YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

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Shailesh Mehta
Shailesh Mehta is president of Granite Hill Capital Ventures LLC, and investment and advisory partnership. Prior to Granite Hill, he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Providian Financial Corporation, a company with over $30 billion in assets and over 18 million customers. Mehta joined the founding team of First Deposit Corporation, the predecessor company to Providian in 1986 and built it from just 80 employees to over 12,000 employees. The Fortune 500 company is traded on the NYSE under the ticker PVN, and is in the S&P 500. Prior to joining Providian, Mehta was Executive Vice President at the Ohio-based Ameritrust Corporation (now Key Corp), where he worked for twelve years.
Mehta is currently director to PayPal Inc.; Trustee, Cal State Universities; West Bridge Capital Partners, LLC; selected high tech companies including SiteLite, Inc. and iPolicy Networks; Trustee, Asian Art Museum Foundation in San Francisco; Advisory Committee for India Studies Chair at U.C. Berkeley; Trustee, American Indian Foundation; Charter Member, TIE. Further, Mehta is known for his philanthropic activities. He has formed the Shailesh J. Mehta and Kalpa S. Mehta Charitable Foundation, which has given millions in grants to various institutions and causes. Mr. Mehta holds masters and PhD degrees in Operation Research and Computer Science from Case Western Reserve University. He Received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay.
Shayna Parekh
Born and raised in Southern California, Shayna Parekh has been an active youth member of the Jain Center of Southern California and is the current Director of Education for Youth Jains of America. In 2001, Shayna was chosen by the American India Foundation, chaired by Bill Clinton, to supervise post-earthquake rehabilitation and redevelopment in Bhuj, Gujurat. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in May, 2002 and earned the university's top honor for a graduating senior-the University Medal. Following this year's convention, she will be traveling back to India to work with other the Jain non-profit service organization Veerayatan. She will be directing the organization's Service Corps to help with other educational redevelopment in various parts of Kutch, Gujurat.
Shrenik Shah
A member of the Jain Center of Greater Boston, Shrenik Shah, age 22, attended the University of Chicago, graduating with bachelor's degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies in the spring of 2002. He now works at an environmental consulting firm, assisting EPA in determining national drinking water regulations. Interested in Jain philosophy from a young age, Shrenik has given various presentations at past JAINA and YJA conventions. In his free time, Shrenik enjoys composing and playing music, acting, reading, rock climbing, and running.
Sadhvi Shri Shubhamji
1 Sadhvi Shri Shubhamji renounced the worldly life 25 years ago at the young age of 21. A disciple of Acharya Shri Chandanaji, Shubhamji worked enthusiastically to build the strong foundation of Veerayatan. A proficient scholar of Sanskrit and Prakrit language, she has studied ancient scriptures and theories of Jainology. She has been traveling extensively in India and abroad spreading the message of love, compassion and brotherhood. Her ideas and actions bring out the true essence of Jainism. She shares a very unique bond of love with animals. Lives of many birds and animals have been set free due to her efforts. Our beloved Shubhamji has been blessed with the extraordinary capacity of "AVDHAN”. She spontaneously answers hundreds of questions raised by curious students. Her motherly, selfless service to humanity has made lives of hundreds of children brighter and full of hope. Her words and actions have inspired many people across the world.