Leadership Team

Visionary and Board Members

The leadership team brings together decades of expertise in research, education, gender equity, and community development. Each member carries a deep commitment to rural girls and the communities they belong to, blending academic rigor with grassroots understanding. Together, they ensure Ekakanya’s work stays grounded, innovative, and impactful.

Leadership Team

Dr. Chandana Bhattacharya

 Founder & Director

The Visionary Behind the Movement.
A demographer whose journey spans continents and cultures, Dr. Bhattacharya brings over two decades of experience in research and development. From her work at the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) to her role as a European Assessor at EFQM, Brussels, she combines global expertise with deep local understanding.

Notable Achievements:

  • Doctoral Fellowship recipient from Indian Council of Social Science Research.
  • Published researcher with expertise in adolescent health and community interventions.
  • Doctorate in Demography from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
  • Business Excellence Coordinator at Robert Bosch, Turkey.

Board Members

Dr. Rima Ghosh Patranabish

Gender and Development Chair

Dr. Patranabish represents the perfect blend of academic excellence and grassroots commitment. Her decade-long involvement in community intervention programs has shaped policies and transformed practices across Asia and Africa.

Notable Achievements:

  • Published researcher in international journals.
  • Expertise in gender, sexuality, reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ issues.
  • Research Lead on multiple international development projects.

Mr. N. Balakrishnan

Economic Empowerment Chair

An electrical engineer with a rich experience of over four decades in the industrial sphere, Mr. N. Balakrishnan has been actively involved in the field of philanthropy and community service throughout his career. From a brief stint at L&T, followed by 40 years at Siemens/EPCOS/TDK, ending as the Managing Director of TDK India Private Limited (TIPL).

Notable Achievements:

  • 35+ years of corporate leadership at Siemens and L&T.
  • One of the Founders of Nashik-Run Charitable Trust.
  • Dedicated advocate for women’s education and empowerment.

Grassroots Team

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Ranjeeta Parikh

Project Coordinator

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Sunita Sharma

Assistant Coordinator

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Rachna Bairwa

Assistant Coordinator

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Pavan Singh

Computer Trainer

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Deepak Sharma

Computer Trainer