compassion meets commitment
the heart and soul of karuna are the people who are making the impossible possible

meet our
scientific advisory board










meet team karuna
Arun Sardana, founder and CEO

Arun’s journey of transformation began in India while growing up in a complex environment of not only a loving family and profound religiosity but also personal sexual abuse and domestic violence. While his story may be different, the narrative is the same as that of many others. The stress and trauma of the early years continued to shape his adulthood including the constant pursuit of answers to existential questions – Why am I here? What’s my purpose? How can life become peaceful and happy? How can science solve the puzzle of human mental wellbeing? What answers are buried in ancient wisdom, including in different religions, to alleviate suffering? Among others. This journey ultimately culminated in the founding of karuna – the desire to remove suffering through unbound compassion.
Arun obtained his formal undergraduate education in hospitality management and also in business administration in India. He came to the United States in 1988 and completed his MBA from The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, in the year 2000. In 2019, in order to inform his work with orphans and abused children in Costa Rica, he completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology and Education with a focus on Spirituality, Mind & Body, from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. Over the past 25 years, Arun has built a successful entrepreneurial practice in financial services. It is through such countless blessings that Karuna has become a reality.
Arun loves to travel to explore and understand new cultures and their practices. He is the proud father of two amazing daughters who are working hard to bring about social change and wellbeing in their own unique ways.
the heart and soul of karuna

Marjorie Espinal
Creative Direction
karuna has been a blessing disguised as everyday work, a calling to reconnect with my inner wisdom, and turned into my constant reminder to acknowledge and honor Oneness. Read Mar's Full Bio

Sarah Pretorius
Marketing & PR
Sarah feels like every step in her personal and professional journey has led her to karuna. She is honored to be a part of this global movement of compassion. Read Sarah's Full Bio

Kate Fain
Content & Writing
Kate Fain is a passionate writer and creative mind. She takes pride in pushing traditional boundaries and rethinking the status quo—her mission is to create content that takes a stance and makes a difference in this world. Read Kate's Full Bio

Linda Cooper
Resident Journaling Therapist
Linda Cooper is a trauma-informed counselor, life coach, journal therapist and certified yoga instructor specializing in restorative and somatic yoga.

John Mentzer, III, Esq.
General Counsel
Mr. Mentzer has practiced law for over 25 years providing advice, counsel and transactional representation primarily to entrepreneurs and privately-held businesses in a wide variety of industries. Read John's Full Bio

Rob D. Wells, Esq.
Intellectual Property Counsel
Rob Wells focuses his practice on developing value through creating and building strategically devreloped patent portfolios. Read Rob's Full Bio

Fabiola Calderón
Graphic Design
Feeling lost karuna came into my life at the right time. It has been a workplace of daily inspiration and support since day one. Read Fabiola's Full Bio

Nadja Williamson
Operations
Nadja Williamson is the founder and CEO of Network Titan Solutions, a consulting company whose goal is to make systems and processes feel ease-y in your business. Read Nadja's Full Bio

Julia Hall
Community Management
Julia was born and raised in Florida and from a young age had a passion for people and service. After spending time at an orphanage housing children with special needs, she felt an intense heartache. Read Julia's Full Bio

Greg Band
General Counsel
Greg Band is a Sarasota native and received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in accounting and was a varsity letterman on the tennis team. Read Greg's Full Bio

Esteban Carranza, Esq.
External Legal Counsel
Attorney Carranza has extensive experience in the area of corporate law, financial law, and insurance law acquired from both the private sector and a regulatory agency. Read Esteban's Full Bio

Arun Chawla, CPA
Tax Advisory and Accounting
As a graduate of Ohio State University and a licensed CPA in the state of Maryland, Arun has served as a trusted tax and business advisor to numerous Washington Metropolitan area businesses for the past 25 years. Read Arun's Full Bio