THE TEAM
GOPIO Qld Chapter is pleased to announce our new committee members elected to serve our organisation. We welcome on board our new team:
Patron
Dr Maha Sinnathamby AM
Maha Sinnathamby is an Australian businessman and property developer. He is the entrepreneur behind the Greater Springfield Development in Queensland, the largest master-planned community in Australia . He has been associated with GOPIO International for a long time , and helped launch GOPIO Queensland
Immediate Past President
Vinita Khushal is the principal of Bridges Family Law Specialists, and is an accredited specialist in Family Law. She holds a Masters of Law degree and has over 31 years’ experience in commercial law, litigation and family law.She has been involved with GOPIO Qld from its inception as she was there when the Idea was first floated and was present at the first informal dinner function of GOPIO Qld held at Tattersalls club in Brisbane. As the first secretary of GOPIO Qld she worked very hard on the Constitution and the first GOPIO Asia Pacific conference organised by the newly formed GOPIO Qld Chapter. She has been an integral part in organising and event managing the iconic India Day Fair, an event which attracted approximately 20,000 people last year. Is a member of the Board of Trustees
President
Rakesh Sharma - has been a founder member of GOPIO Queensland , he was instrumental in the first Asia Pacific Conference during which GOPIO Qld was inaugurated , Rakesh Sharma has been the president of Laxmi Narayan Mandir - during his term he undertook major infrastructure development for Hindu Mandir Association. He has been part of GOPIO Queensland management and has handled many important aspects of India Day Fair . He serves on the management committee of Radio 4EB's Indian Programming group where he is a presenter . He brings his business and investment expertise to the table .
Vice President
Vivek Chopra B. Com M.Acc FCPA GAICD AMIIA
Vivek has been a long standing member of GOPIO Queensland , and has hands on experience on the management committee , having served as treasurer and stall management
Vivek has also obtained extensive audit (internal and external) and assurance skills combined with risk management skills throughout his career. Due to his exposure in managing challenging audits, he commands extensive financial interpretation and analysis skills, powerful negotiation skills and excellent stakeholder (internal and external) management skills.
Vice President
Veena Merz brings over 25 years’ experience as a pioneer, educationalist and adviser in sectors such as Information Technology, Education, Yoga and Professional Services. Veena has built an international career working with organisations in Australia, India, Canada and England across diverse organisations, particularly Information Technology and project management. As an Information Technology veteran, Veena has worked with many international organisations including Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Project in Rajasthan India, Oxfam International in India and in the UK; University of Fraser Valley, Canada; Queensland University of Technology, Australia; and Alcatel-Lucent, India.
Secretary
Irene Balydon Former General Secretary Duties of a Community Radio Station, which also included presiding over and assisting 8 of the 52 groups, and attending their AGM's.
Representing EBAQ as the Queensland representative on Board of NEMBC also Qld Women's Rep on the Women's Council. Has been associated with GOPIO Qld for a number of years
Treasurer GOPIO Qld
Arpit Singh An experienced and qualified finance professional, who likes to take challenging roles and deliver outstanding results. Attained Master’s Degree focused in International Economics and Finance from The University of Queensland, & currently working in the Australian Residential Lending industry while also running own outsourcing business. Arpit has held various roles in GOPIO Queensland - previously served in the youth Council
PRO and Assistant Treasurer
Tanvi Goel
Specialties: •Passionate, energetic, enthusiastic marketing management, event management, social networking & word of mouth networking expert.
•Specialized in Internal, External & Marketing Communication, Public and Media Relations.
•Ability to monitor market trends, sales forecasting, and strategic planning to ensure the sale and profitability of products.
• Highly motivated, confident, good listener, employee friendly, problem analyst and public speaker.
Chairperson Women’s Council – Pravinita Singh-Pillay
Prav is the Principal Lawyer of Cornerstone Law Offices. Since admission as a lawyer in Australia in 1997, Prav has worked in Australia, and in San Jose, California, USA in various areas of law. She opened her general practice law firm, with her husband, Bob Pillay, in 2014. She is also a Nationally Accredited mediator and family dispute resolution practitioner. Prav has a passion for community service, empowering, mentoring, and inspiring people from all works of life. She volunteers at a number of community legal centres, and is a member of other community organisations. She has previously held the position of joint secretary then secretary in GOPIO Qld, and is now the Women’s Council Chairperson. Prav brings to GOPIO Qld over 23 years of legal knowledge, skills, and experience
Chairperson Business council chair
Umesh Chandra OAM - - Member, Board of Trustees GOPIO Qld
Founder President , launched GOPIO Qld , President of Queensland Multicultural Council ,Has held various position on GOPIO International , mentor to many GOPIO Chapters Worldwide , serves on Lord Mayors round table and is a multicultural adviser to Commissioner of police , Patron of various community Organisations ,