Meet Our Board of Directors

Jennifer Chawla – Founder & Executive Director

Jennifer Chawla is the founder of TAI Leadership, a civic reform initiative rooted in Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity. After 13 years of federal service—including leadership roles at the FBI—Jenn made the bold decision to walk away from institutional silence and step fully into purpose-driven leadership. A seasoned program manager, community advocate, and former Investigative Specialist, Jenn brings both lived experience and systemic insight to her mission of rebuilding public trust from the ground up.

Jenn is a proud mother, first-generation immigrant, and unapologetic truth-teller who believes that ethical leadership isn’t optional—it’s imperative. Her work bridges civic engagement, organizational reform, and values-based governance, all grounded in the belief that systems should serve people, not power.

Through TAI Leadership, Jenn is building more than a platform—she’s building a movement to rehumanize leadership, one truth at a time.

Jag Nagendra – Chair

Jag Nagendra is a seasoned leader with over 35 years of experience spanning the private, public, community, and nonprofit sectors. As Chair of TAI Leadership, Jag brings a principled and strategic approach to governance—grounded in his lifelong commitment to ethical leadership, operational excellence, and civic accountability.

Throughout his distinguished career, Jag has managed large teams and overseen critical infrastructure for the State of California. He has served on both city and county boards and held leadership positions in numerous nonprofit and cultural organizations, including as President of the PMI Sacramento Valley Chapter, President of the Kannada Sangha of Sacramento, President of the India Association of Davis, and Board Member of Friends of Folsom Powerhouse.

A passionate advocate for transparency, accountability, and community-centered decision-making, Jag plays a key role in shaping the vision and execution of TAI’s mission. He is also dedicated to leadership development, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs through SCORE and the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy to help cultivate the next generation of ethical, effective leaders.

Patricia Preston – Vice Chair

Patricia Preston is a Northern California native, accomplished small business owner, and civil engineer with decades of experience managing major transportation, energy, and land development projects. She specializes in collaborative, solution-driven approaches that bring diverse interests to the table.

A mother of two and lifelong volunteer, Patricia has spent over 30 years supporting local nonprofits and civic initiatives. Her work across government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors has given her a nuanced understanding of how institutions function—and how they can better serve the public.

Coming from a family with a legacy of military service, Patricia views public service as essential to a functioning democracy. She believes that strong democracies require a supported middle class and that transparency is key to rebuilding public trust.

Patricia is known for building bridges—both literal and figurative. Her leadership style is inclusive, practical, and forward-thinking, marked by empathy, technical insight, and a deep commitment to the public good.

When she’s not leading teams or developing infrastructure, Patricia can often be found hiking California’s trails with her daughters or participating in local conservation efforts. She brings to TAI Leadership a rare blend of technical skill, civic passion, and unwavering integrity.

Candace Sims – Director of Program Strategy

Candace Sims is a proud graduate of Tuskegee University, an institution rooted in legacy and leadership—whose alumni include icons like Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, the Tuskegee Airmen, and Rosa Parks. Inspired by this lineage of service and systemic change, Candace continues that tradition through her work in community empowerment, civic engagement, and ethical leadership.

Armed with a Master’s degree in Project Management and a professional background in science, Candace spent years advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the biopharmaceutical industry. Her leadership has consistently focused on helping individuals become architects of their own solutions—not just critics of dysfunction.

Now a resident of Natomas, Candace brings both a love for her community and a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges it faces. As Program Director at TAI Leadership, she is committed to designing and delivering thoughtful, actionable programs that equip everyday people to advocate for ethical governance and lead change from within their own neighborhoods and institutions.

Candace is guided by one core belief: systemic change isn’t just possible—it’s necessary. And through TAI, she’s helping build the tools to make it real.