Board of Directors

President

Uphaar Kotru is a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience, including a sales leadership role at Snowflake, Uphaar balances his successful career with a deep commitment to community service. Having previously served three terms as KOA Zone 9 Director, he understands the critical role of engaging younger generations, particularly those raised in the U.S., in safeguarding Kashmiri Pandit traditions. Uphaar is passionate about strengthening the bonds that unite the community and ensuring its vibrant cultural legacy thrives for generations to come.

Treasurer

Ashutosh Razdan, born in Srinagar and raised in Wisconsin, is a dedicated community volunteer. A University of Minnesota and Northwestern University alumnus, he moved to California in 1990 and now resides in San Jose with his family. Active in both the Boy Scouts of America, where he has served as treasurer, scoutmaster, and chairman, and KOA Zone 9, Ashutosh contributes to the West Coast Camp Committee and has served as camp commander. He is committed to preserving Kashmiri Pandit culture and passing its rich traditions to future generations.

Vice President

Ajay Garyali, a Los Angeles-based software engineer, is a dedicated advocate for the Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community. Born in Jammu and raised in Srinagar and Delhi, Ajay's commitment to community service is evident in his long-standing involvement with the Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) since 2000. He has served multiple terms as Zone-10 Director, Chapter President, and NEC member, leading rallies and working to counter misinformation about the KP community. Beyond his activism, Ajay is a passionate sportsman, representing Delhi in national hockey and cricket and recently playing for the USA Cricket Masters Team. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters.

Secretary

Rashmi Razdan lives in Pleasanton, California, with her family and KOA has been an integral part of their lives. Rashmi has enjoyed volunteering for several KOA projects and community events and values the strong sense of connection and togetherness the community offers. Professionally, Rashmi works as a Human Resources professional at Arm in San Jose. She was born in Kashmir and raised in Delhi, and those roots continue to shape her values, outlook, and love for community. Rashmi is especially passionate about preserving Kashmiri Pandit culture and language and passing these traditions on to the next generation. She believes that culture should be a part of everyday life for our children, and her heartfelt wish is to see our kids speaking Kashmiri, celebrating our traditions, and staying connected to their heritage.