Each year, Acumen selects exceptional social innovators from across India to participate in a leadership development program focused on fostering moral leadership in their scale of work. We are delighted to announce the completion of 19 outstanding leaders for the 2024 India Acumen Fellows Program as a part of the Spring cohort.

Our dedication is centered on providing a space for these leaders to mutually inspire one another, fostering a brave space that encourages self-reflection on leadership, critical dialogues, community dynamics, and systems, ultimately contributing to transformative changes in India. Our 2024 Spring cohort embodies moral imagination - the humility to see the world as it is, and the audacity to imagine the world as it could be.

Over the course of a year, the Fellows came together to learn with and from each other in a series of workshops and immersive seminars. Following their graduation from the Fellowship, they have joined Acumen’s growing community of over 1600 social innovators who make up our alumni community, the Foundry, who accompany each other from across the globe to build a world based on dignity.

Discover more about each India Acumen Fellow chosen for the Spring cohort of 2024 here.

Anil serves as the Vice President, Community Investment at United Way Mumbai, spearheading multi-stakeholder initiatives aimed at addressing health, education, and livelihood challenges within vulnerable and underserved communities. He has authored research papers delving into diverse aspects of community health and education. Anil possesses a fervent dedication to amplifying the reach of high-impact projects and advocating for public issues that deeply impact communities. Holding an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai, he also contributes as a visiting faculty member at NMIMS, Mumbai, specializing in Disaster Management.

Aatish, the Co-founder of Kalapuri, ardently champions and promotes the essence of handmade products globally while ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage for posterity. Prior to his role at Kalapuri, Aatish served as a Professor at an Engineering College, honing his expertise in E-commerce, Global Brand Building, Social Media, and Event Management. The experience of establishing Kalapuri has underscored for him the significance of remaining connected to one's roots and actively contributing to the community.

Divish, the founder and CEO of Swadesi Way, spearheads an organic food brand fostering meaningful connections between farmer collectives and consumers throughout India. Prior to launching Swadesi Way, he dedicated 2.5 years to Digital Green, a non-profit in agri-tech, and spent 2 years volunteering in Auroville. Divish holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT-Delhi (2015) and is deeply passionate about organic farming, food, and community development. Committed to personal growth, he actively practices Non-Violent Communication and Yoga

Jaspal, a first-generation graduate in Mechanical Engineering, channels his passion into collaborating with farmers and instigating systematic transformations in agriculture. As a co-founder at Gramya Ventures, he actively contributes to the organization's mission of mainstreaming millets by offering comprehensive support to smallholder farmers. Prior to this role, Jaspal played a key role in empowering 3000 women farmers in Kalahandi, Odisha, by establishing a seed business vertical for them. Furthermore, his roots in a family with over a decade of experience in organic farming add a practical and deep understanding to his commitment.

Tarun is deeply committed to ensuring that business aligns with societal benefit, a value instilled by observing his grandfather run his own business. Through Saathi, he is actively building a circular model that generates value across the supply chain, benefiting farmers, women, and the environment, aiming to address issues of inequality, poverty, and pollution. Tarun envisions India becoming a leading example of equality and inclusion for the world to emulate. Beyond his professional pursuits, he explores creativity through painting, poetry, cooking, and his unique sense of humor.

Padmavathi serves as the founder and Managing Trustee of Community Renovation and Organisation Advancement Trust – COROAT, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the inclusion of marginalized and excluded individuals. Committed and resolute, she focuses on enhancing the lives of vulnerable children, marginalized women, unorganized workers, and transgender individuals. Padmavathi strives to elevate the quality of education for children, provide alternative employment opportunities for laborers, and facilitate collaboration with both government and private institutions to ensure dignified livelihoods and the inclusive integration of transgender individuals.

Parikshit Borkotoky, an accidental entrepreneur, stumbled upon the vast potential of Assam's eco-friendly handicrafts for widespread acceptance during his in-depth research on handloom and bamboo craft. In 2015, driven by this realization, he founded Kraftinn with a mission to establish a standardized, profit-driven system. The aim is to manufacture sustainable home decor products and contribute to the gradual replacement of non-disposable items. Simultaneously, Kraftinn prioritizes leveraging the skillsets of local artisans, ensuring affordability in all aspects of the products, and aligning with the growing trend of conscious consumption.

Piya Bahadur is the Founder and CEO of MeraBills, a pioneering social enterprise providing tailored business management solutions for women micro-entrepreneurs, focusing on rural women who are often first-time tech users. MeraBills offers a comprehensive solution, including a graduated training curriculum and hybrid delivery models. Piya leads strategy and marketing, and under her guidance, MeraBills was a finalist in the Women's World Banking's Global Fintech Challenge 2023. Beyond her professional achievements, Piya completed a remarkable 17,000-kilometer, all-women motorcycle expedition in 2018 and authored the book 'Road to Mekong.' 

