2024 STATE OFFICER CANDIDATES
justin ambrozaitis
claudia taylor johnson HIGH SCHOOL
Justin Ambrozaitis is a forward-thinking and highly motivated junior at Johnson High School. He has served as the President of District 2 and as the Executive VP of his chapter, where he has led community initiatives, fostered collaboration, and enhanced competition readiness. Beyond his leadership roles, Justin has been a distinguished competitor, finalizing twice at SCDC and earning a top exam score at ICDC. DECA has empowered Justin to grow and excel as a leader, connect with his passions, and give back to his community. Through the state office, Justin intends to impact Texas DECA by expanding professional opportunities, guidance, and member engagement across the state. Outside of DECA, Justin serves as the President and founder of his school's TED-Ed club, Co-Captain of the Debate team, and an officer of the Olympiads club. He has also distinguished himself as the champion of the international FAA Airport Design Challenge, recognized by Governor Abbott and others. In his free time, Justin enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and helping others. Those in his life describe Justin as creative, enthusiastic, and goal-oriented. If elected, Justin promises to provide crucial new opportunities, advancing the DECA experience for all.
maahi borad
travis HIGH SCHOOL
Maahi Borad is an incoming senior at Travis High School, where she currently serves as Vice President of Chapter Campaigns in her third year with DECA. With her professional acumen, dedication, and endless nights spent, she strives to give Texas DECA what it deserves; her all.
Maahi firmly holds the foundations of leadership to be about serving and collaborating, along with integrity and accountability. Throughout her years, Maahi has explored her inner-leader, ready to flourish with Texas DECA. Beyond the DECA Blazer, Maahi strives to push her limits alongside achieving her goals.
Maahi has consistently demonstrated her leadership growth through her involvement in community at both the school and regional levels. With her zeal for serving, Maahi has dedicated her time to Girl Up Houston and Best Buddies, changing her community one-step at a time. She has developed public speaking skills through her District wide “Shark Tank”, where she won $1,200 to better her campus and by stage managing her school’s varsity musicals.
DECA is an organization that quickly becomes a second home to everyone. So are you ready for another great year? Honor the Diamond on your Blazer with Maahi Borad!!
yashitha chunduru
coppell HIGH SCHOOL
Yashitha is currently a Junior at Coppell High School and this is her third year in DECA. Yashitha was the Coppell Ninth Chapter President in her Freshman year. Last year, she was her chapter’s Sophomore Representative. She is currently Coppell High School’s DECA President and is also one of the D11 Vice Presidents. With her experience she can lead Texas DECA with passion. Yashitha has many leadership traits including being hard working and determined. She is also very empathetic and respectful. She will listen to any form of feedback from members to improve their experience. Outside of DECA, she enjoys watching TV, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends. She volunteers as a Teen Court Attorney and is a debater. DECA has made a big impact on Yashitha’s life and she looks forward to making DECA a phenomenal experience for every member!
carlos diaz-torres
killeen isd career center
Carlos Diaz-Torres, a Junior at the Killeen ISD Career Center currently serves as their Vice-President of Competition. Carlos exhibits a commitment to excellence in all aspects of his academic and extracurricular pursuits. In addition to his role at the Career Center, Carlos currently serves as the Vice-President of Outreach for Texas DECA District 5. Throughout his tenure in various leadership positions within DECA, Carlos has discovered a profound passion for servant leadership and a strong sense of unity within the DECA family. His journey has been marked by the realization that true leadership is not about exerting control but rather inspiring others. Carlos attributes his fondness for DECA to the invaluable experiences of meeting new people and guiding them towards shared objectives. Beyond the iconic DECA blazer, Carlos is an active member of the junior class, being part of the Youth Advisory Commission, Student Advisory Board and the Superintendents Advisory Board as well as a Student Ambassador to his School. Outside of DECA, Carlos enjoys going out with friends, eating Italian Food and exploring nature.
desiree flores
ballinger HIGH SCHOOL
Desiree Flores is a Junior at Ballinger High School, a small rural school in West Texas. Desiree has previously served as the 2023-2024 Texas DECA District 9 Vice President. Last year, she attended ICDC as a Voting Delegate for Texas DECA. While in DECA, she developed a passion for business, law, and servant leadership. Outside of DECA, she is involved in multiple organizations where she holds important roles. Such as being the Chapter President for Ballinger FCCLA and the Head Coordinator of the Ballinger Veterans Program hosted annually. As well as being an intern for a Congressional Campaign in Texas 34th District and a member of the 11th Texas District Congressional Youth Advisory Council. If given the opportunity, Desiree will use her role to provide new opportunities for all Texas DECA members that will help them grow and prepare them for the future, as DECA has done for her.
