Meet Our Team

“When we create with compassion, we do more than make art—we build bridges between cultures, we heal invisible wounds, and we remind every child that they belong. Through the arts, we unite what the world has divided and bring joy where it’s been forgotten.”

— Ray Mitra

Ray Mitra is a tech leader, humanitarian, and cultural visionary who founded CultureX to use the transformative power of the arts to heal, connect, and uplift. His work has spanned continents—from launching the Passport to World Arts program for underserved youth in Silicon Valley to mobilizing thousands during the Nepal earthquake relief effort, bringing art, hope, and medical aid to remote villages.

He is a U.S. Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Award honoree and has received multiple recognitions from the California State Senate, Assembly, and local governments for his impact.

At Amazon Web Services (AWS), Ray leads with empathy—driving Customer Success while championing Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (ID&E) and giving-back initiatives. His life’s work is rooted in a simple belief: that art can unite what the world has divided, and bring healing and joy to even the most forgotten corners of the world.

Sonali Agrawal comes to CultureX with over two decades of experience in the technology industry holding leadership and executive roles spanning product management, go-to-market strategy, and business operations at Salesforce and Oracle. A global citizen with deep empathy and authenticity, Sonali connects across cultures and communities to drive meaningful change. Based in the Bay Area, Sonali plays an active role in community giving and volunteerism. She is deeply committed to holistic curricular and co-curricular education, financial literacy, and expression via the creative arts. 

With extensive experience in IT technology spanning software engineering, operations, and leadership, Ruchir brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic vision to CultureX Foundation. As a seasoned professional in the technology sector, Ruchir has successfully driven innovative solutions and operational excellence in complex, fast-paced environments while maintaining a deep commitment to social impact.

As Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, Ruchir leads the development and execution of high-impact initiatives that strengthen CultureX's community presence and cultural mission. His expertise in designing scalable event strategies and building meaningful partnerships has been instrumental in expanding the organization's reach and impact. Under his leadership, signature events like Laser Dandiya have become successful models for cultural engagement and community building.

With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Ruchir has worked passionately to create meaningful change in the lives of underprivileged children. His pivotal role in Induz, the predecessor brand of CultureX Foundation, focused on empowering children in underserved communities through education, arts, and cultural programs. This combination of strategic leadership, technology expertise, and nonprofit experience uniquely positions Ruchir to drive initiatives that bridge innovation with impact, furthering CultureX Foundation's mission of advancing arts, culture, and cross-cultural exchange.

Sarika Johari comes to CultureX with over a decade of experience in arts education, classical

dance, and interior design. As the founder of Sarika Dance & Art Studio in California, she

has taught and inspired hundreds of students through culturally rooted Kathak and semi-

classical training, art-based workshops, and community performances.

Her creative work includes interior design projects in India, London, and California, where

she blends aesthetic vision with practical planning.

A dedicated mother and educator, she plays an active role in community-building through

CultureX by leading arts-based programs that promote self-expression, cultural pride, and

confidence in youth.

Ashish Jain is a compliance leader, Rotarian, and community advocate dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability and youth empowerment through leadership, arts, and culture.

With 20+ years in global compliance and deep roots in volunteerism, he brings heart and strategy to every initiative he leads.

He is a seasoned environmental compliance leader with over two decades of experience in product regulatory strategy and sustainability across the medical device and consumer electronics sectors. He leads cross-functional compliance programs to ensure global market access and compliance with evolving environmental regulations.