COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT (COM)

SEVA is governed by a Committee of Management (COM) who are responsible for ensuring that the organisation meets expectations and operates in accordance with the law by providing strategic direction and financial and policy approval.

Following are the current SEVA Committee of Management (COM) members:

Mrs Sumati Advani – President

Sumati is a long-term champion of community issues within the Australian South Asian community and has successfully delivered several community projects for SEVA with funding support from Multicultural NSW, Department of Social Services, Parramatta Council and Northern Beaches Council.

Sumati has served as a White Ribbon Advocate and has participated at several forums to raise awareness of domestic violence issues and where and how to seek help.

In 2017, Sumati was awarded the prestigious Local Woman of the Year Award for Strathfield which was presented to her at the NSW Government’s International Women’s Day function held at the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour. Sumati holds a Master’s Degree in Transport Economics (Macquarie University) and is a qualified Project Manager.

In December 2018, Sumati was appointed to the Board of Directors for Macquarie Community College.  Sumati also serves on the Management Committee of Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association.

Mrs Sapna Lazarus – Vice President

Sapna Lazarus has had a long career as a health professional for 36 years in the public health system in NSW. Sapna worked as an Occupational Therapist in Sydney’s tertiary level teaching hospitals until 2010. Since 2016, Sapna has been working as a bilingual community educator (BCE) within the Multicultural Health Unit of Western Sydney Local Health District.

Sapna has been involved in volunteering with SEVA International Inc. since 2018. This role has included being an office bearer on the SEVA Board, and participating actively in all SEVA events and research activities that pertain to seniors, women and health related areas.

Sapna is also a Consumer Representative associated with Cancer Voices NSW, since 2016. This is a volunteer role in the Consumer Involvement Research (CIR) Program.

Mrs. Jayashree Arcot – Secretary

Mr. Hariharan Srinivasan – Treasurer

Mr. Vish Vishwanathan – Public Officer

Mrs. Sunila Kotwal – SAHELI Lead

Mrs. Sapna Lazarus- VRIDDHA and AROGYA Lead

Members

Mrs. Meenakshi Chopra

Dr. Shanthi Raman

Mrs. Saman Rizwi

Mrs. Shantha Vishwanathan

Mrs. Mittu Gopalan – Honorary Solicitor

Mittu Gopalan is a practicing solicitor, with over 20 years of experience in the legal profession. Mittu is the Principal and owner of Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors, a legal firm located in Sydney CBD. The firm prides itself in engaging its multicultural team to provide legal services to the community in a caring and respectful manner, with its mission and motive being “People Over Profits”. Mittu has developed expertise in the areas of: Family Law; Family Provisions Claims; Commercial Law; Deceased Estate Claims; Wills; Debt Recovery; and Personal Injury Claims.

With considerable experience and a pragmatic mindset, Mittu brings her skills, experience and er empathetic nature to develop a range of options in assisting clients during their most vulnerable times. Mittu’s aim is to always resolve issues in the most cost-efficient manner, and within a limited time.

Mittu’s drive and determination has culminated in significant success, with her and her firm being finalists in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards for Boutique Diversity Law Firm of the Year in 2015, Lawyers Weekly Commercial Partner of the Year Awards in 2016, and India Australia Business & Community Awards as Business Woman of the Year in 2016.