CHETNA Team

As a Director of CHETNA, Pallavi Patel leads and guides the project and administration team to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. She is a founding member of CHETNA. Formally trained as a nutritionist, she has experience of 37 years of addressing the issues related to the health and nutrition of women, young people, and children from a gender perspective. She oversees the effective day to day operation of the organization including planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of the projects. Her special interest is in adolescent health, health communication and maternal and child nutrition. She advocates for gender sensitive and comprehensive programmes and policies at the State and National level. She has presented and published papers at State, National and International levels. She has contributed in a book – Health Actions for Women Practical Strategies to mobilize for Change and Where Women have No Doctor published by Hesperian Foundation in February 2015 and Forth Printing 2010 which is translated in several international languages. She has provided consultancy to various NGOs in the baseline survey, strategic planning, and evaluation of the programmes.

Vd. Smita Bajpai has a Bachelor’s degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery.  As a Project Director, she coordinates projects related to maternal and child health and nutrition.  She has participated in several International and National courses including an International Course on Project Cycle Management at Nanjing, China.  She has to her credit a Ford Foundation Fellowship at the International Centre for Research on Women, Washington DC. She represents CHETNA as an executive committee member of the White Ribbon Alliance India. She coordinates the activities of SuMa-Rajasthan White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood anchored by CHETNA since 2002.  She has made presentations in several International, National, and State level meetings and conferences. Her core competencies include design and implementation of programmes, development of IEC material and training modules.

Ms. Shilpa Choksi has a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (Finance) and has undergone a short course on Labour Law. She has more than 34 years of experience in Development Field with special focus on administration and finance. She is working with CHETNA since March 2003 as an Administrative Officer with the portfolio of Administration and Finance both. She plays a crucial link between the management and other projects as well as administrative and accounts team. She has in the past worked as Finance Officer cum Administrator – Janvikas and Accountant cum assistant administrator – St. Xavier’s College (Behavioural Science Centre), Ahmedabad