Prerana owes its success to the tireless efforts of its team members. Here is a brief introduction to the people that make it all happen.
Team Prerana
Dr. Pravin Patkar
Co-Founder & (Anti-Trafficking Center) Director
Dr. Patkar co-founded Prerana in the year 1986 and later founded Asia’s first Anti-Human Trafficking resource center in the year 1999 supported by the US Government. He has also served as an expert on several national and international agencies working in the anti-human trafficking sector. Aside from his commendable work in the anti-trafficking sector, Dr. Patkar is an academician and has been in the teaching profession for over forty years.
Priti Patkar
Co-Founder & Director
Priti Patkar fondly known as ‘Priti tai’ is the Founder and Executive Secretary of Prerana. Originating from Mumbai, she obtained her ‘Bachelors in Social Work’ from Nirmala Niketan College and her ‘Masters in Social Work’ from Tata Institute of Social Science. In the year 1986, she along with her husband Prof. (Dr) Pravin Patkar began their work along with Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work in Kamathipura, the then largest red-light area in Asia. It was there that Prerana was born – to break this cycle of exploitation and inter- generational trafficking.
Archana Shinde
Head of Accounts
Archana joined Prerana in 2012 as an Accountant. She has completed Master’s in Commerce from Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Archana is a soft-spoken and meticulous worker. She keeps all of us on our toes when it comes to getting our accounts approved.
Reehanbaig Mirza
Sr. Project Coordinator
Reehanbaig is a certified Para Professional from Nirmala Niketan. He had joined Prerana as an Outreach Worker in 2008 and is currently the Outreach Coordinator for our Educational Support Program. From photography to communications to designing, he is known in the organization for his passion towards learning new things. Dancing is his favourite hobby and he devotes his leisure time towards it.
Sheetal Jadhav
Outreach Coordinator, Educational Support Program
Sheetal is a certified Para Professional from Nirmala Niketan and had joined Prerana as a Study Class Teacher. Eventually she was promoted to the position of an Outreach Worker and is currently the Outreach Coordinator. She loves engaging children in creative activities like painting, origami because it reminds her of her childhood. She is a cricket enthusiast who enjoys cycling and sports.
Vaishali Karande
Project Coordinator
Vaishali completed her Bachelors in Arts from Yashwant Rao Chavan Open University and has been associated with Prerana since 1998. She had joined as a Study Class Teacher and is currently the Senior Project Coordinator of the Educational Support Program. She has an appreciable understanding of the community and works with them well. She cherishes reading books and singing when she is not working with the community.
Jyoti Sasane
Project Coordinator
Jyoti pursued her Masters in Social Work from S.N.D.T Women's University and joined Prerana as a social worker. If there's any difficulty during the issuance of any documentation in the communities we work with, she is an expert to resolve it. She loves listening to music, dancing and traveling to hill stations when she can spare time.
Mamta Halwai
Outreach Coordinator, Night Care Center
Mamta completed her Bachelors in Arts from Yashwant Rao Chavan Open University. She had joined Prerana as a Balwadi teacher and is currently the Outreach Coordinator of the Night Care Centre. She is enthusiastic about conducting innovative activities with children that helps them learn new things and at the same time influences their behaviour positively. She enjoys singing in her free time.
Neelima Pawar
Outreach Coordinator, Night Care Center
Neelima pursued her Masters in Social Work from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth. She previously worked with the Community Committed Development Trust and currently works as the Outreach Coordinator in Prerana. She enjoys dancing to songs she enjoys and penning her thoughts down on paper in her leisure time.
Chhaya Jagtap
Project Manager (Superintendent), Night Care Center Child Protection Officer
Chhaya pursued her Masters in Social Work from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth and had joined Prerana as the Superintendent at Naunihal. Within Prerana, she has worked in a diverse set of roles with unmatched determination and enthusiasm. From being an Outreach Worker to the Senior Project Coordinator, her journey in Prerana is inspiring. She enjoys reading novels and photography at every chance she gets.
Rahima Malik
Outreach Coordinator, Sanmaan
Rahima completed her Bachelor of Arts with Sociology and went on to work in a diverse set of roles at Swasth India Foundation, Sneha and Pratham. She is the Outreach Coordinator for the Sanmaan Program at Prerana and has great experience of field work along with impeccable communication skills. She's also a multitasker, working enthusiastically with various other programs like Aftercare services and IPP. She loves reading books and listening to music during her free time.
Deepali Mistry
Project Manager, Sanmaan
Deepali pursued her Master's in Social Work with Specialization in Public Health from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and joined Prerana in 2016. Her sincerity and focus on field is commendable. When Deepali is not learning new skills at work, she enjoys reading, dancing and riding bikes during Mumbai rains.
