Deepali Dhaku Vandana is the Co-founder and CEO of Urja Trust, with 24 years dedicated to empowering marginalized women and children through grassroots activism, policy reform, and gender justice.
Born into a Dalit family of scavengers, she shaped her leadership through lived experiences of caste, gender, and class discrimination. She has rehabilitated thousands of young survivors, amplifying their voices on national and international platforms while mentoring them in gender equality, mental health, and economic justice.
With degrees in Psychology, Economics, and Public Policy, she plays a key role in survivor-centric policies on gender-based violence, housing rights, and social security. She serves on government committees, collaborates with feminist movements, and advocates for legal reforms and inclusive governance. Recognised by The Hindu and The Better India, she has received honours such as the ‘Mumbai Hero’ award. She mentors young women leaders and trains government officials in gender-responsive governance.
Beyond social justice, she is an emerging farmer and environmentalist, advocating for land rights and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised women.