BURLINGTON, MA— Cambridge Community Foundation CEO Geeta Pradhan on Friday was honored with the Woman of the Year 2024 award by an independent panel of 11 judges for her contributions and strategic leadership of the 110-year-old foundation, which focuses on solving the City of Cambridge’s pressing problems growing inequality. (Photos: Studio Art & Memories)
“We were impressed by Ms. Pradhan’s leadership in transformation Cambridge Community Foundation from a local grant maker to a strategic civic leader, and by her keen understanding of core civic and economic issues faced by the City of Cambridge and the society in general,” said entrepreneur and philanthropist Vivek Sharma, who led the panel of 11 judges. “Judging committee was humbled with the process and on learning about the 10 amazing women, their efforts and the impact it is making in the communities we are all part of.”
Ms. Pradhan, who draws on her deep experience in philanthropy, urban planning, and community development, leads CCF not only giving grants but also in forging partnerships with nonprofits, local changemakers, and donors. In 2021, she co-authored the Foundation’s Equity & Innovation Cities report, highlighting the widening income disparities amidst Cambridge’s growing prosperity.
Ms. Pradhan previously worked for the Boston Foundation, serving as the associate vice president for programs and co-founded the Boston Indicators Project. Prior to that she worked for the City of Boston as director of Sustainable Boston and assistant director for neighborhood development. CCG holds a 60-million-dollar endowment and has the capacity to contribute funds to nonprofits and programs, leverage resources to support the wellbeing of Cambridge and its residents and foster collective action among the city’s sectors.
“Huge congratulations to India New England News for 21 years of lifting up truly exceptional women contributing to community. I was particularly humbled to be standing beside Radha Jalan and such a diverse cohort of honorees in 2024,” said Ms. Pradhan. “These women are keeping language and culture alive, making films, using the arts to promote healing, and empowering Asian immigrants, women, and ensuring youth and gender equality. They are entrepreneurs, teachers, and community builders and I’m truly honored to be included among such an impressive and compassionate group.”
Radha Jalan, who unexpectedly became the President and CEO of ElectroChem Inc., a Woburn, MA-based electrochemical company after the sudden death of her husband in 1992, and successfully ran the company until 2020, received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I am still in awe for being recognized for doing what gives me great joy and is my passion in life,” added Ms. Pradhan. “I am deeply grateful that the event lifted up the value of humanity, the joy of giving, and the human right to dignity – serving as a reminder of that inherent compassion and kindness that lives in all of us.”
The 11-member judging committee comprised of Vivek Arora, a partner in McKinsey’s Boston office; Sam Bhambhani, Director of Sales at LaserStar Technologies Corporation; Java Joshi, co-founder and CEO Academy of Creative Arts; Sunayana Kachroo an award-winning poet, lyricist, and film writer; Farida Kathawalla, a long-term supporter of the nonprofit community and philanthropy; Dr. Sonal Pandya, MD, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center; Bhaskar Panigrahi , Chair of TiE Boston’s flagship TiECON East 2024, and Chairman and CEO of ConnectM Technology Solutions; Eshani Shah, co-owner of S4 Inc.; Kim Shah, CEO of CREDA Health, Vivek Sharma (Chair of the WOY Judging Committee 2024); and Lalit Sudan, Managing Director of Market Data Group LLC, and President of Vision-Aid.
The 21st Annual Woman of the Year Awards gala, organized every year by INDIA New England News and produced by the Mishra Group, was held on April 26, 2024 at Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA, also honored the following 10 outstanding women in various categories:
Deepa Agrawal: Community Service
Co-Chair: Baal Yuva Vibhag, Hindi Manch
Director & Teacher: Shishu Bharati
President: Indian Americans of Burlington
Yasmin Padamsee Forbes: Community Diversity & Leadership
Executive Director: Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission MassachusettsEmail:
Snehalata Kadam: Women Empowerment
Assistant Professor of Physics: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Founder: Women Who Empower Women, an ISW group
Gunjan Kuthiala: Boston Bollywood Pioneer
Founder & CEO: NRILIFE Productions & JOGGINI
Producer: NRI Wives: Grey Stories of Love Vs Desires
Rowena Kay Mascarenhas: Non-Profit Leadership
Executive Director: TiE Boston
Bala Venkat Muthukaruppan: Diversity & Inclusion Champion
Co-Founder: The Purple Wings
Social Chair and Former President: Indian Community of Needham
Akanksha Patel: Gender Equality
Director of Information: Plan International
Beauty Pageant: Mrs. India Rhode Island
Tanu Phoenix: Medal of Courage
President: India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB)
Geeta Pradhan: Dignity & Human Rights
President: Cambridge Community Foundation
Samata Sharma: Healthcare Pioneer
Medical Director: Brigham Bridge Clinic, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Philanthropist Desh Deshpande was this year’s Chief Guest, and honored all the award winners. Dr. Manju Sheth, MD and Mandy Pant this year were joined by Sheetal Acharya (a past Woman of the Year) to present the 21st Anniversary Woman of the Year Awards gala.
Dr. Sheth, director of the Woman of the Year Awards Gala, served as host of the evening. Ms. Pant and Ms. Acharya conducted the evening and awards processes as Masters of Ceremonies.
“It was a year of milestones and anniversaries at the Woman of the Year Gala,” said Dr. Sheth. “It has been 21 years since inception of the award by INDIA New England News. On a personal note, my 12th year anniversary of directing and hosting WOY and 10-year anniversary of Lifetime Award. It was a great event with lot of incredible energy and positivity in the room. My congratulations to Top 10 Outstanding women and Geeta Pradhan , our Woman of the Year 2024 award recipient. Congratulations also to Radha Jalan, our Lifetime Award recipient.”
The gala was sponsored by Merryll Lynch/The Sharma Group and Raj Sharma, the Boston Group USA and Subu Kota, Yash and Jigna Shah, Gourmet India, Dr. Manju Sheth and INE MultiMedia. Supporting sponsors included Boston Sound & Light Company, Sraveo and Dyuti Majumdar Photography.
