A Ph.D. in Modern History from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Kumar is currently Director of Programmes and Policy at WaterAid India. Blending academics with activism, Kumar worked earlier with Oxfam and did a post-doctoral fellowship at School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
Vinod is a software engineer with a strong interest in Kerala’s cultural heritage and traditional knowledge systems. Computers are his profession and folklore his passion. His native village is Arangottukara (Kerela), a little hamlet on the banks of the river Nila that’s rich in culture and steeped in tradition. Right from childhood, he had a keen interest in assimilating local knowledge and in observing and absorbing the local ethos.
Sunish has led various initiatives and organizations in the areas of business consulting (focusing on SMEs), media and PR, Social Entrepreneurship, Public Safety, and Youth Development in the last two decades. Sunish currently leads Vitamin Angels in India, to generate resources to promote health and economic equity by ensuring that nutritionally vulnerable populations have access to evidence-based interventions.
Sudha is CEO of The/Nudge Centre for Social Innovation, a nonprofit on a mission to nudge and nurture top talent to solve India’s most critical problems. Since its launch in 2017, The/Nudge has incubated 60 nonprofit startups, including 25 tech startups solving problems of poverty. Its $6Mn accelerator fund works with high potential nonprofits that are ready for growth and scale.
Sohini Bhattacharya is a seasoned intrapreneur and dedicated advocate for social change, boasting over 25 years of experience in the development sector. Currently serving as the President & CEO of Breakthrough, she leads a transnational organisation that operates in the U.S. and India, utilising multimedia, popular culture, leadership development, and community mobilisation strategies to challenge norms perpetuating gender-based violence.
Dr. P. Sivakumar, serving as faculty and Head of the Centre for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Analysis (CMEIA) at RGNIYD, along with being the Head in-charge of the Department of Development Studies, brings a wealth of expertise to his roles. With a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Dr. Sivakumar has established himself as a distinguished scholar in the field.
Sinjini Mookherjee is a development sector professional and currently heads the Youth Resource Centre of Centre for Youth Development and Activities(CYDA). She has completed her MSW from TISS, Mumbai and has 10 years of experience on working with issues of child rights, protection issues, youth, livelihood and gender. She is part of the senior management team of CYDA.
Satyendra Kumar, as the Co-founder and Strategic Consultant of CSEI and National Convenor of NYEF, plays a pivotal role in advancing equity and social inclusion for marginalised communities, particularly Dalit, Tribal, Muslim, and Nomadic Tribes children and young people. Through his leadership, CSEI focuses on promoting their social, economic, and cultural rights, thereby deepening democracy and fostering social inclusion.
Ritesh, a dedicated MSW graduate with over 10 years of experience in the field of social work, focuses on serving tribal and underprivileged communities, as well as children and youth. Alongside his social work endeavours, he showcases his passion for music as a music director and sound engineer. Ritesh actively engages with youth on topics related to the constitution, citizenship, and overall personal development, aiming to empower them and foster a sense of civic responsibility.
Rita Banerji, renowned as a leading wildlife and environment filmmaker in India, boasts an impressive portfolio of award-winning films produced under Dusty Foot Productions. Notably, her acclaimed work includes 'The Wild Meat Trail,' which earned her the prestigious Panda award, also known as the Green Oscar, in 2010 at Wildscreen UK. Recognized for her significant contributions to environmental filmmaking, Rita was honoured with the National Geographic – CMS Prithvi Ratna Award in 2017.
