The Board of Sakhi’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) consists of a small pool of volunteers, including women, men, transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming individuals, who are interested in devoting time to supporting Sakhi’s host of yearly events. These events include Gender Justice & the Arts, feminist happy hours, book talks, panels, healthy masculinity workshops, and film screenings. A strong commitment to supporting gender justice and ending gender-based violence is required. The YPN aims to foster community development to support Sakhi through fundraising and friend-raising.
Sakhi’s YPN provides invaluable support to Sakhi staff in finding event speakers, securing spaces, publicizing events, and creating and maintaining relationships between the organization and NYC-based South Asian activists and creatives. YPN members attend quarterly meetings, devote significant time to staff support in event planning and fundraising, and utilize their own business and personal networks in doing outreach for Sakhi.
Ayman Mohammad | Co-Chair
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Ayman Mohammad is currently an analyst at Roivant Sciences, a biotechnology company developing novel therapies for patients. Ayman graduated Harvard in 2019 with a concentration in Economics and a secondary in Global Health & Health Policy. On weekends, Ayman is also an Emergency Department volunteer at Mount Sinai Hospital. Outside of work, Ayman enjoys coming-of-age literature, playing basketball, and long runs in his hometown of Brooklyn. Being passionate about South Asian activism, Ayman is excited to join Sakhi’s YPN and give back to a community that has helped so many.
Armaan Nathani | Co-Chair
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Armaan Nathani is a Product Manager for a financial technology startup called Cloud9 Technologies, which aims to digitize financial institutions voice communications. He graduated from Emory University in 2016 with a major in Economics and a minor in Media Studies. A native New Yorker, Armaan is fiercely loyal to his sports teams and pizza. More importantly, he has witnessed the impact his mother’s work with Sakhi and his sister‘s involvement with local social justice initiatives have had on the NYC community. Their work continually inspires him to be better, and with joining Sakhi’s YPN in October 2019, he hopes to continue to build upon Sakhi’s influence and impact on the NYC community.
Zain Khanna
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Zain Khanna is an ally to Sakhi’s critical gender justice work and participated in the organization’s initiatives from a young age. He is a Trader at Citigroup and a graduate in Chemistry and Economics from Wesleyan University. When not working, Zain enjoys playing the piano, exploring NYC cuisines and supporting the New York Jets.
Sana Michael
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Sana Michael, an enthusiastic, leader, and visionary, is currently working as a Project Manager in CVS Pharmacy, where she brings her leadership skills to overcome day-to-day challenges and focuses on building strong relationships. She obtained her degree from Rutgers Business School in Management Information Systems. She is fluent in 4 languages and brings her colorful imagination to this world by creating makeup looks and painting. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, as well as boxing in the gym. She looks forward to sharing her passion for service and fighting for social justice in the next chapter of her life. Her mission
Sonia Mittal
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Sonia Mittal is currently working in marketing communications at PepsiCo leading consumer facing content, events and partnership. She graduated from Brown University in 2018 with a B.A. in Economics and Psychology. During this time, she was able to volunteer at Sakhi and is happy to be returning as part of the YPN to continue work on such an important cause. Outside of work, Sonia loves listening to podcasts, traveling, and trying out new workout classes.
Saadia Naeem
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Saadia Naeem is currently in her second year at Fordham Law School in Manhattan, where she is a staff member of the Fordham Urban Law Journal and the Diversity & Inclusion Chair of the Fordham Law Softball Team. Saadia is an incoming summer associate at Latham & Watkins New York. Saadia graduated from Wesleyan University in 2020 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Chemistry. At Wesleyan, Saadia was the founding captain of the Wesleyan Women’s Golf Team, President of Shakti, Wesleyan’s South Asian Student Coalition, and Managing Editor of the student-run blog Wesleying.org. Outside of school, Saadia enjoys playing golf, snowboarding, cooking, reading, and dabbling in new artistic mediums. There is nothing that she loves more than a summer sunset picnic in Central Park or on the West Side Highway. Saadia is passionate about breaking barriers within the South Asian community and looks forward to advancing this cause through her involvement in Sakhi’s YPN.
Zachary Patel
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Zachary Patel is a NYC based finance professional currently at Scotiabank, working on assessing the technology within the US investment bank and looking at strategic solutions to help grow the footprint. He graduated from Drexel University with a double major in finance and supply chain management. Zachary joined the Sakhi YPN in spring of 2016. His family has long been involved with Sakhi and he wanted to join the YPN to continue help grow and raise awareness for the next generation and help put a stop to domestic violence in our community and have men be part of the solution to the problem. In his free time, Zachary enjoys traveling, playing golf and basketball and supporting his favorite Philadelphia hometown teams!
Ria Sabnis
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Ria Sabnis is a Senior Program Manager who oversees hiring planning and acquisition integrations at Uber Freight, which is the trucking and logistics arm of Uber. Ria was inspired to join Sakhi’s YPN after attending several of the group’s events and learning more about the goals of the organization. Ria is a graduate of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where she concentrated on Management Consulting and Operations. In her free time, she enjoys walks in Prospect Park, baking, and sweating profusely on her Peloton.
Susan Varghese
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Susan Varghese is the Associate Director of Digital Strategy at International Planned Parenthood. She’s also the co-creator of Women of Color for America, a free database of all progressive women of color running for office around the country. Susan is committed to the safety, opportunities & success of women, particularly, South Asian women, around the world. When she’s not working, she enjoys running, a good Netflix binge, and scouting a great burger and/or really good cocktail.
Fiona Zhao
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Fiona Zhao is currently the Budget Policy Coordinator at Coalition for Asian American Children and Families. She is responsible for coordinating CACF’s budget policy work including coalition building, campaign strategy, and elected engagement. Prior to CACF, she worked at University Settlement, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and MinKwon Center for Community Action advocating for increased voting rights access and civic engagement for Asian Americans. Having worked in intersectional spaces, she is excited to collaborate with YPN around shared principles of safety, healing, and collective empowerment. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, Cafe Bustelo coffee, and reading with her black cat Buda curled on her lap.