the community, based in New Jersey, contributing consistently to initiatives that spread awareness about the the Hindu way of life. She’s passionate about geopolitical discussions and social justice causes. She has been a panelist in different forums discussing issues important to Hindu Dharma.
Deepa continues to be an active volunteer with HinduPact working on important initiatives.
By profession, Deepa is a Program Manager and has experience working with large banks and leading pharmaceutical companies.