ABOUT US
About Saris to Suits ®
Saris to Suits ® is a charity for female empowerment, education and cultural competency. Our focus is on building awareness and supporting key organizations in a concerted effort to break down the barriers that constrain the advancement of women and girls.
Our Vision
To empower, inspire, educate and serve
Our Mission
Saris to Suits® aims to advance women’s empowerment, education, gender equality and social justice. Organize Events for women’s health and fitness in the sari run.
- Training/employing women in Mumbai w partnerships in India
- Fashioning reusability with merchandise made from upcycled saris. ♻️ circularity for our planet
- Organize Health Fair with the Annual Sari Moves event for free of cost health check ups
- Mentoring students to write bylined stories that are carried in newspapers in the US and abroad.
- A benefit calendar campaign of distinguished women who pose for a purpose.
- Conduct women’s conferences to bring social awareness for empowerment
- Create and distribute popular content from a diverse array of storytellers and journalists about inspirational women from across the globe
THE TEAM
Pratibha (Patti) Tripathi
Founder & CEO
Patti Tripathi is no stranger to fame and social work. From being the first woman of Indian origin to be a network news TV anchor to becoming a social entrepreneur who is using her voice to advocate for women and girls – Patti has chosen social work and empowerment of girls and women as her calling.
Born in India and bred in Indiana, Patti navigates between the worlds of Saris to Suits ®. As a former network TV news anchor who is the daughter of US immigrants—a renowned physicist father and a cheerleading mom, she has witnessed, covered, and succeeded in a world of contradictions and disparities.
She launched TriPath Media in 2006, traveled to Northern Africa on UN missions to train women political hopefuls amongst many other firsts.
She aspires to make an incremental difference in the lives of women and girls so they can earn and achieve their fullest potential.
Board and Advisors
Jyothsna Hegde, Chair of the Board
Journalist/ IT Consultant/ Activist
Jyothsna Hegde holds a Masters Degree in computer science from Loyola University and an Engineering Degree from India. She works in the IT field and is committed to serving her community. As a mother of an 8-year-old high achieving daughter named Aarna, Jyothsna tries her best to strike a balance between family and work, while also helping her daughter appreciate her Indian roots/traditions as much as she does the American culture.
Mary Linen Annamraju, CFO
Board treasurer
Mary Annamraju was born in Georgetown, South Carolina’s Dunbar community. Working her way through college led her to New York City where she earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration and International Trade. She earned a Master’s in Finance from St. John’s University in New York.
She is currently CFO at ECOM America and has held finance positions in various industries including Banking & Finance, Insurance, Advertising, and Business/Industrial equipment sales. She taught Computer Studies was an adjunct instructor at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn. She served on the executive board of Children’s Center for Health and Healing in Gainesville, Georgia for several years.
A few of her current and past volunteer activities include various PTA positions in the central Gwinnett County Schools cluster, a former parent member of the Central Gwinnett Cluster School Council promoting parent involvement and school support. She is involved in her church’s Youth Ministry, Community Gardening, and Scholarship Committee. A number of these positions include awards too numerous to mention – all held close to her heart and as a testament to her zest for life and love for people. The best job she has
ever had is that of being a mother.
Renuka Thakur, Event Chair
Renuka Thakur is a seasoned Industrial Engineer from Georgia Tech with 26 years of experience driving operational improvements across complex service industries.
She began at Delta Air Lines where her commitment to process excellence led to earning a Six Sigma Black Belt early in her career and supporting passenger impacting initiatives including planning of the first kiosks, security workflow when TSA was created and baggage handling technology.
For the past 18 years, Renuka has been at DaVita, a leading global kidney care company providing dialysis and integrated care for patients. Early in her tenure, she spent time at a multitude of clinics across the country guiding initiatives focused on system and workflow improvements to enhance patient care delivery and operational consistency. Now she is a product management leader in IT bridging clinical operations with technological solutions that support thousands of teammates in delivering safe and life giving care to thousands of patients.
