WALTHAM, MA—INDIA New England News, one of the largest online and video magazines serving the Indian American community in the United States, today released the list of its Outstanding Women of 2025, who will be honored at the 22nd Annual Woman of the Year Awards gala on March 8, 2025 at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA.
“It has been 22 years since we started to honor the outstanding women of our community for their contributions, achievements and success,” said Upendra Mishra, founder and producer of the Woman of the Year Awards and publisher of INDIA News England News, and its sister publications IndUS Business Journal, Life Sciences Times, and the Boston Real Estate Times. “As always, we have a great list of outstanding women leaders this year. We’re excited to welcome this year’s winners and all the guests to honor New England’s brightest stars on April 26.”
In addition to honoring 10 Outstanding Women this year in various categories, INDIA New England News will bestow the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025 to Gouri Banerjee, Co-Founder of Saheli Boston.
“I would like to congratulate all our Top 10 awardees of the Woman of the Year. We are proud of their contributions and looking forward to honor them on March 8, 2025,” said Woman of the Year Director and Host Dr. Manju Sheth, MD. Looking forward to welcome everyone and celebrating 22 years of this fantastic Awards that empower women.”
The event is attended annually by about 400 business and community leaders, philanthropists, and professionals.
To buy a ticket for the 20th Annual Woman of the Year Gala, please click here.
Here is a list of this year’s 10 Outstanding Women:

Mary Aggarwal
Managing Director, Private & Institutional Client Advisor
Bank of America
Mary Aggarwal, a Managing Director and Private Client Advisor at Bank of America Private Bank in Boston, has a passion for helping parents who struggle with children who have ADHD and Executive Function challenges.
She became a coach when she realized there was no resources to support her with her kids. One of her daughters has ADHD and another is on the spectrum.
At Bank of America, Ms. Aggarwal is a designated Institutional Client Advisor and is adept in providing solutions to nonprofit corporations. Her experience includes not only her years in the financial industry, but also her rich experience as an entrepreneur. Both roles have taught her well about the issues involving the psychology of money. Before joining Bank of America, she worked at Wells Fargo for seven years. Prior to Wells, she was a Private Client Manager with U.S Trust Bank of America Private Bank.
Ms. Aggarwal is currently serving as a member of the philanthropic board of advisors at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is passionate about disability and is one of the co-chairs at Disability Action Network, Eastern New England Chapter at BofA. In the past she was part of the Purposeful Planning Institute, Family Office Exchange, and served on the board of Zimmer Children’s Museum in Los Angeles. She was nominated as a 2017 Outstanding Female Leader by Los Angeles Business Journal. Mary has authored articles in LA Parent and Beverly Hills Courier as well as on LinkedIn.

Dr. Pragya Dang, MD
Chief of Breast Radiology
Mass General Brigham
Dr. Pragya Dang, MD runs the Breast Imaging practice at Newton-Wellesley Hospital under MGB brand and is a leader in the field of Radiology. She has spent the last 15+ years specializing in Radiology while completing her residency at MGH (along with becoming Chief Resident), followed by experience at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, before ultimately securing a top spot at Newton-Wellesley.
Ms. Dang was recently featured on the cover of the Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s magazine cover. According to the magazine, NWH in the past took a generalist approach to radiology. The department now relies on radiology subspecialists who have completed extra years of training to become experts in a focused area of radiology such as abdomen, chest, or cardiovascular imaging.
One of those experts is Dr. Dang. She joined the NWH in 2019 to build on the center’s expertise. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate of breast cancer is 99 percent when the disease is detected early, and in a localized stage, according to NWH magazine. The evolution of breast imaging has helped to make that possible, Dr. Dang explained to the magazine.
New technology has meant higher resolution images and improved detection. Early detection not only helps with saving lives but results in less aggressive treatment and surgery for patients. Looking ahead, Dr. Dang trusts that AI will play an even larger role as it evolves. By helping to determine those at a higher risk for breast cancer and who would benefit from additional screening, “it will make us better radiologists,” Dr. Dang believes, according to the magazine.

Renu Gupta
Founder
The Gupta Family Foundation
A passionate philanthropist, Renu Gupta founded the Gupta Family Foundation, engaging her family in transformative projects aimed at advancing education and health for underprivileged children. From establishing a Boys & Girls Club kitchen in Nashua, NH, to contributing towards Bihar’s first Akshaya Patra kitchen, Ms. Gupta’s initiatives have had a lasting impact both locally and globally.
Additionally, her leadership extends to entrepreneurship through RKS Ventures, where she plays a pivotal role in mentoring and investing in startups, fostering innovation and economic growth. For over 25 years, Ms. Gupta and her husband Kedar Gupta have supported over 20 organizations, including Pratham, Vision-Aid, and numerous local charities.
When her husband’s company, GT Solar, faced significant financial challenges, Ms. Gupta stepped in to lead the financial operations, navigating turbulent waters and steering the company to success. Her efforts not only revived the business but also accelerated the global expansion of solar energy. A very memorable incident occurred when the erstwhile President Barack Obama paid a surprise visit to her subsequent enterprise to shine a spotlight on the Renu and her husband for turbocharging the economy of Nashua.
Mr. Gupta’s philanthropy has also inspired her daughter to be involved locally and statewide and has inspired her grandkids to become engaged in service as well.
“As she established the Gupta Foundation, she deliberately involved my brother and me so that we felt ownership in the giving, and learned how to engage with organizations in a meaningful way,” says Ritu Ullal, her daughter. “She always supported our Indian community, lending a hand and extending meaningful help to our ‘local family’ in times of need.”

