India

Soumashree brings over six years of expertise in diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and policy advocacy, with a strong focus on advancing gender equality and inclusive governance. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and secured a 100% academic scholarship as a Global UGrad-Fulbright Scholar from the U.S. Department of Education. She has been nominated to represent India at international forums, including the Asian Development Bank, VSO UK, and Plan International. As a Governance and Strategy consultant at the Chief Minister’s Office in Kolkata, she specializes in establishing strategic partnerships and driving policy reforms to advance inclusive governance. A notable accomplishment is the implementation of a state-level grievance redressal system, enhancing bureaucratic accountability and empowering citizens through improved public service delivery and participatory democracy, fortifying government-citizen cooperation. She has collaborated closely with senior political figures across 11 Ministries, including Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly to devise effective strategies and crafted policies that leveraged communication channels to convey compelling value propositions to the electorate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Soumashree collaborated with Samhita, an impact consultancy, playing a pivotal role in building strategic partnerships for REVIVE, a multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to empowering women economically through blended finance and technical support. Notable partners include Google, MSDF, Atlantic Council, and JPAL. Previously, she worked at Aangan Trust, where she focused on child rights advocacy and creating safe spaces for women and children. She collaborated with the communications team to execute successful social media campaigns, raising awareness around trafficking and child harm. Soumashree aspires to advance the cause of gender equality and promote inclusive governance through impactful policy changes and partnership-building initiatives.

Host Organization: Women’s World Banking

Role at Host Organization: As a Strategy and Stakeholder Management Fellow, Soumashree will work closely with the Head of the Brand, Marketing & Communications (BMC) team and also engage with the team on specific projects and initiatives that are instrumental to (1) enhance WWB’s external brand awareness and to internally (2) strengthen the BMC position as an expert strategic advisor and quality focused execution partner to the whole organization partner to the broader organization including senior management. The Fellow will also support the review and refinement of the current brand and marketing strategy, as well as to work with the team on the internal stakeholder engagement model to developing effective and efficient collaboration processes.

Selorm is a dedicated and dynamic professional who is deeply committed to driving positive change and sustainable development across Africa. Armed with a Master’s in Business Administration, Selorm possesses a rich tapestry of skills encompassing project management, research, and social enterprise development. He is a visionary founder and lead strategist at Ecowillow Ghana, fostering environmental governance and nurturing youth talents. Selorm’s extensive engagement with various organizations, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and ActionAid Ghana, demonstrates his passion for societal progress. As a seasoned researcher and recruitment consultant, he has led initiatives amplifying voices in social enterprises and driving impact strategies. Selorm’s trajectory is characterized by a fervent belief in competent leadership, social entrepreneurship, and fostering a sustainable future for generations to come.

Host Organization: Generation

Role at Host Organization: As a Global Business Development Fellow, Selorm will help identify potential employer partners and the key stakeholders at those companies, initiate outreach, and pitch to interested organizations. They will use Salesforce to record and track interactions and analyze their pipeline. They will also provide account management support to key employer partners, support the delivery of key partnership initiatives (e.g. running events, gaining employer feedback, designing capacity building sessions) to grow the relationships.

Vandana is a full-stack marketing and communications professional from India. With over a decade of experience, she holds a Master of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University, a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, and a BE in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Gujarat Technological University. A former engineer and a journalist, she is now in the management realm, leading organizational strategy and implementation for scaling outreach and communication efforts. Vandana has diverse experience working with startups, entrepreneurs, government bodies, academic institutes, and media. She has experience in managing brands, creating new and diverse content, writing, and program management, and is adept at using digital tools and platforms such as InDesign, QuarkXpress, Canva, WordPress, Adobe Experience Management, and social media. She enjoys writing and curating stories from the higher education and health sectors and has previously covered areas such as entrepreneurship, leadership, grassroots innovation, research, technology, and community. Vandana has a passion for curating impact stories and is comfortable with various formats of print and digital content. Over her decade-long career, she has worked with Business Standard – the financial daily, IIT Gandhinagar, IIM Ahmedabad, National Innovation Foundation – India, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, health tech startup Shivom and most recently with the Indian School of Business. Her expertise is in strategic management, outreach and communications, program and stakeholder management, brand development, negotiation and conflict resolution, and team management.

Host Organization: Center for Open Data Enterprise (CODE)

Role at Host Organization: As a Communications, Outreach, and Business Development Fellow, Vandana will work with the Research and Communications Manager to support CODE’s communications, outreach, and business development strategies. The Fellow will be responsible for: updating and implementing CODE’s communications strategy, supporting the entire CODE team to engage with current and potential partners, implement the business development strategy, and drive revenue growth.

