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You are here: Home / Akanksha Education Fund Appoints New Executive Director

Akanksha Education Fund Appoints New Executive Director

 

A Message from our Board of Directors

The Akanksha Education Fund is thrilled to announce that Sejal Desai, of Dallas, TX, will be the new Executive Director of the Akanksha Education Fund as of March 22nd!

Sejal has had an incredible 30 year career and joins the Akanksha family most recently from the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), where she led a strategic initiative focused on engaging businesses in the community. At CFT she worked with over 400 companies and also supported many individual donors with their philanthropic giving and engagement. Among other career highlights, she also started a U.S.-India based social venture, SevaYatra, with one of Akanksha’s long-time friends, Azad Oommen. Thank you Azad for connecting Sejal to us and to those of you who joined and participated in our process.

As a business and community leader in Dallas, Sejal and her family will continue living there but she plans to travel regularly to be with the AEF team and engage with our supporters.  She lived in Mumbai for almost 20 years and has strong family and professional ties there.

Ramesh Srinivasan, AEF’s Board Chair noted that Sejal’s combined roots in Dallas and Mumbai are perfect for this moment in AEF’s growth. “This is an exciting venture for all of us, as our future outreach depends in part on growing our presence well beyond the NY, NJ and CT area. We have some terrific seeds planted already and Sejal is poised to make them grow!”.

 

“I am excited to embark on this new chapter in my life and work together with individuals, corporates and foundations across the U.S. to advance educational outcomes for underserved children in India.” – Sejal Desai

 

We would like to again acknowledge and thank Gouri Sadhwani, who has led us as our Executive Director for the past 7 years and who will be stepping down from her role on March 31st. Gouri has brought AEF to the valued position we currently hold with our donors and peer organizations. She set us on a path to grow at an unprecedented rate allowing us to support Akanksha Foundation’s ambitious goals. Under her leadership AEF strengthened our internal governance and financial structures and initiated our now signature gala. She has also been a true mentor to our team, our students and alumni, and to her colleagues. We will be forever grateful to Gouri and wish her the very best.

Sejal is excited to meet all of you and will be reaching out after she joins. We also hope you will join us at our June 2021 Gala to give her a warm welcome!

March 4, 2021

About Akanksha

Established over 23 years ago, the Akanksha Fund supports organizations that focus on reforming India’s education system. Akanksha Fund has raised and granted millions to the Akanksha Foundation, which runs schools and centers for disadvantaged children in Mumbai and Pune.

Akanksha Fund has supported a wide range of Akanksha Foundation schools and projects over the years.  Any donations to the Akanksha Fund not explicitly restricted for a particular project will be utilized for the charitable purposes Akanksha Fund determines are most urgent, which may include support of the Akanksha Foundation’s endowment or corpus to ensure the organization’s long-term stability.

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The Akanksha Fund Inc.
tel: (917) 930-6515
email: info@akankshafund.org

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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

1 month ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for a virtual celebration on June 10th 2021 commemorating 30 years of Akanksha.

akankshafund.org/celebrate30/
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Celebrating 30 Years of Akanksha: A Virtual Event

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Celebrating 30 Years of Akanksha: A Virtual Event SAVE THE DATE We’re excited to share that our annual gala will be a virtual event on June 10th, 2021 at 8pm EDT/5pm PDT. Please save the date and jo...
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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

2 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

We're excited to share that Sejal Desai will join Akanksha Education Fund as Executive Director!
Sejal is a business and community leader based in Dallas, TX and brings 30 years of experience to the role.
Read the full announcement here: akankshafund.org/edannouncement/
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Akanksha Education Fund Appoints New Executive Director

akankshafund.org

Akanksha Education Fund Appoints New Executive Director   A Message from our Board of Directors The Akanksha Education Fund is thrilled to announce that Sejal Desai, of Dallas, TX, will be the new Ex...
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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

3 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

We're so proud to partner with Vivo Life and their fantastic team. 100% of net profits of their Magic Chaga Chai Latte will be donated to the Akanksha Education Fund. Thank you for supporting our mission and children's education in India! ☕️ ... See MoreSee Less

Vivo Life | A Very Special Partnership

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When we launched our MAGIC Chaga Chai latte, we wanted to make sure it was something special, that paid respect to the drink's origins. So, we decided to partner up with the Akanksha Foundation, and w...
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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

3 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

After over 7 years as our Executive Director, Gouri Sadhwani has decided to transition out of her role over the next few months. Under Gouri’s leadership our income increased by over 1000% allowing us to significantly increase grant making towards Akanksha’s 21 schools in India.

We are extremely grateful for her leadership. The Board is searching for our next Executive Director and hope to share an update with you on this soon.

Thank you for your continued support of Akanksha’s work!
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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

4 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

Thank you for supporting Akanksha in this difficult year. But we still need your support in 2021! Please consider making a year-end gift of any amount today: akankshafund.org/2020-holiday-giving/

Thank you for your support and we wish you a bright new year ahead✨
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4 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season! Here's to a bright, joyful new year ahead. #happyholidays ... See MoreSee Less

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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

4 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

Did you know that Akanksha has impacted nearly 10,000 students across India? 100% of those students graduate high school and 96% enroll in a junior college.

With your support, we can continue educating these brilliant students. Make a donation today and transform a child's life.
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2020 Holiday Giving

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2020 Holiday Giving This holiday season, we ask you to make Akanksha part of your annual giving and make a donation below. Your support will help our students pursue their dreams and end the poverty c...
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