Ambassador Anil Wadhwa Former Ministry of External Affairs Government of India Author, Australia Economic Strategy Report 2020
ABOUT US
Ambassador Anil Wadhwa Former Ministry of External Affairs Government of India Author, Australia Economic Strategy Report 2020
Ambassador Anil Wadhwa Former Ministry of External Affairs Government of India Author, Australia Economic Strategy Report 2020
IABCA in 2014
YOUTH AMBASSADORS 2020
Arijit Banarji
Director
Accelerator Ventures
Dr Astha Singh
President
The Australian Science Communicators, NSW
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Dr. Devika Kamath
Lecturer
Macquarie University
Arijit Banarji is an entrepreneur, digital marketer and a former journalist with over 14 years of experience across various fields. He was once the Editor of Sydney-based Indian diaspora news publication, ‘The Indian Telegraph’ while at the same time ran a start-up in Sydney in design and print media. Arijit became the name and face of his publication and was awarded the ‘Young Journalist Award’ in 2015 from the New South Wales Govt, Parliamentary Counsel’s Office. These days, Arijit can be found pitching for a greater collaboration between the Australian alumni based in India and the Australian government and businesses to move beyond the potentials between the two countries. He is also Director of Accelerator Ventures, which helps businesses grow sustainably, build strategic network and create partnerships in their respective fields.
Dr Astha Singh is a Science Communication and Marketing professional with over 14 years of experience specialising in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) and has shared her innovative ideas at TEDx Sydney. Astha led a nation-wide campaign in 2019 to raise awareness for Diversity in STEM with over 30 top scientists around Australia featured on the Australia's Science Channel. With her particular interest in diversity & equity, Astha has served as the advisory board member at Multicultural NSW, Australian Football League, NSW.
Currently Astha serves as the President for two not-for-profit bodies: the Australian Science Communicators, NSW and Yuva Australia and a mentor for commercial research at the CSIRO's ON Accelerator program.
Dr. Devika Kamath is an Astrophysicist and Lecturer in Astronomy & Astrophysics at Macquarie University. She is internationally recognised for her work on observational studies of dying stars and their implications on the origin of elements in the Universe. During her postdoctoral research fellowship (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium), her discovery of a new class of stars proved that the evolution of stars in our Universe is more diverse and complex than what standard theories predicted.Dr. Kamath has recently been awarded the prestigious Australian Research Council DECRA fellowship to further develop her research. She has produced over 50 scientific publications and won competitive access to telescopes around the world, for an in-kind value of more than a million AUD.
Melvyn GIlbert
Director
Fortuna Foundation
With about 15 years of international experience in Accounting, Management and Strategic Leadership, Melvyn helps businesses design and achieve their vision through strategic planning and successful implementation of projects. A qualified CPA with two masters degree and several business awards under his belt, his strength lies in strategic positioning of businesses through management accounting, financial control & reporting and Branding advice. He is currently employed by Fortuna Advisory Group as Associate Director. Outside work, Melvyn is extremely philanthropic and runs programs for homeless and underprivileged people in Perth. His involvement in the space of charity is well recognized and acknowledged by Hon Mark McGowan MLA, Premier of WA among others. He also supports several projects in India, especially in the field of education. Melvyn is also a public speaker and has presented at several forums nationally and internationally
Natasha Jha Bhaskar
General Manager
Newland Global Group
Natasha is IABCA's 2019 Young Professional of the Year. Her current role in Sydney at the Newland Global Group (NGG), focuses on India – Australia trade and investment ties. Natasha has 12 years of Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha) experience, in analysis – communication – advocacy of federal government policies. She has been a delegate to SAARC, ASEAN, BRICS parliamentary conferences, invited participant at National Legislators Conference, Raisina Dialogue. She is an Influencer, Australia for Womennovator Global 2019, has been awarded by UNFPA and worked with UNIFEM. She is Deliberative Democratic Exchange Fellow 2019 (Kettering Foundation, Ohio, USA).Natasha is a regular commentator on India - Australia issues and aims for stronger, outcome-driven India - Australia bilateral ties
Pragya Singh
Community Fundraising Officer
McGrath Foundation
Pragya is a Gender Youth Activist with Plan International Australia where she advocates to make Australian cities more accessible and safer for women. She played a huge part in the organisation’s Free to Be campaign in 2018 and continues to engage with various campaigns. Having grown up in India she truly understood the deep roots of patriarchy that exist in our society and has always been passionate about fighting for gender equality. She has had the honour of speaking at the Women’s Day Breakfast organised by the Committee for Sydney and has been a guest speaker for the White Ribbon Day event organised by the Melton City Council in 2018. Pragya was the first recipient of the NDTV Deakin 100% Scholarship in 2015 and graduated with a Distinction. In the past, she has also been an Ambassador for One Girl Australia and the World Literacy Foundation. She is currently working at the McGrath Foundation and hopes to start her own social enterprise one day to support women and young girls from disadvantaged communities.
Reet Phulwani
Director
Medsurge Healthcare
Reet has more than 10 years of experience in the Healthcare Industry as one of the Directors of Medsurge Healthcare. Medsurge Healthcare is one of the fastest growing & an award winning pharmaceutical companies in Australia. She is also founder of K.R Impex Pty Ltd , a gemstone wholesale & jewellery designing company. Reet is a qualified Gemmologist and Diamond grader registered with the National Council of Jewellery Valuers (NCJV) since 2013. Reet was a finalist in the "multicultural excellence category" at Ausmumpreneur awards in 2019. Under her management company has won many awards like Westpac "Top 200 Businesses of Tomorrow" 2017 & "SME of the Year" 2019 at IABCA Awards and Finalist in the "Medium to Large Business" Category at Ethnic Business Awards 2019. Reet is involve in conceptualizing and directing business development initiatives and streamlining operations, as well as managing sales, marketing and business augmentation. She is also member of "Women in Business" & "Make in India" chapters of Australia India Business Council (AIBC).
Simran Gulati
Actress/Model
From Mrs India Australia First runner-up in 2016 to the winner of Mrs India Global 2018, Simran has demonstrated the drive and passion it takes to be an IABCA Ambassador. She is a well regarded in the world of fashion, as she walks the ramp for top designers globally. Simran has now turned her attention to Acting and has done several commercials, short films and a feature film due later this year. She represented Global Indian Talent at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019, covered IFFM (Indian Film Festival Melbourne) and AACTA (Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts) Awards as a media personality.
In conjunction she also runs her own successful lifestyle consultant firm; simrangulati.com. As an effective leader she also is passionate about coaching & mentoring and works with non-profit organizations that continue to drive results.
Tarang Chawla
Founder
Not One More Niki Campaign
Tarang is the founder of the Not One More Niki campaign to end violence against women, following the murder of his 23-year-old sister, Nikita, in 2015. Tarang advises the government, corporate and community sectors on human-centred responses to men’s violence against women. His work has increased Australia’s understanding of the judicial shortcomings, policy failings and cultural attitudes that have led to male violence being a leading cause of death and disability for Australian women under 45.. Tarang is a 2017 Young Australian of the Year Finalist, recipient of the University of Melbourne Rising Star Award for young alumni and named in the Top 25 Most Influential People working for social change by Pro Bono Australia. Tarang is a regular commentator on gender equality, racism, discrimination, Australia-India relations and political affairs.