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
Shubhani Chaitanya is a disciple of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. Born in Manila, bred in New York and built in Bharat, she has grown through Chinmaya Mission as a Bala Vihar child, a dynamic CHYK (Chinmaya Yuva Kendra) and now a Brahmacharini posted in Chinmaya Mission New York.
She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade and Marketing. After working in the fashion industry for around 7 years, she decided to take a sabbatical to find her true calling. This led her to join YEP – the Youth Empowerment Program where she was involved in writing/editing books, organizing camps, teaching in schools. She also assisted in the script-writing of Swami Chinmayananda’s movie – On a Quest, and later pursued her very own in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai.
She completed the Vedanta course in 2016 where she was initiated as Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya. She brings a natural wisdom and compassion to her classes and loves sharing with people the Science of Happiness that is Vedanta. She currently conducts classes on the Bhagavad Geeta, Vivekachoodamani, Atma Bodha and other Vedantic treatise.
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.
Murali Rajan
Secretary
Murali Rajan is Engineer and Team Leader for Molecular Imaging at Siemens Medical Solutions. He 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.
Dina Pahlajani
Director
Dr Dina Pahlajani is a practicing Pediatrician with Physician Partners, Northwell Health in Long Island. She is the Co founder of Children’s Hope India, a New York based non-profit organization that serves underprivileged children in India and New York. She has led medical missions to El Salvador and India.
Dina Pahlajani joined Chinmaya Mission as a pupil of late Acharya Krishna Moorthy and currently serves as a Director on the Board of Directors of Chinmaya Mission New York Inc.