Sponsors

Dr. Aparna Bapat is a highly accomplished Ayurveda Practitioner, Educator, and Entrepreneur who has been working in US for 23 years.

She was on NAMA Board for 9 years and is currently the President of AAF (Ayurveda Association of Florida), founding member and Secretary/Treasurer of AAAP (American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals).

Dr. Bapat has been actively involved in Ayurveda education and is on the faculty of several Ayurveda colleges. She is a favorite mentor to numerous students who studied with her and are now successful practitioners and teachers.

With a strong foundation in spirituality, Dr. Bapat has healed thousands of people with her expertise in Pulse reading, herbal formulations, Pancha Karma, nutrition/cooking, and lifestyle guidance using Ayurveda and Yoga principles.

Dr. Bapat lives and practices in Citrus Hills, Florida.

Ashlesha is a third-generation Vaidya with 20+ years of experience in holistic healing. As the founder of Ayurveda For Healing, she runs Ayurveda Wellness Panchakarma centers in IL. She is a Program-Director at Ananda Ayurveda Academy and Professor at several universities.

As a dedicated community leader, she is involved in many non-profits and, as the Founder-President of the Ayurveda Union of Midwest (AUM), is committed to promoting wellness and healing.

Bhaswati Bhattacharya is a licensed, board-certified physician-scientist and Fulbright Scholar with a focus on the wisdom and science of authentic medicines such as Ayurveda. She serves as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Cornell Medical College in New York, founder-director of The DINacharya Institute, and Chief Science & Research Officer of Veda Farms. She has worked in organizations related to Ayurveda for over two decades.

Bhattacharya has degrees in neuroscience from UPenn, pharmacology from Columbia, public health from Harvard, MD from Rush Univ of Chicago, family medicine from Columbia, community medicine from MountSinai-NYU, and a Ph.D. in Ayurveda from Banaras Hindu University, specializing in Rasa Shastra–ancient Indian chemistry, Ayurvedic pharmaceutics, and pharmacology.

She is the author of the national best-seller Everyday Ayurveda, published by Penguin, and her work has been featured in The Discovery Channel documentary, Healers: Journey into Ayurveda.

Ved Acharya Dr. Dhanada Kulkarni, is an internationally renowned Ayurvedic physician, Yoga Therapy Specialist & Expert, and a Licensed Massage Therapist. She has a B.A. in Vedanga Jyotish and a Diploma in Vastushasatra.

Founder of Ashtanga Ayurved and Panchakarma wellness center, Vedic Astrologer and Vastu Consultant. A Yajur Vedic Brahmin family. She is now pursuing her master’s and Doctoral degree (D.A.C.M., M.A.O.M., L.Ac.) in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.

Dhanada has been very active in promoting, teaching, and practicing Ayurveda and other ancient Indian sciences at various forums in the USA over the last 22 years.  She served as the Executive Board of several Ayurveda and Yoga organizations internationally such as NAMA, NAMACB, AAPNA, CAC in the past. Ved Acharya Dhanada is keen to bring Ayurveda in spotlight for the state of Texas, she is the founder and president of (TAPAS)-the Texas Association of Ayurveda Professionals.

Heena Bhatt is a classically trained Vaidya, Yoga Therapist, Certified Lifestyle Coach, and a published author with expertise in integrative & Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine. She is the Founding Executive Director of Pramukh Ayurved Center, Atlanta, USA. Heena is the Founder-Secretary of the National Certification & Credentialing Board for Ayurvedic Medicine (NCCBAM). She serves on the Board of the Patient & Family Advisory Council, Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta.

During her tenure in India, she was the youngest founding member of the Department of Integrated System of Medicine (ISM) in 2001 & served as Ayurvedic Medical Officer and Ethics Committee Review board member at GSMC & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.

She is the author and co-author of remarkable publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed a chapter to the book Scientific Basis for Ayurvedic Therapies.

She is an avid researcher with a passion for spreading the knowledge, awareness, and practices of classical Ayurveda through effective community health education.

Heena led numerous research projects & international seminars in collaboration with various public, private, and government sectors, including CDRI, ICMR, India, and World Health Organization (WHO).

