Purna is a passionate social impact leader with 18 years of experience in driving change across Gender Mainstreaming, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Digital Financial Inclusion, and Sustainable Livelihoods. She has designed and led programs that empower women entrepreneurs, nurture women-led businesses, and amplify women’s agency by building capacity and enhancing their negotiating power. Purna has led Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion efforts in organization-wide Policies, Program design and Evaluations.

Purna’s journey also includes significant work in child rights, particularly in protecting and rehabilitating girl children rescued from forced migration, trafficking, and violence. Through child-sensitive, participatory approaches, she developed strategies and initiatives that restore dignity and opportunity to young survivors of exploitation.

Working with diverse stakeholders in cross-cultural contexts at the local, national and international platforms, has further honed Purna’s contextual understanding that is rooted in thoughtful strategic partnerships. As an advocate for impact and transformative change, she brings inclusive leadership and a commitment to impact-driven program design, management, evaluation and collaboration.

Purna holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Social Anthropology and a Bachelor’s in Economics, both from the University of Calcutta. She is a Fellow and life member of Aspire Circle, a stellar group of change makers fostering enlightened leadership. Purna is frequently called upon to share her experiences and learnings as a social impact expert at different fora.

Purna’s heart and pursuit lie in literature, cinema and performing arts. She thrives in the company of her chosen friends and family. Her son and her dog make up the core of her universe.