Execuitve Members/Board

Abhishek Sharma

President, Bhartiya Samaj

Abhishek Sharma is a purpose-driven community leader committed to inclusion, unity, and multicultural empowerment. As President of Bhartiya Samaj, he has strengthened the organisation’s role as a trusted platform supporting diverse communities across Australia.

He has led impactful initiatives such as the Empowering Migrants – Connect , creating opportunities for migrants to access education, employment pathways, and community connections. Known for his collaborative leadership and strategic vision, Abhishek continues to champion social equity and contribute meaningfully to Australia’s multicultural landscape.

Mr. Sachin Rabade

Vice-President, Bhartiya Samaj

Sachin Rabade is an Australian entrepreneur with a strong commitment to community development and social impact. Alongside his work in technology and innovation, Sachin is passionate about improving access to wellbeing, education, and opportunity for underserved communities.

He believes in using business and technology as tools for positive change and actively supports initiatives that promote inclusion, empowerment, and sustainable community growth. Through his leadership and philanthropic involvement, Sachin is dedicated to creating meaningful, long-term impact beyond the corporate sphere.

Mrs. Sunita Avadhani – Secretary

Secretary, Bhartiya Samaj

Sunita Avadhani is a respected community leader with a strong record of service to Indian community organisations in Queensland. She has been serving as the Joint Secretary of the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland Inc. (FICQ) and she has been served as the President of Kannada Sangha. Throughout her journey, she has contributed to Kannada Sangha and FICQ in various leadership and volunteer capacities, playing an important role in strengthening community engagement and organisational growth.

By profession, Sunita is an IT professional with extensive experience in the technology sector. Her professional background has enabled her to bring strategic thinking, organisational skills, and effective communication to her community roles.

Sunita is deeply passionate about community service and cultural development. She is committed to promoting Indian cultural heritage, fostering collaboration among diverse community groups, and creating inclusive platforms that encourage participation and connection. Through her work, she continues to contribute to building a vibrant, united, and empowered Indian community in Queensland.

Mr. Dhaneshwar Bhatija

Assistant Secretary, Bhartiya Samaj

Dhaneshwar Bathija is a seasoned IT professional with more than 16 years of hands‑on experience in Microsoft and Android technologies. Beyond his technical expertise, he is deeply committed to community service and has contributed to numerous events and initiatives through organizations such as FICQ, ISKCON, and Bhartiya Samaj. As the Assistant Secretary of Bhartiya Samaj, he blends his strong IT background with a genuine passion for helping others, always stepping forward with dedication wherever support is needed.

Mr. Krishna Avadhani

Treasurer , Bhartiya Samaj

Krishna Avadhani is a dedicated professional and community advocate who brings a wealth of financial acumen and integrity to his role as Treasurer of Bhartiya Samaj. With a firm belief that transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of any successful community organisation, Krishna ensures that the Samaj’s resources are managed with the utmost care to maximise their impact.

Beyond the balance sheets, Krishna is deeply passionate about cultural preservation and supporting the settlement journey of migrants in Australia. He works closely with the executive team to ensure the sustainability of key initiatives, providing a solid financial framework that allows the organisation’s vision for unity and empowerment to flourish. Through his diligent stewardship, Krishna remains committed to building a vibrant, well-supported community for all members.

Ms. Sharmeen Thomas

Head of Marketing, Bhartiya Samaj

Sharmeen Thomas is a creative strategist and passionate cultural advocate who brings dynamic storytelling and audience-first thinking to her role as Head of Marketing for Bharatiya Samaj Brisbane.

With experience in media, stage, events, content creation and community engagement, she is committed to amplifying the voices, stories, and strengths of the Indian-Australian community.

Sharmeen joins the team with a fresh lens to further strengthen the focus on migrant empowerment, multicultural representation and community impact.

Mr. Zain Chams

Operations Manager, Bhartiya Samaj

Zain Chams is the Operations Manager of Bhartiya Samaj Inc. and one of Brisbane’s most recognisable and influential figures within the Indian community, known for seamlessly bridging large-scale cultural impact with professional execution.

An international MC, professional dancer, choreographer, creative director and podcast host, Zain has built a multifaceted career at the intersection of entertainment, leadership, and community development. He is the Director of a leading professional dance company, delivering high-profile performances, workshops and cultural productions across Australia and internationally, while mentoring and managing large multidisciplinary teams of artists and creatives.

Widely regarded for his commanding stage presence and ability to connect audiences across generations, Zain is a sought-after international MC, having hosted major concerts, festivals, and community events. His work as a podcast host further amplifies important voices across culture, leadership and the migrant experience, positioning him as both a storyteller and a thought leader within the community.

Professionally trained in engineering and operations, Zain brings a rare operational rigor to creative and community spaces. His strength lies in transforming ambitious visions into well-structured, scalable, and professionally delivered outcomes—overseeing logistics, governance, stakeholder coordination, quality control, and long-term sustainability.

