Payal Sawhney (MHA, MSW, LCSW) is a licensed Mental Health practitioner with over 20 years of experience. She has worked in various hospitals in various cities in the fields of Mental Health. She has extensive experience in successfully planning and launching community projects for prevention of mental illness and enhancement of well-being in the South Asian community. She also has an extensive background in developing programs and clinical teams for non profit organizations. She has supervised several graduate and post graduate clinicians in her practice. Her passion is women’s health, working against violence and abuse, and focusing on prevention.

Raji Satish has many years of experience working with special needs children and adults as well as extensive volunteering across a variety of organizations. In her words, “My strength is I am a “people-person” who is naturally enthusiastic and passionate about working with special needs individuals and seniors.”

Her current activities include : Certified Therapy Dog Handler @ Psychiatric Ward of the College Hospital Cerritos, Volunteer @ Annual Special Olympics at CSULB, Client Facilitator with AARP for their VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).

She is 65 hours Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA) certified.

Kanchan Gokhale did her Bachelors in Computer Information Systems and joined Toyota Motors as an IT professional. Later she worked at an outpatient psychiatric facility in medical billing and payroll for 10 years. She enjoyed working with patients and insurance companies to resolve billing issues. She also enjoyed acting as a liaison between IT personnel and the office to resolve internal billing software issues. Growing up in a family that was always involved in social work has taught her the importance of helping the community.
Kanchan is a people’s person who believes in giving back to the community. She is also connected with South Asian Seniors through Saahas Mauj Masti Sehat and the E-visitor program.

Anchu has a unique background that combines nonprofit management, corporate social responsibility, and marketing. She is skilled in education & awareness raising, community engagement, communications and community relations. She has led the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee for a nonprofit that serves specially abled young adults with mental health disorders.
With a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, Anchu has over six years of diverse experience working with nonprofits and corporations in various capacities. She has completed 65 hours of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence training and is certified as an Adult Mental Health First Aid responder by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. At Saahas, she oversees communications, and outgoing messaging via social media, newsletters, video production, and publications, and manages the staff, volunteers, and consultants who work on them. She also leads the Saahas Youth program to educate and empower the South Asian community about various public health and social justice issues.

Neetu Mani earned a degree in nursing (RN) in California and received a diploma in Counselling and Life Skill Coaching in India. She is very passionate about working with people and serving the community. Working with seniors at Saahas brings her immense happiness.

After a Masters in Biotech and a career in clinical research in India, Sheetal shifted her focus to assisting survivors of domestic violence of South Asian descent living in the United States of America. She is 65 hours Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA) certified who is very passionate about supporting survivors of DVSA and finds the courage and resolve of the survivors to move ahead and reclaim their lives. Sheetal has experience working with the South Asian community through various non-profit organizations.

Nisha has a doctorate in pharmacy and is a medication therapy management specialist that has been practicing pharmacy for over 20 years. Currently, she is focusing on helping her community and has taken an active role in Saahas through their E-calling program as well as helping other Saahas leaders within their programs. She believes that we do in the present will create a better future and we can do that by serving our community to the best of our ability.

Sheetal Kulkarni is a multitalented individual who effortlessly weaves creativity, compassion, and leadership in every endeavor. A visionary, whose passion and diverse skill set have made her a true catalyst for change. She is a co-founder of a children’s nonprofit and has actively led large scale community outreach initiatives for over ten years, touching countless lives with her empathetic approach, compassion, and dedication while working as a community leader for causes focused on children, youth, and women empowerment. She is a fundraising specialist, leveraging her strategic acumen to secure vital resources for worthy causes. An Architect and a designer, Sheetal combines creativity and innovation to shape captivating visual experiences. As an event planner, performing artist, and owner of a small business, she orchestrates memorable gatherings, ensuring every detail is flawlessly executed. Sheetal exemplifies the power of combining various roles to create a lasting positive impact on the world.

Daljeet Kaur, a computer science graduate with a Bachelor of Technology degree. With 7 years of experience in web development, she has honed my skills and expertise in creating exceptional online solutions. Her passion for technology drives me to constantly explore new advancements and stay ahead of the curve. She loves experimenting with emerging technologies and leveraging my extensive knowledge of IT to develop innovative solutions. With a strong foundation in web development and a keen interest in cutting-edge technology, she committed to delivering outstanding results in the ever-evolving field of IT.

Zeel Ahir is an MSW candidate expected to graduate in 2023 from the University of Southern California. She has also received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the California State University of Fullerton. Along with that, She has also spent two years receiving a post-baccalaureate in Counseling Psychology. Her research background consists of topics such as Gratitude and Materialism, Memory Retention and Gardening, Kama Mutta: Feeling of Oneness, and Moral education intervention in Children (under the age of 10). Her expertise lies in Macro policy and Program design.

Amitha Arkandy did her MBA from Symbiosis Institute, Bangalore. She joined the Saahas team in November 2022 as Finance Assistant. Previously, she worked as an Internal Auditor for 1 year at AJM Koohehji, Bahrain before moving to Bangalore to pursue MBA. Also has an internship at AL Amal hospital, as an HR Assistant. After she moved to California, she volunteered as a Teaching Assistant for primary kids at Chinmaya Mission, Tustin.

Manjeet Wahi is a dedicated individual with over 25 years of involvement in various social activities. As a former Financial Counselor at UCLA Hematology Oncology, she has helped numerous people, showcasing her compassionate nature. For more than two decades, she has actively participated in the Indian Association of Los Angeles, holding several important positions. Currently, Manjeet serves as the Chairperson of the organization, utilizing her leadership skills to make a positive impact on the community.