Advisory Committee


Robert Egger


Ash Kalra


Anusha Kondaparti


Mahesh Nihalani


Prabhu Palani


Tara Sreekrishnan

Robert Eggers

Robert Egger is lifelong “power of food” champion, and the originator of the Community Kitchen movement. He founded the DC  Central Kitchen, the Campus Kitchen Project, and the L.A. Kitchen, and is a Founding Board Member of The World Central Kitchen with Jose Andres, Collectively, these organizations have produced over 150 million meals and helped thousands of individuals attain
foodservice jobs. He was also the founding Chair of the Washington, DC Mayor’s Commission on Nutrition, and Street Sense (Washington’s homeless newspaper).

On the national stage, Robert was the Co-Convener of the first Nonprofit Congress and the Founder of CFoward, which advocated for the recognition of the economic role that nonprofits play in every community. A constant innovator, open-source advocate and thought leader, he wrote, “Begging for Change”, which won the Alliance for Nonprofit Management’s McAdams Prize in 2004 for its advancement of the nonprofit sector. Robert is an international speaker, who has received dozens of awards over the years for his ideas and work, including being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Washington Restaurant Association, being named a Point of Light by President H.W. Bush, an Oprah Angel, and the James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year. He was also the only direct service provider to appear on the Nonprofit Times list of the Most Powerful & Influential Nonprofit Leaders from 2006-2009. And finally, Robert is a 15-gallon blood donor with the American Red Cross.

 

Ash Kalra

Ash Kalra was elected to represent the 27th Assembly District for the State of California in November 2016. Assembly District 27 represents nearly fifty percent of San José, including Downtown and East San José, Evergreen, and portions of South San José. Prior to being elected to State Assembly, Kalra served as the City of San Jose’s District 2 Councilmember for 8 years, representing South San Jose, and before worked as an attorney for the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office representing indigent clients in Drug Treatment Court for 11 years.

Kalra has served many roles on various committees and boards, including his role as Chair in 2013 for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, his role as Chair in 2014 for the Valley Transportation Authority, as well as serving on the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan Liaison Group, and Sacred Heart Community Service Board. Ash is currently serving on the Housing Trust of Silicon Valley Board and HomeFirst Advisory Council. Now in State Assembly, he is Chair of the Aging and Long-term Care Committee, and sits on the Judiciary, Education, Labor and Employment, and Privacy and Consumer Protection Committees. Assemblymember Kalra is the first Indian-American to be elected to both San Jose City Council, and the California State Legislature in history

Anusha Kondiparti

Anusha Kondiparti is a passionate public servant who is currently an Outreach and Policy Advisor for Councilmember Domingo Candelas for District 8. Anusha’s experience in working with all government offices has given her a unique perspective on how to help the community. From a young age Anusha has worked with several local, state, and federal elected officials on issues like mental health, immigration, and education. Anusha currently serves on the Board of Silicon Valley Young Democrats and is a second time California Democratic Party Delegate for AD-26. 

Mahesh Nihalani

Community Director, Priya Living LLC
1375 Civic Center Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95050, USA

Phone :   (408) 806-9142
Email: nihalanis@comcast.net

A graduate in Public Administration & Economics,with  more than 40 years of Marketing,Business Development  and Senior Management Experience across 4 continents.

Passionate about Social work,hospitality and care for Seniors,he has been very active in Educational,Civic ,Cultural and Social organizations and  consistently strives to contribute to community development ranging from Community Service in bridging cultural gaps to working with the city governances in helping formulate plans,which impact the local community .

Currently working as Community and Operations Director of Priya Living LLC,the first of its kind Senior Retirement Living Facility for Indians in Santa Clara, California USA.

Professional Affiliations :

  • Leadership Cupertino.
  • Block Leader.
  • Former Chair, Cupertino Housing Commission.
  • Former Chair, Cupertino Asian American Business Council.
  • Former Member, Cupertino General Plan Task Force.
  • Former Board Member, Cupertino Chamber of Commerce.
  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
  • Former Vice President, Advisory council Cupertino Senior Center.
  • Advisory Board…OSF, California Cricket Academy.
  • Former Board Member,Rotary Club of Cupertino.

Awards :

  • The City CREST ( Cupertino recognizes extra steps taken) Award in 2004
  • The AABC 2004 Community bridge award,
  • The County Asian-American Hero Awards 2004 for his vision and leadership.
  • The  Cupertino Citizen of the year Award in 2007.
  • The Rotarian of the Year Award in 2009.
  • The ( International Association of Human Values)- International Distinguished Citizen of the year Award 2009
  • The IACF Diversity Leadership Award 2011

Special Achievements :

  • Initiated and organize the annual Diwali Festival of Lights (in its 15th year running),
  • Mahatma Gandhi Day,
  • Children’s Annual Art Fair,
  • Yogathon,
  • Youth Empowerment Seminar for Bay Area high schools,
  • Rotary Polio Plus concert to benefit eradication of polio in India
  • Indian cultural participation for the grand opening of De Anza College Center for Performing Arts,
  • the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Cupertino senior center in 2005.
  • the California Cricket Academy to coach cricket to children between the ages of 5 and 16.
  • Consistently assisted in fundraising for West Valley Community Services, FUHSD, CUSD, CEEF, the Library Foundation, CCA, OSF, Rotary, Cupertino Veterans Memorial, and South Asia Heart Center,Maitri, Jeena, Narika, Pratham,Ekal Vidyalya,Sankra Eye Foundation,.

Prabhu Palani

Prabhu Palani is the Chief Investment Officer of the San Jose Retirement System.  He has been a financial services executive for over 20 years.  Prabhu has been inspired by Community Sevas mission to “Feed the Hungry & Serve the Homeless” and looks forward to sharing his expertise with the organization’s board.   A Bay Area resident for over 20 years, Prabhu is also a volunteer with the City of Fremont Police Department.

Prabhu holds graduate degrees from Stanford University and the University of Delaware and is a member of the CFA Institute as well as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Tara Sreekrishnan

Tara Sreekrishnan is a dedicated public servant with a focus on education, sustainability, and equity. She brings to Community Seva professional experience across every level of local government: city, county, and state. Tara serves on the Santa Clara County Board of Education where she represents over 250,000 residents in Trustee Area 2 which spans all of Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Cupertino, as well as parts of Sunnyvale. She is a member of the Strong Start Coalition which works to strengthen early care, health, and education for newborns and children up to age 8 across Santa Clara County.