Meet Our Team
Sujatha Thaladi – CEO
Sujatha Thaladi is the Co-founder The Mentor Ring and Honorary Air Commodore for 614 Squadron.
With a postgraduate degree in Chemistry, Sujatha began her professional journey in academia as a Lecturer in India. She was also recruiting IT professionals and international students to universities in Wales, amplifying opportunities for growth and learning.
During her college years, she became a qualified glider pilot with the Indian Air Force and represented her university in cricket and chess. Sujatha is also a certified yoga instructor, regularly conducting classes that promote both physical and mental well-being.
As the Regional Coordinator for South Asian Heritage, southasianheritage.org.uk/ Sujatha is deeply committed to preserving and promoting the rich traditions and diverse cultures of South Asia. Sujatha is a Board Member for Centrepieces centrepieces.org, an organisation supporting artists with mental health challenges, and is the Chairperson of Aurav Disha that promotes multiculturalism.
Rajani Devi Ponnada – Chair
Rajani is dedicated to supporting her family and cherishing time spent socialising with her friends. Beyond Rajani’s professional networks, she actively contributes to her workplace by teaching within the MDT team and collaborating with various specialties. Rajani’s ultimate goal is to advocate for community health and well-being. Rajani is committed to working with diverse populations and addressing workplace inequalities, exemplified by her involvement in initiatives like road shows to aid postnatal mothers with breastfeeding.
Vimla Patel, MBE – Patron
Vimla of Llandaff in Cardiff has been hugely involved in voluntary work for the past 30 years, giving a broad range of support to vulnerable people.
Sean Newton – Trustee
With an “Always pleased to help” attitude, Sean has a sincere desire to prevent people most at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by offering a Know Your Risk screening, education and empowerment resources and providing help and support for people most at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Black Asian and Minority Ethnic populations are 2.5 to 4 times more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes. Up to 80% of Type 2 Diabetes can be avoided with small simple lifestyle and behaviour changes. He is the Healthcare Systems Engagement Manager at Diabetes UK in Wales.
Dr. Sunil Pulapaka – Trustee
Being a qualified child and adolescent psychiatrist in CTM NHS trust, a trustee for TMR and a volunteer for the Regional Minority Ethnic Telugu Community has enabled me to work towards my passion in training, educating and working towards community cohesion, and facilitating mental and emotional wellbeing to support diverse minority ethnic communities.
John Gamblin –Ambassador to TMR
John spent a technical career in infomation and systems development overseeing and managing large IT systems in the UK, Saudi Arabia, and America. John now lives in Cornwall.
Since retiring, John has been given much of his time to supporting charities and organisations within the art, cycling, and local communities. John is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Jessica Hooper – Trustee
Jessica is an Organisational Development Manager at Senedd Cymru, passionate about improving opportunities and experiences in the local community.
Following her graduation from Cardiff University, Jessica worked in the NHS for 8 years in a number of roles, most recently specialising in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Yusuf Rangoonwala – Treasurer
Yusuf is a Psychiatrist currently working for the NHS. He brings to TMR his 10 year background from Mental health and the issues currently facing our society as a whole.
Chetna Sinha – Deputy Treasurer
Chetna is a prominent figure in South Wales’ immigration law scene, boasting 16 years of experience in the UK legal landscape. She initially qualified as a lawyer in India in 1992 and later became qualified to practive law in the UK in 2004.
Beyond her legal career, Chetna is a passionate advocate for women’s rights, especially within the migrant communities in the UK.
She has served as a Board Member (and former Chair) of the Black Assocation of Women Step Out and is a Trustee for multiple South Asian community organisations. Chetna also dedicates her pro-bono efforts to respresenting women in family and domestic violence law cases. She holds a LLB degree and an MSc qualification from Cardiff University.
Joan Simon – Disability Advisor
Native of Guyana, educated to secondary school level, Joan had worked as an adminstrative assistant in various organisations in Guyana and UK. Joan was engaged in peace activities in Bulgaria before she volunteers in various charities and served as a finanical officer and bookkeeper in MenFa, a charity based in Butetown. Currently, Joan is retired and enjoying her retirement.
John Newton Trustee
John is an FCMA with extensive experience throughout accounting, costing, pricing, taxation and financial management. He has a 2.1 honours B.Sc in Management Sciences from the University of Manchester and an M Phil in Financial Decision Making and Financial Control from Cardiff University, gained in his own time while working full time. He also became a Chartered Secretary and chair of the Cardiff and South East Wales branch of the ICSA, in addition to being a Membership Assessor for CIMA for 15 years.
