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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
Saurabh Dalal Saurabh is passionate about education and greater advocacy of ahimsa-based choices as solutions to many global issues. He serves as Deputy Chair of the International Vegetarian Union and President of the Vegetarian Society of D.C. He works with many non-profit groups and has been active in the Jain community. He holds graduate degrees in Physics and Engineering, takes part in several professional and technical societies, and explores ways of integrating sound science into related areas of activism.
Seema Nanda Seema is the Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Labor, spending more than sixteen years working on labor and employment issues. She has served as Acting Deputy Special Counsel and a senior trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Seema is a founding member of the D.C. Chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, as well as Odanadi, a non-profit organization that seeks to combat sex trafficking in India and globally.
Sejal Dhruva Sejal was bom 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!
Sheenika Shah Sheenika is a business development coordinator (digital) at Knobbe Martens. She is a licensed attorney, but enjoys her time on the other side by helping attorneys with their business development efforts. Sheenika has been involved in YJA since 2008. She is a volunteer for the Jain Center of Southern California Website Re-Design and e-Magazine Committees. She loves to try new vegan restaurants, spend time with her family, and travel. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Twitter (@sheenikashah).
Shikhar Shah Shikhar was born in Bilimora, Gujarat and raised in Chicago. He once found a four-leaf clover, and has a fountain pen. He studies epidemiology at The University of Illinois at Chicago, and will be starting medical school in the fall. He also likes math, medical decision making, and classic literature, so definitely bring those up in conversation. In his work with YJA, Shikhar has come to realize that Mid-West is best. Very Jainism. Much principles. Such holy.
Sneha Parikh Sneha was born and raised just outside of Hartford, CT and attended undergrad at The University of Connecticut, where she spent most of her time at dance practice! She recently graduated from Northeastern University with a master's degree in speech-language pathology, and now works as a speech pathologist. Sneha loves to dance, swim, cook, spend time with her family and friends, and take naps in the sun! She is so excited for the YJA Convention and can't wait to see all of you there!
Sonali Vakharia Sonali is a proud Michigunder. She is a pharmacist and co-teaches high-school Pathshala at the Detroit singh. This is Sonali's sixth YJA Convention. She previously served on the Youth Activities Board for the 2013JAINA Convention. When not working, you can find her at a local concert veme, traveling, taking photos on her Canon, spending time with friends/family, working out, and doing yoga. She believes in Ralph Waldo Emerson's words: "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
ni WAU
2014 YJA CONVENTION WASHINGTON, D.C.
