Mr. Saikat Paul
Chairperson
Saikat has been a Bay Area resident for the last 19 years and has over 25+ years of experience in finance, having trained as a CPA in California and CA from India. He’s currently the Chief Accounting Officer at Fastly, an edge cloud computing company in San Francisco . He has previously worked at other leading tech companies as well as long stints with PwC in San Jose and Chennai. He has also previously worked with the Fremont Unified School Board in an advisory capacity as well as supported the set up of Dishari Bangla School. With the little time left after work and Prabasi, Saikat enjoys time with his family, reading, watching movies, playing tennis and pickleball and always has time for a good adda.
Dr. Prasanta De
Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Prasanta De is an architect and has been leading designs for 20+ years of optimized Networking, 5G Wireless, and Compute related silicon and systems deployed across the world powering major communication and compute infrastructures. In addition, he also led teams in the areas of advanced linear/non-linear/adaptive control systems, robotics and neural networks for 5+ years. He received his D. Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Washington University, St. Louis, MO. He is instrumental in teaching/training fellow engineers at work in the areas of emerging technologies in very high-speed connections (SerDes), memory systems and very high-current power systems essential for the robust state-of-the-art 5G/Networking/Compute infrastructures.
As a Bay Area Prabasi’s member, he strongly believes in the Prabasi’s vision in creating an environment where the community members, including the 1 st generation kids, are encouraged to follow their passion for the greater good of the community encompassing individuals from all walks of life. These noble efforts are likely to address the food-insecurity, and access to the education in the greater Bay Area communities and the communities in India. Dr. De is passionate about helping individuals discover and develop skills using the individual’s life experiences, often deemed insignificant by others, to make best of their lives and succeed in their endeavor. He is also passionate about coaching parents and kids in navigating pathways for kids’ K – 12 journey and beyond.
Mr. Abhijit Datta
Member of the Board of Directors
Abhijit Datta is a Sr. Architect and a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in his domain at the leading company driving the technology of GPU, Supercomputer for AI/ML/DL, and Self Driving Cars etc. He has deep ties with this community and continues to serve in different capacities.
He is often engaged in helping food drives, assisting at cultural events, leading Boy Scout groups, and coaching Lego Robotics. He successfully bridges his proud Bengali, Indian heritage with mainstream living. He has lived abroad for over three decades, holds a Master of Electrical Engineering degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS), this expertise transferred to his current work.
He along with his family has been a long-time Bay Area Prabasi member while supporting other similar local organizations, always aiming to serve the broader community. He shares Bay Area Prabasi‘s focused mission and leadership views. With an increasing Bengali population in the Bay Area, our community has reached a critical mass now to greatly benefit from a permanent physical address of our own. A place for meeting of the minds and spending quality time together expanding our horizon. A place where the outreach can be amplified, our ethnic identity enhanced. This is crucial for the next generation, where they can bring their peers for exchange of cultures, while secured in their own identity.
Dr. Jayashree Ray
Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Jayashree Ray is an accomplished scientist and leader in the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare industry. As the Chief of the Cannabis Testing Lab Branch for the State of California, she oversees the testing and regulation of cannabis products, ensuring they meet the highest safety and quality standards. Jayashree earned her MS in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), and her PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Known for her strategic and collaborative approach, she has made significant contributions to research and development in functional genomics, microbiology, and environmental programs. A recognized expert in her field, Jayashree has a proven track record of building scientific collaborations, managing complex projects, and leading high-performing teams.In addition to her professional achievements, Jayashree is a skilled vocalist, trained in Hindustani Classical and semi-classical music under the Lucknow Gharana. She was a regular staff artist at All India Radio and Kolkata Doordarshan and continues to pursue her passion for music alongside her career.
Ms. Urmi Chakraborty
Member of the Board of Directors
Urmi Chakraborty is a seasoned scientist with over a decade of experience in the sustainable clean chemistry industry in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds dual master’s degrees—one in Biochemistry from the University of Calcutta and another in Biomedical Science from the University of Central Florida. Driven by a passion for zero-waste solutions and environmental sustainability, Urmi has earned multiple patents and authored numerous publications in both academic and industry settings. Beyond her scientific career, Urmi is a dedicated dancer with a deep passion for the arts. She is a trained Kathak dancer, currently under the guidance of Guru Nirmala Madhava Ji, and also has training in creative dance and Manipuri dance from Guru Shri Sanjib Bhattacharya. Urmi leads several dance groups and runs a dance school where she shares her love for Indian classical dance and culture. Her performances and productions have been showcased across the Bay Area, Las Vegas, Seattle, and other locations. Urmi is also committed to promoting Indian art and culture, especially among the non-Indian community and the younger generation. In addition to her artistic endeavors, she actively engages in community service, volunteering for various initiatives and causes close to her heart.
Mr. Srijoy Aditya
Member of the Board of Directors
Srijoy Aditya is a senior director at Visa and a seasoned IT professional with over 17 years of experience, possessing a strong background in both technology and management. His expertise lies in ETL/ELT, Data Warehouse/Business Intelligence, and Big Data domains. Srijoy has a proven track record of leading large teams and managing complex projects, demonstrating his ability to navigate cross-cultural environments and spearhead end-to-end Product Development and Enterprise Data Management initiatives. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Srijoy actively contributes to the Bay Area Prabasi community, showcasing his commitment to the vibrant Bengali community in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Saoli
Member of the Board of Directors
Saoli, a devoted mother of twin boys, has a deep-rooted connection with the Bay Area community, where she’s contributed to numerous creative projects over the years. Her openhearted approach fosters a warm and respectful environment in community interactions.
With over a decade of professional expertise and a degree in Master of Computer Application, Saoli excels in managing and ensuring quality in customizable ERP solutions for enterprises. Her career journey spans across diverse geographies, where she adeptly led teams. She enrolled in a film school to pursue her passion for making films/talk shows.
Saoli’s work is a testament to her aesthetic sensibility and unwavering passion, evident in every project she undertakes. Her multifaceted persona, encompassing motherhood, community involvement, and professional excellence, reflects a remarkable individual who leaves a lasting impression.
Dr. Supratik Bose
Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Supratik Bose is a scientist conducting research and development in the domain of medical imaging and treatment planning for radiotherapy. He completed his undergraduate and Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur and did post-graduate diploma in data science from Stanford University. A holder of multiple patents and publications, he works in a leading medical devices company whose motto he strongly believes: “We pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably”.
He is involved in various volunteering activity including adult literacy (Project Second Chance) at Contra Costa County Library and food drive and packing at Food Bank Contra Costa/Solano. As a Bay Area Prabasi’s member, he attempts to support its philanthropic and community outreach activities in various ways.”
Sudipto Mukhopadhyay
Member of the Board of Directors
Sudipto is a Software Architect at Vmware Inc. with overall 20+ years of experience architecting, designing and developing software for large-scale, distributed systems. Sudipto has many innovations and patents in hyper-converged infrastructure, life-cycle management, database and security.
Dr. Sudip Chattopadhyay
Member of the Board of Directors
Professor of Economics, past Chairperson of the Economics Department at San Francisco State university. He is a Fellow at Oak Ridge Associated Universities. He has served as Senior Advisor at the federal Department of Health & Human Services.
Sudeshna Raha
Member of the Board of Directors
She is a business strategy and operations executive with 20+ years of experience in management consulting, technology product management & marketing, passionate about community development, philanthropy and children’s education.