Our Team 🏃‍♀️

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Prem (Premlata Poonia)
Founder and Director

It is a unique story but represents stories of many of us. We all want to leave the world better than where we found it. We have many ways to go about that change, and all of it adds up. Whether we are helping build next set of roads that are connecting cities to villages, or working in an IT company helping world be better connected.

I grew up in a village in remote Rajasthan where my grandfather's family moved during the 1947 partition of India. Driven by the vision of my father, we moved from one place to another, in need for education. I later worked in a textile plant in Punjab, with the great TATAs in Jamshedpur, and moved to the U.S. for MBA. I worked in development space and later found myself selling engines to mixer companies so they can build our roads, and to Bus companies so they can take kids to school. All of it adds, isnt it?

But my heart never left the imagery of the village where I grew up. About the daughters whose fathers couldn't do what my father did. I have wondered many times - in this more connected world, how can I give back to the places I have left behind. Most of us are migrants who have landed in different cities, countries in search of jobs and hopes. Most of us want to give back, in whatever little capacity we can.

This organization is set up with the hope of tapping into that collective spirit of doing our bit. To make it easy to connect with your role as coaches, mentors, sponsors, and much more. Read about our programs, share your thoughts, and tell us how we can help you do your bit. It all adds up!

 

Sankalp Pratap
Co-Founder and Mentor

Sankalp received his PhD and MBA from IIM Calcutta and a BTech from Marine Engineering & Research Institute Kolkata, punctuated with over a decade of corporate world experience in NOL Singapore, Infosys Technologies and the Tata Group across strategy, operations, marketing, management consulting and talent management. Such work streams afforded him the opportunity to work in different regions of India as also parts of the globe in multicultural environments.

 Subsequent to his doctorate in Strategic Management, he transitioned to academia wherein he served IIM Tiruchirappalli and IIT Jodhpur for over 7 years before joining the Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship, IIT Bombay. Sankalp's primary research stream focuses on the university entrepreneurship ecosystem. Educating children by deploying novel engaging methods is a constant source of motivation for him which he also translates into a range of entrepreneurship courses at IIT Bombay. 

Sankalp has published in best-in-class journals like Strategic Management Journal and Organization among others, has presented papers in multiple editions of EGOS and is an active writer of case studies for classroom teaching. 

Sankalp likes walking across cities he visits, a habit he picked up during his merchant navy stint at the beginning of his career and captures his experiences as short stories for children. 

 

Vishnu Datt
Director

Vishnu followed the dual role of a teacher and a farmer for decades. Along with the many hats he wore as a father, change maker, and path breaker. He migrated with his family multiple times, so he could get education for his daughters. He deeply understands the social norms that shape the rural areas and their ethos. He knows the resistance on the path as well as the journey to change. His cross-generational insights and rootedness are core to our pace at Hamari Laado.

 

Deepa Verma
Director

A compassionate leader, Deepa recently retired from Tata Steel Ltd after 37 years of service through various dimensions of Human Resources. A graduate of XLRI Jamshedpur, Deepa started her career in the HRM division at Tata Steel's plants in Jamshedpur. Through-out her career, Deepa lived and carried the Tata values of care for her teams, employees, and businesses. Along with her expertise in various functions of HR, Deepa passionately created solutions that improved workplace culture, fostered diversity, enhanced social responsibility, and ensured ethical and compliant practices. 

Deepa calls both Pune and Jamshedpur her home. A mother to two working daughters, Deepa has consistently volunteered in the communities through Tata Steel Foundation, including during the Covid pandemic. With Deepa joining the Board, we look to her guidance in strengthening teams and partnerships that can take Hamari Laado to many diverse communities. 

 

Vinayak Ram Tripathi
Mentor

Currently serving at XLRI Jamshedpur as Associate Professor - Strategic Management, Vinayak explores intersections that challenge organizational practices in complex social settings. In doing so, he engages with organizations across scales and locations. He is passionate about possibilities of change that organizational action brings in society. Vinayak grew up in UP and holds a PhD in management from IIM Indore and holds a PhDin Microbiology as well! Vinayak is also a visiting research faculty at Essec Business School, France. Vinayak enjoys reading and meeting people from lesser known places!

