Leo Rodrigues re-elected Honorary President of KCO for 2nd consecutive year
Abu Dhabi: With a sincere spirit to serve the community, the members of Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO) came together to elect a new team of office bearers at the Annual General Meeting held on 5th March 2026.
The following members were elected to lead the organization:
Honorary President – Leo Rodrigues
Honorary Secretary – Claudia Lydia Lobo
Honorary Treasurer – Franklin D’Cunha
Leo Rodrigues was re-elected as the President of KCO for a second consecutive term after successfully steering the KCO Pearl Jubilee celebrations – 2025 to a grand success. Leo’s re-election affirms the trust KCO has in his visionary leadership to lead the organization forward, strengthen its mission of serving the community, and guide the Pearl Jubilee Housing Project to a successful completion.
In his address to the members, Leo Rodrigues expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in him to lead the team for another term. He recognized the team effort of the members who were instrumental in the resounding success of the Pearl Jubilee year celebrations – 2025 and thanked them for their unrelenting support.
Leo Rodrigues is the founder President of KCO, having served in this role for twelve terms in the past. He is renowned for his philanthropic efforts both in the UAE and in the dioceses of Mangalore, Udupi, and Shimoga. A prominent Mangalorean Konkani community leader, Leo, has been successfully managing his business, Amigo Automotive Services Sole Proprietorship LLC, in Abu Dhabi for the past 36 years. As a devoted Mangalorean, he has consistently encouraged and supported various organizations, NGOs, and fellow community members, regardless of caste, creed, language, or religion.
Claudia Lydia Lobo, Hon. Secretary of KCO
Claudia Lydia Lobo has been elected General Secretary. A consistently enthusiastic and committed member, Claudia brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served in this position four times previously and held various other roles within KCO over the past years.
In 2025, Claudia distinguished herself as Coordinator of the KCO Scholarship and Medical Aid Disbursement Committee, overseeing the process with exceptional care and ensuring fair distribution to deserving recipients. Simultaneously, she was instrumental in the success of KCO’s Pearl Jubilee celebrations. Claudia is widely known and fondly recognized for her selfless service and charismatic spirit within both the Abu Dhabi and wider UAE Konkani communities.
Professionally, she is a Senior Business Development Manager with over 25 years of expertise in the insurance industry. Her natural ability to connect with people, combined with her humble dedication to helping those in need, makes her a truly beloved member of the Konkani community.
Franklin D’Cunha is a prominent leader and a strong pillar of KCO. He is known for his generosity, remarkable organizational skills, and calm efficiency. With a keen eye for detail, he has been playing a pivotal role in ensuring the success of KCO events. Franklin has served KCO in the roles of Treasurer and Auditor in the past. He was the coordinator for the disbursement of KCO scholarships and medical aid for many terms. He has always ensured that support reaches the deserving beneficiaries in a fair and timely manner. Recognizing his abilities and commitment, most recently, he was unanimously chosen as the Honorary Convenor of the Pearl Jubilee Celebrations. He shouldered this herculean responsibility with great passion and extraordinary dedication, delivering a phenomenally successful event.
Dolphy Vas, the Election Presiding Officer, assisted by Chrysil Nonis D’Mello and Prasanna Pinto, conducted free and fair elections through a secret ballot and announced the names of the elected members. The elected members, in consultation with the KCO Advisory Committee, then nominated the rest of the managing committee as follows:
Hon. Vice President: Dolphy Vas
Hon. Asst. General Secretary: Lionel Saldanha
Hon. Entertainment Secretary: Sandya Vas
Hon. Coordinator, Scholarship and Medical Aid Disbursement: Vivek Serrao
Hon. Sports Secretary: Sebastian Pais
Hon. Media Coordinator: Inez D’Cunha
Hon. Auditor: Noel Fernandes
Hon. KCO Trust Advisor: CA Amitha Costa
Hon. Advisor: Jason Correa
Konkani Cultural Organization was founded in Abu Dhabi 30 years ago by a group of like-minded Mangaloreans under the capable leadership of Leo Rodrigues. It has stayed committed to its mission of ‘Preserving Culture and Improving Lives’. The organization continues to be mindful of the evolving needs of the community and actively undertakes initiatives that support and uplift the needy. It disburses scholarships to deserving students and generously helps people seeking medical aid. It has also helped several NGOs and institutions in Mangalore that are associated with various social causes and help people in need.
KCO has also served as a platform to promote Konkani culture and values in the UAE and has encouraged numerous artists from back home and within the UAE by providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents.
Together with its members, the newly elected committee looks forward to continuing its service to the community with even greater commitment in the coming year to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.