In his role at Bhartiya Samaj Inc., Zain is responsible for:
Overseeing end-to-end operations across events, programs, and initiatives Aligning creative, cultural, and community goals with strong operational systems Supporting sustainable growth while maintaining excellence and consistency

Zain believes that culture thrives when creativity is supported by structure. Through his leadership, Bhartiya Samaj Inc. continues to deliver initiatives that are culturally powerful, operationally sound, and respected at the highest professional level—reflecting the evolving spirit, ambition, and excellence of the Indian community in Brisbane.

Mr. Vatsal Thakar

Events Manager, Bhartiya Samaj

Community events are more than celebrations – they are opportunities to preserve culture, bring generations together, support local talent, and help people feel a sense of belonging. As Events Manager, his vision is to create events that are well-planned, inclusive, culturally meaningful, and memorable, reflecting both tradition and the evolving spirit of the Indian community in Brisbane.

In his role at Bhartiya Samaj Inc., Vatsal aims to:

  • Curate meaningful cultural, social, and community events
  • Support and promote local artists, volunteers, and community members
  • Ensure seamless planning, clear communication, and high-quality execution
  • Create platforms that bring families, youth, and elders together

Vatsal believes that a strong community is built through consistency, collaboration, and care. He looks forward to serving Bhartiya Samaj Inc. with dedication and integrity, and to contributing towards the continued growth and unity of the Indian community in Brisbane.

Sub-committee Members

Ms. Sahba Hamid

Community Relations Manager

Sahba Hamid is an Afghan‑Australian professional with a Bachelor of Psychological Science, a Graduate Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and a Master of Social Work. Since 2015, Sahba has worked extensively in the community engagement and development sector. As a community leader and the founder of Thriving Afghan Women, Sahba has supported Afghan families in overcoming settlement challenges and building strong foundations for successful integration in Australia.

As the Community Relations Manager at SSI, Sahba Hamid leads a team of community development professionals who work closely with multicultural communities to strengthen community structures, support effective advocacy, and improve access to essential services and capacity‑building opportunities.

Sahba Hamid

Ms. Michaela Cook

Michaela Cook is one of Australia’s most recognisable and trusted multi-platform media personalities. Also known by her musician stage name, Micks, Michaela has a skillset spanning award-winning video production, No.1 charting songwriting, broadcast television presenting and hosting, commercial acting, charity ambassadorships and social media content creation.

Starting her media career by releasing original music while completing her studies at the University of Queensland, Michaela went on to achieve multiple No.1 Australian music singles, bringing her audience along for the behind-the-scenes journey of her life. Referred to by Australian media as, ‘Australia’s answer to Taylor Swift,’ Michaela’s seamless merging of her personal and professional life helped her cultivate a devoted following known as, Team Micks.

As her social media presence grew beyond 1.5 million followers, so did international media opportunities. Michaela was subsequently
recognised in Australia’s Top 50 Influencer Index and Brisbane’s Top 25 A-List Successful and Influential Women’s List, and featured in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times and The Rolling Stone (India) Magazine. This momentum naturally led to her transition from full-time musician to full-time media personality.

Michaela is a proud member of Bhartija Samaj, volunteering her PR skills and media connections to help shine a well-deserved spotlight on the Charities incredible community activities.

Mr. Jake Moyle

Based in Brisbane, Jake Moyle is a strategic advisor and sports business professional specialising in the intersection of data-driven insights and operational excellence.

After completing his Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, Jake bridged the gap between business strategy and elite performance while serving at Melbourne Victory Football Club. Jake developed the recruitment models for the club’s A-League, W-League, and Youth Academy, and built the end-to-end operations for the youth program. Currently, Jake is a commercial adviser specialising in large-scale contract reform activities in Brisbane.

Jake is guided by the philosophy of, “plant trees whose shade you’ll never sit in,” and is deeply committed to both professional integrity and community impact. Outside of his corporate work, he is an active contributor to Bhartiya Samaj, dedicated to fostering growth and support through their community-led initiatives.

Founders

Jeet Suchdev

Founder, Bhartiya Samaj

Jeet Suchdev QSM JP is the founder of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, which was formed in 1995. His passion in assisting the vulnerable and to build cohesive and strong communities in New Zealand, led to the conception of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust. Under his leadership and guidance, Bhartiya Samaj has evolved to become a vibrant and highly successful community organisation. The organisation has received numerous accolades and recognition for its work for the elderly, children, migrants, international students and in empowering people from South Asian communities. He is on the board of other community organisations.

Roopa Suchdev

Founder, Bhartiya Samaj

Roopa Suchdev QSM is a Trustee and Co- Founder of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust. She also runs an organisation ” Roopa Aur Aap Charitable Trust” committed to end violence against women and men. She is empathetic and very zealous social worker who has been standing for the rights of the people of the South Asian Community in New Zealand since more than a decade. She has been working with the victims of family harm and abuse within the South Asian Community. She does not restrict herself for only one specific cause but has gone beyond the horizon and boundary to provide unique learning experiences for the children in Sunday Language and Cultural School and also serves as a Education Chairperson of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust.