BemaLife Board of Advisors
Rudy Karsan (CEO and Chairman, Kenexa)
As co-founder, CEO and Chairman of Kenexa, Nooruddin (Rudy) Karsan has built the company to its current standing as a leading global provider of business solutions for human resources. Started in 1987, Kenexa boasts a global presence in more than 30 countries, over 2500 employees, and a stellar client list including three of the Fortune 5. Kenexa’s unique combination of software solutions, content and services helps organizations improve business outcomes. Under his leadership, the company went public in 2005 and has been one of the fastest growing companies on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol KNXA. Kenexa has received numerous awards in the HCM and HR technology space, including Forbes Fastest Growing Technology Companies, and Top HR Product of the Year by Human Resource Executive® magazine in 2008 and 2010. In addition to his leadership, Karsan brings to the company his vision of serving humanity, which has become Kenexa’s mission. He has been lauded for his entrepreneurial and humanitarian achievements by the Kauffman Foundation, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program, the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board. He recently co-authored a book, "We: How to Increase Performance and Profits through Full Engagement", which was a NY Times bestseller, and exemplifies much of Karsan’s personal beliefs with respect to organizational and career success. Karsan attributes his personal success to the unconditional support of his family, which he considers his greatest achievement.
James J. Kerwin (Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Security Mutual Life)
Jim Kerwin is Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Security Mutual Life is a mutual company owned by its policyholders and was founded in 1886. Security Mutual Life has grown into a financial giant with $2.5 billion in assets and $30.5 billion of life insurance in force. Mr. Kerwin has worked in a variety of positions over his thirty-year career in the insurance business. He spent time at ING of New York, as their Business Insurance Marketing Manager. He then joined Bankers Life Insurance Company of New York in 1994 as Chief Operations Officer. In 2007, Bankers Life was acquired by AmerUs Group of companies where Mr. Kerwin became the head of all operations for the corporation and its subsidiary companies – AmerUs Life, Indianapolis Life and Bankers Life. Upon his return to NY he subsequently assumed the role of President and CEO of Bankers Life of NY. Bankers Life’s name was changed to Aviva Life and Annuity Company of New York when it acquired by Aviva, PLC, the fifth largest insurance group in the world where Mr. Kerwin continued as CEO until assuming his current position.
ChandraKant (C.K) I. Patel (Retired Chairman, AAHOA)
C.K Patel is retired Chairman and ex-officio member of AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) Board. In addition to being a successful hotelier, Patel has also been deeply involved in the banking industry. In 1996, he assisted in opening Quantum National Bank, which was the first bank ever owned by Indian Americans in the Southeast. Patel also served on the Board as Chairman of the Funds Management Committee and as a member of the Loan Committee. In 2002, he sold his interest in Quantum National Bank, and in 2005, he helped to open the Home Town Community Bank of Braselton, Georgia. Along with his hotel and banking interests, Patel has been elected to the Board of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD), and was a recipient of their "Member of the Year" award in 2005. In 2011, he was appointed to serve on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which consists of 30 leading travel and tourism business leaders chosen by the Secretary of Commerce to advise about industry-related programs and policies. Patel is deeply committed to community service, and assisted with developing the AAHOA “101,000 Room Nights Drive for America” to benefit deployed military personnel. This successful program was recognized by former President George W. Bush, General John Jumper, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, and the United Services Organization (USO).
Dr. Ajay Lodha
Dr. Ajay Lodha is a prominent figure in the medical world, having made his way to the top of his field through years of hard work and passion for the practice of medicine and helping others. He is currently President of Queens Medical Services PLLC, an Assistant Professor at New York Medical College, and Medical Director of the Ridgewood Family Healthcare Center – just a few of the high-ranking positions that he holds. He earned his medical degrees at the RNT Medical College at the University of Udaipur in India. He then came to America to embark up on a fast-paced career of both medical practice and teaching. His keen business sense has earned him numerous awards not only for his his medical prowess, but his administrative and business practices as well. He was the Chairman of the AAPI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) National Convention held earlier this year, a rather larger undertaking of an event held in one of the nation’s largest cities – New York – that saw nearly 2,500 delegates in attendance. He is also on the Board of Trustees for the Queens/Long Island branch, and Co-Chair of the Alumni Committee.
Michael Rowell (CEO, Efinancial)
Michael Rowell is founder and CEO of Efinancial. Through ongoing commitment to technology and process innovation Efinancial has evolved into a robust, multifaceted organization. Efinancial continues its focus on driving efficiencies in life insurance distribution. As a catalyst in the industry, Efinancial provides marketing, fulfillment, technology, and product solutions to agents, financial institutions, and many strategic partners. Rowell began his insurance career at finance giant Mass Mutual, where he gained knowledge of the traditional distribution model for life insurance. After leaving Mass Mutual, he put his technical and analytical skills to work on the startup of a direct-to-consumer model for life insurance, called Termfinder.com. He developed the ALISS technology platform that helped propel the success of the company. After several years of growth, the company became Efinancial and expanded into additional markets for distribution. Rowell led the company successfully as CEO and in 2009 the company was merged with Fidelity Life.
Dr. Hemant Dhingra
Dr. Hemant Dhingra is a successful doctor whose combined dedication to the practice of medicine and keen business sense have led him to become one of the most respected and recognized doctors in the nation. He earned his Doctorate in Medicine from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 2001, and earned his fellowship in Nephrology from Texas Tech University. Presently, he is President and CEO of MHAA Inc. Consulting Firm, Medical Director of Interventional Nephrology at Saint Agnes Hospital (as well as Chair of the Division of Nephrology), a Managing Partner for the Fresno Nephrology Medical Group, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of San Francisco. Dhingra has also applied his business talents and networking skills toward serving as Regional Director for the Pacific region of AAPI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin), as well as Entertainment Chair of the AAPI National Convention. He is also Secretary of the Indian Physician Association of Central California and is on the Board of Governors for the Fresno Madera Medical Society.
