Our People
Team
Mr. Vijay Kalel
CEO
Vijay is a social activist and the Founder of Riddhi Siddhi, a not-for-profit organization working towards sustainable and inclusive development since 2017. He is currently serving as the CEO of the organization, leading its strategic direction, planning, and large-scale program implementation. With an engineering background, he brings a strong analytical and systems-based approach to development work and organizational leadership.
Under his leadership, Riddhi Siddhi is now operating at a PAN India level, creating a wide and meaningful impact in the areas of child protection, social justice, and rural development. He has been actively engaged in addressing critical child rights issues such as child sexual abuse, trafficking, child labour, and child marriage. He has also worked extensively with marginalized and vulnerable communities including Devdasi, Jogti-Jogtin, and Vaghya-Murali systems, focusing on rehabilitation, protection, and social inclusion. Through his leadership, he has directly and indirectly supported more than 500 cases, ensuring protection, rescue assistance, and rehabilitation for affected children.
Along with his social work, he has strong expertise in water resource management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable rural development. His work emphasizes the protection of local biodiversity, efficient water management systems, and the creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities through community participation. Under his guidance, the organization continues to integrate child protection, social empowerment, and sustainability, driving long-term and measurable impact across India.
Miss Anupriya Waghamare
Miss Anupriya Waghamare is a dedicated and active social worker engaged in the field of social development. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and has gained practical experience in child protection, women empowerment, and community development.
She has worked with key institutions such as Childline 1098 and the District Adoption Cell (DWCD), where she played an active role in child protection services, counseling, rehabilitation, and adoption-related processes. She has also served as a Social Worker, Link Worker, and Coordinator in various projects, implementing developmental initiatives for women and children at the community level.
Her work primarily focuses on child protection, psychosocial support, and emergency social assistance. She is actively contributing at the grassroots level with strong commitment and field effectiveness.
Dr. V. Shiva Shankar
Program Manager, Environmental Programme
Dr. V. Shiva Shankar is an accomplished environmental scientist and geospatial expert with over 20 years of experience in GIS, remote sensing, and coastal and marine environmental research. He holds a PhD in Coastal Disaster Management and has worked extensively in India and Africa, including Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Jordan, with expertise spanning environmental impact assessment, spatial data modeling, and mineral exploration.
For more than 14 years, he has been actively engaged in interdisciplinary research in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, focusing on marine litter, coastal pollution, shoreline dynamics, disaster risk reduction, and island sustainability. Dr. Shankar has authored 60+ peer-reviewed publications, books, and book chapters in leading international journals and currently serves as Guest Faculty in Environmental Science at Mahatma Gandhi Government College, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, while contributing to nationally and internationally funded research and consultancy projects.
Ravi Pratap Singh
Programme Coordinator – Environment Initiatives
Being a Marine Biologist, Ravi Pratap Singh is naturally motivated to continuously engaged in Environmental Research and Development since, 2011. His area of interest includes Wetlands, Coastal Conservation and Restoration, Biodiversity and Sustainable Resource Management. He has an enthusiastic and innately skilled for Community Development and Capacity Building. Ravi is an active member of various groups in different capacities which are in consulting the State Governments and Central Government of India on different Marine Initiative such as Beach Conservation & Restoration. Working with different National Research Laboratories and teams, he is continuously engaged in achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Life Below Water and Climate Action.
Board of Trustees
Surekha Kalel
President, Board of Trustees
Surekha is a founding member of the organization and currently serves as its President. She has been actively working in the field of rural development, livestock improvement, women empowerment, and water management for the past 17 years. She holds a degree in Artificial Insemination in goats, and has effectively used this technical expertise to improve the economic condition of rural livestock farmers.
Under her leadership, more than 50,000 artificial insemination procedures have been successfully carried out, leading to the genetic improvement of local goats through crossbreeding with high-yielding breeds such as Boer and Damascus.
In the field of water management, through a CORO India fellowship, she has established a community-led Active Water Management model in three villages, creating a sustainable and self-reliant drinking water system through strong public participation. She is also continuously working for women’s leadership development, enabling many women to become socially, economically, and politically empowered
Dr. Pranali Kalel
Vice President , Board of Trustees
Pranali is a qualified dental professional. She plays a key role in strengthening the organization’s health interventions by actively leading and managing medical camps in rural and underserved communities. Through these camps, she has ensured accessible primary healthcare, dental check-ups, and preventive awareness for women and girls, significantly improving their health outcomes. Her clinical expertise and field engagement have made the health initiatives more structured, effective, and community-focused.
Along with her medical contribution, Dr. Kalel also brings a strong cultural and creative dimension to the organization. She is an accomplished singer and regularly uses music as a medium of engagement and empowerment during organizational programs. Her involvement in cultural and motivational activities has helped create a positive and inclusive environment for women and girls, encouraging participation, confidence building, and emotional well-being. By combining healthcare with art-based engagement, she has added unique value to the organization’s holistic development approach.
Mr. Ishwar Narale
Secretary Board of Trustees
Ishwar is a highly educated professional with a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) degree. where he plays an active role in planning and implementing various programs. He brings strong academic knowledge and practical understanding to his work, particularly in the areas of environmental awareness and sustainable living.
He has a good understanding of environmental conservation, focusing on the balanced management of natural resources such as water, soil, and trees. His work emphasizes protecting the ecosystem and promoting sustainable practices in daily life. He strongly advocates for healthy and chemical-free living, encouraging the use of traditional and natural food systems to reduce health risks and promote overall well-being.
Through his consistent efforts, he has successfully conducted more than 150 awareness and community programs. These initiatives have helped spread knowledge about environmental protection, health awareness, and sustainable lifestyle practices at the grassroots level.
Supriya Sathe
Treasurer, Board of Trustees
Supriya experienced and result-oriented professional in the field of child protection and social development. She has worked extensively as a Support Person in POCSO cases and has directly handled more than 127 cases. Through her intervention, she has played a critical role in ensuring child safety, facilitating legal processes, and providing psychological and social support to affected children. Her consistent field engagement has significantly strengthened the organization’s child protection work.
In addition to her expertise in child protection, she has also made notable contributions in rural development and sanitation initiatives. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, she has been actively involved in preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for multiple villages. These reports include structured planning for sanitation systems, solid waste management, public health improvements, and community-level infrastructure development. Her strong experience in planning, documentation, and implementation enables her to provide strategic direction to development projects, ensuring effective execution and community participation.