BIO – Ms. VASU (VASUNDHARA) PAWAR CEO/Founder Step2StepUp Inc. Vasu Pawar is the CEO/Founder of Step2StepUp Inc, a 501 (c) (3), Non-Profit organization focused on supporting young adults, and their entrepreneurial ideas, by way of financial support, training, mentoring and guidance. Vasu is a proud entrepreneur herself, having engaged in various business industries including shoes, ceramics, housewares, technology, and apparel. She also owned two Indian Restaurants in Los Angeles. After having experienced the tug of war between business success and failure, Vasu has committed herself to helping every young entrepreneur in the nation rise and dominate. In addition to Vasu’s passion for small business, she has devoted over 35 plus years in the US, to the world of finance as the ‘Systems Analyst’ and a ‘Finance Controller’ with American Companies, John Richard of California, Christina Grant, Thornwater International, McKibben Screen Printing, Century Machinery Co. Inc., in the areas of Import/Export, Manufacturing, Distribution and Engineering. Vasu has greatly increased each company’s financial threshold throughout her tenure. Prior to that, she was a High School English and Math Teacher in top schools in Mumbai, India, and in North Carolina, USA, winning many ‘Best Teacher’ awards. She holds, a Master’s, in English Literature, two Bachelor’s, Computer Science and Education and a Minor in Geography. She is extremely involved in the community for 20 plus years and has served approximately 15-20 organizations in S. California, as the President, Chair, like United Federation of Indo-Americans in California, National Federation of Indo Americans in California, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, SMAP (Shivaji Maharaj Antarashtriya Parival), Global Peace Center, Regional Pravisi Bharatiya Divas, , There are numerous News articles, Writeups, Press releases, and publications at community events throughout her community involvement in India West, India Journal, NRI Press, and social media. She has also received numerous awards from community organizations, Mayors, Congressmen/Congresswomen, and City Councils, through various Cities, in S. California for her outstanding events related to community services, youth leadership, women empowerment, sponsorships and bringing huge crowds to her events. 100 Successful Women in Business Network, produced by Globe Trade Chamber, has appointed Ms. Vasu Pawar as the Ambassador for India and will be on their Advisory Board. Her focal point will be to promote India as the Business Destination to the World, to do business in India and with India, making India the Trade Center of the World. She will be conducting Global Business Conferences and Business Expos in India and the US. As the Ambassador for India, Ms. Pawar will help create and implement programs, campaigns, and initiatives to grow the network and her organization Step2StepUp Inc., at the same time. The goal of 100 Successful Women in Business Network is to constantly reach new markets and women across the world to empower and help each other. Community Services To name a few of the 20 plus organizations she served, we have UFICA-United Federation of Indo-Americans in California, where as the President, she brought her prominence and celerity, making history with 15,000 plus crowd with Priyanka Chopra as her Grand Marshall. NFIA-National Federation of Indian American Associations, an Umbrella Organization, in which she had the pleasure of being the convener of the First NFIA Women’s Conference in Los Angeles, in 2017. She received an award from NFIA for her Exceptional Leadership and reaching new heights in the Indian American Community. She has attended the White House Briefings, Embassy Banquets, Women’s Conferences and Conventions in Washington DC. GOPIO-Inland Empire Chapter was founded in 2016, by Ms. Vasu Pawar, which she currently Chairs. She is the Founding President, Life Chair and has many memorable and successful events to her credit. OMAGINATION PICTURES, based in Los Angeles, and Mumbai, is a reputable film production company run by talented producers, Sunil Sadarangani and Jordan Washington both with experience and expertise in the Film Industry. Ms. Pawar holds the title of an Executive Producer and wishes to create a collaborative Hollywood, Bollywood platform for our young talents and increase the financial threshold at Omagination Pictures. WORLD FILM FESTIVAL, held at Sheraton Hotel Cerritos, October 28, 2018, where the superstars and celebrities, of all ethnicities of the world gathered on one stage. She had the opportunity to Co-convene the show, interview celebrities, emcee the show and conduct the Award Ceremony with awards presented to the outstanding movie industry icons of the World. SMAP Foundation (Shivaji Maharaj Antarashtriya Parivar) has been her core involvement since inception. SMAP now has approximately 56 chapters throughout the Globe in four years. She has been appointed the President of the LA-Chapter for 2022. Her goal is to incorporate unity and leadership into our younger generation culture, through her inspiring activities and strategic planning. Step2StepUp Inc. is determined to fulfill entrepreneurial dreams of our Young Adults under her leadership as the CEO and Founder, she wishes to solve problems of the world like