A passionate advocate for gender and social justice, Kalyani has worked for over 25 years in the Indian development sector. In her previous role as the COO of The Naz Foundation (India) Trust, she piloted and implemented the Young People’s Initiative and oversaw the execution of all programmes. As the CEO, Kalyani brings in a strategic perspective to the strengthening and building of Maitrayana into a resilient organization. She ensures the smooth functioning of all programmes, develops and curates resources, and represents Maitrayana as a fierce advocate for gender equality. Kalyani is a Vital Voices Lead Fellow, the Dasra Leadership Program alumnus, UNICEF’s International Safeguarding Children in Sport board member, and the 2017 Global Goal Summit’s Life Time Achievement awardee.
Navin Gupta is the Managing Director of South Asia & MENA at Ripple. Navin has extensive experience in global transaction banking, payments and cash management, and strategy planning following nearly two decades working for HSBC and Citigroup across the U.S., Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and India. During his tenure as Head of Payments and Cash Management for HSBC Japan, the business was transformed and voted the #1 Cash Management Bank in Japan by Euromoney. He was also a chief architect of HSBC's global initiative on Working Capital and Liquidity Management and in 2008 was recognized as one of "The 50 Most Promising Young Leaders" in Asia-Pac by The Asian Banker. Prior to joining HSBC, Navin worked at Citigroup in San Francisco as a global relationship manager for technology, media and telecommunications clients. He joined Citigroup as a management associate shortly after graduating from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in...
Reshmi is a seasoned FM professional who brings in 22 years of in-depth knowledge and skills in areas of Workplace Strategies, Human Experience (HX), Change and Culture Management, Integrated Facilities Management (IFM), Sourcing & Procurement, BCP, Emergency & Disaster Preparedness and Project Management. A highly passionate and motivated communicator, she has the ability to manage multiple stakeholders across varied portfolios. She currently heads the Facilities Management Group at Wipro Limited and manages the groups assets and infrastructure portfolio spread across India and Bangladesh along with the Central Material Function.
Currently, the co-founder of INDIAdonates and the Director of Programmes at Financial Management Service Foundation, Sandeep Sharma lends his expertise in Capacity Building, Financial Management, Legal Issues and Governance aspects to several NGOs in South Asia. The co-author of a book on “Handbook for Social Audit of NGOs,’ Sandeep is also the co-editor of Half Yearly Journal Interface and a visiting faculty for Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater NOIDA. Sandeep holds a Masters degree in Rural Management from the Faculty of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Rural Management, Jaipur.
Dr Sanjay Patra is the Executive Director of the Financial Management Services Foundation (FMSF). He is widely recognised in the Voluntary sector as a social activist and writer. Dr Sanjay has been a part of several national, government, and international committees focused on civil society subjects. With 25 years of experience in the Voluntary & Development Sector, Dr Sanjay is part of the visiting faculty for Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater NOIDA and Haggai Institute, Singapore and Hawaii. He is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Dr Sanjay holds an M.Com and B.com degrees from the Ravenshaw College of Cuttack. He is also an ex-member of the Task Group formed by the Planning Commission for drafting policies on the Voluntary Sector.
With over two decades of experience working in the Indian development sector, Jaya has worn many hats. Since 2009, Jaya has been responsible for the overall implementation of the Young People’s Initiative (formerly Goal programme) across Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore and through partners in Tamil Nadu and Punjab. She ensures high quality execution of the programme, manages grants and is instrumental in the further development of the YPI. Jaya manages a team of 70 young leaders and builds relationships with a variety of stakeholders. She has attended various leadership conferences organised by Dasra (India), American Express, Women Win (Netherlands) and Laureus (UK) and has been a member of Global networks like Vital Voices and Woman Sports Leadership Academy (University of Chichester). Jaya holds a Master’s Degree in Human Development, S.N.D.T University, Mumbai and wrote her post-graduation dissertation on Home-Based Care for People Living with HIV.
Shailendra has 15 years of experience in accountancy, auditing, inventory management and taxation. He specialises in conceptualizing and implementing cost-effective and efficient new-age compliance systems. With a long experience working with social impact organizations such as The Naz Foundation (India) Trust and Magic Bus, Shailendra has a knack for ensuring efficient utilization of funds, flawless controls and compliance to laws. As the Chief Financial Officer for Maitrayana, Shailendra oversees the organisation’s finances and oversees the financial planning, management of financial risks, record-keeping, and financial reporting.
