Members
Our Founder Committee Members:
Founder Members
Late Harbans Gill
Founder
With a Master's in Psychology and a special interest in Educational Psychology, she had over 50 years of experience in the field. As a member of several national committees and societies focused on children, especially those with disabilities, she provided invaluable guidance and perspective on work with women. Her leadership was pivotal, holding the organization together through both challenging times and moments of triumph.
Late Shama Nair
Founder
With a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, was a vibrant force and instrumental in establishing the women’s cell at the police station alongside her longtime friend and colleague, Minal Dani. She passionately dedicated herself to organizational responsibilities until her last hour.
Rati Forbes
Founder
Being at the helm of affairs of a corporate organization,
Forbes Marshall, which has upheld social commitments, Mrs. Forbes has
always brought freshness and clarity of thought, a balanced view of
social issues and pragmatic approach toward them.
Minal Dani
Founder
With a Master's in Psychology and Medical Social Work, she specialized in emergency psychiatric social work at Cincinnati University Hospital, USA. She has vast experience in community-based projects and research, collaborating with overseas universities and presenting scientific papers at international conferences. As a treasurer, she looked after finances and audits, prepared project proposals for funding, and maintained a network with individual donors and donor agencies in India and abroad for the past 20 years.
Dr.Neha Pande
Founder
A physiatrist and psychotherapist, has made significant contributions as a resource person while serving as a professor of psychiatry at Sassoon General Hospital, Pune. She has trained the core team in mental health aspects, prepared training modules for community-based services, and developed gender sensitization modules for adolescents. Additionally, she has overseen documentation work, initiated service audits, and restructured assessments.
Ratna Ganpati
Founder
A Senior Manager at the Bank of Maharashtra, has been instrumental in overseeing rural development projects across five districts. She took the initiative to establish a legal aid center for rural women in Taluka Indapur and has been actively involved in empowering women through economic independence.
Dr. Anupama Sen
Founder
An armed forces doctor and alumnus of AFMC Pune, has been practicing paediatrics in the civilian sector for the past 40 years. She is a qualified paediatrician and serves as a resource person for children's health programs, vaccination initiatives, and medical referrals for children. Additionally, she conducts health modules in various communities.
Meera Rajda
Founder
She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and has extensive experience in industrial social work. Building on her background with industry workers, she is also deeply interested in community development work.
Shobha Vohra
Founder
She is a businesswoman with a keen interest in vocational skills and the self-employment of women.
Current Committee Members
Team Members
Our dedicated team consists of professionals from diverse backgrounds including social workers, educators, legal advisors, and psychologists, all committed to the cause of empowerment. The leadership of ASHA is driven by a vision of a just and equitable society where every woman and child can thrive.
Adv. Beroz Bala
ASHA's treasurer
Practicing since 1997 primarily in Pune District Court, Civil Court, Family Court, and before the Joint Charity Commissioner. Worked at ASHA from 1999, advising clients on marital issues, filing and handling matters in the family court. Actively involved in all projects at ASHA, taking major responsibilities alongside colleague Minal Dani, and contributing to training programs for the police and discussions on women-related laws.
Dr. Kalpana Raval
ASHA's secretary
Consultant psychiatrist & psychotherapist practicing independently on
Karve Road and is associated with various branches of Sahyadri
Hospital in Pune. She has 4 years of experience in Geriatric
Psychiatry in Wales, UK. Associated with ASHA since 2008, primarily
involved in assessing and treating psychological disorders at ASHA's
Crises Intervention Cell.
She is also involved in the continued training of Social workers at
ASHA - crisis cell and community project. She supervises and guides
the community workers regarding any psychological issues related to
girls.
Ms. Minal Dani
Founder Committee member
Master in Psychology and Medical Social Work, specializing in emergency psychiatric social work at Cincinnati University Hospital, USA. She has extensive experience in community-based projects, collaborative research with overseas universities, and presenting scientific papers at international conferences. Even after delegating secretary and treasurer responsibilities, she actively supervises daily operations at ASHA's crises cell and guides members on various projects.
Ms. Ratna Ganapathy
Founder Committee member
Senior Manager with bank of Maharashtra, she has also been responsible for rural development projects of the bank in 5 districts. She took initiative for setting up a legal aid centre for the rural women in taluka Indapur; she has been involved with empowerment of women through economic independence.
Ms. Meenal Gokhale
Committee member
She has a BA from Pune University, MSW from Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai. She gained initial work experience in community projects by Nirmala Niketan at Khar Danda Koli village. With 10 years at Bajaj Auto Ltd., Akurdi as a social worker, she initiated the first AA (Alcoholic Anonymous) group in the industrial area. Meenal has been with ASHA for 15 years, serving as Project Coordinator at the Women’s Cell and actively involved in its establishment.
Ms. Yogita Apte
Committee member
Social worker by profession having 24 years of experience. Worked at ASHA from 1999 till 2011 as counselor and then 5 years in CSR at Tata Motors Ltd. Presently working at Persistent Systems Ltd as ‘Lead CSR’, from March 2016. Responsible for project management at 5 locations in India, legal compliance and employee engagement.