President - Dr Rajni Vaish

Rajni is a physician from India, currently a homemaker, and has been a resident of Lexington, Kentucky for the past 13 years. She is supported by her husband, 3 kids, and loving mother, along with many great friends from different walks of life. She is very receptive to fresh ideas to grow this organization to a new level. She has been involved with the local school system and has run various art and culture programs. In her leisure time, she enjoys walking on the trail in all 4 seasons and having a cup of ginger tea while listening to her kids play the piano.

Past President - Jaya Pampati MD JD

Jaya is a resident of Hazard, KY for the past three decades and is a Rheumatologist serving Southeastern Kentucky. Jaya has three children who went to local public schools where she has served on the Site based decision making council for several years. She is also a voluntary faculty for the Appalachian Regional Healthcare Internal Medicine Residency program and has served for several years as the Director for Continuing Medical Education for Southeastern Area Health Education Center. She believes that access to affordable education is the key for communities to thrive and grow.

President Elect - Naveen Gupta

Naveen Gupta, based out of Lexington, KY is Vice President – Digital Transformation at Valvoline Global. A Certified Public Accountant from India, he is widely traveled and has held various senior roles in general management, finance and consulting in different parts of the world.

Secretary - Mudita Arora

Mudita Arora is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian with 17+ years of experience in the field of nutrition. Mudita has held several leadership positions in healthcare nutrition. She is currently employed as a Hospital Nutrition Business Leader for Mead Johnson Nutrition (Enfamil) in Kentucky. Mudita has held several volunteer leadership positions including President and State Media Representative of Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chair of Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics and currently serving as a Delegate at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics House of Delegates. She is passionate about creating healthier communities via better nutrition and wellness.

Treasurer - Geetika Rekhraj

Geetika Rekhraj has an MBA in Finance and a licensed certified public accountant. She and her family moved to Lexington in 2008. She has served in BIACS as a counselor for 3 years in the past. She has also been involved with various cultural and community events in the Lexington area for over 15 years. She is passionate about promoting higher education and cultural globalization through the celebration and inclusion of diversity.

Councillor - Cathy Bell

Cathy has been a resident of Lexington throughout her college years and academic career. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with Masters in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education, and a Rank 1 in Administration and Supervision. She is a retired Elementary School Principal in Fayette County and currently serves as a coach for principals new in their position. Cathy serves on the Leadership Advisory Council for the UK Alumni Association and volunteers for other community organizations.

Councillor - Soreyda Begley

Soreyda Benedit Begley is a fashion designer, a radio host, community organizer and activist originally from Honduras, now based in Lexington, Kentucky. She is has served on several boards for local and state organizations. Because of her experience working in sweatshops as a teenager in her native country, Soreyda is an advocate for fair trade, women’s rights, and sustainable development. She is known for using unconventional recycled materials in her work, including paper, plastic bags and even tree bark. Soreyda has won many awards for her fashion design work and community organizer, she has been featured in national and international fashion and art publications, as well as in theater, film, and gallery productions.

Councillor - Karen Gill

Karen Gill graduated with honors from Transylvania University with bachelor’s degrees in physics, mathematics, and education. She has a 30-year physics teaching career. She has a graduate degree in science education from The University of Kentucky and Georgetown College, She has sponsored numerous clubs and served as chair of her department. She has worked with thousands of gifted students. Since retiring from teaching, Karen has worked as a Technical Assistant for the Physics and Human Factors Engineering consulting group Applied Cognitive Sciences.