Ms. SANTOSH KUMAR

Founder, & Executive Director, Metropolitan Asian Family Services
SANTOSH KUMAR-counselor, attorney, professor, community leader, and businesswoman: is the founder
and the Executive Director of Metropolitan Asian Family Services, a non-profit agency working for the
wellbeing of the community. Years ago she set out on a journey to make a difference in the world face by face
and what she initiated with a small group of people and few resources, is now one big organization (MAFS)
with a pool of resources and a squad of hardworking individuals lending a helping hand to the community.
1969- Bachelor of Science, 1972-Bachelor of Law, 1974-master’s in law from AMU. At the age of 22, Santosh
became an attorney and now, she has been practicing law for 26 years in USA along with her community
services. She also became Professor of Law at the age of 24 at Aligarh VS College of Law from 1974 to 1977.
She joined university of Rajasthan, Jaipur from 1978 to 1985 and taught and practiced in the High Court of Rajasthan, before
migrating to the US in 1985. She earned her Law Graduate degree from USA in 1989 and computer Desktop Publishing degree in
the year 1992.
Santosh’s versatility and her restless efforts to wipe out social injustice from the community were recognized by various
organizations. She was known as the Wonder Woman in her friend’s circle. 2002-03, listed as a member of National’s Register’s
Who’s Who in Executive’s and Professionals. 2003-04, America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals honored her for her
instrumental role as a community leader and for her dedication in her profession. She is again honored by National Register WHO
IS WHO as a VIP Professional 2004-2005 edition for her continued leadership to enhance the community image. She was also
honored by United Cultural Convention and bestowed 2005 International Peace Prize for her efforts to maintain harmony in the
communities. In 2006 her own university recognized her achievement and gave her mementos, a “Resource person” a prestigious
reward to any NRI: Certificate of appreciation in recognition of outstanding services as an ACTION volunteer in VISTA. She was
honored by Indian community of Niles Township for her Leadership & Excellence in serving seniors, needy and disabled as truly
doing God’s work. National Indian American Association of Seniors Citizen (NIAASC), a New York based organization recognized
MAFS as one of the best organizations serving seniors in Midwest area (Oct 24, 2009).
Her Dedication and continued leadership was recognized by State of Illinois, State of New York and awarded her “PILLAR OF
SERVICE” and “EXELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE” Award for her excellence in human service to all communities
irrespective of color, creed or place of origin, in the year of 2008 and 2009 respectively. She was featured as Professional of the
year by American Registry of outstanding professionals in 2006 and 2008. National Registry of Who’s Who recognized her strength
and leadership in keeping peace and harmony in various religious groups of different countries and gave her “WOMAN OF THE
YEAR” award. Her passion for needy and destitute to serve is so deep and committed that she was given the title of ” MOTHER
TERESA OF CHICAGO” by the alumni her Alma matter, AMU in 2010. Her biography is published in Strathmore’s Who’s Who
as Lifetime Featured member, based on her dedication, Leadership and Integrity demonstrated throughout her successful career.
Again in 2012 America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals honors Mrs. Kumar “Professional of the Year 2012” in recognition
of Excellence, Dedication and Success in Administrative Law. Community-Engaged Research Partnership Award from ARCC
Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, was given on May 15, 2013; Outstanding Community Service Award by
Honorable Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, on May 28, 2013; Community and Educational Impact
Award by Illinois State Treasurer, Dan Rutherford on May 29, 2013. On August 15, 2015 Federation of Indian Association have
honored Mrs. Kumar with “Business Person of the Year Award.” Social Entrepreneur Integrating Spirituality and Organizational
Leadership Foundation recognized the incredible contribution made by Mrs. Santosh Kumar towards improving the lives of the
elderly members of the community by presenting her with “Social Entrepreneur Peace Award,” on October 15, 2015. On November
18, 2015, Mrs. Kumar was bestowed with “Jewel of Rajasthan”, by Minister of Rajasthan Gulab Chand Kataria (highest award
given to Indian American personalities). Santosh defines Social Work as a passion and not just a profession. She derives satisfaction
from helping people access resources, solving their problems and seeing them improve. Her philanthropic personality and
extraordinary communicating skills enabled her to connect with people and deal with even the most difficult and deeply troubled

client. She has extensive counseling experience with individuals, couples and families. She encountered many obstacles and sad
situations in this field in all these years but despite everything, she remained optimistic. She thinks that there’s a great need to help
with all that life throws at people and social workers like her can make a difference. She is the backbone of Indian/all human beings
young or old who is in need of any kind of help. She speaks for people who do not get heard and her advocacy efforts light a
beacon in their distressed lives. She is the backbone of Indian people in the United States. Mrs. Kumar is married to Mr. Pramod
Kumar an engineer from IIT Khargpur and IIT Chicago for 31 years. Mr. Kumar has always supported her with his wisdom and
resources. He is an investor and businessman, a US resident since 1970. The couple are blessed with two sons, Prashant Kumar,
Computer Scientist and Sagar Kumar, Lead Engineer at Honeywell Aerospace, Arizona. Both the sons had their graduation from
Purdue University, W.L, Indiana.