2025-2026 Term
Dr. Fatima Arastu
DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CNEn
Watson Caring Science Caritas Coach
Founder | President
Dr. Fatima Arastu is a highly experienced healthcare professional with over 21 years in the industry. She holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing, specializing in healthcare operations and executive leadership. Additionally, she obtained post-master’s certification in education from the same institution.
Dr. Arastu also holds dual master’s degrees in MSN and MBA from Holy Names University, demonstrating her proficiency in healthcare and leadership. She is board-certified in nursing leadership (NEA-BC) and brings extensive experience in navigating the complexities of the healthcare sector.
In 2023, she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Nurses Association of California ( ANA/C) Advocacy Institute on Racism in Nursing Campaign. Dr. Arastu’s doctoral work on the implementation of a mentorship program through the Inclusion, Diversity, Health Equity Council and Nurse Practice Professional Department led to a hospital-wide extension of the program, supporting minorities in professional growth within the organization.
Currently, Dr. Arastu serves as the Manager of Nursing Research Quality & Compliance at the Office of Research Patient Care Services at Stanford Health Care. Additionally, she is an Adjunct Faculty for Graduate students teaching Human Resources and Leadership at California State University, East Bay, and House Supervisor at Kaiser Permanente.
Engaging in various professional organizations, she is a membership committee member for the Association of California Nurse Leaders. Dr. Arastu is also part of the American Nurses Association LGBTQ+ Racism in Nursing Assessment Taskforce.
She newly founded the Bay Area Indian Nurses Association Chapter (BAINA) in California, aiming to advance nursing practice through mentorship, advocacy, education, and equity. Serving as the President of BAINA, she is dedicated to empowering and supporting nursing professionals to enhance community well-being.
Anjeleena Singh
MSN, RN, NE-BC, Caritas Coach
Executive VICE PRESIDENT
Anjeleena steps into this executive leadership role after serving on the BAINA Governing Board for the past year as the Advocacy and Policy Chair. She is a passionate and dedicated nurse with 23 years of experience,
including 22 years at Stanford Healthcare. Her extensive career has encompassed
various departments, including ICU, Medical/Surgical, Oncology, Observation, and COVID-19 care. Mentoring has been a central part of her journey, and she remains
committed to nurturing the growth of nurses and future nurse leaders.
As a Patient Care Manager, Anjeleena has led initiatives that enhance clinical workflows and improve patient care quality. Her dedication to advocacy and her ability to foster
strong relationships with both staff and patients have helped create a culture of excellence and compassion within her team. She spearheaded two impactful
projects—the Nurse Leader Empowerment Committee (NLEC) and the Traumatic Event
Activation Response (TEAR)—which she presented at the Association of California
Nurse Leaders (ACNL) Annual Program. She is a member of ACNL’s Health Policy
Committee, where she contributes to initiatives advancing nurse-led legislation.
Currently, Anjeleena is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Chamberlain University, with an expected graduation in December 2026. Her DNP practicum project focuses on addressing nurse leader stress by implementing a wellness bundle designed
for use during work hours. Anjeleena ensures she nurtures her own well-being and
passions while continuing to pursue professional growth and meaningful leadership.
Born in Suva, the capital of Fiji, Anjeleena moved to the United States at the age of
eight and settled in San Francisco. As a proud mother of three, she strives to be a
positive role model for her children. Maintaining a balance between work and personal
life is essential to her, and she enjoys meditation, wellness walks, and reading. One of
her favorite quotes is: “The best way of finding yourself is to lose yourself in the service
of others” – Mahatma Gandhi.
Dr. Suky Sangha
DNP, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN, CARITAS NURSE
VICE PRESIDENT
Dr. Suky Sangha is a highly experienced nursing professional with over 26 years in the healthcare field, including 9 years in operational leadership roles. Dr. Sangha holds Doctor of Nursing Practice from San Jose State University. Dr Sangha is dedicated to advancing patient care outcomes and fostering organizational excellence. Her leadership style emphasizes inclusivity and the development of high-performing teams, contributing to a culture of high reliability within healthcare organizations.
Dr. Sangha also holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of San Francisco, where she graduated with honors in the Humanities Program. She has also completed the Integrated Nursing Leadership Program at Stanford Hospital & Clinics. Her professional certifications include Nurse Professional Development-Board Certified (NPD-BC), Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN), and she is an ACLS/BLS Instructor.
In her current role as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist at Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, Dr. Sangha has successfully increased collaboration between medical doctors and registered nurses, enhancing patient safety and performance improvement initiatives. Dr. Sangha is also a Faculty Instructor at San Jose State University, where she mentors senior-level nursing students and guides them through their clinical practice.
