Dr. Richa Pandey is a board-certified nephrologist and internal medicine physician. Originally from Mumbai, India, she moved to the United States for her postgraduate studies, completing her fellowship in nephrology at Washington University in St. Louis. In 2015, she relocated to Springfield with her husband, Dr. Rajan Kochar, also a physician. Together, they are the proud parents of two young daughters, Aria and Ziva.
An active member of AIWO since 2018, Dr. Pandey joined the executive committee in 2021, first serving as Secretary and later as President. Her guiding principle is to approach each day with integrity and honesty. She strives to be sincere in all her actions and to embrace continuous growth and learning. This principle allows her to face challenges with resilience, build meaningful relationships, and make a positive impact in the world around her.
Inspired by her mother, who encouraged her to pursue a career in medicine for its stability and potential to positively impact others, Dr. Pandey initially had dreams of becoming a Bollywood actress. However, as she progressed through her studies and began working with patients, she discovered a deep passion for helping others and a true interest in medical science.
Her vision for Springfield is a community where everyone has equal access to quality healthcare, education, and opportunities for growth. She hopes to foster a holistic, preventive healthcare approach supported by strong local partnerships and a spirit of volunteerism. Her dream is a thriving, inclusive community where all feel supported and empowered.
Springfield is truly home to her now, and serving this community brings her immense joy.
In July 2024 she was named as of the recipient of the ‘40 under 40’ award!
Dr. Pandey’s proudest professional achievement has been earning the trust and affection of her patients. Knowing that she has made a meaningful difference in their lives is profoundly rewarding and reaffirms her commitment to her profession.
Dr. Renu Govindaiah is a board-certified Allergist and Immunologist at Springfield Clinic. She moved to Springfield with her husband, Dr. Raj Govindaiah, in 2006 and is a proud mother to two daughters, Sarina and Aleena. A dedicated member of AIWO since 2017, Dr. Govindaiah is guided by the principle, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” She emphasizes honesty, integrity, and open communication in all her relationships, and has worked to instill these same values in her daughters.
Dr. Govindaiah’s parents, both exemplary role models, ingrained in her the importance of hard work and education. Her father, a physician, profoundly influenced her career path; his sense of purpose and commitment to his patients inspired her to pursue medicine. As an allergist, she now has the privilege of caring for patients of all ages with conditions ranging from seasonal allergies to complex immunological challenges. She finds the field’s rapid advancements allow her to continuously learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact on her patients’ health.
Springfield has been an incredible place to raise her family. Over the past two decades, she has watched the community grow more diverse, fostering both social and economic vitality. Dr. Govindaiah is thrilled to see AIWO celebrate and support this growth.
For the past few years, she has ranked in the top 1% nationally for patient experience, a testament to her commitment to providing exceptional care and building trust with her patients. She is passionate about passing on this ethos to the next generation by mentoring medical students and residents.
In her free time, Dr. Govindaiah loves to travel to new places with her family! She has traveled to 40 countries so far!
Mrs. Daksha Patel has been a dedicated member of AIWO since 1992. Born in Tanzania and raised in London, she moved to the United States in 1987. Together with her husband, Mr. Chandrakant Patel, she built multiple successful businesses—from running a newspaper shop and a pharmacy to managing a thriving hotel. Through her journey, teamwork, connecting with people, and exploring her creative side inspired her to pursue a fulfilling career.
Her guiding principles in life are clear: don’t dwell on what you can’t change, pursue what you love, maintain a positive outlook, let go of an unhappy past, and help those in need. She is passionate about giving back to the Springfield community, whether through volunteering, supporting small businesses, or donating to local charities. Daksha has been involved with AIWO since the very first India Night in 1996, and her commitment remains strong.
If she could offer advice to her younger self, it would be to forgive and move forward, invest in herself without worry, and remember that success will come and go—and that’s perfectly okay. Rebuilding her business after a devastating loss stands as her proudest professional accomplishment.
In her free time, Daksha loves to cook, with her lamb curry being particularly famous among friends and family. She also enjoys watching murder mysteries, and is an award-winning participant in Garba, having earned numerous accolades from the Gujarati Samaj of Springfield for her extensive contributions and community involvement.
Purnima Brahma has been a dedicated member of AIWO since 2021 and proudly serves as its Secretary. Since 2018, she has also held the role of Administrative Assistant to the Mayor of Springfield, bringing her passion for community service into her daily work. In addition to her roles with AIWO and the Mayor’s office, she enjoys supporting other local 501(c)(3) organizations whenever possible.
Purnima and her husband, Subir, moved to Springfield in 2004. Their son, Sekar, who spent his childhood in Springfield, now lives in Seattle, Washington.
Alongside her work in the Mayor’s office, she actively participates in AIWO, helping to support numerous causes throughout the community. Volunteering and connecting with others through service are deeply meaningful to her.
Guided by compassion and care, Purnima believes in treating others as she wishes to be treated and is convinced that laughter makes everything a little brighter. Her goal is to spread happiness and positivity to everyone around her.
After many fulfilling years working in the school district, particularly as a parent liaison at the Early Learning Center, Purnima was offered a unique opportunity to work in the Mayor’s office. Taking on the role of Administrative Assistant felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance to serve Springfield in a new way. Six years later, she is still passionate about her work and feels grateful for the opportunity.
Purnima’s greatest hope is for Springfield to continue growing as a connected, thriving community, where kindness and compassion lead the way. Her proudest achievement is her ability to bring people together through both her work and volunteer efforts, helping to make a positive impact on the community. In her free time, she loves playing pickleball, a newfound hobby that she enjoys for its fun, social nature and as a great way to stay active.
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
Chandana Nandi. 2022-2024