BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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Dr. Gladys Sumithra

Treasurer & Founder Trustee

Dr. Gladys Sumithra holds a PhD in Economics from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. She served for 25 years as Senior Director of the Planning Department, Government of Karnataka, and later as Senior Scientist in the office of the Additional Chief Secretary for Public Works and Housing.

She is actively involved in civil society development and serves on the governing boards of several educational institutions and non-profits in Bengaluru.

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Mr. Thomas Paul

Managing Trustee

With a Master’s degree in technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Mr. Thomas Paul brings decades of experience in both the private sector and social development. He served as the Superintendent/Director of the Methodist Technical Institute at Vadodara, Gujarat and later as the General Secretary of Skills for Progress, an all-India network of over 200 vocational training institutions. For the past few years, he has been a freelance consultant to various international organizations.

His main forte has been community development and livelihood training for marginalized children and youth. His passion has been to help people realize and unleash the God given potential within them. He currently manages the day-to-day functioning of Development Focus.

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Dr. P. Sethu

Founder Trustee

Dr. Sethu serves as the Director of Indienhilfe, India, a charity focused on empowering children from economically and socially weaker backgrounds. For over 30 years, he has been passionate about analysing and finding solutions for the empowerment of children, youth, and women and has led various national and international projects and delegations.

Besides serving on the Board of several organizations and institutions, he also provides consultation on administration and finance to several other organizations.

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Dr. Hannah Anandaraj

Trustee

Dr. Hannah Anandaraj holds a doctorate in Social Sciences with a focus on Medical and Psychiatric Social Work. She previously worked as a Reader (Associate Professor) at Osmania University. With many publications to her credit, she also serves as a guide to research students. She has served on the boards of many organizations and committees. She was the Chairperson of the board of World Vision India and a member of the World Vision International Board.

She is currently an evaluator for a Child Safety Net program in Andhra Pradesh. Coming alongside, she encourages and enables Child-Centred NGOs to build on their strengths and overcome challenges, which has been a deeply rewarding experience.


Meet the Team

  • A woman with glasses and earrings smiling outdoors, wearing a blue embroidered top, standing in front of green trees.

    Meena Jebaraj

    Finance & Admin Executive

  • A man wearing glasses and a light blue shirt sitting at a table in a room with a door and a power outlet visible on the wall.

    Bijay Kumar Suna

    Program Manager

  • Saroj Kumar Chhatria

    Program Coordinator

  • A woman with long black hair smiling outdoors in front of green foliage, wearing a white top with gray leaf patterns.

    Deepika Ekka

    Project Coordinator

  • Smiling woman with glasses and black hair standing outdoors in front of green trees, wearing a lavender embroidered kurta.

    Ann Mary Jimmy K

    Project Coordinator

  • A young woman with glasses and long dark hair, wearing a pink patterned top, smiling at the camera.

    Nancy Chandrasekhar

    Asst. Project Coordinator

  • Smiling woman with dark hair and earrings sitting at a desk in front of a poster with text.

    Madhavi

    Office Assistant


Jharkhand Teams

District : Ranchi

Block : Tamar

Group of seven people, three men and four women, standing in front of a metallic shutter door, some individuals wearing traditional Indian attire.

Back row from Left to Right:

Dina Bandhu Singh Munda (Block Project Officer), Deen Bandhu Singh Munda (Cluster Facilitator),

Baldeo Munda (Social Worker), Dhan Kumar Munda (Team Lead)

Front row from Left to Right:

Anjali Bala Singh (Samaj Sakhi), Lakshmi Kumari Gajapati (Social Worker),

Pushpa Kumari (Samaj Sakhi), and Shabnam Barla (Leadership Academy Facilitator)

District : Ranchi

Block : Silli

Five people standing in front of red curtains, three women and two men, posing for a group photo indoors.

From Left to Right:

Akshita Dhan (Leadership Academy Facilitator), Chameli Kumari (Samaj Sakhi),

Renu Kumari (Samaj Sakhi), Kiran Kumari (Samaj Sakhi),

Amit Topno (Team Lead)

Districts : Gumla & Simdega

Blocks : Basia & Bano

Five people standing outdoors on a roadside, with trees and open land in the background.

From Left to Right :

Mathuel Naik (Block Project Officer), Anik Bara (Leadership Academy Facilitator),

Ruby Tirkey (Project Manager), Komal Lakra (Leadership Academy Facilitator),

Niman Tirkey (Block Project Officer)