Akanksha Education Fund

  • ABOUT AKANKSHA
    • Our Mission
    • Board of Directors
    • Sustained Donors
    • Akanksha Foundation
  • OUR IMPACT
    • Our Giving
    • Schools
    • Students
    • Resources
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Support Akanksha
    • Corporate Partnership Program
    • Fundraising Campaigns
    • Young Professionals Network
    • Visit a School
    • Volunteer at a School
    • More Ways to Help
  • EVENTS
    • 2020 Virtual Event
    • The Akanksha Fund 2019 Gala
    • Akanksha Fund’s 2018 Gala: Educating Children, Empowering Communities
    • Akanksha Fund’s 2017 Gala: The Stories Behind the Numbers
    • Past Events
  • OUR TEAM
  • Donate Today
You are here: Home / Our Team

Our Team

Gouri Sadhwani, Executive Director

Gouri has worked with various civil society organizations focusing on human rights, social justice, education and poverty for over two decades. Prior to joining Akanksha, she served as Deputy Executive Director at Amnesty International USA where she led Amnesty’s work on domestic and international human rights campaigns. She has also worked on labor rights here in the U.S. with the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ and at the global level with the National Labor Committee. She has served as Executive Director of both the New York Civic Participation Project and of the Hague Appeal for Peace. She worked on bringing together environmental and labor public policy as Vice President of Campaigns at the Blue Green Alliance.  She earned her MPA from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. Born and partially raised in India, she joined the Akanksha Fund in 2013 with a desire to contribute to work being done to empower India’s underserved communities.

Chandrima Poddar, Development Officer

Chandrima joins us with over 8 years of work experience in the financial sector. She has performed various roles including project management, corporate finance, strategic consulting and analytics at American Express. Chandrima grew up in India and completed her bachelors and Masters in Mathematics and Economics respectively from the University of Delhi. After which she moved to the US to pursue her second masters at the University of Chicago. Having grown up in India, Chandrima understands the struggles of the underprivileged to access a decent level of education. She has often volunteered her time to teach and work with kids at the underserved schools in Delhi and Manhattan. Her passion for education and dedication brings her to Akanksha. After a successful career at American Express, Chandrima took a break to raise her family. And is now very excited to resume her career with Akanksha.

Fareeda Ehtesham, Donor Officer

Fareeda joined Akanksha after six years in the nonprofit sector working in public health and CSR. She has worked with international aid agencies to effectively engage the private sector on public health issues. Prior to that, she worked with UNDP’s Private Sector Division where she worked on addressing development issues through private sector partnerships and building sustainable value chains. Fareeda has attended school in Saudi Arabia, India and the United States. She holds a Masters of Arts in International Relations from the City College of New York-CUNY and a Bachelors in Commerce (Honours) from Osmania University in India. An Indian at heart, Fareeda believes in the transformative power of education, especially its role in creating equal opportunity for women and girls.

Srigowri Kumar, Communications Manager

Gowri envisions a future where education is equally accessible, meaningful and transformative for all children all over the world. To that end, she has taught at various capacities in India and the US, including an year-long volunteering stint at an Akanksha Foundation after-school center in Pune. Before her foray into the education and development sectors, she worked/interned with various wings of the Indian media, where she contributed features on social issues. She is currently finishing her doctoral studies in English Literature at St. John’s University, Queens. With (and through) Akanksha, she hopes to become a well-rounded advocate for education.

About Akanksha

Established over 23 years ago, the Akanksha Fund supports organizations that focus on reforming India’s education system. Akanksha Fund has raised and granted millions to the Akanksha Foundation, which runs schools and centers for disadvantaged children in Mumbai and Pune.

Akanksha Fund has supported a wide range of Akanksha Foundation schools and projects over the years.  Any donations to the Akanksha Fund not explicitly restricted for a particular project will be utilized for the charitable purposes Akanksha Fund determines are most urgent, which may include support of the Akanksha Foundation’s endowment or corpus to ensure the organization’s long-term stability.

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Contact Us

The Akanksha Fund Inc.
tel: (917) 930-6515
email: info@akankshafund.org

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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

1 month ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

We're so proud to partner with Vivo Life and their fantastic team. 100% of net profits of their Magic Chaga Chai Latte will be donated to the Akanksha Education Fund. Thank you for supporting our mission and children's education in India! ☕️ ... See MoreSee Less

Vivo Life | A Very Special Partnership

vivolife.co.uk

When we launched our MAGIC Chaga Chai latte, we wanted to make sure it was something special, that paid respect to the drink's origins. So, we decided to partner up with the Akanksha Foundation, and w...
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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

2 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

After over 7 years as our Executive Director, Gouri Sadhwani has decided to transition out of her role over the next few months. Under Gouri’s leadership our income increased by over 1000% allowing us to significantly increase grant making towards Akanksha’s 21 schools in India.

We are extremely grateful for her leadership. The Board is searching for our next Executive Director and hope to share an update with you on this soon.

Thank you for your continued support of Akanksha’s work!
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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

2 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

Thank you for supporting Akanksha in this difficult year. But we still need your support in 2021! Please consider making a year-end gift of any amount today: akankshafund.org/2020-holiday-giving/

Thank you for your support and we wish you a bright new year ahead✨
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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

2 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season! Here's to a bright, joyful new year ahead. #happyholidays ... See MoreSee Less

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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

2 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

Did you know that Akanksha has impacted nearly 10,000 students across India? 100% of those students graduate high school and 96% enroll in a junior college.

With your support, we can continue educating these brilliant students. Make a donation today and transform a child's life.
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2020 Holiday Giving

akankshafund.org

2020 Holiday Giving This holiday season, we ask you to make Akanksha part of your annual giving and make a donation below. Your support will help our students pursue their dreams and end the poverty c...
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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

3 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

On this #GivingTuesday, a generous donor has agreed to match all first-time donations to Akanksha. This is the perfect time to DOUBLE the impact of your gift!

All matched donations will go towards the Mahalaxmi Mumbai Public School which serves 300+ students in Kindergarten through grade 7.

Make a donation today and transform a child’s future. Be sure to share this post and tag your friends as well!
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The Mahalaxmi Mumbai School Fund

akankshafund.org

The Mahalaxmi Mumbai School Fund The Mahalaxmi Mumbai Public School was founded in 2012 and now serves 300+ students in Kindergarten through grade 7 in Mumbai’s Breach Candy area. It is one of Akank...
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The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

3 months ago

The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

This #CyberMonday, we're sharing the best deal you can find! For $125, you can provide a tablet to an Akanksha student, so they can continue learning safely at home. Make a donation and give the greatest gift of all: education.

Donate today: bit.ly/39sTflJ
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