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
KANNAN SRINIVASAN
Kannan Srinivasan is a resident of Virginia for over 25 years and is a Finance professional who is passionate about Good Governance, Health Care Delivery & Economics and Equity.
Kannan graduated from Old Dominion University with a Masters in Accounting and is a Chartered Accountant - Member of AICPA.
Kannan is very committed towards public service and currently serves as the Vice Chair of Virginia State Medicaid Board (DMAS) and is a Board member of George Washington University’s Heart and Vascular Institute. He also serves as a commissioner at Loudoun Economic Development Commission and a Board member of DemBiz. Additionally, he serves as Treasurer of Capital IIT – an alumni association of Indian Institute of Technology and WHEELS Global Foundation.
Kannan has been active in Virginia politics for many years by volunteering in several Local and Statewide campaigns. He is a grassroots activist who uses data to drive voter engagement. Kannan is the current Treasurer of Loudoun Democrats, having served two earlier terms. He served as Secretary of the Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia (DAAV) and is a current member of the 10th CD Democratic Committee.
Kannan was elected as a Biden Delegate from Loudoun and was active in South Asians for Biden doing phone banking and outreach to the Asian American Community. Additionally, Kannan was the Democratic candidate for Loudoun County Treasurer – County wide Constitutional office - in 2019.