Pratibha, a teacher at heart, holds the belief that fostering a sense of agency in students from an early age significantly contributes to their lifelong success. With a background in neuroscience through her doctoral studies, Pratibha has developed a keen interest in behavior change coupled with data-informed design of interventions. Drawing from her expertise, she channels her passion into building educational programs at Involve, where the central focus is on enhancing student learning and life outcomes. Pratibha ensures that the agency of the student remains at the core of the program's design, reflecting her commitment to empowering students through education. 

Tabish is a dynamic entrepreneur excelling in admin, marketing, and staff management. A pioneer as one of the few female entrepreneurs in Jammu & Kashmir, she founded PRISM Creationz in 2015, specializing in design, printing, and publishing. Tabish successfully manages ventures, boldly entered shared spaces with THINKPOD in 2016, and founded Curio Lifestyle, a sustainable Himalayan food brand committed to holistic well-being and fair employment practices. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to sustainability mark her as a versatile and impactful leader.

Sandeep, the co-founder of The English Quest, is on a mission to cultivate the next billion English speakers in emerging and frontier economies. With a background marked by his involvement in multiple early founding teams at edtech and education companies, Sandeep has consistently worked towards bridging the learning quality deficit, collaborating with both private and government stakeholders. His passion lies in addressing the education crisis through a convergence of leadership development, technology, and sustainable business practices. At the helm of The English Quest, Sandeep is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on global language proficiency and educational accessibility.

Sanjay spearheads MuddleArt, a venture aimed at designing and implementing an improved system for managing and recycling pre-consumer textile waste in India. Before initiating this endeavor, Sanjay conducted extensive on-ground research into the textile waste sector, working towards reinventing it to establish a closed loop for the circular economy model. Beyond creating ventures, Sanjay envisions integrating informal workers and recognizing their vital contribution to a genuine circular economy. His overarching goal is to generate a positive impact on the planet and its people, emphasizing sustainability and inclusivity in the process.

Sasimohan is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer with 12 years of policing experience. His tenure includes serving as the Superintendent of Police in Namakkal, Nilgiris, and Erode districts. Additionally, he has held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police in Trichy, Salem, Madurai, and Chennai. Driven by a commitment to social causes, he has actively addressed issues such as juvenile delinquency through data-driven policy initiatives and has worked towards preventing child sexual abuse, child marriage, and teen pregnancy. His approach involves community-driven initiatives that foster convergence of interests among stakeholders for effective and sustainable solutions.

Saumya is committed to enhancing Indian education by developing the leadership skills of school principals with the aim of ensuring that every child attends an ACE school—one that excels in Academics, Co-curriculars, and is guided by the principles of Edupreneurship. Saumya's background in liberal studies and early education, along with her extensive work with both government and private stakeholders, fuels her dedication to unlocking the potential of every child.

SeethaLakshmi (a.k.a Akila) is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, working to empower individuals of all abilities within communities. As a lifelong learner and passionate leader, she fosters creativity in both children and adults through various art forms, including movement, drawing, and sculpting. Transitioning from a volunteer role to that of a teacher, Akila has a remarkable ability to unlock hidden talents, alleviate anxiety, and inspire individuals to push their limits and believe in themselves. As a co-founder of WinVinaya, she actively contributes to helping dreams take flight for many with disabilities, embodying her commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive society.

Shilpi Agarwal is a dedicated advocate for women's rights and empowerment. She initiated her journey by working closely with women and girls in rural communities to comprehend and address their daily challenges. Between 2000 and 2006, Shilpi focused her efforts in Uttar Pradesh, where she actively supported survivors of violence, discrimination, and deprivation. In 2006, she co-founded SAKAR, an organization committed to working with minorities and vulnerable sections to foster a just society. Recognized for her expertise, Shilpi Agarwal is acknowledged by the National Institute of Rural Development as a National Resource Person, showcasing her significant contributions to social change and women's welfare.

Shubham, an Indian Administrative Service Officer, currently serves as the Municipal Commissioner of Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad City Municipal Corporation in Sangli district of Maharashtra, overseeing urban and city development. Previously, he played key roles in aspirational projects in Gadchiroli and Dhule districts. With a background in economics and public administration, Shubham is also recognized as an author and a motivational speaker.

Shubhi Dwivedi, a lawyer with a PG Diploma in Child Rights, embarked on her journey in Lucknow advocating for human rights, with a particular emphasis on women's rights. Her efforts have spanned combating domestic violence, workplace harassment, and advocating for the right to choose marriage. Transitioning to education, she contributed by teaching underprivileged children at Akanksha Foundation in Pune and facilitating youth interventions at Pravah in Delhi. Presently, Shubhi serves as the Programme Director at Rubaroo, where she facilitates exposures, workshops, and learning interventions for young people on the issues of gender, interfaith and youth agency.

Swapnil is the founder of Deesha Education Foundation, a non-profit committed to making eye healthcare and education accessible and affordable. His journey advocating for eye donation awareness began in the 6th grade, leading to the establishment of Deesha International Eye Banks and Mobile Eye Care Units across Maharashtra. Recognized for his significant contributions, Swapnil became the youngest Chairperson of the Eye Bank Association of India. Additionally, Swapnil is a Sangeet Visharad and a student of Padma Bhushan Dr. N Rajam.