Mr. Jay Singh
Honorary Consul of Fiji, South San Francisco
Consulate of Fiji, San Francisco
50 West Harris Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
CEO Paradigm Group of companies, Mr. Ganendra Mangal Singh, better known as Jay Singh was officially recognized by the United States as Fiji’s Honorary Consul in South San Francisco, California on February 25, 2015.
Mr. Singh was born in Fiji and migrated to the U.S with his family as a young man. Once in America, he found his home in IT for several years, working for “Fortune 500” companies and accumulating the necessary skills that would pave his road to entrepreneurial success.
During his time as a project manager, the opportunity to conduct feasibility studies for his various projects allowed him to hone in on his analytical skills and translate them for his own future investment ventures.
Mr. Singh has built an admired real estate portfolio. From humble beginnings in 1995, when he acquired his first hotel, until today, he has continued to add to this portfolio which includes: both boutique and franchise hotels, shopping centers and office and mixed use commercial properties all across California from Napa, Downtown San Francisco, and Silicon Valley to Santa Barbara. In addition to his real estate investments, Mr. Singh has also been an angel investor in several startups.
Today, most of Mr. Singh’s efforts are focused on future acquisitions, new developments, and start-ups. He delegates the operation of his multiple hotel properties to an experienced and talented Management team who share in his long-term vision for Paradigm Group.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Singh has become a well-known and respected ally and advisor to the Fijian community both here in the US and back at home. New startups as well as cultural and social events and organizations have been the beneficiaries of his experience for over twenty years now. Mr. Singh is currently, or in the past, served on several industries related boards and committees, CVBS and community organizations.
Mr.Singh holds a Bachelor’s Degree and currently resides with his wife and two children in Hillsborough, California, USA.
Dr. Karen Eells Lawson, PhD
Honorary Consul of Fiji, Pennsylvania.
1365 Gwynedale Way
Lansdale, PA 19446
Dr. Karen Eells Lawson, Honorary Consul of Fiji to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is an international professional speaker, consultant, executive coach, university professor, and author of 18 professional books. As founder and president of Lawson Consulting Group she has built a successful consulting firm specializing in organization and management development across a wide range of industries
She holds a PhD in Adult and Organization Development from Temple University; an MA in English from the University of Akron; and a BA from Mount Union College. She is one of only 400 people worldwide to have earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the 4,000-member National Speakers Association. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding contribution to the training and speaking professions and was also named one of Pennsylvania’s “Best 50 Women in Business” as well as one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Women of Distinction.”
Karen is an adjunct professor at DeSales University in its MBA program and has served on the adjunct faculty for eight other colleges and universities at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. In addition, she conducts on-line programs for the United Nations System Staff College. She has presented at several professional conferences in the United States, Asia, Canada, and Europe and has been interviewed on television, radio, podcasts and for publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Fast Company.
She also currently serves as secretary of the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She has been actively involved in professional organizations such as the National Speakers Association and the Association for Talent Development, holding leadership positions at both the local and national levels. She is also an active member of the Union League of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Passionate about animal welfare, she serves on the board of Providence Animal Center, a no-kill animal rescue organization in Media, Pennsylvania.
Karen lives in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bob; their dog, Brie; and cats, Yuri and Toby.
Mr. Bobby Naicker
Honorary Consul of Fiji, Canada.
301-1160 Davie Street
Vancouver BC
V6E 1N1
Bobby was born and raised in the Fiji Islands. He moved to Canada in 1973 and studied at Simon Fraser University. He subsequently worked for a United States corporation where he worked with Denny’s corporate as an opening manager from 1976 until 1980 where he was responsible for over 100 new restaurant openings.
From 1980 until 1993 Bobby was promoted to a Regional Manager’s position with responsibilities in the Seattle market as well as overseeing operations in Canada.
Bobby married in San Francisco in 1980 and made a permanent move to Vancouver as the operations manager for all Denny’s in Canada. In 1992 he joined the Northland family which at that time comprised a single Denny’s restaurant. Bobby has overseen the company’s Denny’s growth to well over 85 units across Canada. In 2001 Bobby was promoted to President and COO of the Dencan group of restaurants.
His restaurant portfolio includes a chain of restaurants throughout Western Canada namely WINGS Tap and Grill of which he is the founder. His portfolio also includes Denny’s Restaurants, CHOP Steakhouse and Bar and River’s Reach casual pub.
He is on the board of Directors of Denny’s Restaurants internationally and serves the franchise community in this capacity. He is a partner in a deal that owns the franchise rights to Denny’s Restaurants in Canada and is the Director of Franchise Development, Denny’s Restaurants.
He is an avid fisherman and enjoys rugby and soccer, currently acting as the President of the Fiji Blond Rugby. Mr. Naicker is currently the Honorary Consul for Fiji representing the needs of Fijians in Canada.
Mr. Vinod Bhindi
Honorary Consul of Fiji, Los Angeles
18508 Pioneer Blvd.
Artesia, CA 90701
Mr. Vinod Karsanji Bhindi, Chief Executive Officer, of Bhindi Jewelers calls Los Angeles his home, and was given the honor of being officially recognized by the United States as Fiji’s Honorary Consul in Los Angeles in 2021. Choosing the flagship Bhindi Jewelers store that he and his brothers founded in 1984 as his office for all consular duties and matters, Vinod does his utmost to not only prioritize business, but family as well, as an homage to his family’s lineage in the industry.
Vinod, with the help of his family, has created four U.S Bhindi Jewelers locations, two in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta, garnering much affection from not only the Southeast Asian community, but also those who enjoy only the finest craftmanship. Vinod built Bhindi Jewelers on the principle of presenting unmatched jewelry and luxury timepieces with an unmatched level of customer service.
Mr. Bhindi has also built a large real estate portfolio in both the U.S and Fiji. Focusing on commercial and industrial land, Mr Bhindi has breathed life into these properties, always with a focus on the businesses within his community. The Bhindi Family is a household name in land development in Suva, Fiji. Numerous subdivisions have been completed under Mr. Bhindi’s management and are known for quality design and execution.
From happy beginnings in Fiji to his immigration to North America, first to Vancouver, then to Los Angeles, Vinod has kept family and community at the forefront of his entrepreneurial ventures. This led Vinod back to his roots in Fiji, focusing on land development and assisting the Fijian government with social issues, as he maintains his position as managing director of K. Bhindi Brothers Ltd. located in Suva.
The Bhindi Family has established two foundations in the United States and Fiji, borne from a philanthropic initiative based on their commitment to giving back. As an extension of Bhindi Jewelers, their foundations aim to make a meaningful impact in their community and beyond. The Bhindi Foundation believes in the power of collective action to drive positive change and create a brighter future for generations to come.
Currently, Mr. Bhindi has no plans of slowing down. With new opportunities and relationships made every day, he hopes to put as much back into the community, as he has received from them.