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Obama names IIT alumnus to Asian American advisory body

Washington : President Barack Obama has named a Nepalese-origin MBA from the Indian Institute of Technology as a member of President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

With members hailing from all over the US and from a wide range of disciplines, the Commission works with all the agencies of the federal government to improve the health, education and economic status of AAPI communities, including Indian Americans.

Naming Sanjita Pradhan with 13 others to key administration posts, Obama said, “These men and women bring extraordinary dedication to their roles and will serve the American people well. I look forward to working with them.a¿

According to a White House announcement Pradhan has a BA from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science in Nepal and an MBA from the IIT.

She is currently the Executive Officer of the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs at the Iowa Department of Human Rights, a position she has held since 2013.

From 2010 to 2013, Pradhan served as Resettlement Director at Catholic Charities of Des Moines, Iowa. She was previously the Employment Coordinator of Lutheran Services of Iowa’s Refugee Cooperative Services from 2009 to 2010.

From 2007 to 2008, Pradhan was Marketing Coordinator at Principal Financial Group.

She has served on numerous volunteer and community organizations, including as Commissioner of the West Des Moines Human Rights Commission and as a Member of the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Pradhan also serves on the Advisory Board for the Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Centre.