Baby Khan
Supervisor, Naunihal
Baby completed her Bachelors in Psychology from Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University and has been working with Prerana as a non-residential Supervisor at Naunihal and a part-time teacher at the Night Care Center as well. She is passionate about helping the underprivileged and working towards their betterment. She enjoys cooking and traveling in her leisure time.
Sairabanu Ansari
Supervisor, Naunihal
Sairabanu completed her Bachelor’s in Commerce from Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University and has been associated with Prerana as a Supervisor. She works towards maintaining a peaceful environment in Naunihal and enjoys spreading positivity. When she is not busy thinking about the wellbeing of the girls, she indulges in cooking and traveling to new places.
Madhuri Shinde
Superintendent, Naunihal
Madhuri completed her Masters in Social Work from Indira Gandhi National Open University and has previously worked in a diverse set of roles at Kotak Securities and Bharat Matrimony. She is currently working as a Superintendent in Prerana’s Naunihal Home for Girls. She is known for her articulate communication skills and is always observant while she is working. She loves reading books on spirituality and health.
Kashina Kareem
Assistant Director
Kashina has been a part of Prerana since 2016. A fresh graduate of financial markets, she fought much judgment from the world when she decided to opt for the Gandhi fellowship. She started as one of the few members in Prerana’s Post Rescue Operations team and is now leading the team. She remains committed to strengthening the post-rescue operations model at Prerana. She enjoys a good cuppa tea, reading, meaningful conversations; and will enjoy these more than anything if her cats are in the picture!
Minal Mahadik
Project Coordinator
Minal has completed her Master's in Social Work from Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University. Currently, at Prerana, she works as a Project Coordinator under the Strengthening Child Protection Systems project. She is a fencing player who has played at the State and All-India University levels. She has won many University-level medals and 'Best Player' awards.
Ashwini Kamble
District Coordinator, Ratnagiri
Our District Coordinator, Ratnagiri Ashwini Kamble holds MSW from S.N.D.T Women's University Churchgate Campus, Mumbai, and B.A Economics from S.P Hegshetye college, Ratnagiri. She comes with rich work experience as Superintendent Of Matrumandir Gokul Girls Orphanage Home before joining Prerana.
Manasi Shinde
District Coordinator, Nashik
Our District Coordinator, Nashik Manasi Shinde is a passionate social worker with a Master's degree from SPPU. With previous experience working with UNICEF and Doctors For You, Manasi brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her role. In her free time, Manasi enjoys exploring the NASA website, learning about sea creatures, and playing the harmonium. She finds inspiration in nature and loves taking selfies with timestamps to capture happy memories.
Swapnil Surase
Senior District Coordinator
Swapnil Surase, Senior District Coordinator with a BA in Economics from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar University Aurangabad and an MSW from Nirmala Niketan. He brings valuable experience of working at the International Justice Mission (IJM) prior to Prerana. His free time is enjoyed by cooking and or staying informed with his favorite newspapers.
Asma Begum Ahmed Basha
Project Coordinator
Asma Begum Ahmed Basha is a dedicated Project Coordinator with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from SIES and an MSW from SNDT Women's University. With experience working at organizations like United Way Mumbai, Prerana (Udaan team), and Rangoonwala Foundation India Trust, Asma brings crucial knowledge and skills to her role. Asma also enjoys crafting, reading, and traveling in her free time.
Aparna Jadhav
Project Coordinator
Aparna Jadhav is our Project Coordinator with BSW and MA in Education from Azim Premji University. Aparna brings valuable experience to our team with her prior experience of working at Arth Foundation. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, eating, and dancing.
Smriti Mishra
Senior Project Coordinator
Smriti Mishra, Senior Project Coordinator at Prerana, is an artist at heart with a passion for "thinking and thotting" and a love of sleep. She holds a B.A. (H) in English from Jamia Millia Islamia, a B.Ed. from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, and an M.A. in Social Work with a focus on Women-Centered Practice from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Smriti believes the world is a more beautiful place through a feminist lens, with a cup of coffee and a plate of momos!
Archana Emanuel
Program Manager
Archana Emanuel, our Program Manager has completed her BA and holds extensive experience working with organizations like Oasis and Free a Girl prior to joining Prerana. When Archana's not tackling social issues head-on, you can find her swinging a cricket bat on the field.
Deepti Sawant
Program Manager
Deepti Sawant, our Program Manager with a MSW from TISS and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering from TSEC, has been contributing to the world of social impact. She brings rich experience of working with Impact Guru, Ruas India, and the RAAY Foundation prior to Prerana. You can find her diving into books, cooking, sparking conversations, or unleashing her inner artist in her leisure time.