Monica Modi Khant is the Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV). As an experienced trainer and national speaker, she shares her expertise on gender-based violence, immigration law, and the intersection of immigrant rights, human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and asylum. With over two decades of experience in the non-profit legal community, she is also a speaker on non-profit leadership. Monica is passionate about impacting systemic changes at the local and national levels, strengthening communities, and creating a broader understanding to influence the culture and lives of AAPI survivors and their families.

Ms. Khant received her BA from Rutgers University and her J.D. from New England School of Law. Upon graduation, she was the Detention Attorney at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) where she represented detained asylum seekers. In 2000, Ms. Khant continued practicing immigration law with private immigration firms in Boston, MA. In 2005, she was appointed as the Director of Legal Services at the International Institute of Boston (IIB) and joined Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN) as their first Executive Director from 2006-2020.

Ms. Khant currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV) and the Advisory Board of Raksha. She is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta Class of 2015 and the Regional Leadership Institute in 2018. Ms. Khant is currently a fellow of the prestigious International Women’s Forum fellowship program. In 2014, she received the Public Interest Award from the South Asian Bar Association (SABA). In 2017, she was honored as Atlanta Magazine’s Women Making a Mark and has received Emory Law School’s EPIC “Unsung Devotion to Those Most in Need” Award in 2018. Ms. Khant has also received the Legal Legend Award from the American Constitution Society (ACS) in 2019.

This program was brought to you by SEWA-AIFW.  Host: Geetanjali Mittal. Music written, performed & produced by Shiva Sagar

Dr. Bala Chaudhary is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Studies at DePaul University. She is a trained ecologist, conducting her undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago and her MS and Ph.D. at Northern Arizona University. Research in her lab examines plant-soil-microbial ecology to address landscape-scale questions in natural and managed ecosystems from deserts to rain forests to cities. In 2019, Dr. Chaudhary was awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to study microbial dispersal as well as ways to promote racial equity in the environmental sciences. She received the Early Career Motivator Award by the Association for Women in Science Chicago and the Woman of Spirit and Action Award for her work on promoting antiracism in STEM. You can read the article here: Ten simple rules for building an antiracist lab

This program was brought to you by SEWA-AIFW.  Host: Geetanjali Mittal. Music written, performed & produced by Shiva Sagar

PAURVI BHATT is the Vice President of Medtronic Philanthropy and President of Medtronic Foundation, leading the philanthropic and social impact strategies of Medtronic, PLC. Paurvi’s unique career spans the corporate, nonprofit, and government sector. In her past leadership roles, she led outcomes-based initiatives at Levi Strauss and Co., Abbott, USAID, US GAO, and CARE. Her technical training is in health systems and economics – with a specific focus on HIV/AIDS, women’s health, and impact measurement. She is known for delivering scalable and sustainable cross-disciplinary solutions deliver results by partnering across commercial, nonprofit, and government stakeholders to improve outcomes in health and social issues impacting health for the underserved. Paurvi is deeply committed to building the next generation of women leaders focusing on social impact. She is passionately a “working daughter” as a caregiver and serves on several advisory groups and nonprofit boards focusing on leadership, philanthropy, caregiving, and access to healthcare. Her formal Board roles include The Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregivers, CaringBridge, and The Nurse Family Partnership. She advises the Council of Foundations, The Conference Board, GlobeMed, and Women in Global Health. Paurvi holds a Master of Public Health in health systems and economics from Yale University and Bachelor's Degree in neuroscience from Northwestern University is Ph.D. (ABD) from Johns Hopkins University.

This program was brought to you by SEWA-AIFW.  Host: Geetanjali Mittal. Music written, performed & produced by Shiva Sagar

Sarah Khan is Director of Programs at Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence. Since moving to the United States, 20 years ago, Sarah Khan has been committed to working in communities impacted by inequities. She believes positive social change, racial justice, and equity can be created by facilitating organizational transformation and leadership development in marginalized communities. Towards that end, she has been focused specifically on working with non-profit organizations that are primarily focused on ending gender–based violence, to build their capacity to advance their anti-violence work, especially in marginalized communities. She is a network weaver/connector skilled in public presentations, training and facilitation, and supervision and is highly experienced in event management and fundraising.

In her work, she also draws on her years of experience in the field of gender-based violence and community development – developing programs and leadership while supporting the expertise and voices of those she works with. She brings a breadth of experience providing both direct services as well as training and technical support to the field while working with multi-cultural communities of color.

This program was brought to you by SEWA-AIFW.  Host: Geetanjali Mittal. Music written, performed & produced by Shiva Sagar

As immigrant women, we strive to find a ‘home away from home,’ be it some street snack that we crave, a colorful dress that reminds us of our childhood, or songs that we heard from our mothers. In a foreign land, where we struggle everyday to balance the cultures, norms, and systems, life seems tough when you don’t have friends you can share your problems with. A creative woman in the Twin Cities thought about it and created a group for the immigrant women from the South Asian continent and beautifully named it Maanini which means ‘a woman who is well respected.’ Another wonderful individual came to support and brought innovative ideas to revive the group and got hundreds of women added! This podcast is especially about how these two women have created a space for South Asian immigrant women to come, support, and find solace with each other, creating a community of their own, where every woman is well respected and can be a Maanini!

