Korok Cultural Association is a beacon of cultural enrichment, offering a platform for individuals to connect, learn, and contribute to the diversity of our society. We believe in the power of language, art, and community engagement to create a more inclusive and harmonious world.
Our Board of Directors
Korok Cultural Association is led by a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to preserving and promoting Bengali heritage, language, and traditions. Our board members work collectively to organize cultural events, foster a sense of community, and create opportunities for learning and celebration within the diaspora.
Saheli Kar
Chairperson
Saheli heads a Finance Department at Webster Bank. As a Bengali, a mother, and a community volunteer, she believes that language, culture, and traditions connect generations and shape our identity. Passionate about community building, Saheli is committed to nurturing future leaders, fostering learning and building lifelong bonding that keep people connected to Bengali language, literature, culture, and heritage. She envisions a community where people are connected by the same emotions, shared values, and heartfelt bonds, creating a place where everyone feels they truly belong.
Sunetra Haldar
General Secretary
Sunetra is a Product Owner at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, specializing in healthcare technology initiatives that improve member experience. She has been actively involved in community service through the Junior League, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. As a parent of children learning Bengali through Korok, Sunetra values the organization's commitment to preserving the Bengali language, culture, and traditions. As General Secretary, she looks forward to supporting Korok's many endeavors while expanding its impact within our community.
Rashmi Bhaumik
Treasurer
Rashmi is an HR professional by profession and a community builder at heart. As Treasurer of Korok, she is committed to managing the organization’s finances with transparency and care. Though not born into a Bengali family, marrying into one has given her a deep appreciation for Bengali culture and traditions. She is passionate about contributing to Korok’s growth and celebrating the community that has become her own.
Dr. Sarmistha Ray
Principal
Sarmistha is a Scientist at Siemens Healthineers, managing diagnostic products in the R&D division. As Principal of Korok Shikkhaloy, Sarmistha is dedicated to helping students develop Bengali language skills while building a strong connection to the culture and traditions. She will strive to inspire confident learners who embrace their heritage with pride and carry it forward for generations to come.
Pamela Chanda
Cultural Secretary
An AI Product Lead by profession, born and brought up in Kolkata, I am a Bengali at heart, unwavering football fervor, and the understated elegance that runs through everything Bengali.
What connects me with Korok, above all, is a love for children and the joy of keeping the Bengali language alive through a curriculum, a cultural environment, and a deep sense of belonging. For these and a lot more , I look forward to contributing to Korok and serving as its Cultural Secretary.
Barnak Banerjee
Philanthropy Secretary
A lifelong probashi Bengali—first in India and now in the United States—Barnak deeply understands the importance of preserving, nurturing, and promoting the culture, language, and value system that define Bengali identity. As the Philanthropic Secretary, he is committed to helping Korok advance its mission and achieve its goals.
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Dr. Arnab Ghosh
Communications Secretary
Arnab is a physician scientist, deeply connected to his Bangla roots. He is passionate about music and literature. As a board member of Korok Cultural Association, Arnab is dedicated to building a vibrant and close-knit Bangla community in the Northeast USA through philanthropy and community engagement.
Bidisha Dewanjee
Member at Large
Bidisha Dewanjee is a dedicated special education teacher, accomplished Rabindra Sangeet vocalist, and cultural educator whose life bridges advocacy with the arts. Trained under renowned Gurus like Kalim Sharafi and Dr. Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, she is an enlisted media artist as well as an instructor for the Surer Dhara New York branch. As a Member at Large for Korok, she is deeply committed to preserving, nurturing, and passing down our rich cultural roots and heritage to the diaspora’s second generation, fostering a strong connection to our traditions for years to come.
Kaustav Sengupta
Member at Large
Kaustav is a Technology leader at SmartEquip, heading application and platform engineering for the global construction industry's leading equipment lifecycle management platform. Having grown up in a cosmopolitan environment in central Kolkata, he deeply admires Korok’s values of building a culturally rich, inclusive, and vibrant community. As a Member at Large, Kaustav is fully committed to advancing the association's mission, nurturing our shared heritage, and ensuring the community's objectives are met in every way possible.
Dr. Mitali Chatterjee
Member at Large
Mitali is is a Clinical Research Scientist at Mount Sinai’s Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research and James Peter VA medical center, contributing to research that improves treatments for trauma-related mental health disorders. She brings the same passion for collaboration and service to Korok Cultural Association, where she is dedicated to preserving Bengali culture, fostering community engagement, and supporting the organization’s vision for future generations.
WHO WE ARE
Prerana Pal-Karmokar
Ombudsperson
Prerana is a technology leader at Cardinal Health and a proud Probashi Bengali, born and raised in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. She grew up in a home deeply rooted in Bangaliyana, where Bengali language, literature, art, traditions, and celebrations remained an integral part of everyday life. She has carried this love for her cultural heritage wherever life and her career have taken her. Becoming part of Korok Cultural Association feels like coming home, a natural alignment with her belief that Bangla language, art, and culture must be nurtured and preserved for generations to come. As Korok’s Ombudsperson, Prerana is committed to fostering an environment where every voice is heard, every perspective is respected, and members feel comfortable raising their concerns. She is honored to support Korok’s vision of helping every “korok,” every budding connection to Bengali culture, blossom and thrive.
Board of Directors (2024-2026)
Sayantan Das
Chairperson
Saheli Kar
General Secretary
Soumya Ghosh
Treasurer
Dr. Rajdeep Saha
Shikkhaloy Principal
Dr. Sanjukta Chakraborty
Cultural Secretay
Dr. Sarmistha Ray
Communication Secretary
Bidisha Dewanjee
Member at Large
Tapanta Chaterjee
Member at Large
Dr. Arnab Ghosh
Philanthropy Secretary
Barnak Banerjee
Member at Large
