Our Board

Dr Lakshmi Lingam is a well-known women’s studies researcher, gender expert, teacher, researcher, administrator and trainer. She is Chair Professor at the School of Public Health, D. Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai, since January 2024. Before this, Dr Lingam was the Dean & Professor at the School of Media and Cultural Studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). She held several academic and administrative positions at TISS and is on the governing boards of reputed Indian universities and women’s organisations. In her professional capacity, Dr Lingam has consulted for UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women, World Bank, DFID and Action Aid. She has many years of research experience and publications on gender issues.

Vijay Parmar has been instrumental in designing and setting up numerous people’s organizations, women’s savings and credit cooperatives, CBOs and NGOs, for several decades; first as Director of the Behavioural Science Centre and, since 2000, with Janvikas and its Human & Institutional Development Resource Centre (HIDRC). He took over as CEO of Janvikas in 2007 and, over the years, played a key role in strengthening its institutional field across the country. With degrees in both law and management, Vijay continues to support a large number of people’s organisations, CBOs and NGOs working on human rights for the underprivileged, against caste, communal and ethnic discrimination; empowering youth through livelihood initiatives and strengthening governance systems of small NGOs. Currently he is Managing Trustee of Janvikas.

Sachin joined KMVS as a board member in 2018, bringing decades of experience in rural development, education, and public health. Previously, he was with the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, where he led grant-making efforts under the health portfolio. In 1997, he established Aravali, a development support organisation for the Government of Rajasthan, serving as its Executive Director for over nine years across two terms (1997–2003 and 2007–2008). From 2003 to 2005, Sachin worked in Afghanistan with the Aga Khan Foundation, contributing to development initiatives in the region. He is also the founder of Gramin Shiksha Kendra, an organisation dedicated to education and community development in Rajasthan. Sachin holds a degree from the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) and remains deeply committed to fostering social change through grassroots initiatives.

Tasneem joined KMVS as a board member in 2023. With over 28 years of experience in mental health, social change, and human development, she has led large-scale programmes across India, working with philanthropies, government agencies, and non-profits to create meaningful impact. As the Lead for Mental Health at Tata Trusts, she played a key role in designing and expanding innovative programmes in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Earlier in her career, she worked as a clinician, supporting individuals dealing with addiction and HIV/AIDS. Tasneem holds a PhD in Health Sciences from Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick.

Mohanba Padhiyar has been a dedicated member of Saiyere Jo Sangathan, a KMVS-promoted collective working in the western Kutch regions of Nakhatrana, Abdasa, and Lakhpat blocks. She has been associated with the sangathan for over two decades and, on the KMVS governing board, she represents the concerns of women of western Kutch. Mohanba has extensive experience in forming SHGs (self-help groups) and leading leadership-building processes. Her focus on grassroots development and women’s empowerment includes work on natural resource management.

Hansa Solanki represents the Sakhi Sangini Sangathan on the KMVS board. Hailing from the Devipoojak community, she has been instrumental in addressing the needs of her community, facilitating the construction of household infrastructure, and developing her own leadership skills in the process. Hansa is a trained paralegal, working against gender-based violence, providing legal support and guidance to women in need, and a committed advocate for women’s rights and entitlements.

Kruti Laheru joined KMVS in 2010. Originally from Ahmedabad, Kruti took the long road to Kutch, acquiring a B.E. (Engineering with computers specialisation) degree in Nadiad and a P.G. Diploma in social entrepreneurship in Gandhinagar, enroute. A brief stint with Ganatar, an NGO in Patan District, working with children of salt pan workers, was her first brush with egregious social and gender inequality. This experience was formative, inching her closer to her eventual destination – KMVS and gender empowerment work. By 2012 Kruti was leading a new KMVS initiative - using ICT (Information and Communications Technology) to empower women panchayat members. The ‘techie’ in her kicked in; for a heady three years she trained 50 women sarpanches through ICT. Then, when KMVS’ work on violence and women’s safety expanded in 2016 into work with youth, Kruti found her enduring passion – nurturing and leading the youth programme, Yuvavani, towards gender transformative education for a new generation. Since 2018, she has been part of KMVS’ three member core management team, and in July 2025, was appointed Executive Secretary.