ABOUT US
IACCT is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the South Asian community in Central Texas. Our mission is to educate, engage, and empower our community through various programs and services. From cultural events to educational workshops, we strive to create a space where individuals can come together to learn, grow, and celebrate their heritage. We believe that by coming together, we can create a stronger and more connected community. Join us in our mission and become a part of the IACCT family today!
IACCT OFFICERS
President / Board Member
Shweta Padmanabha
Shweta Padmanabha is a total Austinite but Indian at heart! She does IT Consulting with companies like Nike, Microsoft, CVS, and JAMF. An Entrepreneur and business-savvy person with a flair for Fashion & modeling. She loves serving in the local community, helping grassroots organizations, organizing mutual aid projects, and being a part of several nonprofit organizations to uplift the local communities. She continues to serve as one of the Board of Directors at IACCT and likes to volunteer in civic engagements, voter registration, and create political awareness. She lives with her 2 beautiful kids and a cat and loves cooking, music, dancing, and reading during her free time.
Vice President / Board Member
MJ Charmani
MJ Charmani is a Director at Accenture, a global consulting company, and Founder/Chair of the non-profit organization iStart Valley, powerhouse of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He led several Diversity Resource groups working with his current and past affiliations. MJ's collaboration with the White House Initiative for Asian Americans (WHIAANAPI) further underscores his commitment to championing equitable opportunities. In 2012, MJ's relentless pursuit of public and private partnership-based initiatives earned him the prestigious recognition from President Barack Obama as a Champion for Change at the White House, a testament to his impact on fostering in two major areas: regional economic development promoting diversity and inclusion. MJ Charmani believes that diversity and inclusion are not just ideals but pathways to greatness, enriching the world with boundless dimensions of innovation and understanding.
Secretary/ Board Member
Ashutosh Shyam
Ashutosh Shyam (PhD) is a financial consultant and notary with a profound passion for social service, inherited from his parents. He takes pride in his role as a member of IACCT, where he actively serves as the voice for all Asian communities in Texas.
Board Member
Upasana Das Sarma
Upasana Das Sarma is a behavior therapist specializing in working with patients with special needs. She relocated from New Mexico to Austin in 2016. Upasana expresses gratitude for the chance to contribute to IACCT and serve as a representative for the Asian communities in Texas.
Board Member
Dr. Meenal McNary
Dr. Meenal McNary was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and earned a degree in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University in 2002. She then went on to the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School, where she earned her D.D.S. degree in 2006. She was commissioned as a Captain and served in the United States Army from 2006 to 2015. During her time, she lived in Hawaii, Georgia, and deployed to the Sinai, Egypt, and Iraq. Dr. McNary completed her endodontic training at the US Army Graduate Dental Education Program at Fort Gordon, GA, in 2012. After her training, she served as the director of the Endodontics Program at the Fort Hood, TX, US Army Residency Training Program for three years. Dr. McNary was honorably discharged and now lives in Round Rock with her husband, Craig, and their three children.
Board Member
Nayer Sikder
Nayer Sikder has worked in the banking industry for 14 years. She is involved in the local community and is part of various non-profit organizations. She volunteered with the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, and she serves as a City of Austin Commissioner on the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission. Her involvement extends to the previously held leadership roles in the Austin Bangla School and the Bangladesh Association of Greater Austin. She graduated from Leadership Austin. She was elected as a Membership Director for the 2024-25 for the Financial Women in Texas.
Board Member
Raji Johnson
Raji Johnson has been a resident of Austin, Texas, for the past 30 years and has actively contributed to IACCT for the last 12 years including serving one term as Vice President. She has represented IACCT on the Hate Crime Task Force, directed by ADL’s Austin Chapter, which fosters open dialogue about hate
and discrimination while promoting prevention, response, and restoration to strengthen community bonds. A seasoned professional with over 15 years of expertise, Raji excels in Quality Assurance, compliance, project management, and strategic planning across diverse industries, including defense,
space manufacturing, semiconductors, and non-profits.
Board Member
Sherine Thomas
Sherine Thomas serves as a reference attorney to pro se family law litigants and also advises on various litigation and trial matters. Sherine gained her extensive legal knowledge and trial experience at the Travis County Attorney’s Office. She continually rose through the ranks while representing the people of Travis County in some of the most consequential legal battles to protect the environment, marriage equality, public health and more.
Sherine served as the first woman and minority to serve as Executive County Attorney. As the County’s top litigator, Sherine had matters at every level of state and federal trial and appellate courts, and even the Supreme Court of Texas.
Her commitment to the legal profession is embodied by her dedication to organizations forwarding the development of civil and effective lawyers. Sherine serves on the Board for the Travis County Women’s Lawyer Association and co-chairs the Mentorship Committee. She is also on the Executive Board for the Calvert Inn of Court as President-elect, serves on the Editorial Board for The Bencher, and was appointed to serve on the State Bar of Texas District 9 Grievance Committee. She is a founding member and current Chair for the South Asian Bar Association Austin. In addition, Sherine was the chair and is credited with the creation of the Women Empowering Leadership in the Law Summit – known as the W.E.L.L. Summitt.
Sherine's dedication to her community goes beyond her legal career. Her leadership record includes service on Boards of various non-profits addressing affordable housing, gender issues, and reproductive rights. Sherine's dedication to her community goes beyond her legal career. Her leadership record includes service as a Board Member for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, and as a former President on the Board of Directors for Austin Habitat for Humanity. She is a Founding Member of the Indian Coalition of Texas (IACT), now known as IACCT. Sherine continues her service as a current IACCT Board Member. Sherine is also a former Board Member for the Indian Community Center.
As an Indian immigrant, Sherine embodies the American Dream and with her unwavering dedication to public service, an unrivaled and barrier-breaking legal career, and a deep commitment to her community, she is embarking on the next phase of her career - running for District Judge in Travis County, Texas.