Outside of her professional commitments, Renuka has lived in Atlanta for 30 years where she has supported various non-profits centered around children and women including PADV, Nicholas House and Raksha.
On the personal side, she enjoys being creative with crafts and spending time with her husband Ashish, their 2 sons and her mom that lives with them.
Rashmi Ahuja, Secretary
Legal Professional
Rashmi Ahuja is a seasoned litigation paralegal who supports attorneys in the firm’s Atlanta office. She has extensive experience managing cases from inception through lengthy trials and appeals in various areas of litigation. Currently, she primarily supports attorneys in cases related to elections and other civil litigation.
* Rashmi is also a notary public.
Marshalla Yadav Philanthropist
Marshalla Yadav and her husband Dr. Jay Yadav have four children – three biological sons and a daughter adopted from a Pune, India orphanage. She is a devoted mother and an “event planner” for their children who are attending Yale and Emory universities. Because of her interest in Indian culture and festivals, Marshalla introduced her daughter to traditional Indian dance forms such as Bharat Natyam.
She met her husband at Duke University Medical School when she was a nurse there. Dr Yadav is a successful inventor of medical devices that improve quality of care. The couple is active in many organizations such as TiE and involved in renowned educational institutions such as Yale and Duke universities.
Veena Rao Author/Journalist
Veena Rao is an award-winning journalist and author. Purple Lotus, her recently released novel, is the winner of the She Writes Press STEP manuscript contest and a nominee for the Georgia Author of the Year Award 2021. Rao is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of NRI Pulse, an Atlanta-based news publication. She has been recognized by The Limca Book of Records (the Indian version of the Guinness Book of Records) as the first Indian woman to edit and publish a newspaper outside India. She is also the recipient of several community service and media excellence awards.
Ashish Narayan Thakur
CEO/Atlanta CEO Council
Ashish Narayan Thakur is an ecosystem builder, board advisor, and advocate for innovation-driven growth. As CEO and Board Member of the Atlanta CEO Council (ACEOC), Ashish leads one of the Southeast’s most trusted and influential CEO networks — a curated community of later-stage product and technology leaders connected to capital, customers, talent, and each other.
Under his stewardship, ACEOC continues its 25-year mission of accelerating scale and economic impact, contributing to more than $18 billion in exits and value creation since its founding and strengthening Atlanta’s recognition as a global innovation hub.
Ashish brings board experience with founder-led companies and mid-market enterprises approaching $500M+ in revenue, providing guidance on strategy, governance, capital raising, and market positioning. Before ACEOC, he transformed the Atlanta chapter of TiE Global, securing multimillion-dollar funding and elevating the chapter from #40 to #4 globally among 65 chapters — recognition that positioned Atlanta’s entrepreneurs on the world stage.
A believer in access and inclusive opportunity, Ashish has mentored emerging leaders through programs at Georgia Tech, Google for Startups, Oglethorpe University, Goodie Nation, and other innovation platforms shaping tomorrow’s workforce and economy. He served as Board Chair of Synergies Work, supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities, and previously co-led ATLCTO, Atlanta’s leading peer network for technology executives.
Ashish is also a TEDx speaker, guest lecturer, and award-winning community leader, honored with the Oglethorpe Young Alumni Award, TiE Atlanta Leadership Award, and TiE Global Executive Director of the Year.
Driven by a simple but powerful belief — when leaders are supported, connected, and inspired, entire communities thrive — Ashish remains committed to empowering CEOs, founders, and innovators to build companies that endure and impact that matters.
