Lata Bhatia, is a dedicated advocate for community service and environmental sustainability. She serves as a distinguished member of the governing body, bringing invaluable insights and expertise to organizational governance.

Graduating from Loreto College in 1980, she specialized in special education, driven by a passion for assisting individuals with special needs.

Over the years, she has served in various capacities, including President of the Rotary Club of Calcutta Victoria in 2014-15. Lata co-founded GREEN LEGION in 2016, aiming to make Kolkata cleaner and greener through waste management initiatives. She actively promotes the zero waste lifestyle, conducting workshops and plantation drives to inspire eco-friendly practices.

In 2019, she started Kolkata’s first zero waste store. Lata collaborates with ACTS (Active Citizens Together for Sustainability), advocating for vermicomposting and community composting. Her multifaceted contributions reflect a steadfast commitment to fostering a sustainable future for generations to come.

Specializations:

• Highest Educational Qualification – Masters
• Competencies – Mass
  Communication / Media Studies
• Joined SON as Board Member in Year – 2024

Soma Chakraborty, brings over a decade of experience in environmental conservation and project management. Her career trajectory
is marked by a strong focus on sustainability and impactful community engagement. Her role at SwitchON Foundation showcased her leadership in driving significant environmental projects and managing crossfunctional teams. Her strategic vision and dedication to sustainability were key in advancing the foundation’s mission.

Prior to this, Soma was an IEC & PR Expert at PWC/PBSSD, where she specialized in developing communication strategies for government initiatives, enhancing community engagement and stakeholder relations. Her tenure as a Technical Resource Person at Child in Need Institute (CINI) further highlighted her expertise in managing projects aimed at child welfare and development.

Her background in community development was shaped by her role as Manager of Training/ Livelihood Development at BJS
Microfinance, where she led training programs and livelihood initiatives. Her diverse experience across these roles underscores her commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. With a robust career foundation and a track record of leadership, Soma Chakraborty is well-positioned to drive positive change and strategic growth at SwitchON Foundation.

A.B. Chakravarthy leads India operations at Upaya Social Ventures, an impact investment firm dedicated to fighting extreme poverty by building scalable, job-creating businesses. With over 14 years of experience in early-stage investing across agriculture, energy, health, and livelihoods, he has played a key role in taking multiple enterprises from concept to scale. Previously associated with Villgro, Menterra Fund, and Agri Newgen, Chakra brings deep expertise in impact investing, corporate governance, and ecosystem building. He holds a B.Tech from TNAU and an M.Sc. (ICT-ARD) from DA-IICT.

As a distinguished member of the governing body, Shri Yousuf Rangoonwala brings over two decades of expertise in advertising, design, and entertainment. Renowned for his innovative strategies and compelling narratives, he has earned accolades such as the Effies and APPIES, showcasing his outstanding contributions to the industry.

Yousuf’s remarkable career has seen him collaborate with prestigious agencies and brands worldwide, including Famous Innovations India, Leo Burnett Mumbai, and Y&R Singapore. His award-winning campaigns for renowned brands like Burger King, Axe, and Amazon Prime Video have garnered international recognition at events like Cannes, D&AD Festival, and Spikes. A graduate of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, with a degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies, Yousuf brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the governing body, driving impactful initiatives and strategic decision-making.

Seemantinee Khot is a sustainability champion, gender equity leader, and independent board director with over 40 years of experience across  grassroots development, international consulting, and corporate governance. A farmer by choice and mentor by calling, she bridges ground realities with boardroom strategies, driving inclusive and sustainable growth across sectors. She has worked with the UN, FAO, and leading CSR initiatives, shaping gender-inclusive and community-driven models. Featured in Sheroes: Real Women, Real Voices, she continues to inspire through her commitment to rural transformation and sustainability.

Prof. C.D. Mitra, has over 40 years of experience 2 decades as a senior leader in Marketing, Branding, and Media, transitioned in 2009 to focus on mentoring entrepreneurs, coaching leaders, and teaching marketing at India’s premier business schools, including IIMs and XLRI. Through his consultancy firms, PipalMajik and Meta4Sight, he provides strategic guidance in innovation, sustainability, and leadership development. Actively involved with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, TiE Kolkata, and other boards, he champions social enterprises, entrepreneurship, and capability building in both industry and academia.

Specializations:

• Highest Educational Qualification – Masters
• Competencies – Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme
• Joined SON as Board Member in Year – 2023

Ekta Jaju stands as the Co-founder & Senior Advisor of Environment Conservation Society (SwitchON Foundation), ONergy, and
ONganic. As the current CEO of ONganic foods, she leads initiatives aimed at fostering a lasting positive impact on smallholder farmers
through the development of an organic food ecosystem. With a background in sustainable energy and agriculture, Ekta has garnered
extensive expertise and served as a consultant for notable organizations including UN Women and GIZ.

Her commitment and contributions to sustainable development have earned her recognition, including the Un Ltd India fellowship,
CSA Fellowship from the Packard Foundation, as well as fellowships from DASRA and BYCL. Ekta possesses a specialization in
Direction from the Film and Television Training Institute (FTII), Pune, complemented by Entrepreneurship Development training
from the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. Her diverse skill set and dedication underscore her multifaceted approach to
creating positive change in the realms of agriculture, sustainable energy, and entrepreneurship.