Chetna Gala Sinha, Founder/Chairperson: Chetna has dedicated her life to empowering women. In 1997 she founded the Mann Deshi Mahila Group in Maharashtra, and has since served as its Chair. In 2002, Yale University appointed her as a World Fellow, and in 2003 Harvard University recognized her as a Bridge Builder. Chetna has received numerous additional awards for her pioneering work with women in drought affected areas of Western Maharashtra.
Rekha Kulkarni, Chief Executive Officer: Rekha began working at Mann Deshi in 2000 as a clerk, and was promoted to Branch Manager four months later, then Bank Manager in 2004, eventually becoming the CEO of Mann Deshi Bank. She has received training from the Reserve Bank of India in cost management, recovery, asset liability management, and impact assessments. Rekha has received invitations to lecture at the Harvard Kennedy School, the University of Portland, Ashoka Innovators, and the International Center for Research on Women.
Vanita Shinde, Chief Administrative Officer: Vanita joined the Mann Deshi group in 2006 as Computer Officer and was promoted to Chief Administrative Officer in 2008. As CAO, she has served as Director of the financial literacy program, and designed financial literacy, insurance, risk management, loan, and savings curriculums for the business school. She gives administrative support to the Bank, the Foundation and the Business School and also serves as the Chief Coordinator for all international interns that volunteer at Mann Deshi.
Sushma Shendge, Chief Financial Officer: Sushma joined Mann Deshi as a cashier in 2004 and worked in various branches of the bank at different positions before she was promoted to Cheif Financial Officer in 2006. She has received training from the Reserve Bank of India for their OSS system. In addition to overseeing the operations of all bank branches and enforcing the adherence to RBI regulations, Sushma also manages the loans and funds received from larger banks as priority sector lending.
