Meet the Brain and the Brawn behind this program.
SUSHANTA BHANDARKAR, Founder, Visionary and Educator
I am a Certified Green Building Professional (CGBP) and grew up with an early interest in sustainability. After completing my Master’s Degree in Microbiology, I chose to pursue my passions and talents for Interior Design. My focus is to create organized, artful and healthful spaces that create nourishing environments for my clients. I am an active volunteer with several professional organizations.
I also love being an art teacher in my son’s school and involve my son in projects I do. I am a professional artist and love to paint in the abstract expressionism style using Mixed media. (Artncreation-FineArt.yolasite.com). I also design jewelry and host several shows. You can view my jewelry designs at www.artncreation.com. Along with Naz Saeed, we have started a wonderful line of Eco-chic up-cycled handbags made out of fabric discards and remnants headed for the landfill (www.zansuspurses.com). Visit the website to learn more about our commitment to the environment.
Remember: “Anything else you’re interested in is not going to happen if you can’t breathe the air and drink the water. Don’t sit this one out. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. Not doing anything is no longer an option for us.”
NAZ SAEED, Educator
Naz is very proud of participating in Empowering World Change to bring environmental awareness to the local communities. As a veteran high-tech software project management for many years, Naz pursued a career in Interior Design and Architecture after earning an Advanced Certificate in Interior Design. She is proud to have won several design awards including the ASID Award of Excellence in Community Service category and the NKBA Student of the Year. She is currently working independently on residential and commercial projects with focus on sustainability.
Naz believes in giving back to the community by participating in many rewarding projects. Most recently her volunteer work includes stage design for Pacifica Spindrift Players, a non-profit community theater with many great plays. Naz also works with the IIDA Northern California Chapter Student Affairs Committee and West Valley College to pave a path toward professionalism for the interior design students.
PURVI PATEL, Educator
EWC would like to welcome Purvi Patel. Since her joining EWC we got a big thrust in our activities due to her vibrant personality. She has a interior design background and loves to work with non profit organizations.
In her interior design career she always swayed her clients to use green products. Her passion for working with nonprofit will help EWC tremendously. She has been small business owner who actively involves in social aspects of business. At present she is spending half of her time as a controller of $20M sales retail company and working for non-profit activities and other half for her family. She leads a good example for women to have a balance life among work, raising family and giving back to the society.
Past Volunteers:
Michelle Pine (Editor, Educator)
Divya Vijayanandakumar (Educator)
