HemAth Board
Dr. Shakun Malik, a native of Srinagar, Kashmir, has served as the president of the Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) for two terms (2017-2021), and previously as the Zone 4 KOA Director and President. Although she has resided in the US since 1980, her heart remains deeply connected to the valley of Kashmir. Despite the exodus and the height of militancy, her longing to return to her homeland, to breathe in the familiar air, remained undiminished. Her visits to refugee camps and her involvement in medical clinics strengthened her resolve to serve her community.
During a medical clinic at Gopinath ji Ashram in 2016, she encountered numerous women with health issues and noticed a distinct lack of enthusiasm and self-confidence among them. The mere suggestion of engaging in financially rewarding work sparked excitement among these women. This experience planted the seed for HemAth in Dr. Malik's mind, but she knew she needed the support of others who shared her vision to make it a reality.
Professionally, Dr. Malik is a highly accomplished oncologist, triple-boarded by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She currently serves as the Head of Thoracic and Head & Neck Cancer Therapeutics at the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), National Cancer Institute, NIH. She has numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and has been recognized with multiple awards from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Cancer Institute for her significant contributions to the field of medicine.
Dr. Rajesh Mattoo
Vice President & Treasurer
Dr. Rajesh Kaul Mattoo was born and raised in Srinagar, Kashmir. Her academic journey began at Kashmir University, where she earned a PhD in Ecology. Seeking to broaden her knowledge base, she pursued further education in the United States, earning an MPA with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from Long Island University, New York, USA. Her professional journey includes roles as an Adjunct Professor of Botany at New York College and as a Network Development Administrator in a prominent Managed Care Network.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Dr. Mattoo has dedicated her time to non-profit organizations. She has served as Vice President on the Executive Board of the Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) and as Co-Chair for the Education Committee for Academic Programs at the Bharatiya Temple of Troy, Michigan.
Reena Moza
Director
Reena Moza, a native of Srinagar, Kashmir, holds a Master's degree in Psychology from the University of Kashmir. She relocated to San Francisco, California, USA in 1985.
Reena is currently employed in sales at a renowned electronics company in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. However, Reena's interests extend beyond her professional life. She has a deep passion for cooking, which she considers not just a hobby, but a form of creative expression. She shares her culinary adventures and unique recipes through her online cooking blog (http://www.reenamoza.com).
In addition to her professional and personal pursuits, Reena has been an active volunteer for several non-profit organizations, including the Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA), Sai Parivaar, and March of Dimes, among others.
Renu Tickoo Wokhlu
Director
Renu Tickoo Wokhlu, a native of Kashmir, experienced the exodus first-hand, subsequently residing in Jammu before moving to Texas in 2001. As an engineer in the semiconductor industry, she has built a successful professional career. However, the impact of the exodus from Kashmir has left a deep imprint on her, motivating her to take an active role in community events. She served as the Zone 5 Director on the board of the Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA).
During the recent Covid-19 surge in India, Renu demonstrated her commitment to community service by actively coordinating with volunteers on the ground as part of the Covid response team.
Renu is a firm believer in the power of women's empowerment as a key driver of social development. In February 2020, she visited the Jagati camp alongside Dr. Shakun Malik and Dr. Rajesh Kaul Mattoo, where she met women affected by the exodus who continue to struggle to make a decent living. This experience led her to become part of HemAth, where she hopes to contribute to the upliftment of women from her community.
Surabhi Bhan Kotru
Director
Surabhi Bhan Kotru, born and brought up in Delhi, is a finance professional who relocated to the United States in 2011. Since then, she has actively engaged with various non-profit organizations, particularly those focused on supporting children and the underprivileged. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she collaborated with a team of volunteers to provide food and essential items to over 5,000 families in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Surabhi is deeply passionate about preserving the heritage of Kashmiri Pandits. She has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at educating Kashmiri Pandit children about their cultural heritage. She conceptualized and led a children's camp with a team of volunteers, introducing the young participants to Kashmiri culture, language, music, art, and cooking. She also co-created the first-ever KOA Koshur Word Bee, which saw participation from Kashmiri Pandit children across the United States.
Surabhi strongly believes in the power of women's empowerment as a catalyst for societal transformation. She is committed to initiatives that uplift and empower women, understanding that empowering one woman can lead to the empowerment of an entire society.
Secretary
Renu sees HemAth as an excellent platform for fostering this change and is honored to be a part of this initiative. She is dedicated to using her skills and experience to contribute to the empowerment of women and the betterment of children's education.