Indo-American Press Club (IAPC) Announces 2026 Board of Directors
Distinguished Journalists, Media Executives, and Community Leaders Convene to Advance
Ethical Reporting and Modernize Digital Outreach Across North America
The Indo-American Press Club (IAPC), the premier and largest professional organization
representing journalists, broadcasters, and media professionals of Indian origin across the
United States and Canada, has officially announced its comprehensive Board of Directors for
the 2026 term. The incoming leadership cohort brings together a formidable assembly of
veteran print and broadcast journalists, corporate technology executives, literary figures, and
highly accomplished academic scientists, positioning the press club for an ambitious year
focused on strengthening community-centered journalism, elevating medical and science
reporting, and building cross-continental digital alliances.
Anchoring the executive leadership is Dr. Satheesh Kathula, who steps into the role of
Chairman of the Board of Directors. An eminent oncologist and Clinical Professor of Medicine at
Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, Dr. Kathula recently
concluded a high-profile tenure as President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian
Origin (AAPI). As IAPC Chair, Dr. Kathula has committed to modernizing the organization’s
digital outreach while actively championing rigorous ethics in media and enhancing the quality of
health and science journalism across the North American diaspora.
Working alongside him is Founder Chairman and Board Secretary Ginsmon Zacharia, a
veteran media strategist with over 24 years of industry experience across Europe and the
United States. Zacharia, the CEO of The Asian Era, Inc. and Publisher of Jaihind Vartha, has
been instrumental in expanding the presence of Malayalam and English diaspora media
networks globally.
The leadership executive committee is further fortified by Dr. Matthew Joys of Nevada, who
serves as Vice Chairman. Dr. Joys brings a diverse background as a central government
financial analyst in India and a seasoned English and Malayalam news columnist, author, and
poet who previously served as executive vice president to the board. Joining them in strategic
steering roles are Founding President Ajay Ghosh of Connecticut, an accomplished journalist
and media strategist with three decades of experience across major ethnic publications
including The Indian Express (North American Edition) and The Global Net News, who balances
his media advisory work with his professional practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at
Yale New Haven Hospital.
The regional enterprise and community development portfolio is guided by New York media
executive Kamlesh Mehta, founder of the Forsyth Media Group and publisher of The South
Asian Times, who previously served as director of business and economic development for the
Nassau County administration. The institutional memory of the organization remains robust with
the continued active engagement of Past President Parveen Chopra, founder of the premier
wellness and spirituality web publication ALotusInTheMud.com and former editor of India Today
magazine , and Korason Varghese, an experienced international representative, cartoonist,
and columnist who previously served as General Secretary and Executive VP of IAPC.
Visual and investigative media sectors are represented by Reji Philip of Pennsylvania, who
brings deep creative and editorial expertise from his tenure with the Global Reporter channel.
From the Canadian delegation, Ashley Joseph joins the national leadership ranks, bringing a
rich history of community organizing and editorial management for prominent Malayalam
publications across Florida, western Canada, and the United States.
The board’s multi-disciplinary depth is further enhanced by Chicago-based broadcasting veteran
Dr. Renee Mehrra, host of the Renee Report, who has provided dedicated media coverage
across politics, health, and current affairs since 1990. Broadcast journalism in Canada is
anchored by Azad Jayan, Editor-in-Chief of Can Malayali and a director for MC News and CIAL
FM, who previously spent six years with Manorama News covering the Supreme Court and
national politics.
From the Southern region, Houston-based author and amateur photographer C G Daniel, a
veteran chapter leader and general secretary, steps into the national fold, bringing deep
expertise in uncovering governmental inefficiencies and telling community-driven stories. The
cultural and literary perspectives of the diaspora are heavily represented by Michigan’s James
Kureekattil, a prominent freethinker, orator, and author of widely discussed short stories and
poetry collections. He is joined in governance by New York’s Joji Kavanal, a legal practitioner
who serves as a founding director of the IAPC and treasurer of the Malankara Archdiocese of
North America.
Further strengthening the Canadian academic presence, Dr. P V Baiju (Dr. Baiju Vareed), an
Associate Professor and Director of the School of Social Work at MacEwan University in
Edmonton, continues his longstanding tenure on the board since 2018. Atlanta-based developer
and philanthropist Jomy George, founder of J&P Development, lends his corporate enterprise
and mentoring expertise to the board , alongside Milly Philip, an accomplished broadcast
anchor and current President of the Philadelphia IAPC Chapter.
