SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — The Association of Indo Americans (AIA), in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in San Francisco, hosted “Naari 2026 – International Women’s Day Celebration” on Sunday to honor women leaders who are shaping communities, advancing education, and inspiring social progress.
The celebration took place at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and drew community leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and technology professionals from across Silicon Valley. The event highlighted the achievements of women making a strong impact in public service, business, education, and community leadership.
The program honored 48 women leaders from diverse fields for their achievements and contributions to society. Organizers recognized these women for their leadership, service, and commitment to empowering others. The celebration also featured Lifetime Achievement Awards, which honored three prominent leaders for their long-standing contributions to public service, education,n and community engagement.
The awards went to Eleni Kounalakis, lieutenant governor of California; Shefali Razdan Duggal, former U.S. ambassador; and Neeru Khosla, co-founder of the CK-12 Foundation. Each honoree has played a major role in advancing education, strengthening communities, and encouraging international collaboration.
Several prominent leaders addressed the audience and spoke about the importance of women’s leadership and community service. Speakers included Kounalakis; Srikar Reddy, consul general of India in San Francisco; Prathima Reddy; Duggal; Khosla; Catherine Stefani, California assemblymember; Penny Coulter, chief of protocol for the City and County of San Francisco; and Christine Pelosi, political strategist.
Reddy welcomed guests and praised the community for supporting initiatives that recognize women’s achievements. Kounalakis highlighted the importance of cultural gatherings such as Naari. She said such events build bridges between communities and strengthen global partnerships. She also emphasized that stronger cultural ties help expand international trade, education and collaboration.
Among the Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, Khosla received recognition for her work in education. Through the CK-12 Foundation, she has helped expand access to free digital learning resources for students worldwide. Her work has helped many students build strong foundations in science, technology,y and mathematics. Organizers praised her efforts to make education more accessible and inclusive.
The event also honored CA Srima Ranganathan, a certified public accountant and former chairperson of the ICAI Dallas Chapter, with the Geetha Ramakrishnan Memorial Award. The award honors the legacy of the late ICAI leader Geetha Ramakrishnan and celebrates women who demonstrate excellence and leadership.
A highlight of the program included the Trailblazer Woman Awards, which recognized outstanding leaders across sectors such as technology, healthcare, public service, entrepreneurship, and education.
AIA acknowledged support from M. R. Rangaswami of Indiaspora and Anita Manwani of TiE Silicon Valley for contributing to the event’s success.
The Naari International Women’s Day celebration continues to serve as an important platform for recognizing women’s achievements and encouraging leadership. Through initiatives like this event, the Association of Indo Americans aims to promote gender equality, strengthen community connections, and inspire future generations of women leaders.