sreesumanth godavarti
heritage HIGH SCHOOL
Sreesumanth Godavarti is currently a junior attending Heritage High School. Known for his competitive and adaptable nature, he strives for academic and professional progress. Being innately perceptive, Sumanth has a unique interest in business, showcasing a natural aptitude for data science and analytics with its integration to real world business application. He actively participates in various clubs including Business Professionals of America, Math Honor Society, while also taking part in the Independent Study and Mentorship program. Beyond academics, Sumanth enjoys sports, finding a balance between his academics and personal pursuits. He exhibits a strong sense of leadership, which reflects in his interactions with peers and teachers alike. He is someone who seeks growth along with the growth of his peers. Sumanth is as a unique individual who loves DECA as he believes it gave him a community to be a part of and be included with its culture and its ability to foster growth.
james hefner
sweetwater HIGH SCHOOL
James Hefner is a junior at Sweetwater High School and has served as a DECA member since his freshman year. Throughout his DECA career, James has been a state finalist every year and qualified for ICDC his sophomore year. James’ passion for DECA has pushed him to become his chapter’s Vice President of Career Development, where he not only assists his chapter in all of their activities but also does his best to prepare his chapters’ members for their competitive events by providing them with various resources and helping them with any areas they feel they are struggling with. Apart from DECA, James also spends his time rehearsing for theatre, attending tennis practice, and volunteering at his local library. James also has a love for math and science and competes in both subjects at UIL Academics competitions. As a state officer, James hopes to use his ideas and experience to not only expand Texas DECA to more prospective members but also increase the opportunities and resources that the program provides.
jp jewell
glenda dawson HIGH SCHOOL
JP is a junior at Glenda Dawson High School (Pearland, Texas), and serves as one of his chapter’s co-presidents. Since joining DECA freshman year, he has been a two-time state qualifier and placed 5th place in Orlando at ICDC. As a co-president, he has helped lead his chapter to grow by over 50 members, complete all available campaigns, and host a variety of membership development activities. As a state officer, JP wants to continue building upon the Texas DECA experience by enhancing the ways that all chapters can grow through each other, and expanding the influence DECA has on communities across the state. Outside of DECA, JP plays in his band's drumline, holds an officer position in Dawson’s FPS, and is a Life Scout in the Eagle process. JP believes that the Texas DECA community has built him into who he is today and could not be more excited to give back by becoming a state officer. If given the opportunity to serve, JP will work passionately to BUILD THE EXPERIENCE.
rhea joglekar
clements HIGH SCHOOL
Rhea Joglekar was born in Rome, Georgia, a rural town near Atlanta. Living there, she learned the importance of responsibility and humility, as she spent hours every day on her neighbor’s farm, tending to all their animals. When she moved to Sugar Land, she struggled heavily with separation anxiety, feeling as though she would never be able to break out of her shell. By age twelve, she finally overcame her anxiety through discovering creative outlets she could dedicate her time to: varsity track, competitive dance, and of course, DECA. Rhea Joglekar is a current junior and has been a proud member of DECA for the past three years. At the state level, she plans to focus on maximizing members’ capacities for leadership, networking, and critical thinking. Rhea is here to ensure that each member is prepared for their competitive events and equipped with skills for life. She strives to create an interconnected environment with members securing success in DECA and in their future professional lives. Her life’s journey has shaped her into the person she is today, and she will continue to be her best self in all her endeavors.
hansi kallem
rouse HIGH SCHOOL
Hansi Kallem is a junior at Rouse High School and has been dedicated to DECA since her freshman year. Hansi has competed mostly in entrepreneurship role play events, through which she was able to advance to ICDC in Orlando, and obtain the valuable opportunity to connect with DECA members from across the country and the globe. This experience ignited her inherent love for DECA that had been growing since her freshman year, reflected in her involvement in her school’s DECA chapter. From first serving as her chapter’s Fundraising director, then Underclassmen Representative, and now in her current position of VP of Relations, Hansi has realized that what makes DECA special is its power to bring people together. People of different backgrounds, interests, people who would have otherwise been left strangers, are able to interact because of their shared interest in DECA and our organization’s values. She currently strives to facilitate such a connection within her own chapter, and if elected as Texas State Officer, Hansi will ensure that every district, chapter, and member in Texas DECA feels this connection to each other and our state association, and are proud to say that they are a part of Texas DECA.