Aishwarya is a professional with three years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds an MBA in Marketing & Biotechnology from the University of Pune and currently works as a consultant with social enterprises and state governments. Her project themes range from education to environment, and her skills include program management, partnership building, training, and facilitation. In her previous role, Aishwarya led successful projects aimed at advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through global mobility programs. She has also taught over 200 underprivileged children at a government school for two years as a Teach for India Fellow. Furthermore, she has spearheaded mindfulness programs in various organizations and is a Toastmasters International Ambassador, advocating for building leadership through public speaking. Aishwarya’s passion lies in nurturing leadership and empowering individuals towards a more inclusive society.

Host Organization: Northwestern University, Buffett Institute for Global Affairs

Role at Host Organization: As a Global Engagement Programs Fellow, Aishwarya will play a role in managing global engagement programs at GLO. The Fellowship will have some flexibility based on the Fellows interest and experience—possibilities include assessment, event planning, program/partnership management and development, marketing and recruitment, curriculum development, and alum engagement.

Tarita is a climate activist and an experienced program manager and researcher with over five years of professional experience in research, program development and management, and operations in the nonprofit sector. She completed an accelerated degree program from Drexel University, receiving her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies & Sustainability and Master’s in Urban Strategy simultaneously. Over the past three years, Tarita has worked on climate and gender justice programming with a global focus. Her work in the nonprofit sector has allowed her to develop a keen sense of social justice issues in our societies, and she focuses on taking an intersectional and participatory community approach to solutions. She complements her background in environmental and urbanism projects with international experience working with diverse communities on climate, resilience and adaptation, and practical knowledge and training. Tarita has developed skills in grassroots organizing, working with youth, and using tools such as power and community mapping, climate vulnerability analyses, and participatory community engagement projects. Having lived in major cities globally, Tarita has worked with underrepresented and Global South communities and can offer a unique perspective based on insight, lived experience, and expertise on the climate crisis, urbanism, and intersectionality.

Host Organization: Collaborating for Resilience (CoRe)

Role at Host Organization: As a Strategy and Partnerships Fellow, Tarita will gain experience in principles of multi-stakeholder dialogue to promote citizen engagement in policy reform and implementation. The Fellow will apply these principles in the development and implementation of several international partnerships. The Fellow will design and manage partner collaborations and undertake action research in one or more program areas, and lead analyses focused on outcome monitoring, learning and evaluation to support strategy development and organizational expansion. Tarita will also help support action research and learning systems that build the capacity of civil society partners to drive governance innovations, distil insights from comparative analysis of outcomes across different partnership sites working towards systems change, and communicate lessons for policy and practice.

Soumashree brings over six years of expertise in diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and policy advocacy, with a strong focus on advancing gender equality and inclusive governance. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and secured a 100% academic scholarship as a Global UGrad-Fulbright Scholar from the U.S. Department of Education. She has been nominated to represent India at international forums, including the Asian Development Bank, VSO UK, and Plan International. As a Governance and Strategy consultant at the Chief Minister’s Office in Kolkata, she specializes in establishing strategic partnerships and driving policy reforms to advance inclusive governance. A notable accomplishment is the implementation of a state-level grievance redressal system, enhancing bureaucratic accountability and empowering citizens through improved public service delivery and participatory democracy, fortifying government-citizen cooperation. She has collaborated closely with senior political figures across 11 Ministries, including Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly to devise effective strategies and crafted policies that leveraged communication channels to convey compelling value propositions to the electorate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Soumashree collaborated with Samhita, an impact consultancy, playing a pivotal role in building strategic partnerships for REVIVE, a multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to empowering women economically through blended finance and technical support. Notable partners include Google, MSDF, Atlantic Council, and JPAL. Previously, she worked at Aangan Trust, where she focused on child rights advocacy and creating safe spaces for women and children. She collaborated with the communications team to execute successful social media campaigns, raising awareness around trafficking and child harm.Soumashree aspires to advance the cause of gender equality and promote inclusive governance through impactful policy changes and partnership-building initiatives.

Host Organization: Women’s World Banking

Role at Host Organization: As a Strategy and Stakeholder Management Fellow, Soumashree will work closely with the Head of the Brand, Marketing & Communications (BMC) team and also engage with the team on specific projects and initiatives that are instrumental to (1) enhance WWB’s external brand awareness and to internally (2) strengthen the BMC position as an expert strategic advisor and quality focused execution partner to the whole organization partner to the broader organization including senior management. The Fellow will also support the review and refinement of the current brand and marketing strategy, as well as to work with the team on the internal stakeholder engagement model to developing effective and efficient collaboration processes.

