Danusha Santhikumar is a strategic sales professional and legal technology advocate who brings a deep commitment to equity, empowerment, and second chances to her role on the Plated Forward board.

Currently a Strategic Account Executive at Smokeball, Danusha partners with law firms to implement legal practice management solutions that streamline operations and improve access to justice. Her background in law, combined with her expertise in client relationship management and organizational growth, equips her with a unique perspective on the systems and barriers that often impact underserved communities.

Originally from Sydney, Australia, Danusha holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Technology Sydney and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New South Wales. Now proudly based in Chicago, she is passionate about giving back to the city she calls home.

Danusha is honored to support Plated Forward’s mission to provide holistic reintegration support to individuals experiencing homelessness. She believes in the power of community, compassion, and practical action to create lasting change—and brings that belief to every conversation and initiative she’s part of.

Bogdana Sardak is a nationally recognized expert in enterprise resilience, risk management, and systems design—bringing a powerful blend of strategic thinking and people-centered leadership to her role on the Plated Forward board.

As Director of Enterprise Resilience at Walmart, Bogdana oversees global programs that ensure continuity, crisis response, and organizational preparedness across one of the world’s largest companies. Her career has focused on building sustainable systems that protect people and operations in moments of uncertainty—skills that translate directly to Plated Forward’s mission of helping individuals stabilize and rebuild after experiencing homelessness.

Prior to Walmart, Bogdana served in leadership roles at Fusion Risk Management, where she was honored with multiple industry awards for her impact, innovation, and mentorship—including the Business Continuity Institute’s Continuity and Resilience Professional Award and Built In’s Moxie Award for women in tech.

She believes the same principles that make organizations resilient—proactive planning, trusted relationships, clear processes, and inclusive support systems—can and should be applied to individuals navigating major life transitions. At Plated Forward, Bogdana helps shape strategies that ensure every person served has the structure, stability, and dignity they need to move forward with confidence.

Minal Vahora is a healthcare CFO whose expertise and compassion fuel her commitment to advancing public health and community well-being. With a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s in Public Health, she brings a rare blend of financial acumen and mission-driven focus to her work.

She specializes in aligning resources with purpose, optimizing funding, and ensuring financial strategies support meaningful outcomes for patients and communities.

Beyond her professional role, Minal has been deeply engaged in philanthropic and advocacy efforts. She has led fundraising initiatives for the American Heart Association, run marathons to support Advocate Aurora Health and Every Mother Counts, raised awareness for maternal health, and partnered with nonprofit healthcare organizations to help secure medical equipment. Over the years, she has also volunteered alongside Chef Taye at the shelter and has been inspired by his dedication to serving those in need.

Now honored to join the board, Minal looks forward to applying her skills to strengthen financial alignment, maximize fundraising, and expand outreach—ensuring the organization can continue to serve as many people as possible with dignity, care, and opportunity.

Chef Taye Opere is the visionary founder of Plated Forward, a Chicago-based nonprofit on a mission to empower individuals experiencing homelessness through culinary training, workforce development, and meaningful reintegration opportunities.

With extensive experience as a chef and culinary leader, Taye recognized the transformative power of food to create community and opportunity. He established Plated Forward to collaborate closely with homeless shelters—designing and leading hands-on culinary training programs that equip participants with real-world kitchen skills, workplace readiness, and job placement pathways.

At the helm of Plated Forward, Chef Taye is dedicated to:

• Partnering with local shelters, restaurants, and employment networks

• Designing robust, culturally aware culinary training curricula

• Providing mentorship and life-skills coaching alongside technical instruction

• Ensuring high-quality, dignified meals and training experiences that nurture both confidence and connection

Rooted in Chicago and driven by deep compassion, Chef Taye believes everyone deserves dignity, purpose, and a seat at the table. Through Plated Forward, he is creating sustainable pathways to independence, one plate—and one life—at a time.