Founders
Sujatha Suresh, Founder & CEO
As CEO and Founder of Akaar Events Sujatha has orchestrated fundraiser galas, entertainment sourcing, holiday events, diversity events, trainings, conferences, seminars and annual picnics where her imaginative ideas and attention to detail helped create lasting impressions and value for the clients. Sujatha has degrees in Education and Psychology, and has worked in Silicon Valley nonprofits and Hewlett Packard for over 10 years. Her background in Program Management and extensive network and relationships with vendors and consultants, provides valued expertise for planning and execution of a wide variety of events.
Akaar Events is the culmination of Sujatha’s passion and penchant for organization and creativity. Akaar’s creative and innovative events have elicited testimonials that speak for themselves. Their growth in the event management arena and repeat business from corporate, nonprofit and private sectors is testament to this fact. Sujatha’s plans for Akaar include an expansion in the marketing and entertainment arenas.
Sujatha volunteers for the American India Foundation, a nonprofit that has funded over 50m USD to India for women’s and children’s related causes. Her family includes two beautiful daughters, husband and her dachschund Scooter.
Suzy Punj Khendry, Co-Founder
Suzy has a Masters Degree in Public Health and undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. After spending a few years in academic research, her interest in event coordination and traveling drew her into the corporate world of executive conference production. She produced events for the nonprofits, insurance, banking and ethnic segments worldwide and structured niche events for effective networking such as CEO roundtables, golf tournaments & Super Bowl parties. Suzy has 6+ years management experience in event management in leading event management firms in NY and CA. She spearheaded conferences in cutting edge topics such as Outsourcing and International Healthcare and converted them into annual events that drew over 350+ attendees from Fortune 500 companies.
Suzy resides in Dublin, CA with her husband.
Consultants
Dheepa Ramanujam - Theater Consultant
Ms. Ramanujam is the founder of Krea, an Indian theater group. Dheepa has produced, directed and acted in several productions in the US. Her passion towards arts and her commitment, dedication and attention to detail make her an asset that Akaar will value in their entertainment and theatrical offerings. Dheepa will lead the Dance and Theater related management offerings for Akaar.
Nirupama Vaidhyanathan - MarCom Consultant
Ms. Vaidhyanathan has a strong background in writing and marketing communications and received an MA in Communication from the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania. Nirupama has worked in fields as diverse as Internet web networking, advertising, and health education in the areas of marketing communication and strategy. As part of the Akaar Events team Nirupama will lead the Marketing and Press areas of major projects and manage the timelines and deliverables for those areas.
Ezra Jeramiah Stanley - Production Consultant
Mr. Stanley is one of San Francisco's busiest multitalented artists. He is known as an actor, filmmaker, novelist, and children's story reader. Ezra prides himself on artistic and production perfection; his films and shows are produced on schedule and within budget! Ezra brings a wealth of production experience to Akaar Events. As Production Consultant, Ezra ensures that any stage, production and direction related activities are professionally handled.
Chef Arvind Bhargava - Consultant Executive Chef
Chef Bhargava spent five years at the Institute of Hotel Management in India. His training included classic French, Italian, Indian and Chinese methods, plus full instruction in restaurant management and wine. He also attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He is the co-owner of the Turmeric Restaurant in Sunnyvale, CA. As Akaar Events’ Consultant Chef, Chef Arvind will contribute his culinary expertise to the team in creating exclusive menus for various special events such as weddings and parties.
Chef Praba Iyer - Co Consultant Executive Chef
Praba Iyer comes to Akaar with credentials from the prestigious California Culinary Academy (CCA). She was Associate Chef at Greens Restaurant in Fort Mason, San Francisco. She specializes in on Thai, Italian, Mexican, Indian, and Asian Fusion Cuisine. She brings an eclectic knowledge of foods that significantly enhances theme-based events. Praba is President of CookingMastery.com (http://www.cookingmastery.com), a Bay Area company specializing in private custom cooking classes, menu planning for restaurateurs and event planners and onsite cooking demos. Praba will contribute her culinary expertise to the team in creating exclusive menus for our clients.
Nasreen Ahmed - Creative & Floral Design Consultant
Ms. Ahmed has completed her Retail Floristry Program with honors and has been in the floral industry since 1998. She has also received 4 certificates from the Sogetsu school of Ikebana and has obtained her teacher’s diploma from the Sogetsu school. As a creative and floral consultant for the Akaar Events team, Nasreen offers personalized and creative arrangements and décor accents.
Nivedita Mathur - Corporate Floral Design Consultant
Ms. Mathur has a masters degree in business administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco. She was brought up in Paris, France and completed her undergraduate studies there before moving to San Francisco. She has been in the retail floral business for the past ten years and specializes in Ikebana . She has a teachers degree from the Wafu School of Ikebana. She brings an outstanding blend of her Indian origin with French sophistication and japanese floral artistry to Akaar Events.