Nitisha is a gender justice advocate and a communications professional with eight years of experience in project management and social media marketing in the nonprofit sector. A computer science engineer by education, Nitisha started her career in the corporate and moved to the impact space with the motivation to do meaningful work and the need for job satisfaction. During her Post Graduation from Indian School of Development Management, she became passionate about gender equality and developed a bias for action in her personal life. She identifies as an evolving feminist and is actively working towards a future where all women and girls can fulfil their potential. She currently leads the Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program at the country level in Nomi Network which is impacting the lives of 500+ girls in three states of India at risk of child marriage, child labor and, school dropout which results in exploitation and trafficking of girls. In her role, Nitisha has designed the program strategy and life skills curriculum which empowers girls from vulnerable communities to make decisions about their life and career while also being active voices of change in their communities. Previously, Nitisha has worked as a fundraising professional with CARE India and Indian School of Development Management working with corporates, institutions and, individuals. As a proactive person with excellent management, communication and networking skills, Nitisha has a knack for thriving in fast paced environments. As a trained menstrual heath educator and sustainability advocate, Nitisha has facilitated over multiple trainings on sustainable menstruation directly engaging with more than 700 people. With a determination to improve the health of all women and girls, Nitisha founded The Bloody Feminist on Instagram where she creates purposeful communication to educate young people to feel confident and have control of their own bodies.

Host Organization: Women’s World Banking

Role at Host Organization: As a Marketting and Social Media Fellow, Nitisha will develop social media content, create compelling and meaningful media graphics, track and report on performance metrics using data and social listening to identify industry trends and cultivate peers, partners and other key stakeholders activities.The Fellow will engage with the team to support on a range of activities including the production of marketing materials, updating reports and presentations, conducting relevant research on industry trends and relevant event/speaking engagement opportunities.

Vandana is a full-stack marketing and communications professional from India. With over a decade of experience, she holds a Master of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University, a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, and a BE in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Gujarat Technological University. A former engineer and a journalist, she is now in the management realm, leading organizational strategy and implementation for scaling outreach and communication efforts. Vandana has diverse experience working with startups, entrepreneurs, government bodies, academic institutes, and media. She has experience in managing brands, creating new and diverse content, writing, and programme management, and is adept at using digital tools and platforms such as InDesign, QuarkXpress, Canva, WordPress, Adobe Experience Management, and social media. She enjoys writing and curating stories from the higher education and health sectors and has previously covered areas such as entrepreneurship, leadership, grassroots innovation, research, technology, and community. Vandana has a passion for curating impact stories and is comfortable with various formats of print and digital content. Over her decade-long career, she has worked with Business Standard – the financial daily, IIT Gandhinagar, IIM Ahmedabad, National Innovation Foundation – India, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, healthtech startup Shivom and most recently with the Indian School of Business. Her expertise is in strategic management, outreach and communications, programme and stakeholder management, brand development, negotiation and conflict resolution, and team management.

Host Organization: Center for Open Data Enterprise (CODE)

Role at Host Organization: As a Communications, Outreach, and Business Development Fellow, Vandana will work with the Research and Communications Manager to support CODE’s communications, outreach, and business development strategies. The Fellow will be responsible for: updating and implementing CODE’s communications strategy, supporting the entire CODE team to engage with current and potential partners, implement the business development strategy, and drive revenue growth.

Aishwarya is a professional with three years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds an MBA in Marketing & Biotechnology from the University of Pune and currently works as a consultant with social enterprises and state governments. Her project themes range from education to environment, and her skills include program management, partnership building, training, and facilitation. In her previous role, Aishwarya led successful projects aimed at advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through global mobility programs. She has also taught over 200 underprivileged children at a government school for two years as a Teach for India Fellow. Furthermore, she has spearheaded mindfulness programs in various organizations and is a Toastmasters International Ambassador, advocating for building leadership through public speaking. Aishwarya’s passion lies in nurturing leadership and empowering individuals towards a more inclusive society.

Host Organization: Northwestern University, Buffett Institute for Global Affairs

Role at Host Organization: As a Global Engagement Programs Fellow, Aishwarya will play a role in managing global engagement programs at GLO. The Fellowship will have some flexibility based on the Fellows interest and experience—possibilities include assessment, event planning, program/partnership management and development, marketing and recruitment, curriculum development, and alum engagement.