 

         Lt Col (Retd) Aparna Bisen
Director

A trailblazer, Aparna recently took voluntary retirement from the Indian Army after serving the nation for 20 years. A native of Raipur, Aparna achieved many firsts in her family and extended community. In a journey that started from being an NCC cadet and making it to the Republic Day Parade and Youth Exchange Program, Aparna got commissioned in the Army Ordnance Corps at the age of 22. Soon, Aparna served in many roles and locations, including leading a United Nations Peacekeeping mission in Congo. Aparna is a subject matter expert on Conflict Related Sexual Violence and lends her time and energy towards women's development. Aparna's journey is an inspiration to every young girl growing up in a small town.

An army partner and a mother to a cheerful daughter, Aparna cares deeply about the army families and their development. She took the lead in introducing our NEEV program at Army Campuses. With Aparna joining the Board, we rely on her leadership to take NEEV to many young girls around the country. 

 

Vintee Bhatia
Data Analyst
Vintee started her career as a faculty for MBA in khazani women's institute, with the objective to empower women through their personal and professional development. Later, Vintee worked in the finance department in Torrent power Ltd. Vintee believes in the propagation of cultural and social values for the common good of the society. She volunteers at the Green cell of IIT Jodhpur while also helping young girls in NEEV in schools near IIT Jodhpur. Vintee finds joy and creative expression through her passion for dancing.

 

Dr Katyayanee Sharma
Master Trainer

Dr. Katyayanee Sharma is a dental surgeon and a Master's PhD scholar at the IIT Jodhpur-AIIMS Jodhpur MedTech Centre, exploring the synergy between medicine and technology. A skilled public speaker and anchor, she has also contributed as a coach with Hamari Laado, supporting training and empowerment initiatives. Katyayanee is passionate about learning, teaching, and making a positive impact through her work.

 

Vasudha Rajawat
Master Trainer
A passionate yoga teacher and volunteer, Vasudha wishes to create a positive impact on the lives of people . Vasudha did her schooling in Kota in Rajasthan and later a diploma in Yoga Education from Jaipur. An active community member, Vasudha has taught Yoga in multiple locations. She enjoys building the capacity of young girls to advance their lives through Hamari Laado's NEEV program.

 

Mahima Kumawat
Master Trainer
A dedicated teacher by profession, Mahima is passionate about positively impacting students' lives, particularly in rural India. After completing her education at Government School, Bhunas and Government College, Bhilwara, She earned her Ph.D. from Pacific University, Udaipur. Having closely seen the challenges faced by rural girls and women, Mahima wants to be a part of creating a better future for the next generation. 

 

Siddharth Tatiya
Legal Advisor

A native of Rajasthan and an inquisitive traveller, Siddharth graduated from Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar and returned back to Jodhpur to practice at the High Court of Rajasthan. For more than a decade now, Siddharth has appeared before various courts and tribunals on cases concerning Constitutional law, Education, Human rights, Consumer laws and Environmental laws. Siddharth has constantly supported to Hamari Laado by providing legal guidance in matters that impact the educational attainment of rural girls.

 

Bharati Verma
Communications Lead

Bharati is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Digital Humanities at the Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur. She has done her Bachelor's in Business Administration from Osmania University,Hyderabad. With a lifelong passion for social work, she has actively engaged in various volunteering initiatives, showcasing her commitment to making a positive impact in her community.With a keen interest in marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR), Bharti aspires to build a career in the corporate sector, focusing on these areas to drive meaningful change.In her free time, she enjoys painting, which allows her to express her creativity, and finds solace in Rajasthani folk music, which helps her unwind during stressful moments.

 

Aditya Kedia
Tech Manager

Aditya is a Electrical Engineering undergraduate currently studying at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur. He possesses a strong passion for programming and web development, dedicating his free time to refining his skills and exploring emerging software development trends. Alongside his technical pursuits, he has a keen interest in playing and developing games.

 

M Krishna Gayathri
Program Manager

A motivated, compassionate and young social worker who wishes to create a positive impact on the lives of people across the nation. Having done her schooling in Chennai and master's in social work at Amrita University, Coimbatore, Gayathri has been exposed to the problems plaguing the urban areas. Later with her work stint involving field visits to schools in the rural centres, she has got a glimpse of the other side of Bharat.