Nayana Chowdhury

Growing up as the middle of three sisters in a colony of factory workers in an eastern state of India, I dreamt of a world where all children grow to their full potential, irrespective of gender, order of birth, and family's wealth. It is, therefore, no wonder that I grew up to be a human who lives by the values of equality and justice. A strong believer in collaborative leadership, I find joy in nurturing leaders. I have always worn my work titles lightly, be it as Programme Officers in some of the biggest philanthropies in India and internationally, such as Tata Trusts and IKEA Foundation, or the head of the organisation. I keep humor handy, while tackling the many challenges of work and life. My passion is to foster meaningful participation by translating technical lingo into common everyday language. I love delving into complex social issues and believe that a good connection between the head and the heart brings real change. My dream of seeing every person achieving their full potential keeps me motivated even after 25 years in the social sector.