Menka Hariani
Founder
TEDxAndover
Menka Hariani exemplifies leadership, innovation, and mentorship in technology and cybersecurity. Balancing a full-time role, she dedicates hundreds of hours to mentoring and coaching individuals across diverse career stages.
At Harvard University, Ms. Hariani has guided over 350 cybersecurity professionals, including C-level executives, equipping them with strategies for secure cloud architecture and migration. She has also supported students transitioning from non-traditional backgrounds into product management, focusing on empowering women in cybersecurity.
As a guest lecturer at Northeastern University, she volunteers her expertise to coach over 100 students annually on cloud security best practices, bridging academic knowledge with practical applications. Additionally, through her role as a mentor with the Mass Cyber Center, Ms. Hariani educates 450 students per semester across 40+ Massachusetts schools, guiding them on cybersecurity career paths and presenting her insights at the Massachusetts State House.
Her achievements have earned her a nomination for the Emerging Leader Award 2024 at Harvard University, recognizing her transformative impact in mentoring and leadership. She was also named one of the Top 50 Women of Tech in the U.S. (2023), standing out as the sole representative from Massachusetts for her efforts to advance women in tech and cybersecurity.
She has led 10+ workshops at national women-in-tech conferences, conducted over 1,000 one-on-one mentoring sessions, and inspired countless women to break into cybersecurity. As the founder and producer of TEDxAndover, Ms. Hariani has created a platform to amplify diverse voices and visionary ideas.

Sneh Jaisingh
Director, Hindi Manch
Founder, NutriAge
Sneh Jaisingh, MS, CNC, INHC, a Nutrition and Recovery Coach, is director of New England Hindi Manch, a non-profit organization that promotes Hindi and Urdu languages, and related dialects through music, theater, cultural events and literary settings.
Her multifaceted efforts span social leadership, cultural advocacy and clinical nutrition profoundly impacting lives both locally and globally, the most notable being one of the leaders of non-profit organization: Hindi Manch. She is the Director and is part of the Steering Committee of Hindi Manch, one of the largest Hindi organizations in the United States.
Under her dedicated leadership in the last 15 years, Hindi Manch has influenced more than 15,000 established non-resident Indian families, organized around 120 cultural events with more than 3,500 performers, and has worked to educate the next generation and provided a platform to more than 500 children.
Through her NutriAge platform, Ms. Jaisingh offers tailored coaching, health workshops, and public talks to promote holistic well-being and healthier lifestyles. She is a versatile professional in Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine.
She holds a master’s degree in human nutrition and an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach certificate. She is an inspiring educator and has been an advocate for science-based mind and body wellness.
Ms. Jaisingh is also a part of the “Food as Medicine” nutrition movement and is passionate about raising awareness and understanding, to use this knowledge in preventing/reducing the risk of chronic diseases or simply general wellbeing. In addition, she is a certified yoga instructor and is currently pursuing her National Board Health and Wellness Coaching certification.

Monica Kachru
President
Anaya Scholars
In four short years, Monica Kachru has made an impact on leveling the playing field for college students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Inspired by her daughter, Anaya, who she tragically lost while a freshman in MIT, Ms. Kachru set up the Foundation to support first generation college students.
From a conversation with a few friends and 2 students- Anaya Scholars today supports over 40 first generation college students from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Foundation offers students one on one mentorship, financial scholarships and internship support throughout the 4 years the student is in college.
To date the Foundation has reported a 100% graduation rate. This is hugely significant given that the graduation rate for first generation college students is a dismal 20%. Getting admission to a college is not an issue for most academically gifted students- it’s usually the lack of emotional support that makes them drop out.
The Anaya Scholars Foundation supports these students at every step of the way and helping them navigate the many different types of challenges throughout their college years- oftentimes stepping in to take the place of a parent. Ms. Kachru has been the driving force behind the rapid growth of the foundation and is poised to make an even bigger impact for families and students in the Boston area. The foundation is run with several volunteers and some corporate donations.
Ms. Kachru saw a need for first-generation high school students who excelled in high school yet didn’t complete college. Knowing the value of a college degree, honoring her daughter who wanted to level the playing field, Ms. Kachru responded with a practical, unique solution.
To provide support to first generation students through 1-1 mentoring through their college journey, stipends, and other supports. The result is Anaya Scholars. Ms. Kachru brings vision, commitment, compassion and energy to the relatively new organization.

