Governing Body

Meenakshi juggles different roles in the organisation: from communication, research, strategic internal and external conversations, to ecosystem building.

She is closely involved in embedding and nurturing new ideas and in operationalising Goonj's values. Having contributed significantly to organisation building over the past two decades, she continues to play a vital role in the direction of Goonj's growth. She leads on many firsts in Goonj like the building of a reflective learning and thriving framework and the grounds-up strategic vision conversations.

She is a founding member of Catalyst 2030, a global network of social entrepreneurs. She has been on juries of multiple awards including the Nari Shakti (Women Power) awards. She is a Dance Movement Facilitator with a deep interest in the wellbeing of people doing the difficult last mile work in the development sector.

Meenakshi had an over 15-year-long corporate career before Goonj, which included working with the BBC for eight years. She is a commerce graduate with an advanced degree in communication.

A communications person, Keshav is a writer with three decades of experience in print, electronic and online media. He has been tracking the issue of environment and climate change since the Rio Summit in 1992 and specialises in renewable energy and sustainable development. He has written a book on the history of climate change negotiations published by the Government of India. Keshav has travelled extensively across India and abroad, closely watching the impact of climate change on various societies and their efforts to come to terms with it.

A teacher, a member of the Delhi Stock Exchange, a registered sub-broker under SEBI, the founder and Editor of the website for Indian Women, Mridula is a grandmother, mother and wife above all. For a long while, in the tough initial years of Goonj, Milly Ji (as everyone calls her) single-handedly took up the responsibility of running its simple yet effective website. Over the years Mridula has played an instrumental role in facilitating many activities for Goonj.

A true entrepreneur at heart, Saloni began her career with WebChutney, an interactive media agency after completing her engineering from Pune University. Soon after, she embarked on a journey in the social space and founded Desi Crew, a for-profit BPO focused on creating knowledge-based livelihood opportunities in towns and rural areas. After receiving national and international acclaim for her innovative work with Desi Crew, in March 2012 she stepped down as the CEO, though she continues to be on its Board. After a brief sabbatical where she pursued her academic interests, Saloni became a part of Paytm to build new business units within Paytm.
She also set up Reboot Wellness, an ecosystem for mental health and wellness in Gurgaon. Saloni’s entrepreneurial skills, innovative mindset and generous heart have also meant that she serves as an advisor to startups in different genres like Traveler Kids & Local Community.
Exchange Empowerment Trust (LOKALEX). Saloni is an Aspen India Leadership Initiative Fellow for 2015 and an Aspire Circle Fellow.

Dream a Dream (www.dreamadream.org) was co-founded by Vishal. It is a registered charitable trust that empowers children and young people from vulnerable backgrounds to overcome adversity and thrive using a creative life skills approach. Currently, it works with 10,000 young people in its Innovation Labs, trains over 7000 educators impacting over 175,000 children and young people. It has impacted a million young people through strategic partnerships with governments and other non-profits, and is spread across five states and 2 two countries through its unique Life Skills Development approach.
Vishal is an Ashoka Fellow (www.ashoka.org), an Eisenhower Fellow (https://www.efworld.org/) and a Board Director at Partners for Youth Empowerment (www.partnersforyouth.org). He has previously been a Founder Director of Unltd India (currently advisor) and a Board Member of India Cares Foundation. Vishal has been recognised as an Architect of the Future by the Waldzell Institut in Austria. He is also an advisor and mentor to Reap Benefit. In 2018, he was awarded the Heroes of Bengaluru award.
Vishal believes that if we can re-imagine learning to develop empathy, creative thinking, problem solving and collaborative working skills amongst young people, they will be able to overcome adversity and flourish in this fast-changing world.