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Chintan Shah | Bronxville, NY Chintan is president of KNB Communications, a healthcare marketing and PR firm. He received his BA from the University of Wisconsin and his MBA from Babson College. Chintan grew up attending pathshala and was a founding youth member at the Jain Religion Center of WI. He led YJA as a Co-Chair for two conventions in NJ and CT. He is also a member of the JAINA Long Range Planning Committee. Chintan and his family live in NY and are active at the Jain Center of America. He is a huge sports fan. Darshan Shah | Roanoke, VA Darshan Shah is a graphic designer and architect. He has always referred to the city that taught him to love himself, unconditionally. It is the home where he learned it's more than okay to be exactly who he was, and that society would come around if he always kept a positive attitude. He is an outspoken advocate for queer acceptance in South Asian culture, asking the uncomfortable questions and supporting those who may be struggling with their identities.
Darshana Shah | Elgin, IL Darshana Shah, M.A., is a Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago Pathshala teacher and has also served as the Education Secretary. She was awarded the JAINA Presidential Award in 2003 and Outstanding Service Award for the JAINA Education Committee. She loves leading youth activities at JSMC, like the Ashta Prakari Puja. Additionally, she has been a JAB Coach and JAINA convention coordinator. She is a major contributor to the JAINA and JSMC Pathashala, Pratikraman, Prayers, and Philopsophy books. Dhara Shah Atlanta, GA Dhara is a physical therapist and is currently completing her orthopedic residency at Emory University. In addition to being a clinician, she focuses her time on advocacy efforts that support physical therapy and the patients she serves. She became involved with YJA in 2006 attending her first convention. Throughout the years, she stayed engaged with YJA and met her best friend/husband at the 2011 YJA Southeast Retreat. She hopes to share YJA's impact on her with others. Dharmang Shah Atlanta, GA Dharmang is Founder and Managing Director of Pineapple Capital Group, a boutique mortgage and real estate investment-banking firm. He received his B.S in Finance and Information System & Operation Management from the University of Florida and a Masters in Hospitality Management from Cornell University. His corporate experience includes consulting at Ernst & Young on M&A's and IPO's. He enjoys being a Young Jain Professional and a Lifetime Member of Jain Society of Greater Atlanta. Dharmi Shah | Chicago, IL Dharmi is a fourth year pharmacy student at the University of Illinois at Chicago and originally from Dothan, AL. She enjoys being a foodie, practicing yoga, hanging out with her friends, and lounging in various coffee shops. She has been involved with Young Jains of America by serving as an LR for a few years, Director of Events 2016-2017), and as one of the Executive Board Co-Chairs this year. She is very excited to be speaking at this Convention and can't wait to meet everyone in July!
84 2018 YJA CONVENTION CHICAGO, IL