Paritosh A. Kasotia
Program and Research Manager

There aren’t many like her in Iowa and I am sure one may go well beyond the contiguous states to find a person who so deeply disdains sweet corn as Paritosh Kasotia. Pari – the familiar name she prefers when not being scolded - puts most candies, desserts and pastries into the same category as Iowa sweet corn. But notes that ‘she loves Iowa and all that goes with it.’

Born in New Delhi, Pari Kasotia moved with her family to the Ivory Coast at the age of 14. She graduated from High School there, and at the urging of one of her teachers who was from Iowa, she enrolled at Drake University.  Pari (like the French of Paris – pairee’), graduated with a BA in Environmental Policy and Political Science.  While her brother and sister located – one on the East Coast, and the other in the West Coast - Paritosh remained in the Midwest, moved to Indiana, and completed her MPA in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Bloomington.  She returned to Des Moines to work as a Program Manager at the Iowa Council for International Understanding.  She joined SPPG as a Program Manager in the spring of 2008.

Admittedly, when first coming to Iowa, she was quiet and seemingly shy.  She learned early on that it is important to talk, to make your point, and often fight for your position.

“In my work at SPPG as a researcher and program manager, it is critical for me to be inquisitive, deliberate and sometimes strong-headed to be Project Team member.  At SPPG we work closely together to do the best work we can, and that means being articulate, precise, and using our individual expertise to make a project better.”

One of Pari’s favorite family past times was the enjoyment of the outdoors; taking it in and seeking space. After living in dense cities in India and Ivory Coast, Iowa is perfect for that.  And she loves to cook all kinds of recipes and baking bread is a wonder or heartbreak.  But there are no pastries, desserts, or sweet corn on her menus.