Meet the ARCHers

A Master’s Degree holder in Entrepreneurial and Family Business Operations, Nishant has spent formidable years as Director of Soyventis India and South East Asia.
Presently as Director of ARCH Development Foundation, he brings his vast experience and business acumen in management, sales, and operations of ARCH. He envisions future business development and focuses on organization building, managing large teams, and business delivery. His commercial and professional outlook has kept ARCH the preferred corporate C.S.R. management firm for all its clients.

A certified Social Auditor, Sonkee is an experienced Professional Development Consultant with more than 20 years of industry experience. She is an expert in writing social accounts, SROI, and conducting 360-degree impact assessment studies based on multi-stakeholder feedback.
Sonkee Shah currently holds the position of C.E.O. at ARCH Development Foundation and has a prime focus on strategic planning & implementing comprehensive development programs, targeted particularly for health, education, and livelihood. Sonkee strongly believes in sustainability & inclusive growth. With a vast knowledge of Development and C.S.R. projects, her forte lies in design, planning, execution, & monitoring self-sustaining strategic programs at the grass-root level. Sonkee approaches her work with passion and an eye for innovation and value addition.
Sonkee has also been bestowed with the 'Gujarat Leadership Award' by C.M.O. Asia to contribute to the sector.

A Master’s Degree holder in Entrepreneurial and Family Business Operations, Nishant has spent formidable years as Director of Soyventis India and South East Asia.
Presently as Director of ARCH Development Foundation, he brings his vast experience and business acumen in management, sales, and operations of ARCH. He envisions future business development and focuses on organization building, managing large teams, and business delivery. His commercial and professional outlook has kept ARCH the preferred corporate C.S.R. management firm for all its clients.

With an M.Com and M.S.W. from M.S.U., Baroda, Ms. Hema Mehta is the Director of ARCH Development Foundation. She is apt to handle day-to-day activities in coordination with dealers, customers, and organizational departments for smooth business operations and has strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Further, she is committed to her passion for empowering women by developing entrepreneurship among women in the lower and lesser privileged sections of society.

Dr.K.K.Upadhyay's a widely respected and seasoned development professional with over 39 plus years of experience across government, not-for-profits, academia, and corporate. He has pioneered several innovative and outstanding social enterprises - Safal, Aapni Yojana, Bastar Integrated Development Program, and Health of the Urban Poor. An alumnus of GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology and Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), Dr. Upadhyay has been a pivotal part of the C.S.R. journey in India as a thought leader, practitioner, and former head of the FICCI Aditya Birla C.S.R. Centre for Excellence.
At present, Professor K.K.Upadhyay is the Chairperson Centre for Sustainability and CSR BIMTECH. In recognition of his humanitarian efforts' positive impact on society, Dr. Upadhyay has been bestowed with many awards and accolades, including titles like Sterling 25 (C.S.R. Times) Thought Leader, C.S.R. Leader of India, Mahatma, and the C.S.R. Trainer of the Year 2020.

Paneesh Rao is a senior leader with more than three decades of experience in managing human resources across industries and geographies. In his current role, he drives Mindtree’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) commitment, vital to the company’s vision of balancing growth and sustainability in building long-term stakeholder value, including for the society at large.

Prior to his current role, Paneesh was the company’s Chief People Officer and also led the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. His human resources experience spans strategy, career development, organization development, compensation and benefits, M&A and CSR. Earlier, he led the global HR function at L&T Technology Services and was the HR leader for Atos India and the Middle East.

Paneesh holds a master’s degree in Personnel Management from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune.

An Industrial Psychologist and M.M.S. from K J Somaiya, Mumbai Kalpana has done her Ph.D. under Dr. Urmi Nanda Biswas. She runs an HR consultancy firm – Abacus Learning and conducts training in Behavioural Sciences. She is an accredited Belbin Team Roles facilitator and also a licensed 16 PF Tester from OPP, UK. She has also been certified in US as anEducational Games Designer by the Thiagi Group Inc. Her industry experience includes working with Larsen & Toubro Limited at Powai Works. She is also a visiting faculty at Faculty of Social Work, Faculty of Management Studies and Faculty of Education and Psychology of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda(MSU).

With years of rich experience with the Government of Gujarat, I. A Vohra, M.S.W., and L.L.B., retired as a joint secretary of the Health and Family Welfare department in Gandhinagar. Having worked as Deputy Collector of Vadodara, Director of DRDA, and district Development officer of Valsad, he has graced many boards of government corporations as M.D. and consultant. Passionate about Rural Development and Human Resource Management, he is committed to doing more and better work in this field.

