YJA Convention 2016 07 Los Angeles CA

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

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SPEAKERS
Manda Pokharna Dr. Manda Pokharna is a practicing human being, learning skills to grow and liberate herself. She is trained in Nonviolent Communications (NVC) with Marshall Rosenberg, founder of NVC. She practices medicine in Chicago, and has been practicing Aikido (martial art of harmony) for 5 years to further enable her abilities of managing conflict in a loving and constructive way. She serves as a team leader at work. She has served as the President on the board of Health and Happiness for 2 years. She has been a regular presenter at the JAINA and YJA conventions for the last 8 years.
Manu Shah Manu Shah is the co-founder and CEO of MS International, Inc. (MSI), a natural stone and porcelain distributor. He started his company in the basement of his home and has now grown to the largest distributor of natural stone in the world. Manu has been involved with the Jain Center of Southern California (ICSC) for over 20 years. They founded the Sarva Mangal Family Trust (SMFT) and have sponsored and donated to many philanthropic causes through it. SMFT sponsored the JCSC Wellness Challenge in 2012, to bring awareness to the obesity and cardiac disease epidemic among South Asian immigrants.
Megha Kadakia Megha Kadakia brings a unique blend of business experience and artistic vision to the world of independent filmmaking through her production company, Blue Velocity Pictures. With her husband, Saurabh Kikani, Mr. Kicks and Lady Megs produced Miss India America. Kadakia's producing projects have received wide acclaim, garnering her entry into the Film Independent Producer's Workshop and the Producer's Network at the Cannes Film Festival. She holds an MBA from Columbia University, and serves on the boards of Creative Visions Foundation and America India Foundation.
Mihir Shah Mihir was born and raised in sunny SoCal (Go Lakers & Dodgers!). He is a Technical Project Manager and Senior Data Analyst with Providence Health & Services and based in Burbank, CA. He graduated from the University of California, Irvine with degrees in both Applied Mathematics and Economics. While at UCI, he joined Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed national community service fraternity, where he continues to serve as advisory chairman and on other various boards. It is through these experiences that he has learned that communication is a major key to success in any endeavor.
Monica Vora Monica has recently moved to Atlanta, GA in order to pursue her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Emory University. She graduated in May from MCPHS University in Boston, MA with her Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medical and Health Studies. Some of her hobbies include drawing, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. Monica is super excited to explore the Southeast and what it has to offer. However, she will always be a true Patriots fan!
Mrunal Gandhi Mrunal Gandhi recently finished his first year at the University of California, Irvine School of Law and is currently spending his summer working with veterans on a bevy of legal issues ranging from expungements to small business incorporations. Prior to law school, Mrunal worked on an assortment of corporate transactions at a prominent Orange County based law firm and he plans to use that experience to pursue a career in transactional law with an emphasis on securities regulation.
Neal Daftary Neal is an entrepreneur and currently owns and operates a hospitality management company. He has a MBA specializing in Strategic Management from the University of Texas at Dallas and two Bachelor of Science de grees in Sociology and Business Administration from the Texas A&M University and University of Texas at Dallas, respectively. He enjoys much of his time volunteering through various non-profit organizations. Currently, he serves as Co-Chair for Young Jain Professionals and National President & CEO for Delta Epsilon Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Neelam Savla Neelam is a Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission at the University of Southern California and just recently graduated with her Masters in Education. As a Los Angeles native, she loves going on outdoor adventures, especially hikes that include views of the ocean. She is one of this year's JNF Committee Co-Leads and is excited to welcome YJA back to the west coast.
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AGENTS OF CHANGE