Nayana, CEO, Breakthrough has close to 25 years of experience in the development sector ranging from grassroots organisations to large scale international donors conceptualising, implementing, as well as monitoring projects Internationally. She is a long-time advocate for justice and gender equality. She grew up in a small town in West Bengal, studying in a vernacular medium school and grew up in a colony of steel factory workers. Her parents were fervent advocates against discrimination based on caste, class, and religion. She used this early learning to stand up against gender-based discrimination through her work. Her dedication to creating a more just world led her to pursue Social Work in New Delhi, overcoming obstacles along the way. In her previous avatar as a donor with two of the biggest philanthropies, namely, Tata Trusts and IKEA Foundation, she has developed large-scale, multi-state, multi-country programmes empowering young girls and women in Africa and Asia.