poverty, homelessness, keeping kids away from drugs or depression, and helping families and veterans not conducive to success to help improve their financial status, their stability, and create jobs. As the founder, Ms. Vasu Pawar plans to divert minds of young adults to creating new entrepreneurial business ideas and concepts and help them become independent and self-sufficient and teach them about Paying Forward. She has created chapters in Uganda, Africa, Bangaluru, and Maharashtra, India to help the poverty-stricken regions. She has collaborated with ‘Vishwatej Gramorajyam’, initiated by Sarang Jagtap, to achieve common goals in improving the financial structure of colloquial people and help create entrepreneurs. The Bridge 2 Unity Event, by Step2StepUp Inc. ‘Tribute to 24 successful Indian Women in the Nation’ is a celebration and a Tribute to 24 of the strongest Women in our nation who have positively impacted their individual industries through their ingenuity, passion, and an unwavering work ethic. Her symbol is the ‘Ashoka Chakra’ and the 24 spokes pertaining to 24 Principles in life which she applies to her events. It is her goal to inspire, educate and motivate the entire nation to fearlessly step out of their comfort zones and rise. Together, she wishes to create a Footprint to move towards the Brightest, most Purposeful Future IAHF - Indian American Heritage Foundation, gives awards to outstanding High School and Middle School students. She has played a prominent role of being the judge, emcee, cultural chair, and an executive coordinator. The coffee table book published a few years ago ‘Indians in America’ also features her article, ‘Untangled’. RBPD-LA – Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, was an event instigated in 2014, by Hon. Consul General of India, SF, Shri Venkatesan Ashok, and Deputy Consul General of India, Dr. Srinivasa, and Hon. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. This was the first 3 Day Convention held in Los Angeles and Ms. Pawar was the only woman on the Executive Coordination Committee of 9, and the Cultural Chair and had put up a superb and a memorable show at Bono Venture Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles with the honorable chief guest, Minister of External Affairs, First BJP’s female Chief Minister, Union Cabinet Minister, Late Mrs. Sushma Swaraj. India@75, 2021-2022, initiated by Hon. Consul General of India, SF, Dr. Nagendra Prasad. Ms. Pawar convened and emceed the first opening show at the Joy of Sharing Auditorium in Cerritos, presenting a superb cultural show, where she received numerous accolades and then presented the opening of the second show at CCPA Cerritos. The Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and India@75 coffee table publication also highlights her article, ‘The Power of Imagination’ and her non-profit, Step2StepUp Inc Organization. Another such event by IASC, and their coffee table publication also featured her article, ‘The Uplift of a Nation’. The 3rd event brochure for India@75 features ‘My Story’ an article about the change that needs to happen in the World. She received an award at the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Event, for her Outstanding Leadership and continued Dedicated Services to the Community. The Los Angeles Lotus Festival, which was the biggest highlight in the community as India was the Host Country being the 75th Year of India Independence. Ms. Pawar actively participated along with executives of India Association of Los Angeles and SMAP Foundation where she helped present the cultural show. There were TV, Radio, and Press interviews which she was honored to accord. This event was initiated by our Hon. Consul General of India, Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad who graced the opening of the show. She was honored with an award presented by Hon. Consul General SF, Dr. Nagendra Prasad, from the City of Los Angeles in recognition of her services to the community at the Lotus Festival. IALA (India Association of Los Angeles}, celebrated their 23rd India Independence Day 2022. Ms. Pawar is a life member of this organization and plans to promote youth initiatives. She received an award from IALA at their India@75, 2022 Event for her Sponsorship & Appreciation of her Community Services. Patriotic Song: Hara Bhara Hai Bharat Mera Desh, Mera Re, recently published on August 15, 2022, also features Ms. Vasu Pawar and her Step2StepUp Inc. organization. Our Consul General of India, SF, Dr. Nagendra Prasad has done an opening tribute to India@75 in this Song. It is her desire to maximize her talents to the service of work that she finds worthwhile and rewarding, with her illimitable interest in being a National & International Marketing Executive Director, and Liaison, Brand Ambassador, leading each organization, to the mainstream, and to its Highest Prominence. Her ultimate desire is also to connect India with other nationalities, cultures and ethnicities and expose our Indian talents and business expertise to the world, in a profound and positive way. Building Bridges, and inclusiveness, one step at a time in the Nation is of uttermost importance to her. Ms. Vasu Pawar CEO/Founder, Step2StepUp Inc. Tel: 760-220-6004 (mobile) 909-447-9341 (Work) Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]