Mentors
Anuj Bhagwati
Mentor
Anuj Bhagwati is the Managing Director of A.T.E. Enterprises in Mumbai, India, and a Director of its affiliate companies. His business background is in textile engineering, clean technology and printing and packaging. His non-profit engagements include the Urban Design Research Institute, Mumbai (Trustee), the Kalaghoda Association, the Praja Foundation, the K J Somaiya Trust, and the Cornell University Council.
Nikunj Jhaveri
Mentor
Nikunj Jhaveri founded Systems Plus in 1987. Nikunj is on the board or advisory board of several non-profits, namely Pride India, VOICE – a shelter for the girl child, Accesslife, IWFA (Indian Women’s Football Association), Lion Tarachand Baba Hospital & We Can – educational outreach for the children living by the railway platforms. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Mumbai Queen’s Necklace.
Kashyap Shah
Mentor
Kashyap leads the Bridgespan Nonprofit Development Program (BNDP) and Education practice for the Bridgespan Group’s India office. He brings a unique core of consulting, public policy, governance, and development skillsets honed across developed and emerging economies. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from London School of Economics and a dual degree in Public Policy from the National University of Singapore.
Meghana Baji
Mentor
A seasoned fund manager, Meghana was the founding CEO and CIO of ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Company and won multiple fund management awards for it. She headed the Asset Liability Management at ICICI Bank's treasury. Meghana was felicitated as one of the “Top 100 Women in Finance” by the Association of International Wealth Management of India. She is a chartered accountant with PGDM from IIM Bangalore and is a partner at SVP India.
Kuldip Kaura
Mentor
Kuldip Kaura is a business leader with a rich experience as a CEO of large listed companies like ABB Ltd., Vedanta Resources PLC and ACC Ltd. He has been an executive committee member of FICCI and an office bearer of the Confederation of India Industries and Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Kuldip has graduated with an Honours from BITS Pilani and is currently an advisor to several industry and private equity institutions. He is an avid golfer.
Our Team
Henna Khan
Founder/ CEO
Henna is an engineer and an MBA with a passion for transforming how education is traditionally thought of in schools. In addition to astronomy and science, Henna loves backpacking to rural/ offbeat places.
Meera Rathod
Mentor - Curriculum, Assessment & Training
Meera is the Co-Founder of USF. She is a Physics graduate from the University of Mumbai. She has always been a tinkerer and believes strongly in learning by doing. Meera is an avid solo backpacker and enjoys reading.
Jalpa Bhatt
Operations Head
Jalpa is an engineering graduate and has IT industry experience of 18+ years. She is an ICF accredited certified coach and Ayush Ministry certified Yoga Protocol Instructor. She is driven by her need to make a difference to humanity through community development.
Akshay Bandekar
Program Head
Akshay holds a Master’s in Endocrinology and a Bachelor’s in Education, with certifications in related fields. For over a decade, he has been dedicated to quality education and environmental conservation. His strengths lie in experiential learning, community engagement, and practical solutions. He enjoys nature photography and journaling.
Nikhil Kendre
Program Manager (Innovation Hub)
Nikhil is a Mechanical engineer who believes in contributing to humanity and society. He loves traveling and swimming.
Ashvini Butere
Curriculum/ Training Associate (Innovation Hub)
Ashvini is an Accounting and Finance graduate. She enjoys learning new things and her dream is to own a small business. She loves travelling.
Kaustubh Vyapari
Program Associate (Technology Hub)
Kaustubh has completed his graduation in Commerce. His hobbies are playing cricket, listening to music. He wishes to start his own business.
Priyanka Ware
Curriculum Associate (Technology Hub)
Priyanka graduated from the University of Mumbai with a bachelor's in Mathematics. She enjoys reading and has always been an avid reader. She's also passionate about drawing & sketching.
Girish Sambre
Program Associate (Innovation Hub)
Girish has completed his graduation in Commerce. He likes to do sports and is a State level player. Girish loves to go trekking and enjoys doing photography & videography.
Rupali Tembhe
Operations Associate
Rupali has completed her master’s in commerce with specialization in Advanced Accountancy. She has a teaching experience of 3+ years. She loves jewelry making, crochet and crafting art. She wants to become financially independent and wants to start her own business in future.
Rohini Chorge
USF STEM Fellow
Rohini has completed graduation with B.Sc. IT from Mumbai University. She loves traveling and listening to music.
Rupali Chaudhari
USF STEM Fellow
Rupali completed her graduation in Commerce. She likes learning new things and to see all the people around her happy. She loves to travel to new places.
Tushar Bhoir
USF STEM Fellow
Tushar completed his Bachelor in Commerce from Mumbai University. He loves to travel and play Kabaddi. He wants to start his own business in the future.
Omkar Mirkute
USF STEM Fellow
Omkar has completed his bachelor's in Science. His hobbies are traveling to different places, playing games and shopping.
Rohini Gore
USF STEM Fellow
Rohini is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (B.Sc - IT). She likes to read books, sing and listen to songs.
Sami Palte
USF STEM Fellow
Sami is currently pursuing a degree in Bachelor's of Art. He likes horse riding and travelling.
Snehal Bhole
USF STEM Fellow
Snehal is pursuing a Master's degree in Social Work. Her hobbies are dancing and writing. Snehal wants to become a Women and Child Development Officer in future.
Ibrahim Palte
USF STEM Fellow
Ibrahim graduated from the University of Mumbai with a bachelor's in Information Technology. He loves to learn new things & new skills. He is keen to explore new places & indulge into new climate.
Yash Shelake
USF STEM Fellow
Yash has completed his Diploma in Agriculture and graduated in commerce from Mumbai University. He has an entrepreneurial mind and wants to work for a better society. He likes to dance, listen to music and loves trekking. He enjoys farming.
Tashmira Shaikh
USF STEM Fellow
Tashmira has graduated from Mumbai University with a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance. She loves to travel, listen to music, play kabaddi, and apply mehendi. Her dream is to start her own business and become financially independent.
Pratik Bhopi
USF STEM Fellow
Pratik has completed his 12th grade. He enjoys going on treks. In the future, he aspires to establish an organization called UV Foundation, which will support orphans and elderly people.
Kunal Chaudhary
USF STEM Fellow
Kunal has completed a B.Sc. in Physics. His hobbies include playing games and exploring science and technology.
Avinash Meherkhamb
USF STEM Fellow
Avinash has completed his post-graduation in Physics from Sir Parshurambhau College. In his free time, he enjoys reading novels and exploring new places.
Kishori Bhoir
USF STEM Fellow
Kishori has completed her graduation in B.Sc. (IT). She enjoys learning different forms of art and loves dancing and listening to music.
Jay Gaikar
USF STEM Fellow
Jay has completed his Bachelor's in Engineering in 2023. He is a curious and friendly individual who enjoys exploring new ideas and learning from different experiences. His hobbies include playing cricket and reading books.
Deepak Shisave
Program Coordinator
Deepak has graduated from Mumbai University. He enjoys playing cricket and cooking.