Who We Are

The Anokhi Foundation’s mission is the prevention of HIV & AIDS through education, advocacy, and support for communities in need; and empowering communities for social change. In 2006, an estimated 42 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in the world and of those 8.6 million were living in Asia. In the last year alone 960,000 people became newly infected. In some of the poorest countries, 1 in 5 adults is infected. As a result, it is estimated that as of now there are 14 million AIDS orphans and by 2010 there will be an estimated 25 million. These staggering numbers inspired the inception of Anokhi, a word which means unique in Hindi.

Anokhi is unique in that it is comprised solely of volunteers. We are enriched by a committed team of diverse individuals. Each brings talents and passion to the aid of underserved communities. Our Anokhi vision is to walk side by side with people as they gain the tools to create a better quality of life.


Board of Directors

Avanti Sharma, Founder, President, CEO

Avanti Sharma graduated with a B.S. in Psychology with a pre-medical concentration from Mississippi State University. She is now living in Chicago, Illinois where she is pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and plans to work with children and chronically terminally patients in the future. Her experience consists of working with chemically dependent parents at the Haymarket Center in Chicago, at the Women’s Clinic in Starkville, MS, as well as at the North Central Mississippi Regional Cancer Center in Greenwood, MS. She has spent her time volunteering at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The American Red Cross, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She is an active member of the South Asian community and has organized and directed a fundraising event for the South Asian Tsunami Relief.

Her Anokhi Vision: Avanti is excited for her opportunity with The Anokhi Foundation because she hopes to give back to the South Asian community and fulfill a need to create a healthier, more aware, and empowered global community.

Amena Waseem, Vice-President

Amena Waseem is currently studying Global, Medical, and Health Policy and International Politics at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She is a contributing member to the South Asian community in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. She has organized fundraisers for Project Downtown in D.C. and the South Asian Tsunami Relief. As a former University of Maryland student she worked closely with Islamic Relief Foundation which caters to the needs of a number of nations and disasters.

Her Anokhi Vision: She hopes to make The Anokhi Foundation a way to be a positive influence on the nations that gave her such strong and unique roots.

Aneesa Lala, Secretary

Aneesa Lala has obtained her Bachelors degree in Political Science along with her Masters Degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from Mississippi State University. She is currently working as a Legal Liason/Contracts Administrator for a Manufacturing company in Chicago, Illinois.

Her Anokhi Vision: Aneesa is thrilled to be part of the Anokhi Foundation because she firmly believes that with a lot of hard work and perseverances, this organization will aid in bringing out the greater good for a country she loves. She hopes that she will be able to touch and save the lives of many people and help others become involved in an organization that will be beneficial to themselves, their community, their people, and their society

Meagan Newman, Treasurer

Meagan Newman is currently studying Business at the University of New Orleans and is pursuing business ventures of her own. She presently works for Whole Foods Market and her roles include Accountant and Graphic Artist. Through Whole Foods Market, she has been involved with several fundraisers and greatly enjoys the marketing aspect.

Her Anokhi Vision: After witnessing the outpouring of aid and support from people and groups after Hurricane Katrina, she was inspired to fight for a cause that she believes in.


Anokhi Staff

Abhinav Nataraj, Creative Director

Sudha Bahumanyam, Marketing Director


Our Supporters

The Anokhi Foundation deeply appreciates every donation made to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and create healthy, empowered communities.

Anokhi would like to thank the following for their contributions to our growing organization:

Neal Tibrewala

Malia Khan

Tawheed Kader

Sidhartha Buddha Rao, Esq.



Partners and Affiliates