Anu Nakka believes in the power of giving back to community.
A Milpitas resident for over two decades, Nakka has witnessed firsthand the impact that comes from devoting oneself to volunteer work.
“We’ve always been invested in this community as a family, be it my kids, my husband, or myself,” said Nakka.
She began her volunteering journey by serving on John Sinnott Elementary School’s PTA when her oldest daughter was in kindergarten there. Now Nakka has decided to kick things up a notch: she’s currently running to serve on Milpitas Unified School District’s (MUSD) Board of Education.
She feels that her many years of contributing to the educational community in Milpitas have prepared her for this moment.
“I believe in getting things done,” said Nakka.
She has spent years involved with various PTAs, and has also worked to organize STEM events. Her youngest daughter is going into eighth grade at Rancho Middle School, while her oldest daughter will be a senior at Milpitas High School (MHS).
Currently, she is the Executive Vice President on MHS’ PTSA board and the Treasurer for Rancho’s PTA board.
“We need more and more people to volunteer, to give back to the community with whatever capabilities they have,” said Nakka.
If she’s elected to the school board, one of Nakka’s biggest priorities will be to find ways of bringing more sports-related opportunities to the elementary school level. She feels that middle school and high school offer various sports for children to get involved in, but that the district should bring more sports to elementary school students. She also feels that there needs to be more varied representation and diversity on the school board.
“I would also work with local industries to bring more internships and job opportunities to students. They need to be prepared with the right skill set for the future,” stated Nakka.
Nakka also served as Chair on the campaign for Measure E, a parcel tax renewal which over 70% of voters approved of during June’s primary election. Nakka believed strongly in the measure, and worked with others to knock on doors and put up banners in the community. She’s thrilled that the measure passed and that the district will be able to continue offering programs that support students.
Along with doing all she can to enhance education in Milpitas, Nakka is also co-founder, along with her husband, of the Pari Foundation, which, as their website states, “empowers rural youth through education and skill development.”
“My husband and I started it 15 years ago, because we’ve seen there is a gap between the needy and people who are able to contribute,” Nakka told The Beat. “So we thought we could bridge to fill in the gap for the kids who really need it and the people who have an intent to serve.”
Nakka currently serves on the Board of the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce. She is also Treasurer for the Rotary Club of Silicon Andhra, which is based in Milpitas.
The motto for Nakka’s campaign is: Engage, Empower, and Excel. She has been fiercely committed to living these principles through all the work she’s done for education and community in Milpitas.
At the start of the pandemic, Nakka and her daughters sprung into action, stitching over 3,000 masks at home. Her husband helped to order fabric and elastic. They teamed up with current School Board President Kelly Yip-Chuan to distribute the masks to places like the Milpitas Police and Fire departments, as well as to students who needed them.
For Nakka and her family, giving back to the community is something that is deeply embedded in their way of being.
“I’m looking forward to various opportunities that I can give my best to the community as a whole…to engage, empower, and support,” said Nakka. “That is the need of the hour.”
Currently, Rob Jung is the only other candidate who has announced his run for MUSD School Board. There are three seats open in this November’s election.
Congratulations Anu !!!