Meet the Founder
VASU (VASUNDHARA) PAWAR
CEO / Founder – Step2StepUp Inc.
Ambassador of India – Global Trade Chamber
Founding President – GOPIO Inland Empire
Chair, Youth Council – GOPIO International
Vasu Pawar is the CEO/Founder of Step2StepUp Inc, a 501 (c) (3), Non-Profit organization focused on supporting young entrepreneurs by way of financial support, training, mentoring and guidance. Vasu is a proud entrepreneur herself, having engaged in various business industries including shoes, ceramics, housewares, technology, and apparel. She also owned two Indian Restaurants in Los Angeles. After having experienced the tug of war between business success and failure, Vasu has committed herself to helping every young entrepreneur in the nation rise and dominate.
In addition to Vasu’s passion for small business, she has devoted over 35 plus years in the US, to the World of Finance as the ‘Systems Analyst’ and a ‘Finance Controller’ with American Companies, like John Richard of California, Christina Grant, McKibben Screen Printing, Thornwater International, Century Machinery Co. Inc., in the areas of Import/Export, Manufacturing, Distribution and Engineering. Vasu has greatly increased each company’s financial threshold throughout her tenure. Prior to that, she was a High School English and Math Teacher in top schools in Mumbai, India, and in North Carolina, USA, winning many ‘Best Teacher’ awards. She holds, a Master’s, in English Literature, two Bachelor’s, in Computer Science and Education, and a Minor in Geography.
She is extremely involved in the community for 25 plus years and has served approximately 20-25 organizations in S. California. Below are a few. There are numerous awards, recognitions, certificates, news articles, writeups, press releases, and publications at community events throughout her community involvement in India West, India Journal, NRI Press, and social media. She has coordinated many successful events like Women’s Conferences and Tribute to 24 Successful Women in the Nation, India@75, Independence Day, Executive Coordinator for Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Los Angeles, etc. and emceed at events as well.
Serving the Community Organizations
UFICA (United Federation of Indo-Americans in California) was the first organization which brought her prominence and celerity. She served as the Secretary, then elected President and Chair. As the President in 2013, she has made history in the community, bringing in 15,000 plus crowd at the Excelsior High School Grounds, in Norwalk, CA, celebrating India Independence Day Event, with a popular movie star, Priyanka Chopra as the Grand Marshall. UFICA was known for inviting celebrities at their annual Independence Day Events each year.
NFIA (National Federation of Indian American Associations), an Umbrella Organization, in which she had the pleasure of being the convener of the First NFIA Women’s Conference in Los Angeles, in 2017. She received an award from NFIA for her Exceptional Leadership and reaching new heights in the Indian American Community. She has held many positions with NFIA, Joint Secretary, Chair for Women’s Task Force, Youth Leadership Chair, and Regional Vice President (Representing California & Nevada) 2018 and 2022. In addition, she actively participated at the NFIA Convention spearheaded by President Ashok Madan in 2014. She has attended the White House Briefings, Embassy Banquets, Women’s Conferences and Conventions in Washington DC, and Seattle, Washington. She played a distinguished role in the NFIA Women’s Conference in Los Angeles in 2021 as well and received an award for her Leadership & Youth Entrepreneurship.
GOPIO-Inland Empire Chapter was founded in 2016, by Ms. Vasu Pawar, which she currently Chairs. As the Founding President, she has many valuable and successful events to her credit, like Candlelight Vigils, Health Fair, Valentine’s Day Events (signature), and Diwali Celebrations among many others. This year she wishes to add another exclusive event, “Wishes Fulfilled” to the event list for Gopio-IE. She is also the Life Member of Gopio International (Global Organization of People of Indian Origin) since 2014, and as the founding member, she is also the Founder Chair for Gopio-Inland Empire Chapter
OMAGINATION PICTURES, based in Los Angeles, and Mumbai, is a reputable film production company run by talented producers, Sunil Sadarangaii, and Jordan Washington both with experience and expertise in the Film Industry. Ms. Pawar holds the title of an Executive Producer and wishes to create a collaborative Hollywood, Bollywood platform for our young talents and increase the financial threshold at ‘Omagination Pictures’.
ROMAN MEDIA, Pre Awards Soiree, 2022, ‘The Oscars’ at the Berkshire House, Los Angeles, distinctively Highlighted Step2StepUp organization as the key supporting organization. The fashion show was conducted by the prominent Indian fashion designer, Shekhar Rahate, who is also a film producer and recently produced “Amidst my Own” for which he has received numerous awards.
WORLD FILM FESTIVAL, held at Sheraton Hotel Cerritos, October 28, 2018, where the superstars and celebrities, of all ethnicities of the world gathered on one stage. She had the opportunity to Co-convene the show, interview celebrities, emcee the show and conduct the Award Ceremony with awards presented to the outstanding movie industry icons of the World.
SMAP Foundation (Shivaji Maharaj Antarashtriya Parivar) has been her core involvement since inception. SMAP now has approximately 250 chapters throughout the globe. She has been on the executive committee since inception and was appointed the President of the LA-Chapter for 2022. Her goal is to incorporate unity and leadership into our younger generation culture, through her inspiring activities and strategic planning. She is on a mission to highlight the Indian National Heroes in a profound way. She wishes to create such citizens who do not entertain negativity, jealousy and are overjoyed to appreciate the achievements of their fellow members, learn from their mistakes, and put others before themselves, and genuinely put their hearts and minds in enhancing the talents of our young adults and uplifting them. The upcoming 350th Anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be coming up with a coffee table book and it features her article ‘The Glamour of Diversity & Inclusion’.
PAST EVENTS BY STEP2STEPUP
The Real Goal
Step2StepUp Inc. is determined to fulfill entrepreneurial dreams of our Young Adults. Under her leadership as the CEO and Founder, she wishes to solve problems of the world like poverty, homelessness, keeping kids away from drugs or depression, and helping families and veterans not conducive to success to help improve their financial status, their stability, and create jobs. As the founder, Ms. Vasu Pawar plans to divert minds of young adults to creating new entrepreneurial business ideas and concepts and help them become independent and self-sufficient and teach them about Paying Forward.
She has recently created chapters in Uganda, Africa, Bangaluru, and Maharashtra, India to help the poverty-stricken regions. This year she will be adding another breathtaking event along with her team, “Wishes Fulfilled” to fulfill the last wishes of those who are disposed a limited time to live.
It is her desire to maximize her talents to the service of work that she finds worthwhile and rewarding, with her illimitable interest in being a National & International Marketing Executive Director, and Liaison, Brand Ambassador, leading each company, or organization, to the mainstream, and to its highest prominence. She fluently speaks four obtrusive languages of India, English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati. Her ultimate desire is to bridge India with the nationalities, cultures, and ethnicities of the World, on a Business Trade Platform, with an opportunity for all, to Trade, and present their unique talents, artifacts, expertise, of all industries, including home goods, textile Industry, auto industry, medicine, ayurveda, technology, etc. to the world, in a profound and positive way. India Trade with other countries of the World will add new value to the World Trade Concept as we will be bringing the world to India. As the Ambassador for India with the Global Trade Chamber, and an affiliate of 100 Successful Women in Business Network, she wishes to coalesce, and direct World Business Trade, to destination India. Building Bridges, and inclusiveness, one step at a time in the World, is of uttermost importance to her.
Join us at Step2StepUp Inc. and take the first step towards a future filled with possibilities. Together, we can empower young adults, transform communities, and build a brighter tomorrow.