Aanchal Tiwari

Cluster Lead, Fatehabad

Aarti Kumari

Cluster Lead, Jind

Ananya Tiwari

Co-Founder

An alumna of St. Stephen’s College and Ashoka University (Young India Fellowship), Ananya studied Chemistry, Neuroscience, and Liberal Arts before switching to Education. She was a Teacher in a rural school, opened a school in a village, and designed, implemented, and evaluated at-scale interventions. She is driven by interdisciplinary educational approaches aimed at reducing social inequalities. A recipient of the coveted Illinois Innovation Prize, the Illinois International Achievement Award, the Due and Ferber Research Award, and the Bailey-YMCA Fellow, Ananya is a regular swimmer and an occasional runner.

Anju Rani

Field Coordinator, Hisar

Anju Rani hails from Hisar district in Haryana. She graduated with first-division honors from K.U.K. University in Kurukshetra. She then pursued a postgraduate degree in yoga from Uttarakhand Sanskrit University. She also has six months of experience as a yoga Teacher. She aspires to build a promising career in teaching.

Aradhana Saikia

Partnership Manager

Aradhana Saikia is from Guwahati, Assam. She has a master’s degree in Labour Studies and Social Protection from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. She worked as a Teacher for almost a year. Her experience in teaching enhanced her confidence level in teaching and gave her a better understanding of the students’ needs. She has also worked as a Gandhi fellow under Piramal Foundation, where she got the opportunity to work with the government at the district level, work with government schools on various projects, etc. The two years of fellowship improved her skills and created her interest in working towards the development of underrepresented communities. She is a motivated and positive person who hopes for a better future.

Archana Kumari

Director, SwaTaleem Foundation, India

Graduated from IIT Kanpur in 2019, with a major in Chemical Engineering and a minor in English Literature. Currently working with American Express, where she leads a small team of data science professionals who build AI/ML models. She is a caregiver to her nephews, who mean the world to her. Issues of Gender, Education, and Mental Health form a significant part of her circle of concern. Believes in living, loving, and saying it well in good sentences, as Sylvia Plath would say. In her free time, she likes to read, walk, think, and travel.

Hadisha Tyagi

Cluster Lead, Hisar

Hadisha Tyagi is from Panipat, Haryana. She has done her Bachelor’s in Education from Chaudhary Charan Singh University. She also has a one-year Office Automation & Publishing (DOAP) diploma from Rajiv Gandhi Computer Saksharta Mission. From Azim Premji University, she also completed her master’s in Education. She believes in learning through life experiences and creating an identity through her work. She imagines a healthy society through Education. She loves gardening, dancing, listening to music, and exploring new things.

Jumman Rani

Field Coordinator, Hisar

Jumman is from Buddha Khera Uklana Mandi (Hisar). Jumman is a graduate of IGNOU. Teaching is her passion, and by joining this organization, her teaching dream came true. Before joining this organisation, she had teaching experience in a private school, but that was not satisfactory. Now she has learned what is the real truth of life and how satisfying it is to educate someone. Her hobbies are traveling, spending time with children, and dancing.

Kanika Beniwal

Field Coordinator, Fatehabad

Khalida Akram

Cluster Lead, Mewat

Khalida Akram is from the village of Nuh (Mewat). She has distinguished herself through remarkable academic and professional achievements. She graduated from Aligarh Muslim University and earned her B.Ed. from MDU Rohtak. With two years of teaching experience, Khalida further enriched her professional journey by completing the Kruna Fellowship with the Piramal Foundation. During this fellowship, she collaborated with district-level government bodies, contributing to initiatives in government schools, hospitals, and gram panchayats on a range of projects. She is a passionate sportsperson and scout guide. Khalida is unwavering in her commitment to community service and social work. Her self-motivation and drive fuel her dedication to uplifting her community and making a positive impact through her efforts.

Manisha Devi

Field Coordinator, Jind

Manisha Devi is from Jind, Haryana. She has done her Bachelor’s of Education from Saraswati College of Education, Gangoli, Jind. She also has a one-year diploma in yoga & Naturopathy. Haldwani, Nainital, Uttarakhand. After completing her education. She joined the Chetna Senior Secondary School. 3 years of experience as a primary Teacher. She believes in learning through life experience and creating an identity through her work. She loves listening to music, sports, and exploring new things. 

