Our Team

Ms. Villoo Mirza

Chairperson

Ms. Villoo Mirza is a graduate from M.S. University, Vadodara from Fine Arts Faculty, and a post-graduate from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

She has over 34 years of experience in the field of Handicrafts, with a keen interest in history of art and culture.

She has worked as a Chief Designer and Production Coordinator for 12 years with State Government Corporation, Government of Gujarat in textiles and handicrafts sector, for facilitating artisans to compete with the contemporary markets with design and material innovations.

She established the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Gandhinagar, Gujarat and built up a Research and Development section to explore the technological part of apparel industry and jewellery design. She also served as a director of the institute for 6 years.

She joined as a Strategic Consultant in SEWA Trade Facilitation Centre to set up a supply chain with the grassroots level rural and urban artisans, and to create a brand to reach the global market.

With her background of creativity, she has served for 30 years as a team leader, an institutional head, and fellow team leader to raise an organization. Acquiring administrative skills and human resource management through her work has given her the ability to deal and coordinate with grassroots level producers’ groups, academicians, creative personnel, and bureaucrats. In the area of textiles surface ornamentation, folk crafts and culture, she has witnessed the evolving patterns and have contributed tremendously in each of their respected areas.

In January 2013, she founded Design Deals, a design studio to serve designers and skilled artisans from all over Gujarat, with an aim to promote ethical and sustainable fashion. The company also serves as a platform for emerging students to carry out client-based short-term and long-term projects.

Ms. Jabeen Jambughodawala

Founder & Managing Trustee

Ms. Jabeen Jambughodawala graduated in Accounts and Management from Gujarat University in 1986, and acquired her Post Graduate Degree in Rural Management from Reading University in 2000. Thereafter, she pursued her training in Business Counselling from UK and Germany in 2007. She did her Social Entrepreneurship from Santa Clara University, USA in 2009.From 1989 to 2001, she worked with N. M. Sadguru Water and Development Foundation, heading the women’s off-farm income generation programme.

Her core competencies are Management, Trainings, Capacity Building of communities & organizations, Business Counselling and Designing.

She is also an appointed member of the Vigilance Committee of Dahod District as a representative of NGOs, as well as a member of Adarsh Gram Samiti (MP-adopted village committee).

She is passionate about working in her hometown – Dahod, Gujarat. She constantly provides requisite direction and guidance to the organization. Her underlying vision and tenets focus on social responsibility, quality and equity to build a better society.

Mr. Vijay Jani

Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Vijay Jani graduated in Commerce from Bombay University in 1980. He has over 40 years of experience serving in the social sector. His work began with the Jayprakash Movement in 1978, and has since worked with Tribal, OBC, Dalits and other marginalized communities. He has a deep understanding of development issues at Micro-to-Macro level.

While still studying, he joined the social movement as a full-time worker of Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Vahini, an organisation founded by Lok Nayak Jayprakash Narayan.

He has worked in Mumbai slums and tribal villages of Thane district. He was the member of the National Council of the organisation.

He later shifted to Gujarat and continued his work for social change with various NGOs. He worked on various social issues such as Health, Livelihood and Development with the communities.

He has also worked with a corporate house – Vivante Pure Foods Pvt. Ltd. – in the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) wing as a Project Manager, working closely with the rural communities for livelihood programmes; while also providing information on Agriculture & Dairy reaching out to 200 villages.

Apart from his contribution in the social sector, he has also worked as an Editor of Aapnu Swasthya – a Health Magazine, and a Joint Editor of Heet Rakshak – a magazine on Economics & Farmers’ issues.

He has expertise in Training & Capacity Building, Micro-Finance, Livelihood & NRM, and Governance, Management & Administration in setting-up & development of grassroots-based community organisations.

Chairperson

Ms. Villoo
Mirza

Designer (NID), Ahmedabad

Ms. Villoo Mirza is a graduate from M.S. University, Vadodara from Fine Arts Faculty, and a post-graduate from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

Managing Trustee

Ms. Jabeen Jambughodawala

Social Entrepreneur, Dahod

Ms. Jabeen Jambughodawala graduated in Accounts and Management from Gujarat University in 1986, and acquired her Post Graduate Degree in Rural Management from Reading University in 2000.

Vice Chairperson

Mr. Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi (IFS)

Ahmedabad

Mr. Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi is an IFS and working with the Government Of Gujarat. He has interest as well as experience in the craft sector. He is also an expert in Administration and Management.

Trustee

Mr. Arun Kumar Sutaria (IAS)

Gandhinagar

Mr. Arun Kumar Sutaria is an IAS (Retd.) who has served in various government departments and has a long career in the Government Of Gujarat. At present, he is managing an educational institute.

Trustee

Ms. Rukaiya
Joshi

Sr. Professor, S P Jain, Mumbai

Ms. Rukaiya Joshi is working with SPJIMR, Mumbai as a senior faculty. She has a lot of experience in Education as well as in Management, Evaluation &
Monitoring of social projects.

Ms. Jabeen Jambughodawala

Ms. Jabeen Jambughodawala graduated in Accounts and Management from Gujarat University in 1986, and acquired her Post Graduate Degree in Rural Management from Reading University in 2000.

Mr. Vijay Jani

Mr. Vijay Jani graduated in Commerce from Bombay University in 1980. He has over 40 years of experience serving in the social sector. His work began with the Jayprakash Movement in 1978, and has since worked with Tribal, OBC, Dalits and other marginalized communities.

Dr. Ashvin Shukla

A dedicated medical practitioner, having knowledge of religion and culture. He is working with tribal communities for social activities in health and tribal welfare in villages of Dahod District.

Mr. Nilamkumar Amin

A well-known businessman has a high interest in environmental issues and works for social activities. He is having wonderful managerial skills and serving in a few other institutes in Dahod.

Mr. Dharmendra Khatri

A welknown businessman of Dahod and nature lover. He is working with very high dedication for environmental issues. He initiated plantation to create small forest in Dahod city. He is also animal rescuer and wildlife warden for Dahod Dis Government of Gujarat.

Dr. Krutarth Joshi

A young educationalist, heading one of the reputed schools of Dahod. He is known for his innovative skills teaching. He won many awards for his fantastic contribution to education.

Mr. Snehal Dhariya

A social activist working on tribal issues for more than three decades. He is having wonderful knowledge of forests, wildlife, and the Local culture of tribal areas. He is a “Green Ambassador” of the Government of Gujarat.

Dhruti Mankodi

Postgraduate in Child Development from M.S. Univ of Baroda
Worked with msu as a lecturer n later with Unicef Gujarat aa Consultant(Education and Early childhood)
Management trainer
Certified Counsellor
Folk Singer
Currently CEO of her family’s Pvt Ltd Company at VadodaraDhruti Mankodi:A brief profile
Postgraduate in Child Development from M.S. Univ of Baroda
Worked with msu as a lecturer n later with Unicef Gujarat aa Consultant(Education and Early childhood)
Management trainer
Certified Counsellor
Folk Singer
Currently CEO of her family’s Pvt Ltd Company at Vadodara

Ketan Shah

An Gold medalist architect from The M.S. University practicing at Vadodara having 22year of vast experience in the field of Architecture, Interior & Landscape projects. Having keen interest in
sustainable architecture, more specifically in rain water harvesting. Working with many organizations like
1) Engineering Sewa Trust-for need of Rainwater harvesting and other engineering expertise.
2) Tree Louvers foundation
3) KAA Foundation -our Alumni body,
4) IIA (Indian Institute of Architects)Vadodara centre,
5) JCI,Baroda and may more..
keen interest in rural upliftment through craft
& design particularly in woman empowerment segment…