John retired from Cardiff University in September 2013 as an Assistant Director of Finance. For 3 years, he was seconded as the UK’s National Co-ordinator for Costing and Pricing for the HE sector. Prior to Cardiff University he worked at the University of Southampton, Alcan, Suflex, IMI Santon, Digitial Equipment and BSC.
Since retiring, John has become a Volunteer consultant with the Cranfield Trust, a volunteer mentor with Prime Cymru, Secretary to Bedwas Workmens Hall, a volunteer guide and walk leader for Sightlife, a NHS Lay Rep for Health Education Improvement Wales, NHS and a volunteer gardener for the National Trust at Tredegar House. He is an active member and walk leader for the Cardiff Ramblers and the Cearfilli Rambers, also playing bowls for Machen and is its Fixture Secretary. Gardening and holidays with his wife are amongst other interests.
Vishnee Sauntoo, Advisory Panel
Vishnee Sauntoo is the former Director of Brand, Creative and Digital Content for C40 Cities, a global network of the world’s leading cities tackling the climate crisis. Vishnee has more than 20 years of Brand, Communications and Marketing experience in the charity sector, working on issues such as the climate crisis, international development, health, gender, ageing and humanitarian issues.
Vishnee has led award-winning campaigns for Save the Children, the British Heart Foundation and No Smoking Day. She has also developed brands for Age International, Humanitarian Leadership Academy and more. Vishnee is a Trustee for CharityComms, with expertise in diversity and inclusion.
Karan Kapoor, Advisory Panel
Karan is founder and CEO of Vividh. He has always been driven by curiosity and a passion for impact. With 12+ years of experience in Inclusion & Diversity, Karan has helped companies like Mars, J&J, King, Nomad Foods, and BAT build truly inclusive workplaces.
He specialises in turning inclusion into action—developing strategies that create diverse, empowered teams where everyone thrives.
Maxine Joseph – Project Coordinator
As an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to the charity sector, she loves anything that brings positive vibes to the community.
Having graduated with a Masters in International Relations, she has always been intrigued by different cultures and customs, and the dynamics that has followed within the global community.
As local communities gets increasingly diverse, she understands that for a community to progress, communication and knowledge is key.
Yamuna Gurung – Project Coordinator
Embarked on a new career, Yamuna has accuired many new hands-on skills.
Conscientious by nature she is proactive in identifying potential issues and finding solutions and has also been an extremely reliable skills here. Moving forward her goals are to futher her knowledge and understanding of the third sector and to implement them.
Btissam Lahqiqi Telmsani – Support Worker
With several years of experience in working with people from all walks of life, Btissam enjoys being able to provide help and support to people who may need it.
Sangeetha – Project Coordinator
Having achieved her Master of Philosophy in Bioinformatics, Sangeetha has leveraged her expertise as an Analyst. She is an enthusiastic team player, adept at creating clear instructions for new staff members.
Additionally, Sangeetha overseas budgeting and accounts, which entails financial planning, reporting, ensuring financial accountability, and compliance with grant terms and conditions.
Siqi Wu – Marketing Coordinator
Siqi is currently supporting the marketing initiatives at TMR. She supports TMR by developing website and social media.
Dee Garrett – Ambassador for TMR
Dee is a proficicent administrator who excels at utilising social media to raise awareness about the charity. Despite her experience in various coporate roles, she finds charity work to me much more fulfilling.
Louise Ferriera – Blogger and Bid -Writer
Louise writes blogs and articles to appear on our website and other social media sites as well as helping out with funding applications. Louise believes that her self-confidence has greatly improved since she started volunteering at TMR.
Being able to utilise her skills in a work environment has made a difference and has encouraged her to look at new career paths that she might not have considered before.
Monica Event Organiser – England
Monica is a dynamic entrepreneur, content creator, and former television personality whose journey spans hospitality, finance, media, and food innovation.
With a foundation in hotel management and early experience working in hospitality industry, Monica began her career in banking before following her creative passion into television. She went on to spend over 12 years as a successful host and actress in South India’s most prominent television channels, including seven years leading popular health and nutrition shows that reached millions.
Now based in England, Monica has seamlessly transitioned from the screen to the kitchen, becoming a food and nutrition entrepreneur. She has built and managed food brands and restaurants, combining her business acumen and media skills to help others create purpose-driven food ventures.