Uma is a social worker and has over 15 years of experience of working with children at risk. She conceptualised and co-founded RATI (Rights. Action. Technology. Inclusion.) and its Aarambh India Initiative. Under the leadership of Uma & her co-founder Siddharth Pillai, the Aarambh India initiative was awarded the Presidential National Award in the year 2017 for their groundbreaking work on Reporting of Child Sexal Abuse Material. At RATI, Uma leads the fundraising, oversees the strategic direction of the organisation and contributes across all programs in implementation of on-ground interventions. She is also a skilled master trainer who has been trained in both the International Break the Silence Modules and the KNH Child Protection Module and has trained more than 5000 individuals. Before launching her own child protection initiative, Uma spent nearly 8 years working both at the grassroots level and with donor agencies. She has managed national anti-child labour programs at the Pratham Council for Vulnerable Children, advised HNIs and celebrities on philanthropy in India, and consulted with philanthropic foundations in Southeast Asia. In 2017, the Ministry of Women and Child Development India honoured her as an ‘Agent of Change’ in India.Besides her Masters in Social Work from College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan she has completed a one month fellowship at the Oslo University College and an executive education program in Social Entrepreneurship from INSEAD School of Business, Singapore.

Siddharth has more than 15 years of experience in working with nonprofits across India. At RATI, Siddharth leads the work around digital safety, research and advocacy. He has completed the Executive Training program on Strategic Planning by Harvard Business School, India and leads the organisation’s strategy on online safety interventions and advocacy. Siddharth has conceptualised RATIs Meri Trustline and the Ideal Internet Researches – both these programs are one of its kind in India. He has been trained in the Online Safety Module by CEOP UK and subsequently adapted it to the Indian context. He worked with the Union Ministry for Women & Children while they were setting up their own hotline, ECPAT-India in its research on online child sexual exploitation and UNESCO Asia-Pacific on coming up with an online safety framework. He has worked as a communications manager for Video Volunteers, and on several successful online campaigns including ARTICLE 17 and the Hunger Videos, a series of videos produced in collaboration with Red Cross. Prior to that, he worked with the Bangalore-based Centre for Information & Development Studies (CIEDS). He curated the ‘Cinema of Resistance’ package for World Social Forum 2007, Nairobi. He was the festival coordinator and curator for Voices from the Waters, one of the largest environmental film festivals in the country between 2007 and 2010.

Persis is a child rights and women’s rights lawyer. She has represented woman and children in cases of domestic and sexual violence for over 12 years. A graduate from Government Law College, Mumbai, she conceptualised and managed a socio-legal program for survivors of sexual violence at a Mumbai based NGO, before joining RATI. Persis is a master trainer and has trained over 5000 Police Officers across the country on laws relating to women and children. She has also trained Judges at the Maharashtra Judicial Academy and civil servants at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy Of Administration. She has also conducted awareness workshops for Public Prosecutors, Medical Officers, Civil Society Organizations, community leaders and young people on issues and laws related to violence against women and children. She has developed training and resource modules for the Police, Judiciary and Civil Society organisations on the POCSO Act, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace and Domestic Violence. Persis has also assisted organizations and institutions with their Prevention of Sexual Harassment policies and systems. Her written work has been published in esteemed journals and portals including EPW and The Wire among others. At RATI, she leads the legal strategies tailored for victims of violence, with a particular focus on socio-legal interventions. Her role involves direct engagement with child victims of sexual offences and their families in Mumbai and Palghar, ensuring comprehensive legal support and advocacy throughout their journey to justice and healing.

Salman has completed his Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Following his graduation, he gained extensive experience working with several prominent organisations, hospitals, and institutions in both Kolhapur and Pune over a span of six years. In Kolhapur, he worked as an adolescent health trainer, mental health trainer, and counsellor in nearly 35 schools across both rural and urban areas. Additionally, Salman is a co-founder of the We Care Social Foundation, Kolhapur. An organisation focused on raising awareness about mental health, addressing adolescent problems, and engaging in various social work initiatives. Salman’s journey at RATI began as a counsellor at Meri Trustline, where he provided direct support to victims of online abuse, offering psychosocial assistance and technical guidance. Through his unwavering dedication and professional growth, he has now the role of Program Lead of the Maharashtra Online Safety Network. This initiative aims to enhance the capacities of child protection systems, civil society groups, and other stakeholders across Maharashtra to ensure victims are safeguarded in the digital spaces.

Urmila is a seasoned Senior Accountant and has 20 years of experience in Accounting & Finance. She has a Bachelors in Commerce Degree from Mumbai University and has also completed her Government Diploma in Co-operation and Accountancy in Maharashtra. She has worked as a senior accountant for 15 years in the offices of Chartered Accountant M/s Mahesh Madkholkar and Company wherein she was in charge of finalisation of accounts and audits of various Companies, Hospitals, Partnership Firms, Co-operative Societies and Trusts. She subsequently worked at the Sapphire Hospital, Thane where she managed the finances of the hospital across all the departments. Currently, at RATI, she oversees finances across all programs. Urmila’s dedication to professional growth led her to excel in a six-month Paraprofessional course in Social Work, where she scored 89% in 2024. She’s also a proud mother of two, deeply passionate about social work, accounts and finance.