Entrepreneur
Parul Jha, IT Specialist
Annapurna Bhat, MD
Parul Jha, IT Specialist
Bhavya, Chaudhry Immigration attorney & Board Secretary
Abha Rai, PHD
Board and Advisors
Jyothsna Hegde, Chair of the Board
Journalist/ IT Consultant/ Activist
Jyothsna Hegde holds a Masters Degree in computer science from Loyola University and an Engineering Degree from India. She works in the IT field and is committed to serving her community. As a mother of an 8-year-old high achieving daughter named Aarna, Jyothsna tries her best to strike a balance between family and work, while also helping her daughter appreciate her Indian roots/traditions as much as she does the American culture.
Mary Linen Annamraju, CFO
Board treasurer
Mary Annamraju was born in Georgetown, South Carolina’s Dunbar community. Working her way through college led her to New York City where she earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration and International Trade. She earned a Master’s in Finance from St. John’s University in New York.
She is currently CFO at ECOM America and has held finance positions in various industries including Banking & Finance, Insurance, Advertising, and Business/Industrial equipment sales. She taught Computer Studies was an adjunct instructor at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn. She served on the executive board of Children’s Center for Health and Healing in Gainesville, Georgia for several years.
Mary Annamraju was born in Georgetown, South Carolina’s Dunbar community. Working her way through college led her to New York City where she earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration and International Trade. She earned a Master’s in Finance from St. John’s University in New York.
She is currently CFO at ECOM America and has held finance positions in various industries including Banking & Finance, Insurance, Advertising, and Business/Industrial equipment sales. She taught Computer Studies was an adjunct instructor at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn. She served on the executive board of Children’s Center for Health and Healing in Gainesville, Georgia for several years.
A few of her current and past volunteer activities include various PTA positions in the central Gwinnett County Schools cluster, a former parent member of the Central Gwinnett Cluster School Council promoting parent involvement and school support. She is involved in her church’s Youth Ministry, Community Gardening, and Scholarship Committee. A number of these positions include awards too numerous to mention – all held close to her heart and as a testament to her zest for life and love for people. The best job she has
ever had is that of being a mother.
ever had is that of being a mother.
Renuka Thakur, Event Chair
Renuka Thakur is a seasoned Industrial Engineer from Georgia Tech with 26 years of experience driving operational improvements across complex service industries.
She began at Delta Air Lines where her commitment to process excellence led to earning a Six Sigma Black Belt early in her career and supporting passenger impacting initiatives including planning of the first kiosks, security workflow when TSA was created and baggage handling technology.
For the past 18 years, Renuka has been at DaVita, a leading global kidney care company providing dialysis and integrated care for patients. Early in her tenure, she spent time at a multitude of clinics across the country guiding initiatives focused on system and workflow improvements to enhance patient care delivery and operational consistency. Now she is a product management leader in IT bridging clinical operations with technological solutions that support thousands of teammates in delivering safe and life giving care to thousands of patients.
Outside of her professional commitments, Renuka has lived in Atlanta for 30 years where she has supported various non-profits centered around children and women including PADV, Nicholas House and Raksha.
On the personal side, she enjoys being creative with crafts and spending time with her husband Ashish, their 2 sons and her mom that lives with them.
Rashmi Ahuja, Secretary
Legal Professional
Rashmi Ahuja is a seasoned litigation paralegal who supports attorneys in the firm’s Atlanta office. She has extensive experience managing cases from inception through lengthy trials and appeals in various areas of litigation. Currently, she primarily supports attorneys in cases related to elections and other civil litigation.
* Rashmi is also a notary public.
Marshalla Yadav Philanthropist
Marshalla Yadav and her husband Dr. Jay Yadav have four children – three biological sons and a daughter adopted from a Pune, India orphanage. She is a devoted mother and an “event planner” for their children who are attending Yale and Emory universities. Because of her interest in Indian culture and festivals, Marshalla introduced her daughter to traditional Indian dance forms such as Bharat Natyam.
She met her husband at Duke University Medical School when she was a nurse there. Dr Yadav is a successful inventor of medical devices that improve quality of care. The couple is active in many organizations such as TiE and involved in renowned educational institutions such as Yale and Duke universities.