siddha kanthi
reedy HIGH SCHOOL
Siddha Kanthi is a junior at Reedy High School and a 3rd-year DECA member, currently serving 450+ members in his chapter and 5000+ members as District 7’s vice president. Siddha is a two-time ICDC Qualifier and ICDC glass winner in finance roleplay events. As a DECA member, he has experienced a sharp increase in his work ethic, boosted confidence, and a supportive community. In his DECA leadership positions, Siddha has co-hosted multiple leadership conferences, guided new members to success, and fostered a tight-knit community, allowing his peers to take their skills to the MAXX. Siddha hopes to maximize each of Texas DECA’s members' experiences by using his own experiences from Reedy DECA and Texas DECA’s District 7 to produce an opportunity for every Texas DECA member to Experience the Difference.
Aside from DECA, Siddha is a huge sports fan who has played soccer since age three and plays for FC Dallas. With his passion for financial literacy and his goal to spread financial education, Siddha also leads the nonprofit FAI and hosts fundraisers to support it. In his free time, Siddha enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and watching movies.
shazia karmali
carroll high school
Shazia Karmali has been in DECA since her freshman year. She chose the event Hotel Lodging Management (HLM), which sparked her interest immediately. Shazia yearned to learn more about HLM which led her to gain knowledge about the hospitality industry. With that knowledge, she ended up being selected as a voting delegate and chapter representative at state. Shazia desired to guide others to find success, and helped anyone in her chapter that needed it. Later that year, she was elected President. The leadership qualities she learned in DECA carried over to her various other pursuits — Class Council president, Red Cross facilitator, and Robotics Team Captain. Through these unique experiences, she learned the value of deferential leadership and collaboration. As Shazia continues to grow in DECA, these qualities will help her continue to grow this organization and impact countless students’ lives far into the future.
anvi komatreddy
basis san antonio
Anvi Komatreddy is a Junior at BASIS Shavano, San Antonio, and is thrilled to be a potential DECA state officer for 2024-2025. She co-founded the chapter at her charter school, now running for state, aiming to elevate the recognition of this institution. Outside DECA, Anvi loves meeting people, painting, exploring nature, dancing, spending time with kids, and rooting for the Warriors.
As the VP of BASIS' DECA Chapter, Anvi organizes meetings, facilitates volunteer opportunities, and guides members in event selection and preparation. Following her passion for service, Anvi has 2 PVSAs, is the youth coordinator for VTS San Antonio, is the chapter director for PURE, and has interned at the DoSeum in the finance department to start paid internships as fair compensation.
Born in Hyderabad, India, she has embraced adaptability through 16 relocations. Anvi's unwavering goal is to make her parents, immigrants seeking a better life for her in America, proud. Aspiring to meld her service with DECA, Anvi envisions aiding members in their short-term DECA goals and paving the way for their professional success, all while honoring her dream of establishing a career in finance and providing her parents with the life they sacrificed for her success.
shivani kondubhatla
westwood high school
Shivani Kondubhatla is a junior at Westwood High School and a third-year DECA member. Qualifying to ICDC both years and even getting glass with her team last year, Shivani is passionate about this association that allows her to hone valuable business skills while also growing as a leader. She has served as a dedicated officer for her chapter (with 500+ members!) since her sophomore year, and she's currently one of the Vice Presidents of Training. As an officer, Shivani has worked to provide members with resources to succeed in competition, implementing various training opportunities and events for her chapter. Her favorite part of being an officer has been witnessing the growth of members. Apart from the members, Shivani loves DECA for both the lifelong skills and memories she's gained (and, of course, the Texas DECA Cowboy hats). Beyond DECA, Shivani is an editor for her school's newspaper, on her school's dance team, and a podcast host where she interviews entrepreneurs. Shivani could not be more excited to be a state officer candidate for this incredible association, where she hopes for every member and every chapter to SHINE both in and beyond Texas DECA!
michelle li
the woodlands high school
When she first encountered DECA as a freshman, she fell in love with its exciting and supportive, yet competitive, environment. Now as a junior at The Woodlands High School, Michelle Li has earned numerous skills, lessons, and long-lasting bonds during her journey in DECA. As someone naturally reserved, DECA's emphasis on public speaking initially presented challenges, but she embraced them as thrilling opportunities for personal development. Michelle faced multiple challenges over the years due to her parents’ constant moving as immigrants and a low-income family, which resulted in her missing many years of early education. These challenges instilled a deep-rooted passion for assisting those in need. Aspiring to make an impact in the world, her dream resonates with the skill set fostered through DECA. Now, Michelle seeks to give back by aspiring to serve as a state officer, driven by her desire to empower fellow DECA members in fully exploring leadership and entrepreneurship.