Purnima Kapur
Chief of University Planning and Design
Harvard University
Purnima Kapur is Harvard University’s Chief of University Planning and Design, and head of the Harvard University Planning and Design (HUPAD). In this role she oversees all planning, design and regulatory approvals across all of Harvard’s real estate holdings.
Ms. Kapur worked for more than 25 years in the New York City Planning Department, culminating with her appointment by Mayor Bill de Blasio as the Executive Director of the City Planning Department, where she oversaw all land use planning and policies for the City of New York’s neighborhood planning studies, economic development, and resiliency initiatives.
Over the years, Ms. Kapur has also provided consulting services on projects in New York City, the United Kingdom, Australia, and closer to home, to Harvard’s Allston planning activities. Ahe served as an adjunct professor at Columbia University where she taught courses in zoning, planning, affordable housing, resiliency, and waterfront development. She is also a visiting faculty member at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design.
Ms. Kapur serves on the Board of the Hudson River Park Trust in New York, as well as on the Skyscraper Museum Board. She has received several awards throughout her career including a Mayoral Citation for her service to New York City, Building Brooklyn Award by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Award by the Zoning Advisory Council of New York, and New York Power Women 2018 Award by Bisnow among others.
Ms. Kapur holds a master’s in city planning and architecture studies and a Master of Science of Architecture Studies from MIT. She also holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture Delhi.

Mukta Munjal
Actor, SETU
Senior Architect, Slalom Build
Mukta Munjal is an IT professional with 18 years of experience with excellent leadership and problem-solving abilities, but in the Indian American community, she is known as an actor for SETU, a non-profit theater group in the Boston area since 2003.
A Performer by heart, SETU rekindled her love for theatre and acting and allowed her to explore and express the vast spectrum of human emotions and stories while delivering social messages. SETU also provided an opportunity to be a liaison between Eastern and Western cultures. SETU also onboarded two dozens new actors who craved to perform on bigger platforms like SETU.
Acting is not just a profession or hobby for Ms. Munjal; it’s a journey that enriches her life and connects her with others in profound ways.
Professionally, Ms. Munjal is a Senior Architect at Slalom Build. Recently, she was awarded Slalom Build ‘Build Together’ Team award across Build North America for her efforts in building a strong team of Women Who Build in Boston and beyond.
A computer Science major, District Topper and an All-rounder and Honor student, Ms. Munjal has multi-disciplinary experience in software industry, delivering value-driven technical solutions and large-scale IT programs while building high performing teams and learning new technologies.

Ammara Nawaz Khan
President
Pakistan Association of Greater Boston
Ammara Nawaz Khan is a professor of Life Sciences at St. Joseph School of Nursing in New Hampshire. More importantly, as President of Pakistan Association of Greater Boston, she is trying to bring the Indian American and Pakistani American community together in New England.
Last year, art and music broke all barriers when people of Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi origin shared food and celebrated and enjoyed the Ghalib & Gulzar Literary Show produced and organized by Pakistan Association of Greater Boston, under the leadership of Ms. Khan.
“The presence of prominent and respected community members from Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin under one roof was a great testament to the fact that music, art, and culture are beyond boundaries and possess the power to unite people,” Ms. Khan told INDIA New England News after the event last year.
Moreover, Ms. Khan is an avid traveler with a camera, a ghazal singer, and vocalist in training. She is originally from Lahore, Pakistan, a city rich in cultural heritage. She relocated to the United States 25 years ago.
Professionally, Ms. Khan is trained as a scientist, holding two master’s degrees in Organic Chemistry and Biotechnology. She possesses an innate curiosity and a fervent passion for life, which drives her to embrace diverse, often profoundly impactful experiences.

Suraja Menon Roychowdhury
Alternative Medicine Expert
Founder, Crossing Point Acupunctures and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Suraja Roychowdhury, PhD, is a multifaceted and talented Acupuncturist who brings the best Eastern and Western medicine to her patients. She is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner.
Ms. Roychowdhury is the founder of Crossing Point Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in Lexington, MA. She has presented several community talks on traditional Chinese Medicine and is passionate about spreading the word regarding alternative medicine as a safe and effective treatment modality.
In addition, she has served as the Massachusetts State Chapter Chair for Wholistic Health Alliance. She currently serves on the board of Vision-Aid, a nonprofit organization providing Vision Rehabilitation Services in the under-served areas in India. She is the founding member of the India International Film Festival of Boston and has served as a judge for the festival for the past six years.
Ms. Roychowdhury loves Japanese short form poetry. She is an award-winning published poet, teaches Advanced Haiku online and is Associate Editor for the Japanese short form poetry journal haikuKATHA. She continues to train in Hindustani classical music, a life-long passion.
Ms. Roychowdhury has a background in human biology and medicine, and holds a bachelor’s degree in human biology, a Masters and PhD in Pharmacology, and an MBA.