Manisha Dhiman

Technology Consultant

Manisha is from a small village, Karnal, in Haryana. She has done her Master’s in Commerce from Karnal district of Haryana. She is an alumnus of the Medha Foundation. After completing her education, she joined the NGO Varitra Foundation and started her career in the development sector. For the past five years, she has been engaged with Varitra Foundation, where she explored content designing, staff training and development, and ground realities in educational institutions. She was directly connected with students, Teachers, parents, village communities, and the local government of Karnal district. She loves to make educational videos of children and paintings.

Manju Bala

Field Coordinator, Bhiwani

Mathumitha R

Design & Readiness Manager, Karnataka

Mathu, with her roots sprouting from Tamil Nadu, has grown through various geographies, which have become home through her educational and professional endeavors. Her Master’s in Education ignited her passion for working with educational systems as a foundation for creating holistic and sustainable change. This drive has led her to explore various perspectives and contexts, including rural, tribal, and migration settlements. She is passionate about working with children and learning from and alongside them. As an applied arts and theatre-based practitioner, Mathu loves designing and facilitating spaces of safe dialogue, reflection, and learning for people of diverse backgrounds and varied age groups. Her passion for the ever-dynamic education sector keeps her curious, always looking out for new things to learn and try, this characteristic aspect drives her personal life too; but she finds her rest, and recharge outlet through traveling, adventure activities, listening to multilingual music, dancing, writing, journaling, going to concerts, binge reading books, playing with children, meeting new people & friends.

Monika Mahto

Director, SwaTaleem Foundation, India

Graduated as an Electrical Engineer from IIT Kanpur, she has worked in corporate sector for a brief period and also as a volunteer and academic mentor. She is the younger of the two siblings and hails from Chhattisgarh. She has worked as a program manager at Lattice Data Solutions and currently is working as a Camera Systems Engineer with Qualcomm India Pvt. Ltd. She holds interest in multiple fields, specially education and women empowerment. She is an artist, a nature lover and a detail oriented person. She also has a keen interest in observational astronomy.

Nidhi Gupta

Senior Director of Philanthropy, USA

Nidhi has twenty years of international experience in setting up, scaling, and running organizations and business units – both in the tech and non-profit sectors. She brings a combination of entrepreneurial acumen, operational rigour, and strategic foresight. She currently manages SwaTaleem’s fundraising efforts from US-based funders. She has a master’s in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics. She has a keen interest in Girls’ education and sustainability. She writes stories for children and has co-founded a podcast called Stories Without Pictures.

Nirmal

Field Coordinator, Palwal

Nirmal, a resident of Palwal district in Haryana, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU). With experience teaching children as young as one year old, she has cultivated a deep passion for education. She takes joy in reading to children, supporting their development, and ensuring they receive a quality education. Additionally, Nirmal has one year of experience in data entry work in Gurgaon, which has enhanced her organizational and technical abilities. She enjoys painting on clay pots, a creative activity that allows her to express her artistic talent.

Pallav S

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager, Karnataka

Pallav holds a postgraduate degree in Public Policy and Governance from Azim Premji University, Bangalore. Passionate about rights-based research, they have gained valuable experience through engagements with leading Indian think tanks such as the Centre for Civil Society and the Centre for Equity Studies, as well as various independent research projects. Their work is grounded in Indian constitutional values and the capabilities approach, informed by an intersectional feminist and pluralistic perspective. Pallav’s research interests span legal, policy, and social dimensions, with a focus on areas including land rights, SOGIESC rights, gender, and education. They were awarded the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness Fellowship in 2024, as part of which they led the MEL efforts at Seeds of Peace India. When not working, they love to read, cook, and spend time with all the animals they come across.

Parmjeet Kaur

Field Coordinator, Fatehabad

Parmjeet is a graduate in Arts from Chaudhari Devi Lal University, Sirsa. She is currently dedicated to making a positive impact as part of the SwaTaleem Foundation, focusing on girls’ social-emotional learning and English improvement. Apart from her professional pursuits, Pramjeet finds joy in sports activities and cherishes the time spent with children.

