INKWomen Speaker Section showcases powerful voices of female leaders, innovators, and change-makers. From diverse backgrounds and fields, they inspire, educate, and catalyze action, fostering a more inclusive and equitable world through their insights and stories.
Vidya Shah is the Executive Chairperson of EdelGive Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Edelweiss Group, a leading financial services company in India. After a successful career in investment banking, Vidya transitioned into philanthropy, driven by a passion to address India’s most pressing development challenges. She founded EdelGive Foundation in 2008 and, over the years, has transformed it into a strategic platform that supports grassroots NGOs across India. The foundation has provided both financial and non-financial resources to over 150 organizations, significantly scaling their impact.
Under Vidya’s leadership, EdelGive has emerged as a trusted philanthropic fund manager and advisor, connecting Indian and international funders with credible NGOs. Her innovative approach to grant-making focuses on placing NGOs at the center of funding decisions, allowing them to access sustainable support from various institutional and corporate partners. This model has established EdelGive as a go-to resource for those looking to engage with India’s development sector.
In addition to her role at EdelGive, Vidya Shah serves on the boards of several prominent civil society organizations such as Akshaya Patra Foundation, Janaagraha, and Mann Deshi Foundation. She also holds positions with international organizations like WINGS and Empower Families for Innovative Philanthropy, and recently joined the Asia Gender Network. Vidya holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and previously worked in investment banking with firms such as ICICI and NM Rothschild before becoming CFO of Edelweiss.
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Sunitha Krishnan is a renowned anti-trafficking activist and the founder of Prajwala, one of the largest anti-human trafficking organizations in the world. Over the years, Prajwala has rescued, rehabilitated, or supported more than 17,000 survivors of sex trafficking. A survivor of sexual violence herself, Krishnan has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable, particularly women and children forced into prostitution.
Prajwala operates across five pillars—prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration, and advocacy—and works closely with the Indian government to shape policies on anti-trafficking and victim rehabilitation. The organization also runs emergency and children’s shelters, providing comprehensive care to survivors. Through partnerships with police, judicial systems, and corporate entities, Prajwala facilitates job placements for survivors in industries like construction, hospitality, and healthcare.
Sunitha Krishnan’s work has garnered international recognition, including being honored with India’s prestigious Padma Shri award in 2016. Her relentless efforts have made her an influential figure in shaping India’s anti-trafficking policies, earning her global admiration for her humanitarian work.
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