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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JANUARY 07, 2022 | The Indian Eye 24

Aishwarya Kulkarni and raunak Ghosh win

the prestigious Amgen Strategy competition

OUR BUREAU gather data on employee reactions to
DIB policies and how they are treat-
Miami
ed by the company.
wo Indian American students The pair was mentored by Am-
at the University of South gen leader Arnold Eddula, who is the
TFlorida took the top prize at global head of operations in cyberse-
the Amgen Strategy Competition for curity. Ghosh said he was encour-
a strategy proposal aimed at keeping aged to see the number of companies
a company’s workforce diverse. The and organizations taking a big stand
winning pitch of Aishwarya Kulkarni on the important issues of diversity,
and Raunak Ghosh beat out compet- inclusion and belonging.
ing proposals from dozens of other “We got to understand how to
universities across the country, ac- make a presentation impactful for
cording to a USF press release. the viewers. We also understood the
Kulkarni and Ghosh are both value of teamwork as we worked
graduate students in business analyt- with each other, coordinating with
ics and information systems program our mentor, and implementing valu-
at USF MUMA College of Business. able feedback into our presentation,
They won first place for present- which eventually got us the first
ing on the topic of career develop- main concept was the Human Li- Copenhagen, Denmark that offers prize,” he said.
ment strategies to maintain the per- brary project, where people can ex- diversity and inclusion training to The Indian American students
centage of diverse talent at all levels press their stories of overcoming any companies and institutions. They bested teams from the University of
of hierarchy. biases or issues that they had faced also host events featuring volunteers Southern California and the Uni-
The month-long competition and how they overcame those issues, with personal experience with their versity of California-Riverside, who
culminated in an in-person pitch on which would inspire people in the or- topic. took second and third place. In all,
Nov 18 before a panel of senior lead- ganization and bring about a sense of Ghosh said they also proposed 100 students from 23 universities
ers from Amgen, a biotech company. inclusion with respect to empathizing companies emphasize diversity in and colleges across the country took
The pair’s winning proposal cen- certain scenarios,” Ghosh said. exit interviews, host events based on part in the competition. Teams were
tered on making people’s stories of The Human Library Organiza- the diversity, inclusion and belonging tasked to pitch a strategy from four
bias and belonging relatable. “Our tion is a nonprofit headquartered in (DIB) theme, and offer surveys to different topics.

Shri Thanedar to run for uS congress seat held by rashida Tlaib

Thanedar grew up in India before immigrating to the US in 1979 to pursue a doctorate degree in chemistry. He is a serial
entrepreneur and ran many small businesses from 1990 to 2016

OUR BUREAU equalities, and to improve quality of grew up in India before immigrating earned an MBA from Fontbonne
life for the residents,” Thanedar told to the United States in 1979 to pur- College in 1987.
Detroit, MI
the Detroit Metro Times. “I will also sue a doctorate degree in chemistry. Thanedar says he supports pro-
hri Thanedar, a multimillionaire seek federal assistance in the form of He is a serial entrepreneur and ran gressive solutions, including the $15
Indian-American entrepreneur, reparations to address decades of sys- many small businesses from 1990 to minimum wage, because he knows
Sauthor, and politician, who cur- temic racism in urban America.” 2016. He is a three-time recipient of how important it is for Michigan fam-
rently represents the 3rd district in Whether Thanedar will face off the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award ilies to have opportunities to earn a
the Michigan House, plans to run for with Tlaib in the 2022 primary elec- from Ernst and Young. good-paying wage with one job in-
US congressional seat held by fellow tion is not yet known as Congressio- According to his official bio Tha- stead of needing two or three jobs to
Democrat Rashida Tlaib. nal districts are being redrawn, and nedar grew up in a working-class fam- make ends meet.
Thanedar, who was a candidate in Michigan is losing a US House seat ily that suffered financial hardship and Thanedar says he plans to use
the Democratic Party primary for gov- because of the state’s sluggish popula- paid for his education by working as a his knowledge, expertise, passion and
ernor of Michigan in the 2018 elec- tion growth, the Times said. teacher’s assistant. “During that time, dedication to bring real change for
tion, filed paperwork with the Federal Thanedar, who made his fortune he earned just $300 a month and sent Michigan families through progres-
Election Commission on Dec 21 to in the pharmaceutical industry spent $75 each month to his family, who sive legislation to improve equality,
run for the 13th District seat, which more than $10 million of his own were dealing with financial hardship, access and security for all.
covers large chunks of Detroit, the money to run for governor in 2018 to could put food on the table,” it says. He is passionate about promot-
state’s largest city. finish third in the Democratic prima- After earning his PhD in Chem- ing entrepreneurship, early-childhood
“My focus is on bringing federal ry election, but won Detroit city with istry, Thanedar worked as a post-doc- education, equitable K-12 funding, af-
dollars to Detroit to address infra- more than 35,000 votes. toral research scholar at the Univer- fordable healthcare and racial, social
structure problems, economic in- Thanedar, who lives in Detroit, sity of Michigan (1982-84). He also and economic justice, the bio says.

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