Meet Team Badlaav
Skim the faces below, or scroll on for every team member's full story — community mobilisers, educators and changemakers driving sustained impact across India.
Radhika Dhingra
Radhika is an environmentalist who is passionate about creating impact. She graduated in Environmental Sciences from Germany and decided to return home to work where she felt the need for change was stronger. Radhika is passionate about creating environmental impact while supporting social change. She believes that education can do wonders and wants to utilise the tool in uplifting the societies. Radhika loves reading and traveling. She holds keen interest in social issues and likes to discuss different topics and issues with her friends, which gives her an opportunity to learn and unlearn. She takes keen interest in politics as she feels it can provide an opportunity to create greater impact.
Rosalie Shrestha
Rosalie is an Environmental Sciences graduate, and is a forever student of Ecology. Having been exposed to both the "developed and the developing world", she decided to help create Badlaav, in an attempt to do her part in helping the world be a better place. Rosalie is interested in a variety of topics, and could have a conversation about almost anything under the sun. A true Jack of all trades, she is interested in content creation, technology, gaming; and loves reading, music, and is a hobby baker.
Namita Bhave
Namita is from Mumbai and has a Post Graduate in Development Management. She is a Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Badlaav SRF. Her responsibilities include conducting awareness sessions in schools, communities and corporate offices. She is also the creator of "Ata Tuzi Pali" - a one of a kind educational boardgame on MHM. Namita is a person with a strong value base. many of which she shares with Badlaav. She is deeply passionate about health and environmental issues, she believes that change begins with awareness, conversations, and individual action. While she feels that no single person can transform society alone, she strongly believes in speaking up about social issues and contributing meaningfully in whatever ways possible. Outside of Badlaav, Namita finds joy in gardening and bird watching and has identified more than 150 species of birds so far.
Nilam Gaikwad
Nilam is working as a Project Lead focusing on on-ground operations in Pune. She is closely involved with Project SAKSHAM and the Community Mobilisation Model. Her responsibilities include monitoring 10 slum-communities in Pune and leads the community mobilizers effectively. Nilam is passionate about her work at Badlaav, since she wants to actively fight the misunderstandings around menstruation. She is an active part of the change and works daily to fight the stigma and eliminate period poverty. In her free time, Nilam writes plays, goes on long walks in nature and loves dancing to bollywood songs.
Akshada Kinhale
Akshada works as a Nurse with under Project Swasthya Sakhi. She believes that change begins with improving people’s health and creating greater awareness within communities. She is especially passionate about women’s health and menstrual awareness, and hopes to contribute towards better healthcare access and informed health choices for all. Through her work, she strives to create supportive and approachable spaces where people can seek care without hesitation. Outside of work, Akshada enjoys travelling and spending quality time with her family, experiences that keep her grounded and connected.
Rajshri Ashish Tiwari
She works as a Community Mobiliser with Badlaav Social Reform Foundation and is based on Tadiwala Road in Pune. For Rajshri, self-improvement means contributing towards the progress of society and growing alongside the community. She strongly believes that education is one of the most important tools for change, as it has the power to transform the way people think and live. Through her work, she hopes to build a society rooted in equality, where everyone has fair opportunities to grow and move forward. In her free time, Rajshri enjoys reading and exploring new places, experiences that continue to shape her perspective and learning.
Ashwini Lokhande
Ashwini is our Community Mobiliser in the rural area of Waghalwadi in Baramati. She has completed her education up to S.Y.B.A. A mother of two, she is balancing her work with her home duties. Ashwini loves art, crafts, playing games with children and singing songs. Her ever smiling face never fails to brightens any room she enters.
Annapurna Deshmukh
Annapurna tai has been active in Janta Vasahat community in Pune since early 2024. She enjoys learning and teaching in equal measure, and has always been keen to understand the concerns of teenagers and to offer suggestions and solutions to them for the same. She shares that the name "Badlaav" itself carries the strength to change, a gift she received after she started working with us. She had never had the confidence to speak up and share her thoughts in front of people earlier. She is convinced that just the way it took time for India to gain independence, the issue of sanitary waste segregation might take time but it is very much possible, and we will have to set up measures in the meantime to make this happen.
Nikita Dhavane
Nikita, the youngest member of our team, is making a significant impact as a community mobilizer in Minabai Thackeray Colony, Maharshi Nagar, Pune, where she actively raises awareness about menstrual hygiene management. A former national-level wrestler, she balances her studies with her work to support her family, showcasing her resilience and determination. With a passion for travel and a courageous spirit, Nikita embodies the drive to uplift her community while pursuing her personal and professional aspirations.
Rajshri Deepak Nikalje
She works as a Community Mobiliser with Badlaav SRF in Kasturba and Indira Vasahat of Aundh, Pune. For Rajshri, change means courage — the courage to speak up, grow, and create a better environment for others. She is passionate about issues related to community well-being and believes in building a cleaner society with stronger, empowered women. Through her work, she hopes to inspire confidence and awareness among the people around her. Outside of Badlaav, Rajshri enjoys travelling and exploring places freely, something that brings her joy and a sense of independence.
Pallavi Kamble
Pallavi has been working as a Community Mobiliser with Badlaav Social Reform Foundation for the past year and is based in Laxminagar, Yerwada, Pune. For Pallavi, change means creating positive improvement in society through awareness and open conversations. She is deeply passionate about education, women’s empowerment, environmental protection, and menstrual awareness — issues she believes are increasingly important in today’s world. Through her work, she hopes to encourage cleanliness, awareness, and safe spaces where women can openly speak about the challenges they face, especially around menstruation and health. She also believes in empowering mothers and daughters to have honest conversations without shame or hesitation. Outside of her work, Pallavi enjoys travelling, exploring new places, and spending peaceful time by the beach.
Ashwini Yadav
Ashwini is a Community Mobiliser and is based in Koregaon Park, Pune. For Ashwini, change means becoming independent and creating an identity of one’s own. She believes that awareness around the environment, education, and social issues is equally important for building a better society. Through her work, she hopes to encourage women to become self-reliant, confident, and capable of standing up for themselves. Ashwini is passionate about creating positive change through conversations, awareness, and community support.
Anusha Kapoor
Anusha is from New Delhi, India. With an undergraduate degree in Economics, she currently works as a Climate and Sustainability Consulting Analyst at Deloitte India. Anusha volunteers as a Project Assistant at Badlaav, focusing on communication, outreach, strategic planning, and fundraising efforts. Since joining Badlaav in 2020, Anusha has been deeply involved in developing Project SAKSHAM. "Working alongside a team of passionate change-makers within Badlaav has been immensely inspiring, continually fueling my dedication to creating tangible impact in India's communities," she notes. Outside of work, her passions include music and writing, and she's excited to explore scuba diving as a new hobby!