Swami Swaroopananda
Chairman
In an era ripe with scepticism and confusion about matters spiritual, Swami Swaroopananda is a rare voice that blends authenticity with accessibility; theory with self- practice; logic with heart.
Formerly the Regional Head of Chinmaya Mission Australia, United Kingdom, Middle East, Africa and Far East, and presently Chairman of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth Trust (University for Sanskrit and Indic Traditions) and Director of the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, South India, Swami Swaroopananda has now been bestowed by Swami Tejomayananda the privilege to also serve as the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide.
SHUBHANI CHAITANYA
Brahmacharini
Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya currently serves as the resident Vedanta teacher for Chinmaya Mission New York. She has been greatly inspired by the life and teachings of Swami Chinmayananda.
She started her journey with Chinmaya Mission as a Bala Vihar child in Manila, Philippines, and later on as a CHYK (Chinmaya Yuva Kendra) when her family immigrated to New York. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and went on to work in the fashion industry for several years. Yearning to find her true calling, she decided to take a sabbatical and joined YEP (Youth Empowerment Program) where she applied her creative mind towards many projects, including supporting script-writing of a biopic on the life of Swami Chinmayananda, On a Quest. Her engagement in seva (selfless service) and satsang (wise company) inspired her to pursue the 2 year Vedanta Course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai. In 2016, she completed the course and was initiated as Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya.
Shubhaniji brings a natural wisdom and compassion to her classes that touches the hearts of children, young professionals and families and seniors alike. She conducts classes on Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and other Vedantic texts, oversees Bala Vihar programs across the greater New York area, and leads seekers to deepen their sadhana (spiritual practice) through weekly Gayatri Japa sessions and weekend-long retreats. She currently serves as CHYK West coordinator for the East Coast, and continues to apply her creative mind to special projects, recently leading a team to publish The Woman Seeker, a book about the inspiring lives of women on the path to Enlightenment.
Jagdish Rao
President
Jagdish Rao is the Enterprise Infrastructure Head for Citigroup Banking Corporation and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup Technology Inc., both part of Citigroup Inc. one of the country’s top financial services organizations, headquartered in Manhattan, New York City. He serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors of Chinmaya Mission New York Inc.
Dr. Jatin Kapadia
Vice President
Dr. Jatin Kapadia is a pediatrician in Hempstead, New York and has been in practice for over four decades. A long time disciple of Acharya Krishna Moorthy, Dr. Kapadia has been conducting Vedanta study groups in various locations since past several years. He has also been giving talks at different temples on the Bhagavad Gita, Bhaja Govindam, Atma Bodha, and other topics such as ‘Effective Parenting through Vedanta.
Kanwal Kapur, CPA
Treasurer
Kanwal K. Kapur, CPA has been a tax practitioner for over 30 years in the NY area. He is a member of American Institute of CPAs , NYS Society of CPAs as well as National Conference of CPA Practitioners. His practice areas include offering tax, estate planning, accounting and auditing services to small and middle market businesses and professionals. He serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Chinmaya Mission New York Inc.
Nisha Bharwani
Secretary
Nisha Bharwani worked for over twenty years in Administration and Accounting at various companies.
She serves on the Board Member of Children’s Hope, a New York based non-profit organization that serves underprivileged children in India and New York. She previously served as the Treasurer and currently liaisons with various projects in India.
Nisha Bharwani joined Chinmaya Mission as a pupil of late Acharya Krishna Moorthy and currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors of Chinmaya Mission New York Inc.
Shri George Romney
Director
Shri George is a practicing psychotherapist in New York City who has been leading Vedanta study groups since he met Guru Dev, Swami Chimayananda ji in 1990- 1991.
He has the unique ability of explaining the concepts of Vedanta through Chinmaya Mission’s prescribed texts. He creates and sustains interest in his students from multi-cultural backgrounds to pursue sincere study of Vedanta for their self-improvement.
Shri George Romney conducts various study groups in and around New York.
Anjli Bhandari
Director
Anjli Bhandari worked in financial services for 20 years in areas including Emerging Markets Research, Equities, and Leadership and Development. Her career included time at JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley.
Anjli is a mom of twin girls and lives in NYC. She has been a member of the Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar community for over six years. She is responsible for the Manhattan Uptown Chapter of Bala Vihar and also serves as a Director on the Board of Directors of Chinmaya Mission New York Inc.
Sheila Sarma
Director
Sheila Sarma grew up in both the United States and India. She worked for many years as a public health researcher addressing maternal health issues in developing countries. Her current focus is on disadvantaged youth in New York City. Sheila is a part of the Downtown chapter of Bala Vihar in Manhattan and serves as a Director on the Board of Directors of Chinmaya Mission New York Inc.
Gayathri Muralirajan
Director
Gayathri Muralirajan is part of the Queens Long Island chapter of Bala Vihar in New York and serves as a Director on the Board of Directors of Chinmaya Mission New York Inc.