Welcome to the HTSNM Board of Trustees Election Page. Here, you’ll find information on the candidates who have been nominated to help shape the future of our organization. Each nominee has been chosen for their commitment, experience, and vision. We encourage you to learn more about each candidate’s background, qualifications, and dedication to our mission by exploring their bios and photographs below. Your participation and support in this election help drive our collective progress forward.

I am excited to be nominated and will do my best to represent the community. 

I was born in Ahmedabad Gujarat India and moved to USA in 1980 with my family. I grew up and got my degree in California. In 1994 I married Deepesh Kholwadwala and moved to Albuquerque where we run a development and management company he started in 2004. We have two children, Suraj born in 2000 and Sahil born in 2002. 

In recent years I have had the opportunity to be on the board for the Gujarati Samaj of NM (2019) and served as President (2020-2024) During that time, I helped the organization become a nonprofit, secure grant funding, and expand our cultural events like Holi, Garba, Diwali, and India Day.

In 2024 I helped start a monthly Bhandaro at HTSNM with two of my friends. We support temple fundraising through food sales, jewelry sales and clothing donations. 

My vision for the temple is to build a place where we can come together to pray, learn and celebrate our culture and traditions. A place where generations, old and new, come together to learn from one another, celebrate together and stay connected to the culture that shapes us for generations to come. 

To me, preserving culture is not just about honoring the past but rather it’s about creating spaces and opportunities for future generations to thrive. I want to create a space where children discover their heritage, families gather for life’s most meaningful moments and elders pass down their wisdom. It should be a place where spirituality and culture meet, where community bonds deepen, and where every person feels welcome.

Practicing Physician in family medicine. Has lived in New Mexico for 40 years. Actively involved in HTSNM matters since its inception. Has previously served on HTSNM Board in different capacities.  Also has been a major donor and a fundraiser.  Will avidly support the new Temple in the Albuquerque area.

My name is Priya, and I am honored to be part of our temple community. I believe our temple is more than a place of worship; it is a place where faith, culture, traditions, and community come together. It is a place where our children learn our values, families build meaningful connections, and everyone finds peace, belonging, and spiritual guidance.

My vision is to help our temple grow as a welcoming, transparent, and inclusive community while preserving our religious traditions and cultural heritage. I believe in encouraging youth participation, supporting cultural and spiritual programs, fostering communication among community members, and ensuring that decisions are made with integrity, fairness, and the community’s best interests in mind.

If given the opportunity to serve, I will strive to listen to community members, work collaboratively with fellow volunteers and leaders, and contribute to the long-term growth and well-being of our temple.

Together, we can build a stronger community rooted in devotion, service, unity, and respect for our traditions.

Thank you for your trust and support.

My name is Swapna Sule, I am from Mumbai, India, now settled here since 2004. I am a staff accountant by profession and work with a CPA firm.

I am honored to be a part of our temple community and would welcome the opportunity to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees. I believe our temple is not just a place of worship, but the heart of our community – a place where faith, culture, traditions, and service bring people together.

My vision is to build a stronger, more densely connected temple community, engraved in our Hindu values and traditions. I believe in preserving our rich cultural heritage, encouraging our younger generations to stay attached to their roots, and creating opportunities for families and community members of all ages to participate in temple activities, and festivities.

If elected, I will strive to promote transparency, open communication, teamwork, and responsible leadership. I believe every community member deserves to feel welcomed, respected, and heard. By working together, we can strengthen our temple and community, support religious and cultural programs, and ensure that our temple continues to thrive for future generations to teach and preserve cultural values and traditions.

I see this opportunity not simply as a position, but as a responsibility to serve our community with sincerity, dedication, and a spirit of seva (selfless service).

Together, let us preserve our traditions, strengthen our faith, and build a brighter future for our temple and our community.
Thank you for your support and consideration.

I’ve been living in albuquerque for last 15 years and i had previously served in the temple committee . My vision to the temple is a wonderful and essential vision. A temple thrives when it serves as a dynamic space for shared ideas, open communication, and deep community connection.