A Corporate and Brand Communications Professional with over 23 years of wide-ranging experience in leading and driving Corporate Communications, Marketing Communications, Strategy and change communications, Brand Management, Product Communications, Crisis Communications, Stakeholder Relations including Investor Relations, Corporate Affairs, Circular Economy and Sustainability, CSR agenda across multiple industrial and consumer segments. In his career span, he has been associated with many reputed organizations like Tata Chemicals, Mahanagar Gas, Covestro, AKAI, PCS, Hindware among others.

In the last assignment as the Head of Communications India Subcontinent at leading MNC in India, was responsible for defining and leading the Corporate Communications, Marketing Communications, Sustainability & CSR as well as Advocacy and Government Affairs strategies for India Subcontinent. This included building a distinct corporate image of the carved-out entity and brand leadership in the region as well as safeguarding the reputation in case of a crisis scenario.

Chintan believes in participative leadership approach and believes in helping the team as well as the organization to realize their potential to the fullest and in turn, it will benefit the entire ecosystem. Being raised in a culture that recognizes different viewpoints and appreciates approaches of mutual respect – have been able to inculcate the same approach on the professional front as well and it has also helped him to build lasting relations for organizational objectives. While leadership qualities are a subject we keep on learning whole life, the concept of ‘Unbossing’ is the way of the future and Chintan is a student of that philosophy.

Jignesh is a passionate arts activist who uses his skills as a filmmaker, actor, writer, director, photographer, theatre trainer, and advocates for social change. He has been involved with Darpana for Development –the development arm of the prestigious Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, since 2006. Jignesh specializes in training youth in theatre and performance techniques using the medium of street plays to cover social issues like creating awareness on health, woman empowerment, girl education, human rights, to name a few. Jignesh has worked closely with UNICEF, W.W.F., John Hopkins University Centre for Communication Program (Bloomberg), USAID, Futures Group International, Public Health Foundation of India, Health Department of Jharkhand, and other government departments of India. He shows a deep commitment to finding creative mediums to augment social change at ARCH.

Ms. Deepa Goyal is a postgraduate in English and Economics. A passionate academician with more than 18 years of experience working with Government and Private schools. As part of her contribution to society, she has conducted numerous training programs on self-development for children from the less privileged section. She is a certified Memory techniques trainer and a Certified N.L.P. practitioner providing training on memory techniques to school children and teachers. She also conducts counseling sessions to address psychological issues.

A teacher more by passion than a profession, Shamita has changed the rule book of being an educator by her unique techniques, indulgent attitude, and dynamic persona. She believes that teaching is not about clearing difficulties and complexities but making concepts enjoyable and straightforward. With an M.A. in Maths and PGDCA, she heads WISKRAFTERS, Delhi, an institute dedicated to grooming leaders of tomorrow. At Arch Foundation, she provides her expertise in conducting training and learning camps among students and teachers in the beneficiary schools in the Delhi area.

Dr. Nazish Campwala, Post Graduate in Social Work from College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai. She has a knack for writing and is engaged in Freelance Consultancies for academic and non-academic research projects and documentation.
She has assisted many firms like Development Support Centre (Ahmedabad), Rizwan Adatia Foundation (Ahmedabad), The Blue Bird Foundation (Vadodara), TISS CSR Hub (Mumbai), Department of Psychology, the M. S. University of Baroda, ARCH Foundation (Vadodara) and many other private clients in their various research-based documentation work. She is currently holding the position of Research Officer under the UNICEF Project, Faculty of Social Work, Vadodara.
Her expertise lies in academic articles, secondary source writing, research-based community organization, socio-economic trends and analysis of communities, research, rural development, and documentation.

Jayshree has a vast experience of 29 years in different areas. She has spent 21 years as a teacher in her initial professional period. In her role at CRC, she has worked with Government schools for the past nine years.
Her work included training the teachers on curriculum-based activities, methodology, monitoring the work. Till now, she has trained around 700 teachers at the Taluka level. Along with carrying her professional career, Ms. Jayshree is a certified Yoga trainer & pursued her course in Yoga Education from IITE, Gandhinagar. Currently, she also provides training on Yoga to others.

Tarun Parmar holds experience of more than 7+ years in teaching Vedic Maths to students. He is the founder of the Institute of Vedic Mathematics located in Vadodara & has trained more than 250 students from schools and colleges in various cities. He is also a faculty of Quant & Advanced Maths.

Rahul Dasondi is an expert career counselor & is the founder of Career Achievers 360 based in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He holds expertise in catering counselling needs of students, parents & working professionals.
Mr. Rahul works with students to guide & mentor them through various online/offline sessions and workshops. He focuses on bridging the gap between decision making & deciding suitable career options.