mahira mathur
clements high school
With a passion for leadership and an ambition for improvement, Mahira Mathur serves as the ideal candidate for the 2024 Texas DECA state officer election. Mahira is currently a junior at Clements High School. In 2007, Mahira was born prematurely at 26 weeks, forcing her to overcome adversity from her first day on Earth. Only a few years later, Mahira began her journey in Taekwondo. After years of hard work and determination, she is now a nationally ranked 4th-degree black belt and a certified instructor. She holds a strong passion for philanthropy, currently serving in the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council and dedicating many hours volunteering for various non-profits such as her local nursing home. She is proud to be a scholar-athlete, holding a spot on her Varsity Cross-Country and Track teams for three years. Mahira’s passion for business sparked from her childhood lemonade stands and has now grown into a passion she hopes to share through DECA. Mahira has qualified for ICDC, and currently serves as her chapter’s Vice President of Competition, equipping DECA members with the skills needed to experience the difference. Mahira hopes to “make her mark” on Texas DECA as a state officer this upcoming year.
rasya ramakrishnan
frisco memorial high school
Propelling her chapter to new heights, Rasya Ramakrishnan is a junior at Frisco Memorial High School who qualified for ICDC in EBG while serving as her chapter’s VP of Marketing.
Rasya’s vision, inspired by the 2024 “Mean Girls” remake, is to bring power to the people she leads, growing smaller chapters through exchanging ideas. In 2022, she hosted "DECA Diaries", a district-wide panel interviewing ICDC champions to help smaller chapters, and she hopes to grow this mission.
One fun fact about Rasya is that she never takes off her blazer. As an aspiring woman in finance, Rasya has already begun investing in leadership by serving as Class President and sharing her voice as a part of Frisco ISD’s Superintendent’s Council. Alongside performing 3 AM Taylor Swift concerts with her sister, Rasya enjoys watching Netflix with her family and going on sporadic Taco Bell runs with her friends.
pranav sarma
vista ridge high school
Pranav Sarma is a junior at Vista Ridge High School, in District 5. He is at the conclusion of his term as the District 5 Vice-president of Operations and has been involved in DECA for the past 3 years. Pranav is heavily involved with volunteering and is currently the Vice President of the Advisory Board for a non-profit volunteering organization in Austin called Generation Serve. Pranav enjoys to play(and watch) basketball and soccer and often goes to the gym. In college, Pranav intends to major in both business and computer science. Pranav is excited to take the next step in his DECA journey as part of your state officer team.
adarsh vinodh
townview magnet center
Adarsh Vinodh is a junior at The School for the Talented and Gifted and serves as the President of Townview Magnet Center’s DECA chapter. He has been an integral leader in bolstering chapter participation, introducing students from six different magnet schools to the principles of business and DECA, and taking the chapter in a positive direction, whether that be by bringing new sponsors or expanding opportunities for members. Adarsh grew up loving the art of business and continues to explore his passion for the field through various real-world internships with Fortune 500 corporations, municipal governments, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, Adarsh loves writing and technology and even co-founded a global youth academic research journal known as The Innovator’s Nexus. As a future Texas DECA officer, Adarsh sees himself using his expertise to increase opportunities for Texas DECA members, increase collaboration between chapters, and expand the organization to promote career-oriented education!
mia wang
college park high school
Mia Wang is a junior at College Park High School, where she previously served as the VP of community service and now the 2023-2025 Texas DECA District 4 President. As a 3x Project Management competitor and 2x ICDC qualifier, Mia’s combined experience organizing wide-scale events and leadership resulted in an increase in District 4 membership, 640+ cards donated in community service, and the first D4 Fall Leadership Conference in 4 years. As a state officer, Mia hopes to utilize such skills to facilitate Texas DECA’s extensive growth, competitive edge, and digestible resources, regardless of current experience or background.
Outside the organization, Mia coordinates multi-year campaigns, partnering with 15+ institutions, and creating 24,000 meals for her Greater Houston community. Meanwhile, in her free time, Mia serves as a lifeguard, creates ornate 6ft long scarves, sends homemade cookie deliveries, and scrapbooks her life one element at a time. To Mia, DECA has been a catalyst in self-improvement, global connections, and a deeper understanding of servant leadership. As a Texas DECA state officer candidate, Mia hopes to amplify the experience of all 20,000 members through Action-oriented, Inclusive, and Meticulous leadership. So, Texas DECA, are you ready to AIM high with MIA?