Pooja Didharia

Field Coordinator, Sirsa

Pooja Didharia belongs to Fatehpuria in Sirsa. She completed her degree from IGNOU. She always wanted to work in the social sector. Now she is satisfied working for Girl’s education.

Preeti Jangra

Design and Readiness Manager, Haryana

Preeti, an inspiring educator from Haryana, combines her science background with a passion for alternative education. She holds a Master’s degree from Azim Premji University and currently serves as an SEL Fellow, focusing on creating supportive and inclusive learning environments that nurture emotional resilience, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills in students. With over five years of experience as a science educator, Preeti also brings expertise in social-emotional learning (SEL) and is certified in comprehensive sexuality education. She is committed to advancing the safety and well-being of both students and adults. In her free time, Preeti enjoys reading, writing Hindi poetry, creating mandala art, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Guided by her belief that true education is demonstrated through action, she is dedicated to making a meaningful impact through her professional endeavors and personal passions.

Priyanka Kumari

Field Coordinator, Hisar

Priyanka completed B.ed from Choudary Ranveer Singh University, Jind. She taught social-emotional learning and English improvement. Apart from her professional pursuits, joy in sports activities and cherishes the time spent with children. She is a motivated and positive person who hopes for a better future.

Raghu Ramanujam

State Program and Advocacy Lead, Karnataka

Raghu Ramanujam, based in Bangalore, holds an MA in Education from Azim Premji University. With over 14 years of diverse experience in corporate and development sectors, Raghu has dedicated his career to collaborating with the Departments of Education in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. He is passionate about working with teachers and children, aiming to foster supportive and inclusive educational environments, particularly in marginalized communities. Raghu is committed to effecting positive societal change through education. Beyond his professional endeavors, he enjoys public speaking, freelance writing, playing cricket, gardening, natural farming, cooking, traveling, and appreciating music

Ragni Nathani

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Lead

Ragni has over six years of experience in the development sector across domain-agnostic profiles focused on research and impact evaluation. A graduate of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, she has worked with pioneering institutions, including the World Bank, J-PAL, and IIT Kanpur across interdisciplinary development initiatives. Her passion lies in driving tech-led innovation and empowering community-led practitioners to shape impactful interventions. Previously, she has spearheaded projects on promoting women entrepreneurs in the informal labor economy, empowering long-absentee students to resume education, and pioneering tech-driven child rights advocacy and education initiatives.

Raman Kalson

Cluster Lead, Bhiwani

Raman Devi hails from Bhiwani, Haryana. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, followed by a Master’s in Social Work from Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani. As part of her postgraduate program, she actively engaged in fieldwork, which gave her the opportunity to deeply understand community realities and witness the struggles faced by underprivileged individuals. This experience sparked her commitment to contribute meaningfully to society, and she continues to work with dedication toward supporting those in need. In her free time, Raman enjoys dancing, traveling, and listening to Haryanvi music.

Ratnakar

Director, SwaTaleem Foundation, India

A firm believer in education as the most powerful tool for social and personal change, Ratnakar has academic training in Chemical Engineering, Education, Pedagogy and Psychology. His engagement in teaching started in 2010 and since then he has volunteered in Schools, NGOs and also worked full time in Jagriti Bal Vikas Samiti (JBVS) working for the education and welfare of migrant children. He believes that the only thing that limits us is our imagination.

Reema Walia

Field Coordinator, Sirsa

Reema from Keharwala, Sirsa, Haryana. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Art from C.D.L. University Sirsa and one year Diploma (NTT). She wants to teach children and give them a better future through Swataleem foundation.

Rubeen Chaudhary

Technology Lead

Born and brought up in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, Rubeen did her bachelor’s and B.Ed. in fine arts. After her graduation, she joins a 2 years residential fellowship as Gandhifellow and worked for children dwelling in the urban slum of Surat. The inception of the ambitious Aspiration District Transformation Program brought a new dimension to her. She joined the program and supported the district administration of Bahraich in improving educational indicators. Later, she brought her experience to Room to Read India trust for improving the learning outcome at scale. She facilitated educational functionaries on children’s literature and foundational literacy as a stride of the new education policy in 2020. She is an avid traveler and like exploring new geography and culture.