In her personal life, she plays multiple roles of a wife, a mother, and a primary caregiver to her parents. In addition to hiking, and singing, she loves playing badminton and basketball with her husband & daughters and cooking healthy, soulful delicious meals with her mom & daughters.

Office Locations in Phoenix, AZ & Chicago, IL

• Certified Āyurveda Practitioner,  Ayurveda Body Therapeutics
• ERYT500, YACEP, RYS (Yoga Alliance YTT School), YTT Lead Trainer
• Holistic Business Mentor
• ACE Certified Fitness Instructor / ACE Behavioral Change Specialist
• President, Ayurveda Professionals of Arizona (APA)
• Former Board Secretary, The Council for Ayurveda Credentialing (CAC)
• Board of Directors, American Association of Ayurveda Professionals (AAAP)
• Faculty, Ananda Ayurveda Academy – Willowbrook, IL

Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman is a Duke Integrative Healthcare Leader and Founder of Ayurveda Living. As an Ayurveda Diet & Nutrition Consultant and Yoga Teacher, he provides up-to-date Ayurveda/Yoga-related health and wellness information, directory, research, news, and reviews.

Dr. Mahadevan serves on the Boards of the Global Council for Ayurveda Research (GCAR), the American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals (AAAP), the American Academy of Yoga and Meditation (AAYM), and co-founded the Texas Ayurveda Professionals Association (TAPAS).

He was previously the CEO and Managing Director at one of India’s largest integrative research university hospitals – the Institute of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine (I-AIM). He served as Professor & Dean of the School of Health Sciences during this time.

Since then, he has helped set up an Integrative Healthcare Centre as the COO of Isha Arogya Research Foundation. He currently serves as a Visiting Professor at the Transdisciplinary University (TDU) and volunteers at the Hindu University of America (HUA).

Meenakshi Gupta, Founder-Director AyurRoots Ayurveda Wellness®, Co-founder of Ciamor skincare, is an internationally renowned Ayurveda Vaidya. She is a recipient of ‘The Charaka Award,’ the Top 15 Women of the Year award by Top Pick media for 2019, and the Women achiever award in 2021. She has been a trailblazer and an eminent Ambassador of Ayurveda in the West, teaching, practicing, and promoting Ayurveda.

Dr (Vd) Pallavi Sodhi is an established Ayurveda Acharya, Yoga Therapist, and Bariatric Physician practicing for the last 39 years in Mumbai. She has treated more than 1000 patients of obesity through simple concepts of Ayurveda and Yoga. ‘Swasthasya Swasth Rakshana’ to safeguard one’s established normal health, prevention is better than cure – strongly drove Dr Pallavi to bring about healthy life style changes in the masses. She has a holistic approach to health. She has organized many national and International conferences and conducted various health awareness programs for metabolic disorders.

• Founding member & Past President – All India Association for Advancing Research in Obesity -AIAARO
• Imme Past Sec Gen – Asia Oceania Association for the Studies of Obesity – AOASO.
• Member – World Obesity Federation – WOF.
• Member – Association of Ayurvedic Practitioners – AAP- Mumbai

Pratibha Shah, Founder-President Global Council for Ayurveda Research, is an internationally renowned Ayurveda expert. For her pioneering initiatives, she was nominated in the Top 20 Women of the Year, in 2014. Before moving to the US she was working as Chief Medical Officer (AYUSH ministry). In 2019, she was featured in an international documentary on Ayurveda. She is the Founder President of two non-profits and the CEO of My Ayurved LLC.

Dr. Renee Mehrra who has a doctorate in Public Health is an award-winning prominent broadcast journalist in the tri-state area of New York. She is an unwavering community activist, motivational public speaker, voice-over artist, and influencer with a burning passion for accurate and compelling storytelling, Her signature show- “Renee Mehrra Report” has delivered top-notch quality content to its audience in an informational and entertaining style for several years.

Dr. Renee Mehrra is the President of Reenbow Media LLC, an advertising, broadcasting, and public relations company in the US.
She is an ambassador of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Meditation, and her active engagement in complementary and integrative medicine has helped to create an exponential awareness in the public on health management and disease prevention, especially in minority communities.
She serves on the Board of NCCBAM (National Certification and Credentialing Board for Ayurvedic Medicine) and is a member of AAAP (American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals).

