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.
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.
Rameez is a firm believer in unravelling the mysteries of human nature through the lenses of history and philosophy. Engaging with works such as Berger’s “Hold Everything Dear,” Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” and Harari’s “Sapiens” has provided him with profound insights into these mysteries.
Piyush Ghosh is a young social entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of The Optimist Citizen - India’s First Purely Positive Newspaper. He is the youngest to win the Mathan Award South Asia Pacific and a Runner-up of Queen's Young Leaders Award 2018. Piyush is also an Ashoka Youth Venturer and a Changelooms Fellow. Piyush has authored a paper on 'Alternative Social Security models for the Unorganised Sector in India' and has been published in several international journals. Piyush recently got listed on the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 List.
Zeeshan, the founding member of Yeh Ek Soch Foundation, boasts over a decade of dedicated service in the development sector, with a particular focus on gender, youth, and adolescent issues. Armed with a postgraduate degree in Social Work and a Diploma in Electronic Media & Film Production, Zeeshan initially honed his skills in the corporate sector for over four years before transitioning to his true passion for social impact.
Manisha began her career as a journalist before transitioning into the social entrepreneurship sector, where she has made significant contributions over the past 24 years. Notably, she served with Ashoka: Innovators for the Public for a decade, holding positions as the India Country Representative and International Director for Ashoka’s youth programs. During her tenure, Manisha played a pivotal role in fostering a collaborative community of social entrepreneurs nationwide and spearheaded the launch of media and communication campaigns to promote social entrepreneurship in India.
