Community Conversation
with Farooq Mitha
NEHA DEWAN
Neha has long been active in both local and national politics. Most recently, she founded and served as the National Director for South Asians for Biden, an organization dedicated to engaging, educating, and mobilizing the South Asian community to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. In 2016, Neha served as the National Co-Chair for South Asians for Hillary and was appointed by Hillary Clinton to the National AAPI Leadership Council.
Previously, in 2015, Neha was appointed as a guest of honor by the Consulate General of India in New York City where she was selected to speak about gender equality for International Women's Day. During the 2012 presidential campaign, Neha chaired the New York Chapter of South Asians for Obama and also served on the steering committee for Lawyers for Obama in New York. For several years, Neha served as an Officer of the New York Democratic Lawyers Council, an organization affiliated with the National Lawyers Council of the Democratic National Committee and comprised of Democratic lawyers and voting rights activists. Similarly, for many years, Neha served as an advisory board member of New Leaders Council, a national organization focused on training and supporting progressive political entrepreneurs. She has also been active in her local community board and political clubs. Neha served as the President of the South Asian Bar Association of New York in 2012, and now sits on the organization’s Board of Directors.
Mobilizing the South Asian Community & Building Political Power
ANUPAM CHUGH SIDHU
Anupam is a first generation immigrant who emigrated from Punjab, India at the age of 9 with her family. After facing many challenges upon her arrival in Michigan, she found her calling as a teacher in college after working with homeless and underserved kids. She went on to become a high school math and science teacher, working in urban and suburban school districts. After obtaining her masters in instructional technology she became a consultant and then administrator for the largest and most diverse intermediate school district in the state.
With over 25 years of experience in public education, she has worked as a teacher, tutor, ISD education consultant, administrator, and school board member. She has experience in education policy, leadership, innovative programs, strategic planning, school improvement, and board governance. Anupam has also received local and state awards for her work in education and advocacy. She was appointed twice by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on two statewide education advisory councils. Last November, she won her second school board election. She has served as the President, Vice President and Secretary of the Board for five years. She also serves on the Michigan Association of School Boards. Most recently she was appointed to the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
