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Virginia Governor appoints Indian Americans to key posts
The six Indian-Americans will shape key state policies in STEM, healthcare, education, women’s advocacy, and small business development across Virginia.
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Bhavana P - Sat, 26, Jul 2025
- 16:19 EDT
- 42
(Top, L-R) Bela Sood (Image- Children's Hospital at VCU) and Padmanabhan Seshaiyer (Image- George Manson University), (Bottom, L-R) Urjita Dani (Image- LinkedIn) and Nisha Patel (Image- NOVA Eye MD) /
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin on July 25 appointed six Indian-American professionals to state boards and administration roles, with expertise in higher education, women's advocacy, and STEM policy.
Among the appointees are Aradhana Bela Sood, Harshad Barot, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Shaina Srivastava, Urjita Dani, and Nisha Patel.
Also read: Indian American psychiatrist enters congressional race in Virginia
A child and adolescent psychiatrist, Sood joins the Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Pediatric Acute‑Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. She currently serves as a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics and senior professor of child mental health policy, at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond. She brings over 30 years of experience in pediatric psychiatry and mental‑health policy innovation, including leadership roles in statewide care reform and telemedicine advocacy.
Barot, the owner of the Galaxy Corporation, was selected for the Small Commission Business, a part of the legislative service that exists to study, report, and make recommendations on issues of concern to small businesses in the Commonwealth. A professor and director at George Mason University, Seshaiyer was named to the Virginia STEM Education Advisory Board. Recognized for his contributions to mathematics education and leadership in STEM workforce development, he also serves as the Chair of the US National Academies Board on International Scientific Organizations.
Srivastava also joins the STEM Education Advisory Board, where she is expected to contribute expertise from the health‑tech sector. Currently, she serves as a clinical lead at Healthedge, streamlining health databases. She previously worked as a strategy consultant in the Washington-based Taproot Foundation.
Dani has been appointed to the Virginia Council on Women, where she will help guide state policy on gender equity and career advancement. She is currently the interim director of Finance, HR, and E‑Commerce Systems at Old Dominion University.
Patel was named to the board of trustees of the Science Museum of Virginia, recognizing her leadership in healthcare and community service. A board-certified ophthalmologist and the founder and medical director of NoVA Eye, she previously served on the Vienna Town Council.
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