Crucially, the 2026 organizational framework integrates dedicated technological leadership to
support its modern digital mandate. Alongside Abhishek Mishra, a New Jersey technology
architect with over two decades of enterprise engineering experience at global giants like IBM
and AT&T , the board leans on corporate technology executive Shan Justus. Based in San
Antonio, Texas, Justus serves as a Software Engineering Manager at H-E-B, where he directs
the Health and Wellness/Pharmacy Information Technology division. At IAPC, Justus bridges
the intersection of enterprise software engineering and modern news delivery, lending his
technical consulting expertise to independent digital media platforms—including
GlobalNet.News, HealthAndWellness.News, TheUNN, and indica News—to streamline content
workflows, implement robust technical frameworks, and scale digital dissemination operations
for the global Indian diaspora.
Rounding out the final tier of the board is veteran media producer Thampanoor Mohan of
British Columbia, whose television program Canadian Connection TV has spanned five decades
across major international networks. He is flanked by National Vice President Patricia
Umashankar (Meera Shankar), a Dallas-based multimedia entrepreneur, CEO of 0471
Entertainment LLC, and host of the diaspora podcast Beyond Borders, who also directs digital
media strategies for the GOPIO Dallas Chapter.
Additionally, the board celebrates the historic contributions of Toronto radio station owner
Kandiah Sivasothy (Ilaibharthy) of the Canadian Tamil Broadcasting Corporation, who has
been designated to receive the prestigious IAPC Media & Community Award 2025 for his
30-year legacy of broadcasting and community service.
Concluding the roster are East Coast and Canadian leaders Dr. Eapen Daniel, a
Pennsylvania-based genomics integration researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and
prominent civic leader, and Calgary-based senior scientist and educational columnist Dr. Cini
Mathew John, who presides over the active IAPC Alberta Chapter and authors health columns
for major publications. With a multi-disciplinary board uniting scientific precision, technological
scale, and decades of ethical journalistic reporting, the Indo-American Press Club enters its
2026 session uniquely equipped to navigate the evolving digital media landscape and amplify
the multi-faceted narratives of the South Asian diaspora.
Official 2026 Board Directory & Leadership Roster
● Dr. Satheesh Kathula (Chairman, OH) – Distinguished oncologist, medical researcher,
and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wright State University. Past President of AAPI and
recipient of the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Author of “Immigrant
Doctors: Chasing the Big American Dream.”
● Ginsmon Zacharia (Founding Chairman & Board Secretary, NY) – Media innovator with
24 years of experience. CEO of The Asian Era, Inc. and Publisher/Chief Editor of Jaihind
Vartha. Law graduate from Bangalore University with an MBA in Marketing.
● Dr. Matthew Joys (Vice Chairman, NV) – Established author, poet, and regular
columnist for English and Malayalam news publications. Background includes serving in
the central government finance department in India and as a Financial Analyst in the
United States. Executive Editor of Jai Hind, NY.
● Ajay Ghosh (Founding President, CT) – Three decades of media experience as
Publisher and Chief Editor of The Global Net News and Health and Wellness News.
Holds dual master’s degrees in Journalism and Social Work, practicing concurrently as a
Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Yale New Haven Hospital. Media Consultant for
ITServe Alliance.
● Kamlesh Mehta (Executive Board Member, NY) – Founder and CEO of Forsyth Media
Group, publishers of The South Asian Times and The Asian Era. Prominent gemstone
merchant; formerly served as Director of Business and Economic Development for the
Nassau County administration.
● Parveen Chopra (Past President & Editorial Advisor, NY) – Journalism professional with
thirty years of standing. Former editor of India Today magazine and The South Asian
Times. Founder and chief editor of the wellness and spirituality web publication
ALotusInTheMud.com.
● Reji Philip (Executive Board Member, PA) – Well-known journalist and reporter for the
Global Reporter channel. Holds a master’s degree in journalism and manages creative
departments across several visual and online media networks.
● Korason Varghese (Executive Board Member, NY) – Previously served as General
Secretary and Executive VP of IAPC. Columnist, cartoonist, and interviewer. Past
Regional Director and UN Representative for the Y’s Men’s Club of US.
