Pfizer Senior Executive Anindita Banerjee and Her Dance Ensemble to Be Featured Performers at 10th Annual New England Choice Awards
A senior executive who has spent two decades advancing pharmaceutical research at Pfizer, Banerjee brings another dimension of leadership and creativity to the stage, joining four accomplished dancers to present excerpts from Tanusree Shankar's ‘Atmanah’ at the November 14 gala.
BURLINGTON, Mass. — Anindita Banerjee, Ph.D. has built an impressive career at the intersection of statistics, scientific research and pharmaceutical innovation. As Senior Director and Group Head of Statistics at Pfizer, one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, she leads a research group focused on quantitative methods for developing drugs for metabolic diseases.
But there is another side to Banerjee—one that takes her away from research, data and scientific analysis and into the expressive world of dance.
On Saturday, November 14, Banerjee will bring these two worlds together when she takes the stage as the featured dancer at the 10th Annual New England Choice Awards gala at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, Massachusetts. She will join four fellow dancers to present excerpts from Atmanah, a production choreographed by acclaimed Indian dancer and choreographer Tanusree Shankar.
Banerjee’s story is a compelling example of how demanding professional careers and deep artistic commitments can coexist. Her journey reflects the discipline, dedication and pursuit of excellence that connect the worlds of science and the performing arts.
Banerjee has spent more than 20 years at Pfizer, steadily advancing through positions of increasing responsibility. She joined the company in July 2006 as a Manager, became Associate Director in 2009, advanced to Director in 2013 and was appointed Senior Director in March 2020.
Today, as Senior Director and Group Head of Statistics, she leads work involving quantitative approaches to drug development for metabolic diseases. Statistical science plays a critical role in pharmaceutical research, helping researchers interpret complex data, evaluate evidence and make informed decisions throughout the drug development process.
Her professional journey has been one of sustained growth and leadership within a highly demanding scientific environment. Yet, throughout those years, dance has remained an important part of her life.
Banerjee has been performing in the Boston area since 2011 and is also a choreographer and co-founder of Dhin-Tak, a local dance group. Her involvement extends beyond occasional performances; she has continued to study, perform and develop her artistic expression while pursuing a senior corporate career.
That commitment has brought her to the tutelage of Tanusree Shankar, a distinguished dancer and choreographer who carries forward the artistic tradition established by Uday and Amala Shankar. Banerjee performed in two productions under Shankar’s guidance this year.
Bringing the Shankar Tradition to the NECA Stage
At the New England Choice Awards, Banerjee will join Moumita Sinha, Sharobi Datta, Gayatri Kunchay and Sayantanee Sen Roy in presenting excerpts from Atmanah, choreographed by Tanusree Shankar.
The work draws on the distinctive movement vocabulary developed by Uday and Amala Shankar, a tradition that bridges Indian classical roots with modern Western dance techniques. It is an approach that moves beyond conventional boundaries, combining elements of Indian artistic heritage with contemporary movement and expression.
Atmanah explores the elemental interplay of Fire and Water. Through nuanced choreography and expressive movement, the dancers portray the forces of nature in a dynamic relationship—sometimes in opposition, sometimes seeking balance.
At the center of the production is Atmanah, the untamed and enduring spirit that seeks harmony amid powerful cosmic forces. The performance offers audiences a visual meditation on movement, nature and the human spirit.
For Banerjee, participating in the production represents another milestone in a dance journey that has continued alongside her scientific career. Her work in statistics demands precision, patience and the ability to interpret complexity. Dance, in its own way, calls for many of the same qualities, while providing a different language through which to explore creativity and expression.
A Decade of Celebrating Excellence
Banerjee’s performance will be one of the cultural highlights of the 10th Annual New England Choice Awards, which marks a decade of recognizing individuals and organizations whose achievements have made a meaningful impact across New England and beyond.
The milestone gala will bring together approximately 400 business executives, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, academics, philanthropists, nonprofit leaders and community influencers.
New England Patriots owner and President of The Kraft Group Jonathan Kraft will attend as Chief Guest. Srikant M. Datar, the 11th Dean of Harvard Business School, will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nine additional individuals and organizations will be honored for contributions across academia, business, arts and culture, healthcare, philanthropy, innovation and community service:
- Academia & Innovation Award: Srini Devadas, Edwin Sibley Webster Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT.
- Art & Culture Visionary Award: Laura Weinstein, Ananda Coomaraswamy Curator of South Asian and Islamic Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
- Business Trailblazer Award: Chandra S. Pandey, Founder and CEO of Seceon.
- Beacon of Community Service Award: Lalit Sudan, President of Vision-Aid.
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Sewa International Boston Chapter.
- Community Catalyst Award: Jharna Madan, community leader, educator, producer and event organizer with Hindi Manch.
- Healthcare Trailblazer Award: Dr. Anju Nohria, Associate Physician and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
- Philanthropist of the Year Award: Vivek Sharma, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.
- Hope in Action Award: Cancer Mukti Foundation, founded by Pramod Pandey.
The Hope in Action Award, introduced this year, recognizes the foundation’s work in cancer awareness, patient advocacy and support for families affected by cancer.
Established in 2016, the New England Choice Awards recognizes individuals of Indian origin, Indian Americans and distinguished leaders from across communities whose work has made a meaningful impact in New England, the United States and India.
The 10th anniversary gala is presented by INE MultiMedia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting art, culture, education and empowerment, in collaboration with INDIA New England News. The event is sponsored by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Leader Bank; and Raj and Nalini Sharma.
Event Details
10th Annual New England Choice Awards Gala
- Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Venue: Burlington Marriott Hotel, Burlington, Massachusetts
- Chief Guest: Jonathan Kraft, President of The Kraft Group and New England Patriots owner
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Srikant M. Datar, 11th Dean of Harvard Business School
- Featured Dance Performance: Excerpts from Atmanah, choreographed by Tanusree Shankar and performed by Dr. Anindita Banerjee, Moumita Sinha, Sharobi Datta, Gayatri Kunchay and Sayantanee Sen Roy.
The gala is sold out. Those interested in attending may join the waiting list through Eventbrite.
Two accompanying videos offer a closer look at the classical and contemporary movement styles associated with the Shankar dance tradition and the work of the Tanusree Shankar Dance Academy.
