Our Leadership

Thomas KorulaTrustee & Co-Chairman

Tom spent his early years in Mumbai, India. His family pioneered the rubber industry in India. After completing a Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry at the University of Bombay, he came to the US and earned a Master’s Degree in Polymer Science at the University of Akron in Ohio. Upon graduation, he was recruited by B.F. Goodrich for Research and Development. After developing chemical processes for BF Goodrich he attended Columbia University to gain a Master’s in Business Administration. Following graduation he went to work for Raychem Corp., a high-technology Materials Sciences company in Menlo Park, California, holding various positions over the course of 17 years, most recently back in India introducing high technology products to India’s developing industries.

While in India Tom was actively involved with Siddha Yoga, as Trustee, Treasurer and Manager of Gurudev Siddha Peeth for 15 years. Tom and his family now live in Gainesville, Florida.

Tom joined the board of trustees of The PRASAD Project in 2015.

Dr. Vivek PanchapakesanTrustee & Co-Chairman

Vivek is a plastic surgeon in Toronto, Canada, specializing in facial reconstructive surgery. He is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Canada), and the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

He is currently the Division Head of Plastic Surgery at William Osler Health System in Toronto, Canada, and a Director on the Board of Directors for Operation Smile Canada. Additionally, he has held various leadership roles, including President of the Professional (Medical) Staff Association, and Director on the Board of Directors for the William Osler Health System.

Vivek has been dedicated to philanthropic work his whole life. Since the outset of his career as a surgeon, he has volunteered as a surgeon and teacher treating children with facial deformities around the world.

Jyotika PatelTrustee & Treasurer

Jyotika Patel earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, and after graduating worked in a clinical laboratory.

Jyotika moved to San Jose, California where she continued in the same field. She later worked with Micro Media Systems, a company that developed panels used in the identification of gram-negative bacteria.

After raising her children, Jyotika joined LifeScan Inc., a company that manufactures glucose monitoring systems. While working for LifeScan, she earned her Master’s Degree in Public Health Education.

Jyotika joined the cardiac division of Guidant’s quality compliance team in 2001, and currently works for Zoll Circulation, a company that develops and markets medical devices to advance emergency care, increase clinical and operational efficiency, and help save lives.

Jyotika joined the Board of The PRASAD Project in 2005, and has been serving as treasurer since 2013.

Deborah Goodrich RoyceTrustee & Secretary

Deborah Goodrich Royce holds a Bachelor’s Degree in modern foreign languages with a minor in dance. In 2008, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Lake Erie College.

Deborah worked for ten years as an actress in film and television. After the birth of her daughters, she moved behind the scenes to work at Miramax Films as their story editor.

She has served on the boards of Literacy Volunteers of Stamford/Greenwich and the YWCA of Greenwich. She currently serves on the boards of the New York Botanical Garden, Greenwich Historical Society and the Garden Conservancy, as well as the advisory boards of the Preservation Society of Newport County, the Greenwich International Film Festival and, in her native Detroit, the College for Creative Studies. Deborah and her husband, Chuck, are also actively involved in the restoration of numerous buildings and “Main Street” revitalization projects.

In 2003, Deborah and her husband, Chuck (CEO of the Royce Funds) co-founded and restored the Avon Theatre Film Center, a 1939 landmark in Stamford, CT, dedicated to classic and independent films, which they operate as a not-for-profit cinema.

Deborah has two daughters, Alexandra and Tess Porter and four stepchildren, Jennifer King, Chad, Amanda and Wesley Royce.

Deborah joined the Board of The PRASAD Project in November of 2014.

Harriette ColeTrustee

Harriette Cole, born in Baltimore, MD, lives in Harlem, NY. She graduated from Howard University, Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude, with a degree in English. She is President and Creative Director of HARRIETTE COLE MEDIA, Inc. Harriette is a life stylist, a writer and editor, author of seven books, a media coach, a nationally syndicated advice columnist and an etiquette expert.

Cole has dedicated her life to inspiring people to discover how to be their best. She has extensive experience in publishing as creative director and editor-in-chief of Ebony magazine, lifestyle and fashion director at Essence magazine, editor of American Legacy Woman and founding editorial director for Uptown. For three years she was executive producer and host of a digital talk show on TheRoot.com. For many years she was a contributor to the Today Show, and she has made appearances on numerous TV shows. In 2016 she launched DREAMLEAPERS, a multi-pronged educational initiative designed to help people access and activate their dreams.

Harriette has served on the Multicultural Audience Development Committee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for more than 10 years.
Harriette joined the Board of The PRASAD Project in November of 2014, was named Vice-Chair in 2015 and Chair in 2016.

Harriette is married to George Chinsee, a fashion and beauty photographer, and they have one soon-to-be teenage daughter.

Dr. M Cecilia EscarraExecutive Director

Dr. Cecilia Escarra is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and holds a Master’s Degree in Health Administration. She worked as an orthodontist and also has expertise in medical auditing and health administration.

Dr. Escarra arrived at The PRASAD Project in 2002 to work as administrator of the PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program in New York State. In 2012, she was appointed Executive Director of The PRASAD Project.

Under her leadership the PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program has received numerous awards from local, state and national entities, and PRASAD’s work has been recognized in numerous national and international publications.

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