David Smith, FACHE of Stamford Hospital, will also be honored.
AB Wire
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) – Connecticut chapter will honor four outstanding achievers of the Indian American community at its Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 18th, at the Stamford Hilton Hotel, Stamford, CT.
The four individuals being honored for their achievements in profession and community service are:
Sachin Lawande – a Westport resident who is President and CEO of Visteon Corporation (Van Buren, MI). He is being recognized for his achievement as a Corporate Leader. Visteon is one of the world’s leading suppliers of vehicle cockpit electronics, serving auto manufacturers around the globe. Lawande held very senior positions at Harman international, QNX Software Systems and 3Com before coming to Visteon. He is considered one of the foremost technology and business thought leaders in the automotive electronics supplier industry. At Visteon – as he has done throughout his career – Lawande is leading a rapid evolution of electronics technology and software to meet the demands of the connected car era.
Anjali Sharma, a Greenwich resident, will be honored for Community Service and Promoting Philanthropy. She has worked tirelessly to as a humanist and philanthropist to promote India’s development. She is a Trustee of American India Foundation. Sharma has worked in marketing and financial analysis in the corporate world for 14 years. She is also an accomplished tennis player having won the Junior National Tennis championship in 1975.
Anna Duleep, a former Norwalk Councilwoman will be recognized for her contributions and achievements in political involvement. Duleep is the first woman and South Asian to be elected Sheriff of Norwalk City in 2014. She is an ardent proponent of gun control. After Newton tragedy, she lobbied legislature, police and other authorities to enforce gun control. She is the grandniece of former Indian Army General, the late K.C. Cariappa.
GOPIO-CT President’s Young Professional Achiever Award goes to Roopa Modha of Shelton, who has been working tirelessly to promote women’s issues using her legal expertise to further women’s causes. Her commitment is to empower women and bring the issues of domestic violence and rape into the public domain. A lawyer by profession, she attended the White House’s United State of Women Summit in 2016.
For the first time, GOPIO-CT is recognizing an employee of an institution as Friend of GOPIO and the Indian American community – David Smith, FACHE of Stamford Hospital. Smith currently serves as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Chief Strategy and Network Development Officer at Stamford Health, Stamford, Connecticut. He has worked in the health care sector for over 35 years. He is an ardent supporter of good health and healthy food habits. He has supported Indian-American community for many years.
Commenting on the award selection, GOPIO-CT President Shelly Nichani said, “We select the awardees, who have made an impact in our society and/or those who provide outstanding service.â€
GOPIO Founder President Dr. Thomas Abraham said, “GOPIO-CT chapter has done a great service promoting Indian culture and values to the new generation as well as promoting Indian-Americans to take active role in the civic, educational, charitable and c0mmunity services of the local communities.â€
Several dignitaries are scheduled to attend the event, including Rep Jim Himes (D, CT 4th District), Stamford Mayo David Martin, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Connecticut State Senators Tony Hwang and Toni Boucher and CT State Assemblyman Dan Carter.