Shiva Anasseri is a highly skilled and accomplished Ayurvedic Doctor with certification from the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). Additionally, she holds a Doctor of Oriental Medicine Degree and is a Licensed Acupuncture Physician. With a Master’s degree in Auricular Medicine, Shiva has an extensive educational background.

Shiva’s journey in the field of healthcare began in 1997, where she excelled in Homeopathic Medicine during her graduation.  In addition to her expertise in Acupuncture and Aroma Therapy, Shiva incorporates various other treatments such as Korean Hand Therapy.  Her dedication to honing her skills and improving patient outcomes is evident through her completion of The Reiki Master program, certification in CraniolSacral Therapy, and specialized advanced training in Herbology and Reflexology.  Shiva has obtained certification as an Acupuncture Injection Therapist from the East West College of Natural Medicine.

Shiva has actively contributed to the field of alternative medicine, serving as a Board member of the Acupuncture and Massage College and maintaining her membership with the Florida State Oriental Medicine Association since 1999. These positions reflect her commitment to professional development and engagement within her community.  Shiva is a dedicated, highly qualified professional who combines her extensive training and expertise to offer a unique blend of alternative treatments to her patients. Her unwavering commitment to continuous learning and patient care sets her apart in the field of Ayurvedic and Oriental Medicine.

Sia Anasseri is a Sales and Marketing Executive with a strong background in technology and leadership. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida. Sia’s career began at IBM before venturing into entrepreneurship. He successfully led his first company, which became one of the largest computer hardware and software distributors in Latin America before being acquired by a public company.

Sia’s notable roles include serving as the CEO and Managing Partner of AutoMatrix Dealer Software from 2017 to 2020 and as Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Showroom Logic Holdings, LLC from 2011 to 2017. Under his leadership, Showroom Logic Holdings earned the Google Premier SMB Partner Badge and made multiple appearances on the INC 5000 list, including being ranked as the 26th fastest-growing company in America in 2014.

Throughout his career, Sia has demonstrated exceptional skills in e-commerce operations, internet business development, and sales and marketing. He founded and led companies such as Persianvillage.com LLC and BEK International, Inc., achieving annual sales exceeding $100 million and successfully navigating mergers with public companies.

During his time at the University of Florida, Sia was actively involved in professional organizations, serving as President of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers and Epsilon Lambda Chi Engineering Leadership Circle. He received prestigious awards, including the E.P. Martinson Award and the American Institute of Industrial Engineers Service Award. Sia was also a member of the Engineering Leadership Circle and Order of Engineer.

Sia is a highly accomplished Sales and Marketing Executive with a proven track record of leadership, entrepreneurship, and success in the technology industry.

Vandana Baranwal, Founder-CEO AyurveDatri LLC- Women Wellness Solutions, is an internationally acclaimed Ayurveda expert specializing in women’s health. She was a Professor at SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, before moving to the USA. She is a published author of two Ayurveda books on women’s health. “Stree Roga Vimarsha” a book of Ayurvedic gynecology and “Prasuti Tantra Sandarshini” a book of Ayurvedic Obstetrics.

She has been recognized by her peers for excellence in teaching and honored with the “Charaka Award” by the Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America, USA 2017. She is a senior faculty in Kerala Ayurveda Academy, USA. She was featured in an international documentary on Ayurveda in 2019. Her passion and love for Ayurveda fuels her vision for the development and growth of Ayurveda in the Western world. She is the Founder-President Ayurveda Association of Ohio.

• California Licensed Naturopathic Doctor with 35 years’ experience as an Ayurveda Doctor, Professor & Best-seller Author
• Founding Dean, School of Ayurveda & Natural Medicine, University of Silicon Andhra, California
• Director, Natural Medicine & Ayurveda – Clinic, Academy & Wellness Spa, California
• Co-Chair, Organizing Committee, NCAM Mega-Conference, 2023
• Founding President, American Association of Ayurvedic Professionals 2021-2022