Our Team
Mayura Samal
CENTER DIRECTOR
With a rich background in education, mental health counselling, and operational management, Mayura Samal serves as the Centre Director at Saamarthya Foundation. Holding masters degrees in Economics and Counselling Psychotherapy, along with diplomas in Teachers Training and Child & Adolescent Psychology, Mayura combines her expertise to lead the centre with a holistic approach. Her commitment to advancing the foundation's mission is reflected in her drive to enhance outreach, support community well-being, and foster a thriving environment for all.
Saurabh Shinde
PROGRAM MANAGER
OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS
Saurabh Shinde holds a BA in Politics, an MSW in Community Development, and is a Certified Student Coach. He is currently pursuing a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (PGDCSR).
With over 6 years of experience in the social development sector, Saurabh specializes in program management, CSR project implementation, training, and strategy. He has served as a research intern with the OBC Department (Maharashtra Govt.) and the BPRD (Govt. of India), focusing on social issues affecting Nomadic and De-notified Tribes.
As a seasoned trainer in education, counseling, entrepreneurship, and soft skills, he has trained over 5,000 students across schools and organizations. Saurabh is also passionate about the arts—he writes street plays, performs dramas, and composes poetry.
Sanika Kelkar
SOCIAL IMPACT &
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Sanika is a digital marketing specialist with over 7 years of experience in the field of marketing and communications.
Her goal is finding ways to have real and impactful conversations through social media.
She is an avid reader and loves to explore new places.
Heer Dedhia
PROGRAM MANAGER
Psychology
Heer holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy from Tata Institute of Social Science. Currently she is pursuing PG Diploma In Learning Disabilities from Azim Premji University. She believes that every child is unique and expressive. Her goal is to create space for the children and their families to express themselves using different Expressive Arts modalities. She is also a Bharatnatyam artist, an avid reader and enjoys being around nature.
Bhawna Pandey
PROGRAM MANAGER-NIOS
Bhawna Pandey is an inclusion expert and special educator with over 20 years of experience. As a mother of a 14-year-old boy on the Autism spectrum, she combines personal insights with professional expertise to foster supportive environments for neurodiverse children.
Bhawna holds a Master's in Education, a B.Ed in Special Education (SLD), and a Diploma in Special Educational Needs. She is also certified in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with a focus on disability inclusion.
Her roles at Saamarthya Foundation and institutions like CMR Ekya Schools and Ashoka University have enabled her to design educational and vocational programs for children with Autism and developmental challenges. Bhawna specializes in inclusive curriculum design and technology integration, ensuring tailored learning solutions from early intervention to higher education.
Sayali Khanapurkar
PROGRAM MANAGER
Psychology
Sayali is a deeply committed Psychologist dedicated to prioritizing her client's mental health and
well-being. She utilizes an eclectic, collaborative, and holistic approach to therapy tailored to each
client's needs. Sayali is particularly passionate about working with children, helping them navigate
emotional challenges, and fostering their overall development. Her goal is to create a safe, nurturing
environment where clients of all ages can thrive and achieve their fullest potential.
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Sakshi Sapra
PROGRAM MANAGER-NIOS
Sakshi is a disciplined, compassionate, and empathetic psychologist and an educator. She believes that learning about the field gives one a better perspective of the world, and a deeper understanding and insight into human functioning and interactions. She also prefers to adopt a holistic approach to psychology, recognizing that mental health is interconnected with physical, emotional, and social well-being. This perspective allows her to address issues from multiple angles, providing more comprehensive support to her clients.
Shawn Thomas
PROGRAM MANAGER
Occupational Therapy
Shawn a passionate Occupational Therapist dedicated to helping children thrive in their everyday lives. With a heart for pediatric care, he specializes in supporting children in developing the skills they need to grow, learn, and play with confidence.
Whether it’s enhancing fine motor skills, improving sensory processing, or building independence in daily routines, he takes a child-centered and family-focused approach to every session. His goal is to make therapy a positive, engaging, and empowering experience—for both the child and their caregivers.
Aarthi Nagvenkar
PROGRAM MANAGER
As Program Manager at Saamarthya Foundation, she leads therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents, facilitates parent training and counseling, and supports NIOS students with care and structure.
A mental health counselor, registered art therapist, and neurodiversity-affirming practitioner, she blends science and soul to create inclusive, compassionate spaces for healing—guided by the belief that every child and caregiver deserves to be seen and valued.
Beyond her work, she finds joy in chai, travel, sketching, and quiet moments of reflection, approaching life with curiosity, creativity, and warmth.