● Ashley Joseph (Executive Board Member, Canada) – Editor-in-Chief of Jai Hind News.
Began journalistic career in 2003 and has managed major Malayalam magazines
including Aksharam and Yatra. Executive member of the Edmonton Catholic Association.
● Dr. Renee Mehrra (Executive Board Member, Chicago, IL) – Host of the Renee Report
covering politics, health, and current affairs since 1990. President of Reenbow Media
and former associate director of external affairs at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens.
Holds a doctorate from Walden University.
● Azad Jayan (Executive Board Member, Niagara Falls, CAD) – Former reporter and
producer for Manorama News in Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi. Current Director of MC
News and CIAL FM, and Editor-in-Chief of Can Malayali newspaper in Canada.
● C G Daniel (Executive Board Member, Houston, TX) – Well-known writer, panelist, and
amateur photographer specializing in community-driven stories. Founder, president, and
CEO of the Deepalaya Foundation Inc., USA.
● James Kureekattil (Executive Board Member, MI) – Prominent orator, author, and
cultural activist. Published author of two books exploring societal themes and poetry.
Active leader with esSENSE Global promoting critical thinking and scientific awareness.
● Joji Kavanal (Executive Board Member, NY) – Founding director of the IAPC and
treasurer of the Malankara Archdiocese of North America. Former director of Jaihind TV
USA and practiced law in the Kerala High Court.
● Dr. P V Baiju / Baiju Vareed (Executive Board Member, Edmonton, CAD) – Associate
Professor and Director of the School of Social Work at MacEwan University. Author,
regular essayist, and first South Indian elected to the Alberta College of Social Workers
regulatory body. Board member since 2018.
● Jomy George (Executive Board Member, Atlanta, GA) – Distinguished Atlanta-based
entrepreneur, community advocate, and philanthropist. Founder of J&P Development
focusing on immigrant integration, cultural preservation, and mentoring emerging
leaders.
● Milli Philip (Chapter President, PA) – President of the Philadelphia IAPC Chapter, World
Malayali Council Americas Region General Secretary, and veteran anchor/reporter for
Asianet, Manorama News, and Doordarshan.
● Abhishek Mishra (Technical Operations Director, NJ) – Information Technology
professional with more than 20 years of experience supporting enterprise architectures
at AT&T, IBM, and Prudential Financial. Holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science
from the New York Institute of Technology.
● Shan Justus (Executive Board Member, San Antonio, TX) – Technology leader and
Software Engineering Manager at H-E-B in San Antonio, managing the Pharmacy/Health
and Wellness IT division. Provides global technical consulting to startups, non-profits,
and independent digital media platforms including indica News, TheUNN,
HealthAndWellness.news, and GlobalNet.news.
● Thampanoor Mohan (Executive Board Member, BC, CAD) – Veteran journalist and
media producer with a 50-year career. Creator and producer of Canadian Connection TV
and Canadian National Coordinator for the Global Reporter.
● Patricia Umashankar / Meera Shankar (National Vice President, Dallas, TX) –
Visionary media entrepreneur, corporate event moderator, and CEO of 0471
Entertainment LLC. Host of the diaspora podcast “Beyond Borders” and Multimedia
Communication Director for the GOPIO Dallas Chapter. Holds an MBA from Purdue
University.
● Kandiah Sivasothy / Ilaibharthy (2025 Media & Community Award Recipient, Toronto,
CAD) – Owner, broadcaster, and talk show host at the Canadian Tamil Broadcasting
Corporation (CTBC Radio) in Toronto, a pioneering 24-hour Tamil-language station
active since 1996 preserving heritage among Sri Lankan Tamils.
● Dr. Eapen Daniel (Executive Board Member, Philadelphia, PA) – Academic and
genomics integration researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. Former Botany
professor in India and long-time civic, religious, and youth activities coordinator in the
Tri-State area.
● Dr. Cini Mathew John (Chapter President, Calgary, CAD) – Senior scientist, public
educator, and author of over 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications and the poetry
collection “The Key Factor.” Serves as President of the IAPC Alberta Chapter and writes
health columns for The Indian Express.
Report by:
Shan Justus
General Secretary, IAPC
