With a background in Information Technology, Ashok started his professional journey as a Network Security Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services from 2015 to 2018. However, his inclination towards social change surfaced during his college years when he participated in the Community Connect Fellowship with the Blue Ribbon Movement in 2013, marking the inception of his volunteerism. Since then, he has remained actively engaged with the organisation, leveraging his skills and passion for community development.
With over three decades of experience in rural development, Sudarshan brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to his work. His journey has been dedicated to advocating for the rights of the poor and holding the state accountable while actively engaging in rural management and economic empowerment initiatives. As a first-generation farmer, Sudarshan has embraced a learn-by-doing approach, continually seeking innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by rural communities.
Executive Director, Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation
Bidhan Chandra Singh has over 20 years of experience in the social and environmental sectors. He has experience in designing campaigns and strategic action in the areas of climate change, child protection, Animal Rights, and Human Rights. He is a social scientist by training. He worked with Greenpeace for 16 years in national and international roles. He was instrumental in bringing the concept of Fail Forward in Greenpeace internationally and drafted the Accountability Framework for the organization.
Sheena Gandhi is a communications specialist with more than 14 years of experience and has played an integral role in shaping the reputation of blue-chip brands and companies. Her core areas of expertise are influencer engagement, partnerships and strategy. She believes in passion with a purpose and continuous learning as key drivers in her career choices. She transitioned to the social sector in 2018 and is an advocate of partnerships. She is a co-founder of Sahayog Foundation, which focusses on fostering collaborations in the social sector.
Monisha Vemavarapu is a seasoned Development Professional and Youth Social Entrepreneur, boasting 14 years of experience as a facilitator. Her diverse portfolio includes working with adolescents, youth, teachers, police staff, NGOs, government entities, and corporate employees. Through her facilitation expertise, Monisha spearheads mindset and behavioural change initiatives, empowering young individuals to understand themselves within the context of prevalent social issues.
Zafreen Neha is a development professional, currenting working as Programme Coordinator in CSEI. She had been leading and engaging with more than 500 socially excluded adolescents and young people in five districts of Bihar along with being leader of the secretariat team at Bihar Ambedkar Students' Forum (BASF) - a membership based youth led forum of socially excluded young people (Dalit, Adivasi, Muslim, Nomadic Tribes) in Bihar.
Layne Robinson serves as the Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat, headquartered in London, UK. Leading a dedicated team, Layne spearheads initiatives aimed at supporting the 54 member countries in areas crucial to human development, including youth development, health, education, and sports. Through collaborative efforts, the Commonwealth's social policy work aims to foster cooperation and implement policies and programs that enhance the lives of individuals, especially those from marginalised or vulnerable groups.
