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YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA (YJA) EXECUTIVE BOARD
Parag Parekh | Executive Board Co-Chair
Parag was born and raised in New York City and is probably the only native NY'er that is a Red Sox fan. He graduated from law school with a JD and a LL.M. in Taxation, and is currently working as a corporate attorney in Manhattan. Parag has enjoyed his experiences with YJA, from being an Executive Board member, to hosting sessions at Conventions, and is honored to serve as a Co-Chair for the current year. Parag appreciates nerdy things, basketball, goes gaga for Lady GaGa, and loves cupcakes!
Sejal Dhruva | Executive Board Co-Chair Sejal was born in Wisconsin but raised in beautiful California. She is a contracts negotiator for Salesforce in San Francisco. This is her third year on the Executive Board, second as Co-Chair, and she is thankful for her time with YJA. In her free time, Sejal enjoys being with her family and friends, working out, traveling, baking (and eating) cupcakes, and watching football. She believes laughter and music are essential to life. This will be
Sejal's final year on the Executive Board and she looks forward to an unforgettable YJA Convention!
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Priyal Gandhi | Director of Education. Daytime Programming Committee Co-Lead
Priyal has lived in Kansas and Northern Virginia for most of her life. She is a entering her second year at The University of Virginia and is on a pre-med track. Though YJA is her favorite hobby, she also enjoys community service, art, and music. Fun facts: she's learning sign language, has met the Obamas, and is obsessed with Disney. This is Priyal's second year serving as Director of Education, and she's excited to bring some awesome Jain education to this convention!
Bonita Parikh | Director of Events. Hospitality Committee Co-Lead
Bonita was born and raised in Houston, TX. After graduating from Texas A&M University (gig 'em!), she started working at Hewlett-Packard as a data analyst. This is Bonita's third year on the Executive Board, and every year keeps getting better! In her spare time she loves to dance, bother her older sister, and spend time with friends and family. She is so excited for the 2014 YJA Convention, and can't wait to see what this year's team will bring to the Convention.
Neeketa Sheth | Director of Finance. Site Committee Co-Lead
Neeketa was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She graduated from pharmacy school with her PharmD and MBA. Neeketa got involved with YJA in 2012 as the Registration Committee CoLead, and since then has created a second family with YJA. When she's off YJA duties, she loves to venture to new places, try new cuisines, and always appreciates a delicious slice of cake!
Sunny Dharod | Director of Fundraising Fundraising Co-Lead
Sunny grew up in Lenexa, KS. He is a rising junior studying economics and Spanish at The University of Michigan. His interests include community service, inspirational books, the Kansas City Chiefs, and most of all, long-distance running (Bostonian Jains: please support Sunny as he conquers the Boston Marathon). Sunny loved his first year with YJA, and would like to give a shout out to his Boardie family, his Fundraising Committee, and his fellow Kansans and Michiganders!
Ankit Shah | Director of Information Technology. Registration Committee Co-Lead
Ankit is entering his junior year at Brown University and studying computer science. His passions are nerdy innovative technologies, basketball, football, and learning. He is from Texas, also known as the best place on Earth, specifically Houston, and is the biggest Texans and Rockets fan out there. This is Ankit's first time on the YJA Executive Board, and the he thinks the best things about his experience are the vegan desserts the other board members make for him.
2014 YJA CONVENTION | WASHINGTON, D.C.
