AKRON, OH, February 02, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Kalanithi Kanapathy-Bagley has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley has established a notable career spanning more than three decades, marked by her leadership in chess education, philanthropy and advocacy for women's empowerment. Since 2024, she has served as the founder, president, executive director and head coach at the Discovery Chess Learning Academy, a nonprofit organization in Akron, Ohio. In this capacity, Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley teaches chess to children as young as four, develops age-appropriate curricula and manages a team of grandmaster coaches. Her responsibilities also include organizing and running chess tournaments, planning international exhibitions and simultaneous matches and partnering with the Cleveland Clinic on the Chess for Cure fundraising initiative. Through this program, Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley has raised approximately $36,000 for the Cleveland Clinic and $20,000 for City of Hope Hospital in Southern California, supporting women's health and gynecological cancer research while promoting women's chess programs nationally.

Adding to her expertise, Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley is the founder of Chess for Cure, an extension of Discovery Chess Learning Academy, since 2024. The initiative is dedicated to promoting female participation in chess while raising awareness and support for women's health causes, in collaboration with leading medical institutions, including the Cleveland Clinic. Moreover, Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley has owned the Discovery Chess Learning Center, a discovery chess club, also located in Akron, since 2009.

Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley's earlier experience included serving as the office manager and board member at Discovery Montessori School from 2007 to 2021, where she first began teaching her children chess as a hobby. In addition to her educational leadership roles, she was a home room parent at Lippman Middle School during the 2014-2015 academic year. She also worked as a financial aid advisor at the University of Pittsburgh in 2001, an experience that ignited her passion for supporting younger generations. Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley's diverse professional journey also included positions as a news writer at WPXI-TV in 2000 and as a front desk staff member at Point Park University from 1997 to 2000. She began her career in accounting with Credit Corporation Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur in 1992.

Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Point Park University, earned in 2000, where she was consistently recognized on the Dean's List for academic excellence. She completed her secondary education at Convent, Klang, Malaysia, and later pursued a Higher National Diploma in Accounting and Marketing at Rima College, Malaysia.

Her diverse educational experiences have provided a strong foundation for her multifaceted career, equipping her with skills in communication, management, and financial oversight.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley is a dedicated advocate for civic engagement and community empowerment. Since 2022, she has volunteered as a chess and life coach at the Indian River Juvenile Detention Center in Massillon, Ohio, and the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Detention Center in Cleveland, Ohio. In this role, she utilizes chess as a powerful educational platform, transforming the game's complexities into tangible life lessons. By mentoring young individuals through the sport, she helps them bridge the gap between the board and real life—teaching them to analyze consequences, practice emotional regulation, and apply strategic foresight to their personal development.

Beyond her work in these capacities, Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley's commitment to advancing opportunities for women in chess has been demonstrated by her membership on the U.S. Chess Federation's women's committee since 2022 and her service on the nomination committee since 2025. She is also active as a board member of the Ohio Chess Congress and the Ohio Chess Scholastic Program, where she mentors female players, help organize Girls Club rooms with US Women's Chess Committee at US Chess national events, and assists young women with college applications and recommendation letters.

Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley's approach to chess is deeply philosophical. She views it not merely as a competitive game, but as a way of life that fosters critical thinking, resilience, and leadership—qualities she strives to instill in her students. Inspired by her upbringing in Kuala Lumpur as one of four daughters in a family that championed female leadership, Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley credits her parents with shaping her lifelong commitment to empowering women. Her father's deep-rooted dedication to public and community service instilled in her a strong sense of purpose and responsibility, inspiring her to carry forward his values and continue his legacy of service. Her husband's continuous belief, guidance, and unwavering support helped her navigate the journey in the United States with confidence and ease. The encouragement of their two accomplished daughters further motivates and strengthens her work.

In light of her success, Ms. Kanapathy-Bagley has been recognized with several honors, including the 2024 Philanthropy Award from the U.S. Chess Federation. Looking ahead, she aims to expand Chess for Cure into a nationwide movement focused on advancing research in women's gynecological health, particularly ovarian and cervical cancer, and establishing programs within hospitals across the country. The initiative will continue to feature gala events preceding international tournaments, featuring speakers from both the medical and chess communities, followed by competitions that recognize women competitors with awards and prize money.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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