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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 | The Indian Eye 30

IAPAC’s “Women Who Inspire”

Draws a Packed House to Celebrate

Courage, Leadership & Legacy

Houston gathering honors women leaders and shines a light on the courage and

resilience behind their achievements

NEERAJ DHAR
HOUSTON, TX

he Indian American Public
Affairs Council (IAPAC) drew
Ta packed house to Raindrop
Turkish House for WE@IAPAC ,
Women Who Inspire, an evening
celebrating women whose courage,
leadership and service continue to
strengthen communities and inspire
future generations.
Chaired by IAPAC Board Mem-
bers Ruchi Gupta and Jagruti Sarkar,
the event brought together elected
officials, civic and business leaders,
professionals and community advo-
cates, including many accomplished
women whose own stories of cour-
age, leadership and service could
have equally taken center stage.
In her welcome remarks, Gupta
reflected on IAPAC’s commitment
to civic engagement and the signif-
icance of honoring women whose
leadership and contributions contin- From left to right: Sanjay Ramabhadran, Dr. Rathna Kumar, Nory Angel, Paula McCann Harris, and Dr. Kavya Manyupu
ue to shape America’s story as the
nation marks its 250th anniversary.
“As America commemorates 250 The centerpiece of the evening
years of independence, this evening was a candid conversation moder-
is an opportunity to celebrate cour- ated by civic and business leader
age, leadership, and the lasting leg- Sanjay Ramabhadran, Founding
acy women continue to create for Principal of Versa Infrastructure and
those who follow,” she said. former Chairman of Houston MET-
ABC13 News Anchor Pooja RO. Moving beyond professional
Lodhia adeptly guided the evening accomplishments and polished biog-
as emcee, bringing warmth and ease raphies, Ramabhadran drew out the
to the program. rarely told stories behind each wom-
A highlight of the evening was an’s journey, the doubts, sacrifices,
the presentation of the 2026 IAPAC turning points and experiences that
Community Impact Award to Vaish- shaped who they are today. The con-
ali Dev, an entrepreneur, author and versation offered a deeper glimpse
philanthropist who transformed pro- into four extraordinary women and
found personal adversity into a life of the courage, resilience and sense of
purpose, service and impact. IAPAC purpose behind their achievements.
Founder and Board Member Dr. Paula McCann Harris, author, Dr. Roopa Gir, presenting the IAPAC Community Impact Award 2026 to Vaishali Dev
Roopa Gir introduced Dev and pre- speaker and former global sustain-
sented the award, highlighting her re- ability executive at Schlumberger, re- the times that you were scared and your career to live the life you want.”
silience, entrepreneurial journey and flected on navigating corporate spac- felt like, ‘Do I belong here?’ I want Nory Angel, President of the
commitment to empowering women es and overcoming self-doubt. “A big to remind young women that you do American Leadership Forum, spoke
through the Blume Foundation. part of what’s never on the resume is belong at that table, and to design Continued on next page... >>

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