Sameer is a Counselling Psychologist and has completed his education from the University of Mumbai. With four years of experience of working in the social sector, Sameer has worked with diverse populations, including children and adults from marginalised communities, as well as people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is trained to deal with psychological concerns through therapeutic interventions like CBT-REBT, individual and group therapy, psychometric assessments, social-emotional learning and suicide prevention. He takes an eclectic, trauma-informed, and depth-focused approach to therapy, depending on the unique needs of the client. Above all, he prioritises genuine care, compassion and warmth. With the changing times, he is interested in the intersection of mental health and digital spaces, as an emerging field. At RATI, Sameer works as a counsellor at the Meri Trustline, and directly provides assistance to victims facing cyberbullying and sexual abuse in online and offline spaces. His interventions in the Trustline include providing victims with psychosocial first-aid, technical assistance, promoting digital safety, and supporting victims through the redressal and recovery process.

Alka Dadas is a social worker with over 6 years of experience across various organisations in Mumbai, Maharashtra, focusing on issues concerning women and children. At RATI, she is a senior social worker, part of a multi-disciplinary team that works to provide comprehensive short-term and long-term support for victims of sexual abuse and their families. She pursued her Bachelor of Arts degree from YCMOU then was then motivated towards social work by her brother, a fellow professional. Alka pursued her Masters of Social Work from the Karve Institute of Social Services, Pune and subsequently went to complete her MPhil in Women’s Studies from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). In 2017, she joined Apne Aap Women’s Collective as a Resource Mobilization Officer and Night Shelter Supervisor at the Kamathipura centre and was subsequently promoted to the position of Project Officer. Following her 4-year tenure at Apne Aap Women’s collective, Alka spent 6 months at Vipla Foundation. Subsequently, she dedicated two years as a Case Worker as part of the multi-disciplinary Sakhi-One Stop Centre, Mumbai, where she worked with victims of gender-based violence. Alka’s passion for working with people and diverse sectoral experiences contribute to her holistic approach to supporting survivors at RATI.

Pranalee has over 10 years of experience in advocating for the rights of women and child victims of sexual and gender-based violence, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by survivors. She is the Senior Legal Associate at RATI’s Socio-Legal Program working with child victims of sexual offences and their families. Prior to RATI, Pranalee has worked in key roles at organisations like Majlis & Sneha, Pranalee brings extensive expertise to her current position. She is dedicated to securing quality justice and rehabilitation for victims while also striving to foster systemic change. Pranalee’s approach extends beyond traditional legal representation. She provides direct guidance to underserved individuals, ensuring they receive specialised support tailored to their needs. Within RATI, she takes a holistic approach to addressing socio-cultural vulnerabilities and works towards sensitising the criminal justice system to the unique needs of survivors. Pranalee holds a Bachelor of Arts and Law degree from the University of Mumbai. Outside of her professional life, she actively contributes to the NGO Durgasakha, supporting the education of tribal students in rural Thane through tourism. Additionally, she finds fulfilment in her personal interest in trekking.

Shivani Pundhir holds a Bachelor’s in Law from GJ Advani Law College, Bandra, and a Bachelor’s in Management Studies from SIES College, Nerul, with a specialization in Human Resources. During her studies, she engaged in HR internships and part-time teaching, sparking her passion for education and community service. For over five years, Shivani volunteered with the Kotak Education Foundation, where she educated students from marginalized communities and contributed to their personal and academic growth. During the COVID-19 lockdown, she supported the telephonic Spoken English program, empowering students to enhance their communication skills for workforce readiness. She also spent about eighteen months as an educational counselor for MBA entrance exams, guiding students through their higher education journey. Currently, as a Junior Legal Associate at RATI’s Socio-Legal Program, Shivani provides legal support to child victims of sexual offences and their families. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, singing, playing the ukulele, and trekking.

Justin is a Junior Program Officer with RATI’s Online Safety Networks & Victim Support team in Maharashtra. He holds a Master of Arts in Social Work with a specialization in Criminology and Justice from TISS, Mumbai. His academic focus centered on criminological theories, policy analysis, and intervention strategies. His dissertation, Youth Perception of Pornography, explored how young people are introduced to pornography, its impact on them, and their perceptions, highlighting the importance of informed discussions and contextual interventions.
Previously, Justin worked as a field researcher with Project 39A, National Law University, Delhi, where he conducted prison interviews in West Bengal, focusing on mental health issues among inmates. His work contributed to policy recommendations for improving prison mental health, following a directive from the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court.
In addition to his current role at RATI, Justin has also contributed as a Junior Researcher to the Ideal Internet 3.0 project, Digital Divide and Vulnerabilities Among Teens, which examines digital access and the online risks faced by teenagers in India.

