The People Behind the Impact
Meet the passionate leaders, professionals, and field workers who work together to create safer, healthier, and more empowered communities.
The People Behind the Impact
Meet the passionate leaders, professionals, and field workers who work together to create safer, healthier, and more empowered communities.
Meet Our Team
Meet the dedicated people working together to create meaningful and sustainable impact across communities.
Our Founder
Adv. Ashok Pawar
LLB, LLM, MSW, MBA
Founder and Chief Executive of SEVA, leading the organisation's work in disaster management, financial literacy and community development since 2008.
Ashok Pawar is the Founder and Chief Executive of SEVA,
a pioneering NGO working in disaster management and
financial literacy since 2008. Under his leadership,
the organization has grown from a small team of two to
65 professionals, raising over $170,000 (INR 1 crore)
for disaster management efforts.
Ashok holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts (BA), a Law
degree, and postgraduate qualifications in Social Work
and Human Rights. He is currently pursuing a Post
Graduate Program in Development Management (PGPDM)
from SP Jain Institute, Mumbai.
Coming from a farming family, he has balanced
entrepreneurial ventures with a deep commitment to
social change, having invested over 6,000 hours in the
voluntary sector. Before founding SEVA, he worked with
various national and international NGOs in New Delhi.
He serves as a Director on the Board of Mitra Sanghatan
and advises on strategies and programs. His work has
been recognised through prestigious awards, including
the Human Rights Champion Award in 2015 and 2016.
Ashok was also an international fellow at the 5th Asia
Pacific Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health &
Rights in Beijing, China (2009). His diverse experiences
include being a Youth for Development intern in rural
Odisha, a UnLtd India Fellow (2012), and a delegate at
the International Youth Conference in Sri Lanka (2014).
In addition to his leadership at SEVA, Ashok is a State
Coordinator for Youth for Human Rights India
(Maharashtra) since 2016, a resource person for SEBI,
IICA, and NCFE, and a consultant for the Kailash
Satyarthi Children's Foundation in Thane district.
Our Senior Team
Mr. Rameshwar Bhale
With over 15 years of experience in Child Protection,
Child Education, Child Health, and Migrant Workers'
issues, Mr. Rameshwar Bhale began his career as a field
volunteer in 2011.
He is an experienced trainer on the Juvenile Justice Act,
2015, POCSO Act, 2012, Child Rights, and Child Labour
Laws, and regularly conducts capacity-building and
awareness sessions for stakeholders and communities.
He has worked closely with key government stakeholders,
including the Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway
Protection Force (RPF), Women and Child Development
Department, Labour Department, and Child Welfare
Committee (CWC).
He is also a member of the
Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), Thane
,
and a member of the Food and Hygiene Jail Committee,
Thane. Since 2016, he has undertaken team leadership
and management responsibilities, contributing to the
effective implementation and coordination of various
child protection and social development programs.
Mr. Vaibhav Gaikwad
Mr. Vaibhav Gaikwad brings eight years of experience
in counselling, Child Protection, and Child Education.
He has worked closely with the Railway Department
during his tenure with Childline, playing a key role in
supporting vulnerable children.
Vaibhav also served as a counsellor at a de-addiction
centre, helping to transform the lives of children by
guiding them toward a brighter future.
Ms. Poonam Dhotre
She has 14 years of experience in the development sector.
She expertise in accounts and finance for smooth accounting
of an organization.
She has a good knowledge in maintaining books of accounts,
compliance, policies, donor management etc. She brings a
good system for transparent accounting.
Rachana Badgujar
Rachana leads SEVA's digital presence by creating
meaningful content that raises awareness, inspires
volunteers, and connects supporters with our mission.
She manages social media strategy, storytelling, and
campaigns that amplify the impact of SEVA's work
across communities.
Our Field Team
Ms. Nikita Tamhankar
Ms. Rohini Chaudhari
Ms. Dipali Pawar
Ms. Pooja Dhamke
Ms. Priyanka Jondhale
Mr. Nilesh Boke
Mr. Prshant Pujari
Mr. Rahil Shaikh
Ms. Yojana Manjalkar
Ms. Sanika Naik
Ms. Vaibhavi Sapkal