Kalpesh Patel is an experienced Project Management Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. He has dedicated around 12 years of his expertise in this sector. During his tenure in the development sector, he has worked in different profiles with organizations like UNICEF, C.E.E., etc.
Kalpesh has worked in different projects under C.E.E. dedicated to sanitation, hygiene, educational technology, etc. He was also associated with UNICEF for WASH Project in Chhota Udaipur District. He also holds several professional degrees in computer languages like PGDCA, CCNA, C.I.C. & B.A. in Gujarati.
Kalpesh has strong & prosperous skills in research, project management, computer hardware, teamwork & leadership. He has been associated with ARCH Development Foundation for the last four years, where he has been handling several projects under the education vertical as a Program Manager.

Ms. Kanika Salat has a demonstrated experience of 8 years of working in the social development sector. During her initial professional life, she has addressed issues on violence against women, more specifically towards domestic violence & human trafficking. She has delivered talks in colleges, organizations, N.G.O.s in similar matters. Kanika also holds experience as a Counselor for Cancer & HIV/AIDS patients. She has been associated with organizations like Saarthi (Mumbai), Cancer Aid Society (Mumbai), GVK EMRS 181 Abhayam Women’s Helpline (Vadodara), Perarna Anti-Human Trafficking Organization (Mumbai). Despite all these, she remains keen to explore opportunities to carve out the niche for personal & professional learning. 
Academically, she has done her Masters in Social Work from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi & B.A. in Economics & Hindi Literature from Sophia College for Women, Mumbai. Kanika Salat has been associated with ARCH Development Foundation for the last two years as a Senior Executive, looking after the H.R. & communications department. Simultaneously, she is also associated with different projects of ARCH as a support team member.

Hardik Pandya has pursued a degree in Civil Engineering and graduated in Sociology. Hardik's strength lies in leadership and team management.
He has expertise in planning and execution of projects & problem-solving.
Hardik has a good balance of 3H- Head (the ability to think), Heart (the ability to empathize and the Hand(the ability to do). Hardik is a noble development sector person with almost 11 years of productive experience spent working with suitable organizations and the government sector.
Currently, he is working with ARCH as Sr. Coordinator. He handles various projects as a senior team member under the verticals – Livelihood and Education at different locations. He is currently managing 12 people from the project execution site.

Ms. Sneha has an experience of 3 years of working in the development sector. Starting her career with Lupin Ltd. under their CSR umbrella, she contributed her skills & knowledge towards women empowerment, health, education & research management. While pursuing her Masters in Social Work from S.P.University, she had an opportunity to work with organizations & companies like Baroda Citizens Council, Friends Society & Transpek Industries Ltd.
Ms. Bhatt holds the position of project associate at ARCH Development Foundation and is supporting the organization with her skills & knowledge in the educational projects operated in rural schools

Ms. Azra Attarwala is an avid & qualified CSR professional with around 2 years of experience in CSR sector. Academically, she has done her Masters of Social Work from recognized M.S. University.
With an experience of corporate communications & CSR Executive at Go Dharmic Welfare Foundation, Ms. Azra is currently leading as CSR Executive at ARCH Development Foundation where she supports in initiating & building CSR partnerships for the organization.

Ms. Veena Jadav started her contribution in the development sector around 17 years back in 2004 through Behavioural Science Centre in Kutch as a Development Organizer. From then on, Ms. Veena has worked in several organizations like Anandi, Aga Khan Organization, Bawla Nishvarth Children Foundation & SWATI at different designations.
During these years, she had dedicated her skills & knowledge to address the issues related to health, finance & other problems faced by women & children in the rural areas. She holds a deep understanding & expertise in microfinance management & related fieldwork. Ms. Veena Jadav holds a bachelor's degree in social work. She handles projects under the vertical – Livelihood focusing on forming S.H.G.s, skill development, and other components aligning with women empowerment.

Chandresh Rathod has worked as a social worker for the last 11 years in different posts in national and international organizations associated with social development, rural development, as well as training government school teachers. In DGN SKILL AND MANAGEMENT PVT LTD, he worked as a Training Faculty cum Centre Head under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). He was training people from different areas of Rajkot city under PMKVY; the task of keeping a record of all the documents came under his purview.  Chandresh is a part of the core team of ARCH and holds the position of Project Co-Ordinator under Pahel Project in Rajkot. He provides overall operational support to the programmatic activities, coordination & collaboration with the local community agencies, health centers, government, and N.G.O.s to strengthen the program's implementation. He holds good skills in fieldwork, communication, coordination, and team management.