Tarita is a climate activist and an experienced program manager and researcher with over five years of professional experience in research, program development and management, and operations in the nonprofit sector. She completed an accelerated degree program from Drexel University, receiving her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies & Sustainability and Master’s in Urban Strategy simultaneously. Over the past three years, Tarita has worked on climate and gender justice programming with a global focus. Her work in the nonprofit sector has allowed her to develop a keen sense of social justice issues in our societies, and she focuses on taking an intersectional and participatory community approach to solutions. She complements her background in environmental and urbanism projects with international experience working with diverse communities on climate, resilience and adaptation, and practical knowledge and training. Tarita has developed skills in grassroots organizing, working with youth, and using tools such as power and community mapping, climate vulnerability analyses, and participatory community engagement projects. Having lived in major cities globally, Tarita has worked with underrepresented and Global South communities and can offer a unique perspective based on insight, lived experience, and expertise on the climate crisis, urbanism, and intersectionality.

Host Organization: Collaborating for Resilience (CoRe)

Role at Host Organization: As a Strategy and Partnerships Fellow, Tarita will gain experience in principles of multi-stakeholder dialogue to promote citizen engagement in policy reform and implementation. The Fellow will apply these principles in the development and implementation of several international partnerships. The Fellow will design and manage partner collaborations and undertake action research in one or more program areas, and lead analyses focused on outcome monitoring, learning and evaluation to support strategy development and organizational expansion. Tarita will also help support action research and learning systems that build the capacity of civil society partners to drive governance innovations, distil insights from comparative analysis of outcomes across different partnership sites working towards systems change, and communicate lessons for policy and practice.

Indrias has a total of seven years of experience in the development and humanitarian sectors. She recently worked as a Social and Behavior Change Officer at UNICEF Indonesia where she managed a total budget of US$ 190,000 for four Risk Communications and Community Engagement (RCCE) projects in South Sulawesi and Maluku, Indonesia, to implement behavior change communications strategies and demand creation for COVID-19 vaccination through capacity building for healthcare workers, teachers, parents/caregivers, community and religious leaders, journalists, and youth. Finda earned her Master’s degree in Children, Youth and International Development from Brunel University London and her Bachelor’s of Science in Physics from the University of Indonesia. During her studies in London, Finda did an internship at StreetInvest, a nonprofit working on the issues of street children in West Africa, East Africa and India, where she supported the production of Impact Reports for StreetInvest for 2019/2020 term by reviewing and analyzing data collected at projects in Kenya. Prior coming to the UK, Finda worked as an Advocacy and Partnership Officer at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Center for Early Childhood Care and Education and Parenting (SEAMEO CECCEP), where she designed, planned, and implemented advocacy and partnership strategies on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). She also liaised and built partnerships with 11 Ministries of Education in Southeast Asia and a range of other organizations such as UNESCO, Plan International, and Aide et Action. Finda is passionate in the topics of children education and women empowerment.

Host Organization: Women’s World Banking

Role at Host Organization: As a Policy Advocacy Fellow, Indrias will help accelerate the policy advocacy process at the Women’s World Banking, assisting in delivering parts of the policy and advocacy strategy and goals set for the next five years. The Fellow will engage withpolicymakers and regulators in the area of women’s financial inclusion and encourage them to make changes where needed to improve the enabling policy environment for women’s economic empowerment. The Fellow will work on projects from different countries, particularly in the Women’s World Banking’s focus countries of Cambodia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Vietnam. The Fellow will also draw together from the organization’s existing work, build further the policy positions, and advocate to new audiences, which will be very beneficial to Women’s World Banking.

​Divya Chhabra is an AIF Fellow working with SAFA India, based in Hyderabad, Telangana. She is focused on developing local employment opportunities by incubating micro-entrepreneurs and creating an ecosystem for micro startups. She holds an integrated degree in BCom LLB from Tamil Nadu National Law University, Tiruchirappalli. During her academic pursuits, Divya gained valuable experience interning with various organizations, including the People’s Union of Civil Liberties in Jaipur, Majlis Legal Centre in Mumbai, and Jagori Rural Charitable Trust in Dharamshala. Through these internships, she gained knowledge about litigation and violence investigation while developing her passion for the development sector. Divya believes in effective communication with communities to understand their needs and bring positive change. She is determined to use her Fellowship as a stepping stone toward starting her own social enterprise or NGO. When she is not working, Divya enjoys reading and traveling.