India Leaders

Executive Director, Aasra Foundation Jaipur Vivek Sharma is the Executive Director of Aasra Foundation Jaipur, leading community-focused legal aid, child advocacy, and education programs. With over 11 years of experience in social justice and legal advocacy, he works to ensure fair access to education, protection, and opportunities for women, girls, and gender-diverse populations. Vivek holds an LLB, MSW, and a … Read More

Executive Director, Neer Gram Foundation Dheeraj Sharma is the Founder and Executive Director of Neer Gram Foundation, working with rural and tribal communities to raise their voices, protect local resources, and find sustainable ways to improve everyday life. With over nine years of experience in reforestation, water conservation, public health, and education, Dheeraj promotes sustainable solutions and amplifies local voices … Read More

Founder and Secretary, Aagaz Samajik Vikas Sanstha Muhammad Shehzad is the Founder and Secretary of Aagaz Samajik Vikas Sanstha, leading initiatives that provide quality education, digital literacy, and skills development for underserved children and youth. He works to empower women, girls, and gender-nonconforming youth with knowledge and opportunities that challenge cycles of poverty and discrimination. With a background in commerce … Read More

Assistant Coordinator, Pardarshita Farha Zaidi is a community mobilizer and advocate for children’s, adolescents’, and women’s rights with Pardarshita in Jaipur. She supports program implementation, leads gender sensitization efforts in government schools, and engages local authorities in advocacy to address gender-based violence and promote inclusive development. Deeply committed to social justice and gender equity, Farha focuses on creating safe, inclusive … Read More

Program Manager, SAMARPAN Poonam Sahu is a qualified rural development professional who has spent the past 17 years working towards social change for women and adolescent girls. She is a Program Manager at SAMARPAN where she is currently running a campaign against gender discrimination with a focus on making women self-reliant and improving the lifestyle of women and children who … Read More

Senior Programme Person, Life Education and Development Support (LEADS) Nisha Tripathy is a community activist with expertise in the areas of women’s empowerment, child rights, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship development of self-help groups (SHG) for women, and gender equity. She is a passionate advocate for gender equity. Nisha has a master’s degree in social work. Rise Up Together Cohort: Jharkhand, India … Read More

Program Manager, Darpan Upasana Verma is a Program Manager at Darpan where they work on a project called “chhalaang” for ELMS Sports Foundation. Prior to her current role, Upasana was an office administrator for Darpan and a city coordinator with Childline 1098, where she actively worked for children’s rights. Upasana holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Vinova Bhave University. … Read More

Programme Manager, Samaj Pragati Kendra Augustina Soreng is a young Adivasi woman and social activist committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable women and girls in the Simdega district in Jharkhand. With her rich experience, Augustina is creating awareness, providing legal support and counseling, collaborating with leaders to address sexual abuse, child marriage, witchcraft, and trafficking. She is a passionate … Read More

Integrator, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) Prem Shankar joined Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) in 2007 where he currently is an Integrator. Prem integrates PRADAN’s programs in the South Chotanagpur Development Cluster of Jharkhand. Additionally, he oversees a partnership initiative between the CSO consortium and the government and anchors the forest theme in Jharkhand. Prem has worked extensively … Read More

Secretary, Abhivyakti Foundation Krishna Kant is the Co-founder and Secretary of Abhivyakti Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Jharkhand. As the leader of the organization, Krishna designs and supports community initiatives for health and nutrition security and sustainable food systems for affected groups to achieve a life with dignity. He is passionate about community-based management systems for food and nutrition … Read More