BY A STAFF REPORTER
CHINO HILLS, CA - What is leadership? Typically, we limit our view of “leaders” to people in position of power: CEOs, politicians, athletes, and perhaps community leaders. True leadership is rooted in a person’s character, in their actions, and in the examples they set. Everyone has the potential to be a leader in his or her own right. To recognize the unparalleled leaders...
CHINO HILLS, CA - What is leadership? Typically, we limit our view of “leaders” to people in position of power: CEOs, politicians, athletes, and perhaps community leaders. True leadership is rooted in a person’s character, in their actions, and in the examples they set. Everyone has the potential to be a leader in his or her own right. To recognize the unparalleled leaders...
we know and admire, to acknowledge the leaders amongst us, and to enrich the leaders within us, BAPS hosted a Women’s Conference themed “Lead from Within” at 10 centers across North America. On March 22, over 350 women gathered at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir here, to participate in this annual event, now observing its seventh year.
Dr. Brinda Subramaniam, professor of physics and engineering at Cypress College, conveyed the message to Lead from Within through her personal outtakes and stories as a wife, a daughter and most importantly, a mother. Meera Patel, a former U.S Marine and entrepreneur, is currently a marketing specialist at The Walt Disney Company. She led an energetic and interactive exchange in identifying whom they consider to be leaders and why and highlighted the necessity of individual leadership in one’s community, saying, “Leadership is using one’s influence for a worthwhile cause. When we define it this way, it makes leadership imaginable and accessible for everyone. Every one of us can do it. Everyone is a leader.”
Monal Patel, a registered nurse in labor and delivery at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, emphasized the need to understand one’s self, one’s belief system, values, and spirituality. Encouraging the audience to channel the leader within, she stated, “We are all leaders in our own right, whether that be within our families, our communities, or our careers. Her talk focused on the need for a connection with one’s conscience as it plays an important role in day-to-day actions.”
Bindi Patel, a registered nurse who specializes in pediatric oncology at The Children’s Hospital of Orange County, shared fundamental qualities expressed by leaders she looks to emulate. She spoke of her ultimate role model, her guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj. She conveyed moving examples from his life, exemplifying sacrifice, humility, and stability. She emphasized how her guru’s life demonstrates courage and strength in challenging situations, guiding her in everyday actions and choices. This enables her to be an effective, poised leader in all her diverse roles. Among the women honored at the conference, Rupa Kotecha, a registered nurse and local hero, shared her experience in saving a life on a busy Southern California freeway. Kotecha remarked, “To be a leader, you don’t have to have a uniform, a badge, or a title. All you need is the willingness to help another person. The smallest acts can mean the world to someone else, so don’t be hesitant to help others.”
After the conference, attendees enjoyed the opportunity to network and share their perspective on the talks of the day.
Dr. Brinda Subramaniam, professor of physics and engineering at Cypress College, conveyed the message to Lead from Within through her personal outtakes and stories as a wife, a daughter and most importantly, a mother. Meera Patel, a former U.S Marine and entrepreneur, is currently a marketing specialist at The Walt Disney Company. She led an energetic and interactive exchange in identifying whom they consider to be leaders and why and highlighted the necessity of individual leadership in one’s community, saying, “Leadership is using one’s influence for a worthwhile cause. When we define it this way, it makes leadership imaginable and accessible for everyone. Every one of us can do it. Everyone is a leader.”
Monal Patel, a registered nurse in labor and delivery at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, emphasized the need to understand one’s self, one’s belief system, values, and spirituality. Encouraging the audience to channel the leader within, she stated, “We are all leaders in our own right, whether that be within our families, our communities, or our careers. Her talk focused on the need for a connection with one’s conscience as it plays an important role in day-to-day actions.”
Bindi Patel, a registered nurse who specializes in pediatric oncology at The Children’s Hospital of Orange County, shared fundamental qualities expressed by leaders she looks to emulate. She spoke of her ultimate role model, her guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj. She conveyed moving examples from his life, exemplifying sacrifice, humility, and stability. She emphasized how her guru’s life demonstrates courage and strength in challenging situations, guiding her in everyday actions and choices. This enables her to be an effective, poised leader in all her diverse roles. Among the women honored at the conference, Rupa Kotecha, a registered nurse and local hero, shared her experience in saving a life on a busy Southern California freeway. Kotecha remarked, “To be a leader, you don’t have to have a uniform, a badge, or a title. All you need is the willingness to help another person. The smallest acts can mean the world to someone else, so don’t be hesitant to help others.”
After the conference, attendees enjoyed the opportunity to network and share their perspective on the talks of the day.
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