Page 20 - The Indian EYE 091925

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 | The Indian Eye 20

IAAC Announces

2025 Gala Honorees Jyoti Menon and

Deepak Raj in Historic First

OUR BUREAU and strengthening the bonds between
India and America. Through his work
New York, NY
with the India Philanthropy Alliance
he Indo-American Arts Coun- and countless other organizations, he
cil (IAAC) is proud to an- has created pathways for future gen-
Tnounce Jyoti Menon, Vice erations to thrive.”
President at Bread Financial and This year’s gala will feature a spe-
Trustee of Barnard College, and cial performance by musicians from
Deepak Raj, Chairman of the India the Grammy-nominated Berklee
Philanthropy Alliance, as honorees at India Exchange, known for their
the 2025 IAAC Gala. In a historic first groundbreaking cross-cultural collab-
for the organization, these two trail- orations that bridge Indian classical
blazers will be celebrated together traditions with contemporary glob-
for their extraordinary contributions al music. Their uplifting, innovative
to finance, philanthropy, and the In- performance will set the tone for an
dian-American community. The gala unforgettable evening of community
will take place on Sunday, October 26, and celebration.
2025, from 5:00 PM onwards at the Barnard College’s Board of Trustees Director of Global Equity Research, This historic recognition of two
Union League Club in New York City. and serves on the Board of Shanti he founded the Raj Family Foun- exceptional leaders marks a milestone
The IAAC Gala is the organi- Bhavan, a school in India dedicat- dation to advance causes impacting for IAAC as the organization con-
zation’s premier annual fundraiser, ed to breaking the cycle of poverty India and Indian-Americans. A well- tinues to champion Indian arts and
bringing together leaders, philan- through world-class education. known philanthropist, he has served culture while celebrating the achieve-
thropists, artists, and community “Jyoti Menon exemplifies the per- in leadership roles with organizations ments of community members who
members to celebrate creativity, fect blend of professional excellence including Pratham USA and is the embody excellence in their profes-
connection, and cultural excellence. and community commitment,” said co-Founder of Indian-American Im- sional and philanthropic endeavors.
Proceeds directly support IAAC’s Vice Chairman Rakesh Kaul. “Her pact. In 2015, he and his wife Neera
year-round programming across film, remarkable achievements in finan- established the Deepak and Neera 2025 IAAC GALA
dance, literature, and music, empow- cial services and her dedication to Raj Center on Indian Economic Pol- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
ering artists and showcasing the rich education through her work with icies at Columbia University. He is | 5:00 PM onwards
diversity of Indian arts and culture. Barnard College and Shanti Bhavan also Managing Director of Raj Asso-
Jyoti Menon is a distinguished demonstrate the values we celebrate ciates, Chairman of the New Jersey Venue: The Union League Club,
strategy leader with more than two at IAAC. Following in the distin- State Investment Council, and a re- New York City
decades of experience delivering guished footsteps of her visionary cipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Featuring: Musical performance by
transformative financial services parents, Sreedhar and Saroj Menon, Award from IIT Kanpur. the Berklee India Exchange ensemble
products. She is currently Vice Pres- she continues a legacy of service and “Deepak Raj represents the very
ident at Bread Financial, where she leadership that inspires our entire best of what it means to give back to Tables and tickets are now available for
purchase. All proceeds support IAAC’s
oversees product strategy and deliv- community.” one’s community,” said Chairman Dr. mission to promote, showcase, and
ery. Previously, she held senior lead- Deepak Raj is a trailblazer in Nirmal Mattoo. “His transition from build an awareness of the arts and art-
ership positions at Citi and American both finance and philanthropy. Af- Wall Street success to philanthropic ists of Indian heritage in New York City
Express. Beyond her professional ter a distinguished 24-year career at leadership demonstrates an extraor- and beyond.
achievements, Jyoti is a Trustee on Merrill Lynch, where he served as dinary commitment to lifting others

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