Shadhika Shadhika

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At Shadhika, we know that our most important and inspiring assets are the people who make up our organization.

New Board Members

By My Lo Cook, Executive Director

November 27, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Please join us in welcoming Lakshmi Krishnan, Vanessa Chauhan, and Uma Iyer to the Shadhika Board of Directors.

At Shadhika, we know that our most important and inspiring assets are the people who make up our organization. We are thrilled to welcome our new boards members who will expand our leadership with new perspectives and strengthen our committed Board of Directors in order to navigate the continued uncertainty in 2021 with steadfast conviction in our mission.

Lakshmi is an action-oriented philanthropist with deep experience in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and nonprofit program management for mission-oriented organizations. In her current role at Benevity, she works with many fortune 500 companies to help manage their grantmaking programs through the use of technology. She has a passion for women empowerment, using education as the ticket to a better life. Shadhika’s partner-driven grassroots approach helps her connect to her roots in India.


Vanessa is an independent subject matter consultant with 15 years of expertise working on issues of human trafficking and gender-based violence. She has acquired a unique speciality in creating highly customized, intensive training and consulting engagements to develop effective, sustainable, multi-disciplinary and survivor-centered responses to these crimes. Vanessa brings her empowerment and feminist-driven passion for social justice and equity to Shadhika and its program constituents and stakeholders. Vanessa is originally from Zambia and currently resides in Frankfort, KY. She loves to travel and eat her way around the world.


Uma Mehta Iyer is a social impact strategist and data-driven storyteller with almost two decades of experience working in brand management, marketing, strategic communications, and revenue generation. Currently Vice President for Marketing & Communications at the National Women’s Law Center, Ms. Iyer oversees media relations and digital and field organizing strategies, manages crisis communications, and leads efforts to build the organization’s national brand visibility. Prior to joining NWLC, Ms. Iyer spent her career working to advance gender equality, public health, and civic engagement, and has spoken across the country on issues of youth engagement, gender equality, and social impact. She studied Political Science and Economics at the University of Houston, and resides in Washington, DC with her family.

Learn more about the Shadhika team and board.

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