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About Us

Our Staff

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Camille Samuel

Camille Samuel is the Executive Director of the South Asian Community Center. Entering the non-profit world in 2007, she worked in South India for three years using media strategies to bring hope to those in need. Shortly after returning to the States, she began working at the South Asian Community Center and has been there since 2010. She has a passion for new immigrants to not only survive, but thrive because she remembers the challenges she faced as a foreigner in South Asia and the importance community played during that time. She holds multiple English as a Second language certifications, has received an “Outstanding Service and Heart of the Community” award from Voice of Women Empowerment and has a BFA in Visual Arts Photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

Executive Director

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Anna Kilby

Anna Kilby brings over 10 years of experience in communications, public relations, and fundraising to her role at the South Asian Community Center. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a minor in Psychology—training that fuels her passion for telling stories that connect, inspire, and mobilize communities. Throughout her career, Anna has partnered with schools, individuals, and nonprofit organizations to develop compelling messaging, strengthen community ties, and lead initiatives that drive meaningful support. Her strategic approach and creative eye have consistently helped mission-driven organizations expand their reach and deepen their impact. She is enthusiastic in helping the SACC thrive as a vibrant space for connection, hope and empowerment. Outside of work, Anna enjoys life with her husband of 15 years and their two daughters.

Social Media, Public Relations, and Marketing Manager

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Anna Stefano

Anna Stefano, MSW, brings a strong background in program development, community engagement, and trauma-informed social work with immigrant and refugee populations. As Program Development Manager at the South Asian Community Center, she improves and supports ESL and women’s health programs, implements data systems to monitor outcomes, and collaborates with leadership to advance the center’s mission. Her experience includes outreach to immigrant women, facilitating children’s programming, grant support, and cross-sector partnerships. Anna combines her clinical training and intercultural fluency with hands-on experience in Queens communities to create effective, culturally relevant programming.

Program Development Manager

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Pallavi Chavan

Pallavi Chavan brings a blend of technical expertise and cultural understanding to her role as an intern at the South Asian Community Center. As a first-generation Indian American with her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, she bridges the gap between innovation and community service. Pallavi is currently developing a database system and integrating technology solutions at the SACC, ensuring the organization can better track outcomes and expand its reach. Growing up navigating two cultures has given Pallavi a deep appreciation for the challenges faced by immigrant families, fueling her passion to serve the South Asian community.

Intern

Our Board

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Jim Samuel

A longtime advocate for the South Asian community, Jim joined the board of the South Asian Community Center to support its mission of serving immigrant families with compassion and culturally relevant programming. He contributes expertise in program development, strategic planning, financial oversight and is passionate about building systems that uplift and empower underrepresented communities. He values prayer and giving people tools to live confidently to flourish in New York City.

Jim holds a Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Sciences from St. John's University. He has also gained a wealth of knowledge through mentoring relationships from pastors and church ministry practitioners. He lives in Queens with his wife and two children and loves books, theological podcasts, outdoors, soccer and brewing a good cup of chai.

Business Owner

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Adam Bishop

Adam Bishop is a dedicated advocate for the South Asian community, bringing over a decade of grassroots experience in Jackson Heights, Queens. As both a pastor and an ESL teacher at the South Asian Community Center (SACC), Adam has worked tirelessly to meet the practical and spiritual needs of one of New York’s most vibrant immigrant neighborhoods.

Originally from Alabama, Adam and his family moved to Jackson Heights in 2015 to help launch Jackson Heights Community Church. Under his leadership, the church became a hub for community engagement, where members were empowered to serve their neighbors with compassion and purpose. His deep commitment to this ministry is driven by his faith in Jesus and a strong belief in holistic community care.

Adam now serves as the Lead Pastor of Echo Grace Church in New Milford, Connecticut, where he continues to champion the mission of the SACC by mobilizing his congregation to engage in cross-cultural ministry and community support.

Outside of his work, Adam enjoys flying drones, diving into a good book, and sipping on an ice-cold glass of Southern sweet tea.

Pastor

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Janette Reeves

Janette brings decades of ministry and counseling experience to her role as a board member at the South Asian Community Center. Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, she moved to New York City with a mission—to help start a church among the Nepali-speaking community in Sunnyside, Queens, through the North American Mission Board.

Alongside her husband, Homer, a financial consultant who mentors pastors in business and leadership skills, Janette actively promotes the work in NYC to churches in South Carolina and Kentucky. Together, they help raise funding and mobilize volunteers to support immigrant communities in Queens.

Before moving to NYC, Janette served as a pastoral counselor and directed a crisis pregnancy center in Greenville. She holds two master’s degrees: an M.A. in Religious Education (1979) and an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling (2009). Her work in NYC has included teaching ESL, leading children’s Bible studies, counseling women, and organizing ministry events.

A creative at heart, Janette also enjoys teaching art through Paint Parties—using art as a meaningful way to build relationships and share her faith. Her compassion, experience, and deep commitment to serving others continue to enrich the mission and vision of the South Asian Community Center.

Licensed Counselor

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Lance Conklin

Lance Conklin is an immigration attorney with over 25 years of experience and a deep commitment to serving immigrant communities. He began his legal career in California in 1995 and has worked with some of the nation’s top immigration law firms. In addition to private practice, he has served in the nonprofit sector with World Relief, taught immigration law, and currently leads Conklin Immigration Law, LLC, focusing exclusively on U.S. immigration law.

A Navy veteran, ordained minister, and adjunct professor at Trinity Law School, Lance brings both legal expertise and compassionate leadership to his work. He also serves as Associate Director at Good Samaritan Advocates and is active on the National Pro Bono Committee of AILA, supporting access to legal services for vulnerable populations.

Lance holds a J.D. from California Western School of Law, a B.A. in History from UC Davis, and a Master of Divinity from Gateway Seminary. His passion for justice and advocacy continues to strengthen the mission of the South Asian Community Center.

Attorney at Law

Volunteer Spotlight

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Audrey Olsen

Audrey Olsen, born in Brooklyn and a longtime Queens resident, has been teaching ESL at the South Asian Community Center since 2012! Audrey says that she keeps teaching because she loves seeing students improve in their English skills. She is motivated to serve in the community because of her faith in God and her love for people from South Asian countries. She has traveled internationally to many countries including India and Bangladesh. Audrey is truly a lifelong volunteer - at 78 years old, she teaches one of our Level 1 ESL classes with a sparkle in her eye. Over the years, students have shared appreciation for Audrey being a dedicated and talented ESL teacher who shows genuine care for her students.