Vikram leads Operations, Administration, and HR at RATI Foundation.He brings over 30 years of experience in operations management, regulatory compliance, and team leadership.Prior to joining RATI, he served in a senior leadership position with a leading, diversified financial services group, where he oversaw large-scale operations and strategic process improvements. Vikram holds postgraduate qualifications in Marketing Management and Computer Applications, along with a B.Sc. in Physics. At RATI, he is focused on streamlining internal systems, strengthening HR practices, and driving operational excellence. His move to the social sector reflects a deep commitment to community development and impactful change.

Ritu Jain holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, Navi Mumbai. During her internship she worked closely with individuals experiencing a range of psychological concerns. This hands-on clinical exposure enhanced her skills in therapeutic rapport building, crisis intervention, and adapting to complex, high-pressure environments. Having also worked as a school counselor, she gained substantial experience working with children and adolescents. In her previous role as a crisis counselor, she provided telephonic and online psychological support to individuals facing emotional distress, including acute anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. At RATI, Ritu works as a counsellor at the Meri Trustline, and directly provides assistance to victims facing cyberbullying and loss of intimate content. Her interventions in the Trustline include providing victims with psychosocial first-aid, technical assistance, promoting digital safety, and supporting victims through the redressal and recovery process.

Rukaiya is a mental health professional with over 8 years of experience in both individual and group counselling. She holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology from SNDT University, Mumbai. She has worked with a diverse range of clients, including students, teachers, parents, and individuals dealing with substance use and addiction-related challenges. Her core expertise lies in addiction counselling and addressing psychosocial concerns. In her previous role at the Aditya Birla Education Trust she conducted life skills programs, personality development sessions, and mental health awareness campaigns with children and adults from marginalised communities. She also served as a counsellor in their helpline where she offered emotional support and crisis intervention during emergencies. She has led and mentored teams of junior therapists. At RATI, she works as a counsellor and visits different communities to conduct regular sessions with child victims of sexual offences and their families. She regularly collaborates with psychiatrists on psychological assessments to support diagnosis and treatment planning for children. She is passionate about making mental health services more accessible and inclusive, and her work reflects a strong commitment to holistic care that empowers individuals to heal, recover, and thrive.

Ruta Sawant has completed her Master’s in Applied Psychology (Clinical Specialisation) at VESASC under Mumbai University. She has experience in developing simplified educational material for individuals from diverse ages, socio-economic, and professional backgrounds, helping them understand how to integrate psychological principles into everyday life. She has also provided mental health support and life skills training in government schools across Thane city. These experiences have reaffirmed her belief in community-based approaches towards mental health. At RATI, Ruta works as a counsellor at the Meri Trustline, and directly provides assistance to victims facing cyberbullying and loss of intimate content. Her interventions in the Trustline include providing victims with psychosocial first-aid, technical assistance, promoting digital safety, and supporting victims through the redressal and recovery process. Outside of her professional life, she is interested in reading, quilling, and cats.

Sarrah is a psychologist with a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Her research interests include child and adolescent well-being, with a particular interest in understanding intergenerational perceptions of attachment and parenting styles as highlighted in her dissertation. She has trained across diverse clinical and community settings. In these roles, she has conducted counselling sessions, case histories, Mental Status Examinations (MSE), assisted in administration of psychological assessments, and supported clients using cognitive-behavioural, somatic and arts-based therapeutic approaches. She has also contributed to community mental health initiatives which provided free counselling services and carried out awareness programs for low-income groups. Currently, at RATI she works closely with survivors of sexual violence and vulnerable communities, offering psychosocial support and trauma-informed counselling. She focuses on creating safe spaces and ensuring that her interventions with children and their families are grounded in their lived realities. Her work aims to help individuals find hope and navigate challenges in their personal and social lives.

Pratiksha is an Accounts Officer with over five years of experience in accounting within the health domain in the NGO sector. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) from N. G. Acharya & D. K. Marathe College, Chembur, and a Master of Commerce (M.Com) from the University of Mumbai’s Institute of Distance and Open Learning. She specialises in financial management, budgeting, accounting systems. Pratiksha also has specialised professional training in finance and budgeting, SOCH Portal operations, monitoring and evaluation (including programmes conducted by FHI 360), Tally ERP.9, Tally Prime, and PFMS implementation. She has also participated in multiple training programmes conducted by the Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS). She is an ex-NCC cadet under the Ministry of Defence, she has successfully completed both ‘B’ and ‘C’ Certificates. At RATI, Pratiksha supports the finance vertical and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and financial integrity. In her personal time, she enjoys travelling and exploring.