Meet the Board

Founder / Executive Director

Sumi Sarkar

Sumi Sarkar: A CUNY Brooklyn College graduate, Sumi brings a wealth of experience across diverse industries as Founder/Executive Director of Bengali Interfaith Youth Empowerment Inc.(BIYE). Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, she migrated to New York at age 6 with her mother and navigated the challenges of the 90s in silence, an experience that directly inspired her to create BIYE.  Her career spans roles as STEM/Science Lead Teacher, mentoring young scholars. Project Manager at a biotech where she managed multimillion-dollar pharmaceutical research. Sumi established herself as a self-published author and contributed significantly to scientific literature in the Life Sciences. Outside her professional commitments, she finds joy and fresh inspiration through travels and food with her family.

President

Pronab Sarkar

Pronab Sarkar: With over 14 years of experience in federal law enforcement, He is dedicated to serving and protecting your community. Outside of work, He has a passion for the outdoors and love fishing and enjoy the tranquility of the water. He loves meeting new people and building meaningful connections. Most importantly, He is a devoted spouse and a proud parent of two, always prioritizing family alongside his career and hobbies.

Vice President

Dr. Kalyani Dhar, MD, MBS

Dr. Kalyani Dhar, MD, MBS:  is an internist certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is currently doing a Women's Health Fellowship at Northwell Health. She recently graduated from Stony Brook University Hospital after receiving her medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She is pursuing a Preventive Cardiology Fellowship at NYU Langone

Treasurer

Imelda Elsie Alituwa

lmelda Elsie Alituwa: is strategic executive with over a decade of experience in the financial and tech sectors, specializing in Program and Product Management. Currently, serve as a Manager in Product Management at Mastercard. Beyond my professional experience, I am deeply passionate about supporting those in need. As a first responder with the Red Cross during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, I witnessed the impact of community support firsthand. I also contribute to The Dinner Table Doc, where I lead Budgeting 101 workshops for underprivileged minority girls, empowering them with essential financial skills.

Secretary

Dr. Palash Sen, PharmD, MS, RRT

Dr. Palash Sen:  PharmD, MS, RRT is a healthcare professional whose expertise in biomedical sciences and pharmaceuticals. He holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering from Khulna University, Bangladesh, and the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, as well as a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Touro College of Pharmacy in New York.With a solid foundation as a Respiratory Care Practitioner and his current role as a Health System Pharmacist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, Dr. Sen is dedicated to improving healthcare accessibility and advocating for patient welfare. In his leisure time, he enjoys gardening, exploring new places through travel, and spending quality time with his family.