Presidential Leadership Scholars program selects five Indian-Americans

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Five Indian-Americans are among the 60 scholars chosen to be part of the Ninth Annual Class of the Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program, which commenced in January 2024.

The Indian-Americans include, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Home Network, Chicago, IL, Dr. Henish Bhansali; President and Founder, Ensaras, Inc., Champaign, IL, Nina Kshetry; Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Resurgens Strategies, Atlanta, GA, Amol S. Naik; Vice President, Artefact, Arlington, VA, Neeti Sanyal; and Medical Director, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular, Fairfax, VA, Dr. Shashank Sinha.

“I’m passionate about the promise of value-based care — enabling all providers to succeed in it is table stakes to the future of the U.S. healthcare system,” said Dr. Bhansali in a statement. At PLS, in the next six months he “will develop his initiative focused on more deeply understanding the needs of care teams and business leaders at FQHCs and designing a care delivery model that aligns incentives and operations with patient outcomes.”

Dr. Bhansali aspires to disseminate his knowledge and experiences to various institutions and government bodies including CMS and CMMI. He aims to advance value-based care on a national scale and contribute to the overall state of healthcare in the United States.

Kshetry’s firm focuses on “advanced analytics and artificial intelligence solutions” designed to enhance the efficiency of wastewater plant operations. She has over 15 years of experience in wastewater treatment and engineering.

At Artefact, Sanyal, investigates “business factors and market conditions that make innovation possible.”

“For nearly a decade, PLS has served as a catalyst for a diverse network of established leaders brought together to collaborate and make a difference in the world,” noted a PLS statement adding the program allows the chosen individuals to explore leadership by examining the presidential knowledge of George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

It further said that the PLS class was selected after a meticulous application and evaluation procedure. The scholars were chosen for their potential for leadership growth and their individual projects dedicated to enhancing civic engagement and promoting social good in their community, the country, or the world.

The latest class is now part of a vibrant community of nearly 500 scholars who are utilizing the program’s teachings to create positive changes in the United States as well as globally. These scholars will engage in the study and application of diverse leadership principles and share ideas to enhance their effectiveness while serving their respective communities.

“The precious gift of this program is the connections you’re going to make,” said former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings while addressing the 60 scholars of PLS Class of 2024.

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman emphasized, “I’ve learned over the years that it’s not so much about the particular risk you take, it’s about getting into the habit of taking risks – because things don’t move and change unless you develop that skill set.”

In the upcoming months, the scholars will visit all participating presidential centers to gain insights from prominent “administration officials, business and civic leaders, and leading academics.”

So far, scholars have toured the White House, the U.S. National Archives, and the Decatur House slave quarters. Their upcoming destination is Little Rock, Arkansas, where they plan to explore the Clinton Presidential Center later this month. During their trip, they will focus on examining “vision and communication” in the context of President Clinton’s leadership, as they continue to gain insights into the valuable principles of PLS.

“Presidential Leadership Scholars brings together bold and principled leaders who are committed to facing critical challenges, both at home and around the world…” noted the PLS website. “Scholars put their learning into action through a personal leadership project, intended to solve a problem or pressing issue in their community, country, or the world. They gain the skills necessary to work across divides and develop a network that spans traditional geographic, professional, political, and economic boundaries. PLS challenges pre-existing perceptions and inspires the Scholars to lead lasting, positive change.”

It further added, 91 per cent of PLS participants noted a shift in their confidence and sense of purpose as leaders since starting PLS. 96 per cent reported an enhanced exposure to and appreciation of a diverse range of perspectives. Furthermore, 91 per cent highlighted substantial improvement in their understanding of purpose and role. Lastly, 92 per cent maintained an increased belief in their capacity to effect leadership for social change post-program.