Executive Committee

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Chandana retired as the Chief of Division of Chronic Diseases, Illinois Department of Public Health, and as an Assistant Director for Latino Health, Research, Policy & Training Center, University of Illinois at Chicago in 2010. She also served as an evaluator for the National Latino Tobacco Control Network funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). She brought in over $13.7 million federal grant funding for chronic disease prevention and tobacco control for the State of Illinois. 

Chandana also served in a number of state and national committees/task forces during her professional career, such as the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection and Control Advisory Committee for the CDC (appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Health), Chair for National Diabetes Council, and as a Member of Illinois School Wellness Policies Task Force (Public Act 094-0199). As a member of this School Wellness Task Force, she helped develop Nutrition Standards for Illinois School children. She provided over 50 professional presentations through abstracts and invitations. She received “Outstanding Member of the Year Award” in the field of Public Health Nutrition by Illinois Public Health Association. She also received the “Outstanding Research Paper Award” by the Illinois Dept. of Public Health. Currently, Chandana serves as a grant reviewer for the Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA) under U.S. Health and Human Services. She had been a Registered Dietitian for 28 years. Her passion has been to promote a healthy life-style and a healthy environment.  

With regard to AIWO, her goal is to take the organization to a higher level of achievement by inspiring and engaging with AIWO members. She can be contacted at presidentaiwo@gmail.com.

Rambha has a Master’s degree in Child, Family and Community Services from University of Illinois, Springfield, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Home Science and Nursery Teachers’ Training from India. She has taught in India and worked briefly as a substitute teacher for Springfield School District 186 and Chatham Schools. 

Rhamba describes herself as a career volunteer. She has worked with children in the Pediatric Ward of St. John’s Hospital. She has been involved with children needing extra reading assistance as an AmeriCorps Volunteer and served as a Quadrant Leader overseeing other volunteers in her quadrant. She volunteered as an ESL (English as Second Language) teacher and has been involved with the school system in various other capacities before and during her three children’s schooling. She was a member of Junior League of Springfield, a well known and established volunteer organization for more than a decade. She was chosen to represent JLS in a one year course of Springfield Leadership Training. It is her utmost delight that her much admired and respected teacher/coordinator James Langfelder is currently serving as the Mayor of the city of Springfield. 

She has also been a member/volunteer of the Sangamon County Medical Society Alliance, India Association of Greater Springfield, Indo-American Friendship Council of Greater Springfield as Vice President, and Asian Indian Women’s Organization. Rambha has had the privilege of serving on the board of Family Services Center, Leadership Springfield and as a President and Vice President of AIWO. Rambha feels grateful and blessed to have been able to pursue her passion for connecting with people and reaching out to people in need in Springfield, her hometown of the last 44 years. She equally enjoys reading, cooking and being with friends and family.

Kalpana retired from the Illinois state government after 30 years of service including the Department of Aging, Public Aid and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). At ISBE, she was responsible for evaluating the Pre-kindergarten At-Risk Program funded by the state. She developed reports for ISBE, legislators and prepared responses to their questions related to this At-Risk program. She has a Masters degree in Economics from Illinois State University. 

Kalpana has been a member of AIWO since 2014. She was responsible for organizing and managing India bazar, a part of India Night fundraising event. After retirement, Kalpana enjoys painting, gardening, watching sports, playing with her grandchild, as well as ensuring her passion in arts and crafts. 

Richa has been a part of AIWO for over four years. A Nephrologist by specialty, Richa has served as the Chairman of the department of Nephrology and Hypertension at Springfield Clinic and is the medical director of several dialysis units in the area including the unit at Saint John's Hospital, Springfield.  

At heart, though, Richa is a dancer. She has been involved in choreographing and performing at several events of AIWO and the India Association of Greater Springfield. She is vested in the spiritual growth of the community and has been an active member of the planning committee for the construction of the Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield.  Richa and her physician husband have two daughters, ages 6 and 3, who keep her very busy! She is passionate about fitness, music and traveling, and makes sure to spare time for these activities.

Aruna Mathur founded AIWO in 1991 in her desire to give back to the community and help charitable causes. AIWO has grown tremendously under her leadership. She served as president for 20 years (1991-2009, 2015-2017). She is the recipient of two awards, Citizen of the Year, 2013 from the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter and Women of Influence, 2018, from Springfield Bank and Illinois Business Journal. 

Aruna received her Master's Degree in microbiology from Agra University, India and her Medical Technology degree from University of Illinois, Springfield. She retired in 2001 after working as a clinical researcher at SIU School of Medicine for the past 25 years. Currently she serves as an Advisor to AIWO and is also a Board member of the Indian Association of Greater Springfield. Her passion is traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.

Aruna Mathur               1991-2010 

Rambha Chaudhry    2011-2013  

Vasanta Mushunuri   2014-2015 

Aruna Mathur              2016-2017 

Manjula Mehta            2017-2019

Sammi Mander           2019-2021