OUR
TEAM
Meet the team making it all happen
HEETA LAKHANI
Heeta Lakhani is a climate educator and entrepreneur dedicated to empowering vulnerable groups in intergovernmental decision-making and taking climate action. With a Masters in Environmental Studies from TERI University, she is dedicated to nurturing change-makers who combat the climate crisis with knowledge-based action. Heeta was introduced to the United Nations Climate Change (UNFCCC) process at COP21 in 2015 and served as the Global Focal Point for YOUNGO during 2020 & 2021, playing a pivotal role in elevating youth voices on the global stage. She co-founded the Youth Negotiators Academy in 2022, to promote inclusivity in national delegations by training youth to be effective negotiators in the UN intergovernmental processes.
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
PRATIKSHA GOVIL
Pratiksha Govil has a background in biomedical engineering with over 5 years of experience in medical device research & development. Currently transitioning into the social media & communications space, she volunteers online with the United Nations and supports various NGOs grassroots initiatives by creating and managing digital content focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including youth empowerment, gender equality, and climate action. She believes in inspiring positive change through advocacy and learning.
COMMUNICATIONS LEAD
VIVEKA JANI
Viveka Jani is an environmentalist with 10 years of experience in the fields of education, communication, capacity building, research, and policy advocacy for climate change and sustainable development. She is the programme and content lead for TCI’s climate education and capacity building initiatives. Aside from her work with TCI, she also works independently as an educator, trainer, and knowledge consultant on topics related to sustainability, environmental preservation, and climate change. Additionally, she works as a science communicator to distill complex scientific articles into more comprehensible and appealing textual and visual formats, including infographics and short animated videos. Across her experience working in the education space, Viveka has engaged with different stakeholders and organisations from India and internationally.
PROGRAMME LEAD
RITIKA CHAWLA
Ritika Chawla is an educator by chance and an environment enthusiast by choice. She has over 14 years of experience in the education sector, specialising in learning and development, and educational leadership. She holds an MA in Education from Azim Premji University and an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Symbiosis. Previously, she has worked with various organisations, including LEAD Group, India School Leadership Institute, Teach for India, Oye Happy and led the initiative called Human Library Hyderabad. Her deep love for the planet drew her to pivot to the environment, sustainability and climate change sector.
OPERATIONS LEAD
MEDHA PRIYA
Medha is a Designer from National Institute of Design, Bangalore. Medha contributes to the organization's visual identity, communication strategies and produces a range of design materials that help TCI effectively convey its message. Her role is to enhance TCI's outreach and engagement efforts through visually compelling content.
DESIGN LEAD
TULIKA KARMAKAR
Tulika Karmakar is a dedicated communicator and strategic partnership builder with a background in political science. Her work lies at the complex intersections of sustainable development, focusing on climate change, finance, and gender equality. With hands-on experience of working with leading international development organisations in partnerships, research, and advocacy, she has supported cross-sectoral initiatives at the national and global levels.
VOLUNTEER