As the United States celebrated Independence Day, we extend our warm wishes to the Somaiya community across America. July 4 is a moment to reflect on the values of opportunity, innovation, leadership and community participation—values that continue to shape the Somaiya journey and the achievements of our alumni around the world. Across generations, Somaiyans have carried these values into boardrooms, laboratories, classrooms, startups, public institutions and communities across the globe.
As our global alumni network continues to grow, we are delighted to mark an important milestone: the establishment of the first Somaiya Alumni Chapters anywhere in the world.
What makes this milestone particularly meaningful is that it has emerged organically from alumni themselves. Following successful gatherings across the United States, alumni leaders have come together to create chapters in Michigan, Southern California, Massachusetts, and New York/New Jersey. These chapters will serve as local communities where alumni can reconnect with one another, support students, mentor young professionals, foster entrepreneurship and strengthen their connection with the broader Somaiya ecosystem.
Chapter Leadership Teams
Michigan
- Riten Munshi as Chapter Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2012 Batch
- Aakash Patwa as Treasurer & Philanthropy Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2010 Batch
- Rushabh Mehta as Mentorship & Industry Liaison Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2008 Batch
- Krunal Mehta as Membership & Communication Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2012 Batch
- Karan Tewani as Events Co-Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2019 Batch
- Vipul Rana as Events Co-Lead, K J Somaiya Polytechnic 2016 Batch
Southern California
- Venkatesh Sankaran as Chapter Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 1994 Batch
- Nakul Kothari as Treasurer & Philanthropy Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2011 Batch
- Ishita Gupta as Mentorship & Industry Liaison Lead, K J Somaiya Institute of Technology 2006 Batch
- Darshit Shah as Membership & Communication Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2019 Batch
- Vatan Shah as Events Lead, K J Somaiya Institute of Technology 2018 Batch
Massachusetts
- Harshal Nahane as Chapter Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2018 Batch
- Connell D’Souza as Treasurer & Philanthropy Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2014 Batch
- Simran Vijh as Mentorship & Industry Liaison Lead, K J Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce 2018 Batch
- Showndarya Mahadevan as Membership & Communication Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2019 Batch
- Niyati Ashar as Alumni Outreach & Events Lead, K J Somaiya Institute of Technology 2020 Batch
New York & New Jersey
- Aditya Chaudhari as Chapter Lead, K J Somaiya Institute of Technology 2018 Batch
- Manasi Paradkar as Treasurer & Philanthropy Lead, K J Somaiya School of Engineering 2019 Batch
- Pradip Phalore as Mentorship & Industry Liaison Lead, K J Somaiya Institute of Management 2008 Batch
- Kavita Dave as Membership & Communication Lead, K J Somaiya Institute of Management 2006 Batch
- Akshit Modi as Alumni Outreach & Events Lead, K J Somaiya Institute of Technology 2019 Batch
These chapters are more than geographic groups. They represent a new chapter in the Somaiya story—one where alumni become active partners in shaping the future of the institution and supporting the next generation of Somaiyans.
Each chapter leadership team has been provided with a starter toolkit to help build sustainable local communities while maintaining a shared vision across the growing alumni network. In addition, all Chapter Leads will serve on the U.S. Alumni Steering Committee, helping strengthen collaboration across regions and deepen engagement with the Somaiya Institution in India.
In light of the 250th U.S Independence Day, we are reminded that strong communities are built through participation, service and shared purpose. The formation of these chapters reflects the enduring bond that alumni continue to have with Somaiya, regardless of where life takes them.
We extend our sincere gratitude to every volunteer leader who has stepped forward to serve. Their commitment will help create new opportunities for mentorship, professional growth, philanthropy and lifelong connections among Somaiyans worldwide.
The Somaiya story has always been one of people coming together to create meaningful impact. With the launch of these chapters, that story continues to grow across continents. Congratulations to all our chapter leaders, and thank you for helping strengthen the global Somaiya community.
Chapter Lead Spotlight: Venkatesh Sankaran (Southern California)
This month, we spotlight Venkatesh Sankaran, Chapter Lead of the Southern California Somaiya Alumni Chapter. A graduate of K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering (1994 Batch), Venkatesh is the CEO of Saguna Consulting, CEO of HUGENX, and currently serves as President of TiE Los Angeles, one of the world’s largest entrepreneurial networks.
When asked about his vision for the Southern California chapter, Venkatesh emphasized that the greatest strength of any alumni community is its network.
His advice for all chapter leaders is simple but powerful:
- The alumni network is one of the most valuable benefits we share.
- Give back to both the alumni community and the broader Somaiya ecosystem.
- Begin by building strong connections within your chapter leadership team.
- Understand what alumni in your region need and identify what they can contribute back to the Somaiya community & their initiatives
- Focus on mentorship, employment/career opportunities and supporting entrepreneurship (including investment)
Venkatesh recently visited the Somaiya campus, where he met with the riidl team, interacted with student entrepreneurs, and explored the University’s growing academic and research infrastructure. Reflecting on his visit, he shared that he was inspired by the scale of Somaiya’s growth and felt an immense sense of pride in seeing how far the institution has evolved while remaining rooted in its values.
Fun Fact: Venkatesh and his wife are both Somaiya alumni—and worked together on their final-year engineering project before beginning their professional & personal journey.
We thank Venkatesh for his leadership and look forward to seeing the Southern California chapter flourish in the years ahead.
Read More :
Where Somaiya Meets the World: Alumni, Ideas and Innovation Across the United States
Somaiya Alumni USA Reunion – Three Cities. Two Coasts. One Community. Infinite Connections.
Somaiya Alumni Boston Reunion – A Night of Ideas & New Beginnings
Memorial Day Reflections: Honouring Service, Preserving Heritage & Entrepreneurship
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