Anju Bhargava

Anju Bhargava is a retired federal executive, former senior banker, and community builder with over four decades of experience developing multidimensional strategies in complex global environments.

She served as the first Chief Risk Officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Deputy Chief Strategy and Performance Officer at the Social Security Administration (SSA), and Senior Vice President at Bank of America, advancing innovation, accountability, and systemic improvement across sectors.

A Vedantic teacher and ordained Hindu minister/chaplain, Anju brings a contemporary lens to philosophy and practice and is active in interfaith initiatives. She was the only Hindu American appointed to President Obama’s inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, where she founded Hindu American Seva Communities. She has also advised the Department of Homeland Security and served as a White House Community Builder Fellow.

Her community leadership includes roles with the Livingston Interfaith Clergy Association, the New Jersey Corporate Diversity Network, Asian Indian Women in America (AIWA), and the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions. She has launched multiple initiatives promoting inclusion and empowerment in corporate, civic, and faith-based settings.

Recognized as a visionary leader, Anju has published widely, received numerous awards, and built lasting platforms that continue to serve diverse communities nationwide.