Since 2016, Ravneet Chhokar has called Springfield home. Alongside her husband, an oncologist at Springfield Clinic, she has built a life rooted in community and service. Her two daughters were born in Springfield, and over the past decade, Springfield has become a cherished home for her and her family.
Professionally, Ravneet serves as the Director of Safety and Environmental Compliance at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). Her exceptional leadership and dedication earned her the Employee of the Month award in April 2025, recognizing her significant and positive impact on the UIS campus.
Born and raised in North India, in the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, Ravneet moved to the United States at the age of 24 to pursue a second master’s degree in environmental engineering in New York. She lived and worked there for six years before relocating to the Midwest. The eclectic, vibrant, and results-oriented culture of New York City played a crucial role in shaping her ambitious and fearless leadership style.
Her commitment to service is deeply rooted in her family values, inspired by her grandmother, who received a National Award from the President of India for her dedication to teaching and social service. Ravneet began her journey of service with AIWO in 2024. Deeply impressed by the organization’s impactful work within the community, she found great fulfillment in contributing to the place she now calls home. Driven by a desire to do more and to utilize her potential to the fullest, she now proudly serves as the President of the organization.
Beyond her professional and philanthropic roles, Ravneet has a deep interest in spiritual learning and inner growth. She embraces a mindful way of living and practices meditation through The Art of Living, firmly believing that mindfulness is essential for all ages in today’s fast-paced world. She is passionate about holistic community betterment and strongly believes in empowering the next generation with the right tools for lifelong success. In her personal time, Ravneet enjoys detail-oriented crafts such as crocheting and embroidery, which allow her to express creativity and balance in her life.
Tanvi Sharma is a Senior Data Analyst at a bank, where she enjoys working with data to uncover insights and support informed decision-making. Originally from Rajasthan, India, she moved to Springfield in 2013 with her husband, Sudeep, who is a professor at the University of Illinois Springfield. Together, they are raising two wonderful children, Vihaan and Anika, who bring joy, curiosity, and balance to their lives.
An active member of AIWO since 2018, Tanvi currently serves as Vice President. Her guiding principle is to lead with authenticity, curiosity, and kindness. She strongly believes in AIWO’s mission to enrich the Springfield community through dedicated volunteer work while promoting meaningful cultural exchange. This mission resonates deeply with her values and inspires her to support initiatives that foster civic engagement, celebrate cultural diversity, and create a positive and lasting impact within the community.
Beyond her professional and community involvement, Tanvi is a passionate dancer, an adventurous spirit, and a daredevil at heart. She loves traveling, exploring new cultures, and seeking experiences that challenge her comfort zone. Deeply committed to giving back, Tanvi looks forward to continuing her work with AIWO and helping foster a vibrant, inclusive, and connected Springfield community.
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.
Tara Jain is a board-certified Physician Assistant with experiences across multiple specialties, including gastroenterology, general surgery, and orthopedics. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, living in Wisconsin and Texas, Tara relocated to Springfield in 2016 with her husband, Rohan Jain, a physician at Springfield Clinic. Together, they are the proud parents of two children.
Tara has been an active member of AIWO since 2021 and currently serves as Secretary. Through AIWO, she has found a strong sense of community, inspiring women leaders, and meaningful opportunities to learn, serve, and create impact within the greater Springfield area. Tara is passionate about teaching her children the value of service, growth, and giving back through hands-on volunteering and community involvement. AIWO has also provided her with lasting friendships, purposeful change, and the inspiration to continually do—and be—more.
In her free time, Tara enjoys working out and can often be found working out at Farrell’s Extreme Kickboxing in Springfield. She also loves reading, dancing, traveling, but her greatest joy is raising her children. Tara is deeply committed to instilling in them the values of kindness and service. I hope through AIWO to create positive change, support others, and foster growth and leadership!
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 2018-2019
Sammi Mander 2020-2021
Chandana Nandi 2022-2023
Dr. Richa Pandey 2024-2025