Who We Are
Young Jains of America will aspire to impart the Jain heritage to the next generation

Young Jains of America (YJA) is an entity of Federation of the Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), a non-profit religious organization. YJA serves Jain youth from ages 14-29. YJA was first established in 1991, and held its first biennial youth convention in 1994.

Today, YJA serves over 10,000 members, creating opportunities for Jain youth to connect through social events, service, and education. Our Executive Board works with a network of Local Representatives, as well as local Jain youth groups, College Chapters, and other interfaith organizations across our six regions to host events, develop and share resources, and build communities. Our members are the next generation of Jain leaders in North America, and we strive to constantly bring together the knowledge and wisdom of our global community with the technology and opportunity of the 21st century to make Jainism relevant to their daily lives!

Learn more about some of the work YJA does in the 2024-2025 Annual Report!

Our history
Our Executive Board

Introducing your 2025-2026 YJA Executive Board! They all come from different cities, regions, and walks of life, but share a passion for serving the Jain community. Through local and virtual events, national projects, and social impact, every member on this board is ready to make this year's YJA the most successful yet! Check out their bios to meet them!

Lots of #yjalove,
Your 2025-26 YJA Executive Board

Our Board Of Trustees

The YJA Board of Trustees (BOT) is comprised of four individuals, generally YJA Board Alumni or adult leaders in the Jain community, who serve two-year terms. BOT members offer invaluable guidance, support, and expertise to the current board, and we thank them for giving back to the YJA community!

You can reach the current YJA Board of Trustees by email at trustees@yja.org.

Chintan Shah

2025 - 2027


Chintan is president of KNB Communications, a healthcare marketing and PR firm. He received his BA from the University of WI and his MBA from Babson College. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Chintan grew up attending pathshala and was a founding youth member at the Jain Religion Center of Wisconsin. He led YJA as co-chair for two conventions - 2002 in New Jersey and 2006 in Connecticut. He is a former chairperson of the JAINA Long Range Planning Committee. Chintan, his wife Shilpa and children Yash, Ria, Sheel, and Shrey live in New York and are active at the Jain Center of America. He is a huge fan of all teams from Wisconsin - Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks and the Wisconsin Badgers. I look forward to continuing to support YJA's incredible work instilling Jain dharma in youth across North America.

Nitin Ajmera

2025 - 2027


Nitin Ajmera is a distinguished senior finance executive, educator, and interfaith leader based in Plainview, New York. With over three decades of experience in finance and organizational leadership, he has made significant contributions across corporate, academic, and religious sectors. Currently serves as a CFO of Plant AG and is an adjunct faculty at Drexel University, Philadelphia. Mr. Ajmera served as the Chair of the Board of the Parliament of the World's Religions from 2021 - 2024, promoting global interfaith dialogue and ethical initiatives. A practitioner of the Digambar Jain tradition, he has held leadership roles in the Jain Center of America-New York, including serving as President. He is also currently a member of the YJA Board.

Hetali Lodaya

2024-2026


Staff Attorney, Legal Aid of NC's Education Justice Project
Durham, NC
Southeast Regional Coordinator (2011 - 2012)
Co-Chair (2016 - 2017)

Jainesh Mehta

2024-2026


Founder, Case Services
Houston, TX
JAINA Convention Board
YJA Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator (1998-1999)
Co-convener for Houston and Detroit Conventions

Past Trustees

2023 - 2024

  • Sapna Jain
  • Samir Mehta
  • Hetali Lodaya
  • Jainesh Mehta

2022 - 2023

  • Dr. Naishadh Shah
  • Prem Jain
  • Sapna Jain
  • Samir Mehta

2021 - 2022

  • Mansi H. Shah
  • Monica Shah
  • Dr. Naishadh Shah
  • Prem Jain

2020 - 2021

  • Dipak Doshi
  • Seema Jain
  • Mansi H. Shah
  • Monica Shah

2019 - 2020

  • Naishadh Shah
  • Chintan Shah
  • Dipak Doshi
  • Seema Jain

2018 - 2019

  • Sonia Ghelani
  • Aakash Shah
  • Naishadh Shah
  • Chintan Shah

2017 - 2018

  • Mansi H. Shah
  • Naman Jain
  • Sonia Ghelani
  • Aakash Shah

2016 - 2017

  • Prem Jain
  • Shardule Shah
  • Mansi H. Shah
  • Naman Jain

2015 - 2016

  • Mitesh Shah
  • Parag Parekh
  • Prem Jain
  • Shardule Shah

2014 - 2015

  • Shardule Shah
  • Mitesh Shah
  • Parag Parekh

2013 - 2014

  • Manoj Jain
  • Mitesh Shah
  • Shardule Shah
  • Seema Jain

2012 - 2013

  • Lata Champsee
  • Suchita Shah
  • Manoj Jain
  • Mitesh Shah

2011 - 2012

  • Seema Jain
  • Nirav Shah
  • Lata Champsee
  • Yogendra Jain

2010 - 2011

  • Manoj Jain
  • Nirav Shah
  • Seema Jain
  • Suchita Shah

2009 - 2010

  • Pavan Zaveri
  • Lata Champsee
  • Nirav Shah
  • Sulekh Jain

2008 - 2009

  • Prem Jain
  • Sushil Jain
  • Pavan Zaveri
Related Organizations

Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA)

JAINA is Federation of Jain Associations in North America – an umbrella organization that aims to foster friendship and unity among all Jains. JAINA works to advance the key Jain teachings and practices such as: non-violence, tolerance, ecology, compassion and service as well as to facilitate meaningful academic, cultural and business interchanges. JAINA was started with blessings from Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji and Acharya Shri Sushil Kumarji. It was initiated at the first Jain Convention held in Los Angeles in 1981 and formalized at the second Jain Convention in New York in 1983. Today, JAINA represents over 160,000 Jains and over 67 Jain organizations, has over 25 active committees and 19 active projects, and has held conventions every two years since 1981. JAINA is led by the JAINA Executive Committee and JAINA Directors. JAINA's EC is elected by and from JAINA Directors who are appointed by their respective Sangh/Society.

JAINA’s youth services include:

For a list of all JAINA projects, please visit JAINA's website or e-mail jainahq@jaina.org.

Young Jain Professionals (YJP)

YJP’s mission is to increase the awareness and understanding of Jain principles and heritage by promoting networking among Jain professionals, ages 21+.

YJP’s objectives are to:

  • Raise awareness of Jain principles;
  • Cultivate and foster future leaders;
  • Facilitate peer networking;
  • Promote and engage in community service;
  • Provide guidance to young people interested in a Jain lifestyle;
  • Collaborate with other organizations to promote Jain ideals; and
  • Provide a forum for succession from YJA to JAINA.

You can find more information about YJP visiting their website or emailing yjpchairs@yjp.jaina.org.