Dr. Sangha’s commitment to community health is evident through her active involvement in various professional organizations, including the Association of Clinical Nurse Leaders and the American Nurses Association. She is one of the founding members and the Secretary of the Bay Area Indian Nurses Association, where she fosters inclusivity and professional development for Indian nurses in the Bay Area. She was recently selected to serve in the role of ANCC Director for the North American Indian Nurses Association (NAINA). The ANCC Director position has oversight of the ongoing educational professional development of all chapter members nationally and the annual clinical and leadership conference.
Dr. Sangha’s dedication to nursing extends beyond local initiatives; Suky has volunteered in underserved communities in Argentina and Brazil, providing essential medical care and supporting global health initiatives. Recognized for her leadership and contributions, she has received the Heroes Healing Humanity Award and has been instrumental in developing mentorship programs for new nurses and interdisciplinary staff. She continues to drive evidence-based solutions that enhance patient care, support fiscal responsibility, and promote health equity within the community.
Anu Varghese
MSN(c),BSN, RN-BC
Secretary
Anu Varghese, BSN, RN-BC, is a dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse with over 15 years of diverse experience spanning bedside care, teaching, quality, and management. She is an advocate for both patients and nurses, exemplifying effective communication rooted in evidence-based practices and policies. Anu has cultivated her expertise across various nursing specialties, including Neuro, Cardiac, and Microsurgery, and she skillfully led a dedicated telemetry team as an assistant manager during the pandemic in the heart of San Francisco.
Recently, Anu made a meaningful decision to step away from her management role to fully embrace her role as a mother to her two young children, dedicating more time to cherish and nurture them while simultaneously pursuing her dream of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Growing up as an immigrant in San Francisco during the 90s, Anu navigated the challenges of belonging to a small Indian community, where opportunities to connect with leaders who shared her values or had faced similar obstacles were rare. This experience instilled in her a profound belief in the transformative power of mentoring and nurturing the next generation to rise to their fullest potential. Today, she channels this passion into guiding and empowering novice nurses, equipping them to excel by offering the resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that played a pivotal role in her own journey.
Anu is one of the founding members and is deeply honored to serve as Co-Secretary alongside a remarkable group of leaders, as they collaborate to forge a path for Bay Area Indian Nurses and aim to foster a sense of community, mentorship, and empowerment within the field while bridging cultures and creating connections that celebrate diversity and shared values.
Neha Soni
MSN, BSN, PHN, RN
Treasurer
Neha Soni is a dedicated nursing professional with over 5 years of experience in Medical Surgical/Telemetry/Intermediate care units. She holds an MSN from Faridkot University, a BSN from Maharishi Markendeshwar University, and a Public Health Nurse (PHN) certification. Currently, Neha works as a Pre-op nurse at Stanford Healthcare Tri-valley Care and part-time at Kaiser Permanente. Neha has received numerous awards at the department and organizational levels for her exceptional care and advocacy for patient safety and systems. Recently, Neha was recognized as Employee of the Month and received the ‘Quality and Safety Star Award’ for quarter 2 in 2023 at Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley. As Neha progresses in her nursing leadership role as a charge nurse and unit-based council member, she aspires to take on formal nursing leadership roles. Neha is one of the founding members of the Bay Area Indian Nurses Association (BAINA) chapter and currently serves as the Treasurer of the chapter. Neha enjoys connecting with nurses both in the workplace and the community, cultivating strong relationships, empowering them to grow in leadership roles, and supporting new nurses as they transition into their positions.
Daisy Mark
MSN-FNP, BSN, PCCN, RN
Co-Chair, Treasurer
Daisy Mark is a Clinical Nurse IV at Stanford Health Care, with over 20 years of experience in critical care, education, and leadership as resource, float, and preceptor nurse roles. She provides advanced, patient-centered care in the cardiac telemetry unit, and acute care unit driving quality improvement and evidence-based practice. Her contributions to nursing excellence have earned her Stanford Health Care’s “Magnet Moment” recognition.
Daisy has served on Stanford’s shared Leadership Committee in Research and Safety Committee and is a current member of unit-based Quality Committees, contributing to patient safety initiatives and quality improvement projects. She has presented her research at Healthcare Con 2023.
Daisy holds an MSN-FNP from Chamberlain University and is a Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN). She is an active member of AACN, ANA, AANP, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Her strengths include getting nurses together and building a network. Daisy is one of the founding members of the BAINA Chapter and currently serves as the Co-Treasurer.