We express our sincere gratitude to all our team members who volunteer their time and expertise to advance HSCI's mission of Hindu spiritual care globally.
Dr. Kailash Joshi
President
Retired IBM executive residing in California who conceptualized and founded HSCI in 2018. A passionate institution-builder, in 1992 Dr. Joshi co-founded TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), world's largest networks of entrepreneurs, and served as its third President. He co-founded American India Foundation (AIF) in 2001, serving as its founding CEO alongside Honorary Chairman President Bill Clinton. His career spans academics at Cornell University, executive management at IBM, and decades of mentoring startups and nonprofits. He holds a BE degree from IISc Bangalore, MS from Washington State University, Ph.D. from Cornell University, and honorary D.Sc. from Garhwal University, India.
Gaurav Rastogi
Dean & Faculty Member | GTU Board of Trustees
Co-founder of HSCI with twenty years of executive and entrepreneurial experience from Infosys and AI startups. Teaches Dhyana meditation (ERYT-500). Founded the Living Deeply Foundation. Board Trustee at the Graduate Theological Union. Visiting Faculty at IIM Ahmedabad and Ashoka University. Author of three business books (Oxford University Press, Penguin). BE from Delhi Technological University, MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.
Dr. Punit Mahendru
Board & Faculty Member
Senior staff psychologist with Kaiser Permanente background. Integrates evidence-based therapy with holistic approaches for culturally sensitive mental healthcare. Ph.D. from Rutgers University and M.Phil. from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore. Maintains private practice helping adults with life transitions.
Usha Narasimhan
Board & Registrar
Earned her MBA while juggling family, music, and schoolwork. Through hard work and a solution-driven mentality she served as her company's CFO. After experiencing a significant personal loss, she realized the importance of balancing achievements with community service and spiritual learning.
Dr. Ashok Chandrasekhar
Associate Dean
Retired from an accomplished executive career and decided to help build a strong chaplaincy program for the Indian community. Brings his Ph.D. in Operations Management to create practical, effective spiritual care systems. At the local temple, he helps families through grief and loss. Trains new chaplains and develops programs that truly understand our community's needs.
Dr. Zachary Ginder
Faculty Member
Zachary Ginder, PsyD, MSW serves as faculty member at HSCI. He blends Hindu wisdom with modern psychology to support flourishing. He expresses seva through volunteer service, community engagement, and multiple professional ventures, and contributes to HSCI through curriculum, teaching, and publications. He leads yogic meditation for individuals, organizations, and communities. As Executive Director of the Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center, he helps families navigate developmental challenges. Grounded in clinical psychology and a lifelong spiritual practice, he bridges ancient wisdom and modern care.
Sharad Patel
Senior Advisor
Brings cultural richness from his upbringing in Tanzania. Came to the US in 1970 and had a successful career in the semiconductor industry. With his background in economics and finance, created healthcare solutions. In recent years, dedicated his time as a go-to person for families seeking spiritual care and guidance. Holds MBA from Santa Clara University and is currently enrolled in the Chaplaincy program at GTU.
Neeti Soota
CPE Training Guide
Served as a functional leader at HSCI since 2021. Completed the CHT certificate, the Interreligious Chaplaincy Certificate at GTU, and four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Kaiser GSAA. A technologist by profession who integrates her love for Hindu dharma, spiritual care, and nature into all endeavors. Holds MS in computer science.
Sudha Bhat
Faculty Member
Sudha Bhat brings engineering and business expertise to guide HSCI's strategic initiatives. As an ICF-certified life coach with spiritual-care training from CIF, CHT, and the GTU ICP, she serves the diverse Hindu diaspora through a range of supportive programs. She actively fosters interfaith dialogue and community service through her ongoing initiatives and offers a compassionate presence to individuals and families navigating life's challenges.
Dr. Mukund Acharya
Board Member (emeritus)
Mukund Acharya, PhD brings forty years of global aerospace experience to community service. Co-founded Sukham to help South Asian seniors age with dignity and cultural understanding. His journey from IIT Bombay to a Stanford Ph.D. taught him to solve complex human challenges. Helps families prepare for life's major transitions while honoring cultural values. Advocates for and supports all patients and caregivers in the community through Sandhya's Touch and a variety of other roles.
Dr. Naras Bhat
Board Member (emeritus)
Naras Bhat, MD started HSCI's academic program as founding Dean (2018-19) to train the next generation of spiritual caregivers. As a physician, helps prevent heart disease in the Indian community. Jiva Health combines the best of Eastern and Western medicine. His latest passion is connecting Vedanta to Longevity Medicine. He teaches at Saybrook University, UC Berkeley, and Better Physiology Institute.
Vijay Aggarwal
CFO
Brings accounting expertise to manage HSCI's financial health. Experience at the Industrial Finance Corporation of India and as a nominee director enriches financial planning. Actively serves on the boards of SDK Temple and the Braj Cultural and Arts Society while volunteering at Kaiser Permanente and Sewa International.
Anjana Bhargava
Director of Admissions
Anjana Bhargava is the Admission Director at the Hindu Spiritual Care Institute and a Boston-based Ayurvedic practitioner. She offers integrative healing through diet, lifestyle, pranayama, Bach flower remedies, and Vedic counseling, and conducts workshops at community and senior centers. An active volunteer, she also creates and exhibits Madhubani art, reflecting her passion for blending ancient Indian traditions of wellness and creativity.
Pt. Neil Persad
Advisory Purohit
Brings deep spiritual knowledge from his Trinidad heritage to guide HSCI's spiritual programs. As an IT Director in cloud telecommunications, balances modern expertise with traditional wisdom. Serves as a spiritual advisor to multiple organizations and an accomplished Indian classical musician. Helps HSCI maintain authentic spiritual practices while adapting for contemporary settings.
Manu Swamy
Assistant Registrar
Combines business management expertise with passion for yoga and holistic living. A certified Vysala yoga instructor serving multiple community organizations including Boy Scouts, VSNA, Chinmaya Mission, and Community for Immunity. Applies marketing background and volunteer experience to support student registration and program administration.
Sudha Ramakrishnan
HCRC Library & Archives Lead
As a medical librarian, helps healthcare teams build evidence-based practices. Deepens Hindu and interfaith knowledge through Chinmaya International Foundation and GTU courses. Experience as music coordinator for Chinmaya Mission DFW adds a cultural dimension. Aims to bring spiritual resources to hospital and university communities.
Pooja Parkash
TrayaCare System Lead
Combines software engineering career at a major Bay Area corporation with passion for Vedic teachings and the Geeta. Holds degrees from PEC Chandigarh and BITS Pilani. Beyond technical work, enjoys dancing and singing bhajans.
Ashis Khan
Accreditation Lead
Ashis Khan is the Accreditation Lead at the Hindu Spiritual Care Institute, where he pioneered the use of Agentic AI to ensure continuous compliance and quality assurance for academic programs. Guided by Vedanta's vision of seeing the divine in all beings, he supports HSCI's mission to bring authentic Hindu spiritual care to diverse settings. With over 30 years in technology entrepreneurship and leadership, he brings a systems-thinking approach to spiritual education, shaping rigorous, globally relevant training programs.
Michael Jarrett
Project Manager
Michael Jarrett serves as HSCI Project Manager, coordinating the ongoing projects that sustain the institute's mission. His background spans IT and Data Analytics and a degree in Film and Television from San Jose State University — a combination that brings both technical precision and a storyteller's eye for flow and structure. Michael's connection to HSCI began in his student years and deepened over time, reconnecting after years of professional growth. He is drawn by the quality of care HSCI offers and the genuine openness it extends to people of all backgrounds — a welcome that made him feel at home.