The Indo-American Press Club has announced its Board of Directors for 2026, uniting distinguished journalists and community leaders to enhance ethical reporting and digital outreach across North America.
The Indo-American Press Club (IAPC), the largest professional organization representing journalists, broadcasters, and media professionals of Indian origin in the United States and Canada, has officially unveiled its Board of Directors for the 2026 term. This new leadership team comprises a diverse group of veteran journalists, media executives, literary figures, and accomplished academics, setting the stage for a year dedicated to advancing community-centered journalism, improving medical and science reporting, and fostering cross-continental digital collaborations.
At the helm of the executive leadership is Dr. Satheesh Kathula, who has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors. Dr. Kathula is a distinguished oncologist and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He recently completed a notable tenure as President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). As Chair of the IAPC, Dr. Kathula aims to modernize the organization’s digital outreach while promoting ethical media practices and enhancing the quality of health and science journalism within the North American diaspora.
Supporting him is Ginsmon Zacharia, the Founder Chairman and Board Secretary, who brings over 24 years of media experience across Europe and the United States. Zacharia is the CEO of The Asian Era, Inc. and Publisher of Jaihind Vartha, and has played a pivotal role in expanding the reach of Malayalam and English diaspora media networks globally.
The leadership team is further strengthened by Dr. Matthew Joys from Nevada, who serves as Vice Chairman. Dr. Joys has a rich background as a financial analyst for the central government in India and is a seasoned columnist and author, previously serving as executive vice president on the board. Founding President Ajay Ghosh from Connecticut also plays a key role, bringing three decades of experience in major ethnic publications, including The Indian Express (North American Edition) and The Global Net News. Ghosh balances his media advisory work with his role as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Kamlesh Mehta, a media executive from New York and founder of the Forsyth Media Group, oversees the regional enterprise and community development portfolio. He is known for his previous role as director of business and economic development for the Nassau County administration. The board also benefits from the ongoing engagement of Past President Parveen Chopra, founder of the wellness and spirituality web publication ALotusInTheMud.com and former editor of India Today magazine, along with Korason Varghese, a seasoned international representative, cartoonist, and columnist.
Reji Philip from Pennsylvania represents the visual and investigative media sectors, bringing extensive creative and editorial expertise from his time with the Global Reporter channel. From Canada, Ashley Joseph joins the national leadership, contributing a wealth of experience in community organizing and editorial management for prominent Malayalam publications across Florida, western Canada, and the United States.
The board’s multi-disciplinary approach is further enriched by Dr. Renee Mehrra, a broadcasting veteran based in Chicago, who has provided media coverage on politics, health, and current affairs since 1990. Azad Jayan, Editor-in-Chief of Can Malayali and a director for MC News and CIAL FM, represents Canadian broadcast journalism, having previously covered significant national political events.
From the Southern region, Houston-based author and amateur photographer C G Daniel joins the national board, bringing expertise in uncovering governmental inefficiencies and telling community-driven stories. Cultural and literary perspectives are represented by Michigan’s James Kureekattil, a prominent orator and author known for his thought-provoking short stories and poetry collections. He is joined by Joji Kavanal from New York, a legal practitioner and founding director of the IAPC.
Dr. P V Baiju (Dr. Baiju Vareed), an Associate Professor and Director of the School of Social Work at MacEwan University in Edmonton, continues his long-standing tenure on the board, contributing to the Canadian academic presence. Atlanta-based developer and philanthropist Jomy George, founder of J&P Development, brings his corporate and mentoring expertise to the board, alongside Milly Philip, an accomplished broadcast anchor and current President of the Philadelphia IAPC Chapter.
The 2026 organizational framework also emphasizes technological leadership to support its digital initiatives. Abhishek Mishra, a New Jersey technology architect with over two decades of experience at major companies like IBM and AT&T, collaborates with Shan Justus, a Software Engineering Manager at H-E-B in San Antonio, Texas. Justus’s role involves bridging enterprise software engineering with modern news delivery, providing technical consulting to various independent digital media platforms.
Completing the board is veteran media producer Thampanoor Mohan from British Columbia, whose television program Canadian Connection TV has spanned five decades. National Vice President Patricia Umashankar (Meera Shankar) from Dallas is a multimedia entrepreneur and host of the diaspora podcast Beyond Borders.
The board also honors the contributions of Kandiah Sivasothy (Ilaibharthy) from Toronto, owner of the Canadian Tamil Broadcasting Corporation, who will receive the prestigious IAPC Media & Community Award 2025 for his extensive legacy in broadcasting and community service.
Other notable members include Dr. Eapen Daniel, a genomics integration researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Cini Mathew John, a senior scientist and educational columnist from Calgary. Together, this diverse board unites scientific precision, technological innovation, and decades of ethical journalism, positioning the Indo-American Press Club to effectively navigate the evolving digital media landscape and amplify the narratives of the South Asian diaspora.
Report by: Shan Justus, General Secretary, IAPC