California, USA (CU)_ Lavanya Reddy has been chosen as the President of the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) for the 2022 board term. According to a media release from NFIA, except for two posts, Treasurer and Regional Vice President (South Pacific), all board members were chosen without opposition. Dr. Thomas Abraham, the founder and the former president of NFIA, organized the oath ceremony of the newly appointed board members through virtual video conference.
After the swearing ceremony, a collective resolution was taken to elect Dr. Hari Har Singh as the Executive Director of the NFIA. Babu K. Patel was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. According to the organization, the newly appointed team will focus on being the real representative of the Indian American community, cooperating with members to understand how NFIA can offer better services to their communities and companies.
Reddy discussed her ambitions as President, stating that she wishes to provide assistance and tools to local NFIA leaders in order to reinvigorate their communities. The action plan includes establishing new committees for specific populations. She believes that by establishing organizations for youth, women, entrepreneurs, technological innovators, and politicians, NFIA can improve networking possibilities while also giving opportunities for mentorship, which is critical for younger generations.
Reddy has served as an active member of the Indian community in Seattle, Washington, for decades. She founded and served as the president of the Federations of Indian American Organizations in Washington; served as president of Washington Telugu Samithi for two years in a row; and is a board member of numerous local organizations, including NW Share, Women of Wisdom, and Ambassadors of Peace Washington.
Reddy is a Montessori educator with over 40 years of experience. She founded the SMR educational and cultural foundation as well. She and her husband Dr. Raghava Reddy are parents of two children named Rama and Mayuri, as well as grandparents to Rumi. She enjoys cooking, traveling, meditating, and spending time with family and friends in her leisure time. The NFIA, founded in 1980, claims itself as the biggest non-profit umbrella group representing Indian associations in the United States.