Sanjana

Zonal Program Associate, Kalaburagi Division

Santosh Kumari

Field Coordinator, Sirsa

Santosh is from Sirsa, Haryana. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Art from Kurukshetra University in 2020. After that she completed DECE diploma from IGNOU University. She always had a passion for working for children. She finds it incredibly rewarding to be a positive influence in their lives and help them learn and grow. She is very excited about the opportunity in SwaTaleem to contribute to the well-being and development of the children

Saraswati Naik

Zonal Program Manager, Bangalore Division

Saraswati, hailing from the scenic coastal belt of Karnataka, holds a postgraduate degree in Education from Azim Premji University, having transitioned from a background in commerce. With over five years of experience, she has contributed to various projects focused on empowering primary and high school teachers and students, fostering a strong and enduring bond with learners, and supporting their holistic development. Currently, Saraswati is expanding her expertise in early childhood education, driven by her passion for continuous learning and embracing new opportunities. In her personal life, cooking is her favorite way to unwind. She also enjoys traveling and reading, particularly with a like-minded companion. Most of all, she cherishes spending quality time with her beloved toddler.

Savita Kumari

Cluster Lead, Sirsa

Shehnaz Khan

Field coordinator, Mewat

Shehnaz Khan, hailing from Mewat in Haryana, has completed her D.Ed from Al-Falah University, Faridabad, and her Master’s degree from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. She has one year of teaching experience and is known for being hardworking and goal-oriented. In her free time, Shehnaz enjoys writing poetry and cooking.

Shwetha Prabhu

Zonal Program Manager, Mysore Division

Shwetha, hailing from Udupi, Karnataka, completed her bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Sciences in 2018, followed by a Master’s in Public Health in 2024 from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Deemed to be University), Manipal. With four years of experience in clinical settings and academia, where she worked as an Assistant Lecturer, she joined the SwaTaleem Foundation driven by her passion for creating meaningful change in the education sector. Her experience in both clinical and academic roles highlighted the transformative power of education, especially for underprivileged communities. The chance to work on innovative initiatives, such as enhancing socio-emotional learning and language skills for KGBV girls, enables her to make a tangible impact on the lives of young learners. In her leisure time, Shwetha enjoys cooking, dancing, and playing.

Shruti Soudi

Zonal Program Manager, Belagavi Division

Shruti Soudi, a native of Vijayapura, Karnataka, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from SDMCET Dharwad. With five years of experience in the education sector, she is deeply passionate about working with teachers and students. Shruti has worked extensively with students in grades 6 to 10, introducing them to coding concepts and life skills while also facilitating teacher training sessions on integrating technology into teaching practices. She joined the SwaTaleem Foundation to contribute to KGBV schools across Karnataka, focusing on enhancing language skills and making a meaningful impact. In her leisure time, Shruti enjoys reading books, writing poetry, creating paper crafts, listening to music, and traveling.

Suman

Field Coordinator, Palwal

Sushila Devi

Field Coordinator, Mewat

Born in Rathiwas village of Gurugram district of Haryana state, Sushila has done B.A from Government college Sidhrawali. In B.A her subjects were geography and political science. She likes to study and explore political science more, she taught in a private school and run her own play school. She liked to work for marginalized girls in her village itself so that she can bring a huge change by being a role model to them.

Tamanna Ranga

Design and Readiness Lead

Tamanna hails from Haryana and earned a B.Tech degree from NIT Kurukshetra in 2015. Her quest for purpose led Tamanna to pursue the social sector. She enjoys being with children and women and strives to create empathetically supportive and inclusive environments alongside them, especially in marginalized communities. She also loves evolving with arts and crafts, reading books, going for long walks, and having reflective talks.”

Vaibhav Kumar

CEO, Co-founder

Vaibhav, driven by the commitment to equity, has been working at the intersection of development and education since 2013. Having a background in Mechanical engineering (NIT Bhopal & IIT Kanpur) and liberal arts (Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University), he has served as a teacher in a rural school, opened a school in a village, and designed and facilitated at-scale interventions in partnership with state government. He also practices distance running in his free time.