THE BEAUTY OF GRACE AND GIVING Q&A Q&A

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Effortless is what I like. My style reflects my story and things that bring me joy. It is about being true to yourself.

Q: What do you like about Miami and how it has changed your life?

A: It has been four years, in a blink of an eye, and I find magic in this city. Miami has embraced us, and it embodies love and energy. The beauty of the different cultures we are surrounded by, that have a shared value system. To be immersed in it, is beautiful learning and the gift that keeps giving.

Q: How do you feel about the Polo Committee of Miami, to bring back the glamour of polo....

A: Miami is a world class city. Polo has history in Miami and what could be greater than being host and shining the light on the glamour of Polo. Modern Polo originated in India in 1859 when the Silchar Polo club was founded by the British in Manipur, a northeastern state of India. Today, the world’s oldest active club is the Calcutta Polo Club established in 1862. We are reviving its history in Miami!

Q: You design jewelry. Tell me about this, and the other passions in your life.

A: Personally, I am process oriented and find creativity in design enchanting. I am passionate about the process of crafting life and every aspect of it. I design my own jewelry as it reflects who I am as a woman and I enjoy designing in the home and workspace. Our homes in New York, Philadelphia and Miami have been design builds.

Professionally, I am a clinical psychologist and a researcher at heart. I enjoy the interdisciplinary merge of psychology with other disciplines of life. It is about getting in touch with what speaks to you, influencing thought and recreating your environment, allowing it to serve the best in yourself. We are only limited by our imagination. Psychology influences my work in Education, and Environmental and Conservation psychology is at the forefront of my work in civic engagement.

Q: How do you handle being a mother and a busy businesswoman?

A: Dear sweet unforgettable childhood. It is a delicate balance, isn’t it? The secret is that our children need the quiet support just as much as when they seem like they may not. Allowing and creating space to nourish the self in between the journey of parenthood allows the balance to stay in place. Pause, for immeasurable value. I run early in the morning and that allows me to center my day. I immerse myself in verse and love to read. I love travel and the bohemian side of me and my immersive personality, often allows me to feel like the next place could be home. On the work front, I am engaged with United Way and serve as co-chair of United Way of Miami-Dade Florida’s Education II Impact Council. Our work in School Age Education is at the grassroots level and agencies are vetted for clear outcome measures that indicate change is taking place.

The focus on underserved communities has always been where my heart is, and I see how every effort is created to ensure that we are moving the needle. With my children, Simrin Kesmia and Arhan, the hope is that legacy I leave as a parent. That they understand the courage and value of giving time and encouraging philanthropy to leave the world better than how they found it.

We are longtime supporters of United Way Worldwide and members of its Tocqueville Society, as well as members of Florida Council of 100. I enjoy civic engagement and remain active with private civic organizations.

In Miami I am engaged with urban development issues and actively working with the city and county to restore the historic five-mile Commodore Trail that runs through Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. In Philadephia, I serve on the Board of Historic Philadelphia.

I spend my time between Miami, New York, and Philadelphia