Chicago Network
Chicago Network Director, Sameena Mustafa, is an Associate Director at ProTen Realty Group, a commercial real estate brokerage. Prior to her current role, she held marketing and management positions at Rand McNally and Planned Parenthood. Outside of IWL, she serves on the boards of the National Association of Asian American Professionals - Chicago, Northwestern Club of Chicago, and the United Way Asian Pacific American Community Outreach Committee. She also enjoys learning about diverse topics like India, business leadership and poetry as a member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Relations India Roundtable, Young Professionals of Chicago, and the Poetry Center of Chicago. Sameena holds a Bachelors degree in Philosophy from Northwestern University. A lifelong Chicagoan, Sameena enjoys live jazz, classic movies, Chicago architecture, and traveling.
Marketing Director, Falguni Gandhi, is a partner with an IT Consulting/Staffing firm in Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a dual degree in Finance and Marketing. She served as the Vice President of the ISA where she arranged, managed and participated in Indian Cultural programs. She has also performed and competed at several Garba competitions. Falguni has volunteered with a number of nonprofit organizations in Chicago. She is most proud of co-founding the Association for Advancement of Indian Immigrants in America (AAIIA), a nonprofit organization assisting Indian Immigrant families, where she served as PR Coordinator and Fundraiser Chair for five years. Falguni enjoys traveling, event planning, cooking, being socially active and spending time with family and friends.
Operations Director, Panna Patel, has worked for Hines VA Medical Center as an Outpatient Pharmacist for the past 6 years after receiving a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the UIC College of Pharmacy. Her current role involves managing a methadone clinic as well as educating veterans on diabetes, hypertension, and pain management. Outside of work, Panna recently obtained her real estate license and is excited to work on commercial and residential properties at a brokerage and development firm. She stays fit and centered through yoga and meditation. She is an avid traveler, adventurer and photographer. Other passions include chocolate and the art of Monet. Panna puts close family and friends above all else, since without them, nothing else matters.
Membership Director, Sharmila Rao, is a nursing manager for Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago. She has 12 years of experience in the home healthcare industry working as a visiting nurse, diabetes educator, and in management. She is passionate about issues of the elderly, chronic disease management, and global health. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, reading, meeting new people, and international travel.
Programming Director Elect, Smiti Sharma works as a Principal Consultant for Oracle Corporation. She has a background in designing complex IT infrastructure for a large number of clients. Prior to working for Oracle, Smiti was working for the Tribune and an independent consultant in the software fields. She has been involved with a number of non-profit organisations - including CRY Mumbai, Spastics Society of Northern India, where she spearheaded a project that raised 1.5 lacs from the Indian corporate, within 3 months. Recently she was involved with habitat of humane society in Chicago. Her has immense interest in music and art and has headed the SPIC MACAY society, in the past. Smiti is a trained Indian classical dancer and loves to dance. She is an avid reader and biker.
Programming Director, Asmi Vohra, is a Project Manager, Organization Development, for Takeda Pharmaceuticals, NA, in Deerfield, Illinois. Takeda, headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is one of the world’s fastest growing Pharma companies. Asmi is currently leading the organizational realignment effort for Takeda's Global Research and Development Group. Prior to joining Takeda, Asmi worked for Abbott Laboratories as a senior HR Specialist in their global pharmaceuticals division. Asmi has earned two masters degrees, one in Training and Development and the other in Human Resources from Loyola University of Chicago. Asmi currently resides in Mount Prospect, IL with her husband and son. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and likes dining out, concerts and traveling abroad.
