FIA–New England Celebrates International Women’s Day at Boston’s Prudential Center, Honors Women Leaders Across Sectors

by SAH Staff Reporter March 9, 2026

By SAH Staff Reporter March 9, 2026 0 comments 3 minutes read

ALL PHOTOS: Pramod Kumar

BOSTON, MA — The Foundation of Indian-Americans – New England (FIA–NE) hosted an International Women’s Day celebration at the top of Boston’s iconic Prudential Center, bringing together accomplished women leaders from across healthcare, entrepreneurship, wellness, arts, and community service.

The event was hosted and moderated by Jyoti Singh, Director of FIA–New England, who led a roundtable discussion with women leaders representing diverse professional and community backgrounds, according to a statement from FIA–NE.

The statement noted that through carefully curated questions, Singh guided the discussion toward reflections on “leadership, resilience, mentorship, and the importance of uplifting the next generation of women leaders.”

Deputy Consul General of India in Boston, Shruti Purushottam, attended the event as Chief Guest and joined community leaders in recognizing the “significant contributions” of women who continue to “shape and strengthen” communities across the New England region.

The event also marked the launch of FIA–NE’s new environmental initiative, “Plant a Plant – Give to Gain.”

As part of the initiative, the organization pledged to plant 250 fruit-bearing trees over the coming months in honor of 250 years of American freedom. The effort highlights the “connection between community service and environmental stewardship,” the statement said.

“The initiative symbolizes the nurturing role women often play in both families and communities while encouraging collective action toward sustainability,” the statement emphasized.

A central highlight of the program was the Women’s Empowerment Roundtable Discussion, where participants shared personal journeys and insights on navigating “professional challenges, balancing leadership with service, and building supportive networks for women.”

The discussion created an open and engaging environment where participants reflected on the evolving role of women in leadership and the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and representation, the statement added.

“Singh’s moderation encouraged participants to share deeply personal stories of perseverance and purpose, resulting in a powerful exchange of ideas and experiences,” the statement noted.

During the celebration, FIA–New England also recognized a distinguished group of women for their contributions to “community service, entrepreneurship, healthcare, wellness, arts, and social impact.”

The honorees included Kathy McDonald, Special Education Child Outreach Director; Vicky Brogden, Community Service Leader; Vandana Pitke, Health and Ayurveda Practitioner; Susanne Dillon, Co-founder of the Rhode Island Holistic Healing Association; Kadian A. James, Psychotherapist and Health Advocate; Gahna Adaval, Volunteer Service in Adult Care; Lana Israel, Nutrition and Exercise Expert; Manju Kaushal, Longtime Business Owner; Sujata Patil, Business Entrepreneur and Community Leader; Sudha Sarin, Entrepreneur; Kameswari Kavsari, Community Service Advocate; Lakshmi Tulasi Nallam, Entrepreneur; Priya Bagade, Model and Actress; Deepa Agrawal, Community Service Leader; Tanu Phoenix, Community Leader; Aditi Soni, Community Service Advocate; and Guzel Bikynova, Fitness and Healthcare professional.

Honorees were recognized for their “dedication and impact” in uplifting communities and inspiring others through leadership and service, the statement added.

The celebration concluded with networking and community engagement, leaving attendees inspired by the stories shared and the collective commitment to empowering women and strengthening communities.