Volunteer Board of Directors

Priya Kulkarni currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of Ashiyanaa and serves as the Chair for the Executive Planning Committee. She has been with the organization for 14 years.

Lakshmi Aiyappa retired as a Social Worker after working in the field for 25+ years. Since then she has been volunteering with several Social Service Organizations. Lakshmi has been associated with Ashiyanaa since 2005 and serves as a Board member and has been the pro bono Executive Director since 2011.

Abraham has been a full-time volunteer and Board member for ASHA for Women since 2019 . He came to ASHA after spending 22+ years as a Banker. In his previous role, he was a Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, leading the Consumer Mortgage Department in the Mid-Atlantic region. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Johns Hopkins University. Abraham supports Ashiyanaa in the Fundraising and Outreach division.

Amrita Jhanjee has over 40 years of professional experience spanning multiple industries and continents. She began volunteering with Ashiyanaa in 2008, and joined as a Board Member in 2009. She currently chairs the Volunteer Management Committee.

Jaya Nelliot is an Ayurvedic practitioner and holistic coach. She and her family have always volunteered with social service organizations. Jaya started volunteering with Ashiyanaa in 2009 as an advocate and now is a board member and the Outreach Director.

Maya Virani currently serves as Ashiyanaa’s Treasurer and the Chair of the Finance Committee. She joined in 2006 and has served in many capacities including being the Director of Senior Services.

Meghana Chalasani is a public health professional in the DC metro area. Meghana started volunteering with Ashiyanaa in 2014, and joined the Board in 2021. She currently serves as the Chair for the Digital Media Committee.

Nalini Rajguru currently serves as a Board Member and Secretary. She started volunteering with Ashiyanaa in 2001 and joined the Board in 2004. She was a past President from 2007 - 2011. Nalini is on the Executive and Planning Committee and has conducted strategic planning sessions in 2012, 2016, and 2020. She works as a law librarian at a DC law firm.