Sheetal Kulkarni: Founder and Admin of Maanini: Beauty and Brains in the Twin Cities 

An Architect and a Designer, Sheetal is self-employed and owns a franchise, and is also the owner and principal style/creative consultant for Saffron Poise – Events, design, and Lifestyle studio. Born and raised in Mumbai, she is an extremely creative person at heart. Sheetal is a founding board member and Trustee of the non-profit organization CHANCE Foundation of MN. Currently, she is the Outreach Lead and one of the Directors on the India Association of MN 2021 Board. Over the last seven years, she has been actively involved in leading community events and fundraisers for various non-profits within the United States, Canada, and India. She served as a community leader on the India Association of India COVID Emergency Relief Fund 2020 Steering committee. Hindu Mandir of MN, Geeta Ashram, The Need in Deed, SEWA, YUWA, Marathi Association of MN, Minnesota Malayalee Association are some of the other local organizations she has volunteered with. She closely works with children, various artists and organizations, and groups working for Women’s Empowerment and mental health. She is a performing artist and loves to dance, cook, paint, read, write, meet new people, and travel. She lives in Maple Grove with her husband Jaydeep, twin boys Siddharth and Gautam, and her golden doodle ‘Google.’

Lakshmi Rajaram: Revivor and Admin of Maanini: Beauty and Brains in the Twin Cities

Lakshmi is the Founder and Curator of Meraki Soul Art and specializes in offering Mandala Dot Art Classes. Mandala painting is an ancient art form that can be meditative, healing, and very relaxing. Benefits include stress reduction, mental clarity, development of spatial awareness, enhanced attention and concentration. More than anything, it is an extremely joyful practice for adults of all ages with no previous art experience required.

Her other hobbies and passions include Traveling, Community service, Volunteerism, Nature Photography, Music, and reading.

This program was brought to you by SEWA-AIFW.  Host: Geetanjali Mittal. Music written, performed & produced by Shiva Sagar

Trigger warning: Sensitive Content

Kamal Dhillon is the author of Black and Blue Sari and a newly released book, I AM KAMAL: Survivor to Thriver! She is a domestic violence survivor with a horrific story of inhuman suffering, which she bravely shares with the world. Through her courageous story, this inspirational speaker exposes her personal journey of living through a horrendous string of violence and torture throughout her 12-year marriage. Kamal’s stories are also about how she triumphantly broke free from her shackles. She now inspires and motivates others and challenges them to break free from unacceptable domestic situations.

Kamal’s stories will affect you, disturb you, enrage you, and open your eyes to the reality and severity of domestic violence. Her talks are powerful. They are real. Kamal survived many attempts on her life. She has had 10 jaw surgeries as a result of the violence she suffered and now lives with an artificial jaw. What was meant to silence her has now become the source of her loud call to arms - a voice for change.

A  mother of four children, grandmother to six, Kamal has been described as a powerhouse with the ability to encourage men, women, and young adults to change their life trajectories in a meaningful way. Above all, Kamal is a role model to the countless women, continuing to struggle in the prison of their homes. She is the beacon of hope to them and continues to be a voice of the voiceless.

This program was brought to you by SEWA-AIFW.  Host: Geetanjali Mittal. Music written, performed & produced by Shiva Sagar

Trigger warning: Sensitive Content

This episode features an interview with Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal who is the pioneer in bringing the world-famous ‘Vagina Monologues’ to India and using it as a tool to shatter the conservative beliefs related to women’s body as well as their rights over their bodies. The Monologues have been hailed as a landmark in the history of women’s struggle for equality and explore various aspects of sexuality, body image, fears, anger, and pleasure around one’s own body. Mabanoo in her talk shows us how this theatrical piece has been helping her in empowering women and how it is impacting the patriarchal psyche of men, forcing them to think and change.

About the Speaker:

Mahabanoo is trained as a microbiologist and geologist, but in her adult life took up her first passion – performance. She is an actor, director, and producer in film, television, theatre, and radio with over 60 credits to her name in India and abroad.  She is also a social justice advocate, working diligently for women empowerment globally and has been honored for her leadership in this regard.

She has worked with Indian and international luminaries such as Amitabh Bachchan, Prunella Scales, Richard Johnson, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Anupam Kher, Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Shabana Azmi, and the late Om Puri amongst many others. As the owner of Poor-Box Productions, one of India’s premier theatre companies Mahabanoo has produced, directed, and starred in some of India’s most critically acclaimed works and longest-running shows in English and Hindi including Shirley Valentine, Art, (W)Hole In The Head! and soon entering its fifteenth year in India, The Vagina Monologues (in Hindi and English).

This program was brought to you by SEWA-AIFW.  Music written, performed & produced by Shiva Sagar

Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal is trained as a microbiologist and geologist, but in her adult life took up her first passion – performance. She is an actor, director, and producer in film, television, theatre, and radio with over 60 credits to her name in India and abroad. She is also a social justice advocate working diligently in the arenas of women’s empowerment and trying to end violence against women globally. In 2018 she received the inaugural H.E.R. Award for her commitment to women’s empowerment. In the same year, she also was honored with the inaugural W.O.W. (Women of Wonder) Award for exemplary women achievers in various fields. In 2011 she received the prestigious Karmaveer Puraskar for her work towards social justice and ending violence for women and children. Mahabanoo is also the co-founder of The Make-A –Difference Foundation which raises funds and awareness to combat violence against women and children.

Recently she was selected for a prestigious Summer Directing Course at Yale University (USA). She has worked with Indian and international luminaries such as Amitabh Bachchan, Prunella Scales, Richard Johnson, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Anupam Kher, Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Shabana Azmi, and the late Om Puri amongst many others. As the owner of Poor-Box Productions, one of India’s premier theatre companies Mahabanoo has produced, directed and starred in some of India’s most critically acclaimed works and longest-running shows in English and Hindi including Shirley Valentine, Art, (W)Hole In The Head! and soon entering its fifteenth year in India, The Vagina Monologues (in Hindi and English).

Mahabanoo was chosen by Femina Magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in India in 2007. Human rights activist and author Zerbanoo Gifford, in her book Secrets of the World's Inspirational Women, has featured Mahabanoo as one of the 200 Most Inspirational Women from around the World.