Veena Rao Author/Journalist
Veena Rao is an award-winning journalist and author. Purple Lotus, her recently released novel, is the winner of the She Writes Press STEP manuscript contest and a nominee for the Georgia Author of the Year Award 2021. Rao is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of NRI Pulse, an Atlanta-based news publication. She has been recognized by The Limca Book of Records (the Indian version of the Guinness Book of Records) as the first Indian woman to edit and publish a newspaper outside India. She is also the recipient of several community service and media excellence awards.
Ashish Narayan Thakur/ CEO, Atlanta CEO Council
Ashish Narayan Thakur is an ecosystem builder, board advisor, and advocate for innovation-driven growth. As CEO and Board Member of the Atlanta CEO Council (ACEOC), Ashish leads one of the Southeast’s most trusted and influential CEO networks — a curated community of later-stage product and technology leaders connected to capital, customers, talent, and each other.
Under his stewardship, ACEOC continues its 25-year mission of accelerating scale and economic impact, contributing to more than $18 billion in exits and value creation since its founding and strengthening Atlanta’s recognition as a global innovation hub.
Ashish brings board experience with founder-led companies and mid-market enterprises approaching $500M+ in revenue, providing guidance on strategy, governance, capital raising, and market positioning. Before ACEOC, he transformed the Atlanta chapter of TiE Global, securing multimillion-dollar funding and elevating the chapter from #40 to #4 globally among 65 chapters — recognition that positioned Atlanta’s entrepreneurs on the world stage.
A believer in access and inclusive opportunity, Ashish has mentored emerging leaders through programs at Georgia Tech, Google for Startups, Oglethorpe University, Goodie Nation, and other innovation platforms shaping tomorrow’s workforce and economy. He served as Board Chair of Synergies Work, supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities, and previously co-led ATLCTO, Atlanta’s leading peer network for technology executives.
Ashish is also a TEDx speaker, guest lecturer, and award-winning community leader, honored with the Oglethorpe Young Alumni Award, TiE Atlanta Leadership Award, and TiE Global Executive Director of the Year.
Driven by a simple but powerful belief — when leaders are supported, connected, and inspired, entire communities thrive — Ashish remains committed to empowering CEOs, founders, and innovators to build companies that endure and impact that matters.
OUR IMPACT
Our Progress Report
- 20 - Social justice/youth organizations impacted
- 100 plus Events/Conferences, speaking engagements about women's empowerment
- 3500 calendars - digital and hard copy donated; featuring 65 inspirational women - as a fundraising tool to charitable organizations and for girls.
- 1000+ - Women/ Youth Directly impacted from Funded projects for mission aligned organizations
Inspirational Changemakers from Pose for a Purpose Calendar campaign 2013 to 2020
INDIAN GIRLS HOLD CALENDARS AT RESCUE CARE FACILITY
Zero tolerance! Saris To Suits ® raises awareness to end gender violence and speaks up for those whose voices have been systematically silenced.
Join us now in our mission, and help put a stop to this crime against humanity and support educating girls so she may be inspired and empowered to reach her full potential by emulating her role model featured in the calendar. Contributions are supporting many causes, including 7 Sisters International (a non-profit organization operating in Assam, India provides rehabilitative care to girls rescued from trafficking and abuse), Smart Girls program via Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Hispanic community groups, and emerging professional women’s networking organizations. Bring your support now, and help us expand these success stories to an ever broader community
Among the beneficiaries past and present
Garments such as “saris” or “suits” do not make a person more or less empowered. Rather, our trademark and registered brand implies these savvy and worldly women travel fluidly between continents, chasms, and communities AND serve as real-life role models for young girls and women. It has multiple meanings – East to West, woman to man, and the assimilation process reflected in attire occurs when women enter the workforce.
Saris to Suits ® is incorporated as a non-profit public charity, and exempt from federal tax under 501(C)3 Revenue Code, which means contributions are deductible under section 170 of the code. Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 47-0977394