YJA Convention 2010 07 New Brunswick NJ Ninth

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

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Jain Networking Forum (INF) Sessions
Profitable Experiences from a Non-Profit Career
Pulin Modi has been vegan and an animal rights advocate for more than a decade. He works as PETA's Action Team manager. His experiences include working on peta2.com where students get advice on everything from starting a school animal rights group to adding vegan options in the cafeteria. He loves corresponding with people all over the country to support their efforts to promote animal rights and other social justice issues. In his free time, he enjoys reading books, listening to music, playing soccer and football, and making the world a better place.
Ramey Ko is a municipal court judge and attorney in Austin, Texas. Ramey previously practiced housing and domestic violence law with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid and the Texas Advocacy Project. In 2006, Ramey founded Asian Americans for Obama, a national grassroots organization that organized Asian Americans in support of Obama's campaign. Ramey also served as a board member for Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, a national network of Asian Pacific Americans and allies for progressive change. In April 2009, Ramey testified against a bill requiring certain forms of photo ID to vote. In response to testimony about name matching problems encountered by Asian Americans in other states, State Representative Betty Brown suggested that Asian Americans should change their names to make them "easier to deal with." Brown apologized after widespread public outcry, and the bill was later defeated. Ramey graduated from Yale University and the University of Chicago Law School.
Valeri Bocage is the founder of Powerful Women International and has been assisting people in living their dreams for over 15 years. She has inspired hundreds of people to fulfill on their life's mission. She has coached authors, entrepreneurs, parents, families, public speakers and artists to expand their vision for what was possible in their professional and personal lives globally, She has been recognized by the United States Congress, Senate, Mayor Offices and several companies and organizations around the world. Valeri was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, Valeri lost EVERYTHING, except her indomitable spirit and true passion for life. She took the loss as an opportunity to start a whole new life. She moved to San Francisco to fulfill on her dream of "EMPOWERING WOMEN TO EMPOWER THE WORLD." Powerful Women International is doing just that. Now, only a few years later PWI has more than 20 connections around the world assisting people to step outside the box and live their dream. Ms. Bocage's dream is that everyone lives their dream and purpose.
Vinod Jain is professor of strategy and international business at the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland. He is also the President & CEO of the India-US World Affairs Institute, a non-profit organization building greater awareness for India in the U.S. and vice-versa. A Fulbright Scholar and true cosmopolitan, Vinod has lived and worked in India, the U.S., Western Europe, Eastern Europe, China, and the Middle East. Vinod recently co-authored a major study on "How America Benefits from Business with India" for the India-US World Affairs Institute. He has designed and chaired thought-leadership symposia at international conferences and has conducted over 100 seminars in the last three decades. During the last eleven years, he has won and managed five federal grants with a budget of over $2 million. And, he has been honored by the Governors of both Ohio (2001) and Maryland (2004) for his services to their states.
56YJA CONVENTION 2010 I New Brunswick