Vivek has 18 years of experience learning, creating and leading high-quality sports interventions. In his previous organization, Vivek rose through the ranks to become a part of the organization’s senior leadership team. With his passion for sports, he has volunteered in the 2010 Commonwealth Game’s organizing committee, International Hockey Federation (FIH) men’s World Cup, and the 2017 FIFA under 17 men’s World Cup. As Maitrayana’s Strategic Partnerships Manager, Vivek looks after strategizing and managing partnerships and fundraising activities. His diverse skills are vital in establishing and strengthening relationships with donors and external stakeholders.
Corina has been trained as a sports coach in the Netherlands, where she was born and raised. She worked for 20 years in mental health using sport as a tool for personal change and the treatment of people with psychiatric and personality disorders. From 2005 onwards, she has worked in Kenya and India on sports for social change programmes. She 2016, she lives in India. Mumbai has become her home through her work for Maitrayana but especially by being engaged in sport. Corina believes in the power of sport both professionally but also in her private life. She is an endurance athlete (24 hours running and 12 hours swimming) and a triathlete (swimming/cycling/running in one race) where she strives for equal representation as she supports girls and women to overcome barriers that keep them from participating in sport. In 2023, Corina participated in the World Championships Ironman (triathlon).
Anjali Negi brings eight years of finance experience working with government and non-governmental institutions to Maitrayana. She specialises in auditing and reporting. She completed her Master's in Commerce in 2020. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, dancing, and caring for her plants.
Aditya is dedicated to fostering holistic development and environmental sustainability, leveraging leadership experience to empower youth across multiple cities.
With eight years in the social sector, Abhijith excels in empowering individuals to navigate challenges and cultivate resilience. Through genuine understanding and connection, he inspires unity and drives positive change within communities. Abhijith's knack for nurturing bonds and fostering belonging amplifies his impact in Bengaluru and beyond.
With seven years in the social sector, Radha excels in communication and patience as Delhi's City Coordinator. Her dedication to holistic development and environmental sustainability drives positive change within communities.
Rajesh brings 14 years of experience in social development, excelling in data and people management. He believes learning is a continuous process and is dedicated to improving his skills. In his free time, Rajesh loves playing video games and drawing.
With five years of experience in digital communication with a background in journalism and marketing, Shaziya is an expert in the field. She currently oversees Maitrayana’s communication and advocacy efforts. She is also the organisation’s PoSH Internal Committee member. Shaziya’s leadership is transformative, inclusion and equity are her guiding principles. She loves coffee but cannot say no to a cup of chai.
With eight years in accounting, Manoj is known for his initiative-taking skills, driving compliance and financial management. An avid cricket fan, Manoj plays regularly. He also likes cooking special recipes.
With a background in community sports coaching, Sheetal Shetty brings boundless passion and experience to Maitrayana. She excels in inspiring and empowering young women through sports, crafting innovative training programs that merge sports with life skills. Sheetal's forte lies in fostering leadership skills and confidence among participants, driving positive change within communities.
Monika brings eight years of experience in education, mental health, and women empowerment initiatives. She excels in team management and initiative-taking. Monika loves all forms of dance and travelling, she has visited 25 Indian states.
With five years of experience in rural development, Neha excels in rapport-building and community engagement. She has also worked with other agencies on WASH, agriculture and skill development. Her passion for gender equality drives her to create a lasting positive impact on society.
Renowned for building strong community relationships, Lalita excels in stakeholder management. She brings years of experience to program implementation and to ensuring impactful outcomes. Lalita’s contribution has been instrumental in mentoring the Community Sports Coaches (CSCs).
Manjeet excels in netball training, creating engaging games to impart life skills and stakeholder management. He is a goal-oriented leader of Maitrayana’s fitness community. Manjeet is a marathoner and fitness enthusiast.
Archana is a creative change-maker known for her problem-solving skills and leadership qualities. With expertise in stakeholder management and data analysis, she drives gender equality initiatives with innovative solutions.
Aarti Kori, with nine years of experience, embodies the transformative power of dedication in sports for development NGOs. Her leadership infuses projects with tireless energy and unwavering enthusiasm, setting her apart in coaching and team management. A creative soul and relentless advocate, Aarti champions positive change in sports and beyond.
From participant to Community Sports Coach, Namrata's decade-long journey reflects her dedication and passion. She shines not only in sports coaching but also in photography, capturing the essence of Maitrayana's activities. Dedicated to creating a better world for girls, Namrata leads with facilitation skills and a commitment to empowerment.
Pallavi Ubale, a compassionate social worker with nine years of experience, is adept at stakeholder management and crisis intervention. Her expertise in conducting assessments and developing personalised treatment plans ensures high-quality support for individuals and families. Known for her people management skills, Pallavi empowers her team by recognising their strengths and building their capacity.