Board & Management

Mrs Uma Dwivedi

President

Mrs Uma Dwivedi has been active towards social development activities for last two decades and more. She has started her work in dairy sector and performed many capacity building programs and trainings for women cooperative members. Gender sensitization programs also have been major forte of Mrs Dwivedi career. During her illustrious career, different states and culturally diverse community has been served with legal, health, literacy and livelihoods promotion training programs. She also has more than 35 years of administrative experience specially with women empowerment initiatives. Currently, she is leading the SAMARTH team towards empowering girls and women dwelling in Lucknow district largely. Also, She has been very active on issues of family planning, maternal and child health, Sexual reproductive health and right, HIV/AIDS and adolescents’ health among marginalized and minority communities.

Mrs. Shobha Pandey

Vice President

Shobha Pandey has over fifteen years of experience in the field of Women Empowerment and Gender Studies. Shobha Pandey done post graduate degree in Women’s Studies in 2004 from Lucknow University. She has been a very good scholar and intensively worked in area of Women’s livelihood. She adopted slum area of Lucknow and supported their brighter students to complete CPMT coaching. From his genuine support many students got selected in MBBS examination and many girls also completed their PG programs. In her personal life, she is described as a good mother and animal lover also she loves to cook food. Shobha Pandey is working as a Vice President in SAMARTH and actively participates in all the work done by the organisation and guides team members for upliftment of society.

Dr. Pravesh Dwivedi

Director and Secretory

Dr. Dwivedi has academic qualification of Doctorate & Masters in Woman’s Studies and cleared NET also. He has more than 20 years of experience in development sector and worked directly 18 states of India, focusing on health and education at both international and national levels. Currently an Assistant Professor (Guest) at the University of Lucknow and the Director of SAMARTH Lucknow, he is also a freelance consultant and senior qualitative researcher. His expertise spans consultancy services, design consulting, and general consultative services.Throughout his career, Dr. Dwivedi has held significant roles, including leading research projects for organizations like the World Bank, IFPRI, and various UN agencies through SAMARTH. He has also served as a consultant for Population Services International, NEERMAN, and India Health Action Trust, contributing to qualitative research, transcriptions, and translations. His academic contributions at the University of Lucknow involve teaching, research, and student supervision in Women’s Studies. Dr. Dwivedi holds a PhD in Public Health and a Master’s in Women’s Studies, both from the University of Lucknow, along with a Master of Public Health.

Mrs Niti Dwivedi

Treasurer

Mrs Niti Dwivedi has been actively working for the educating students and training them on art and craft. She is having great hand in Madhubani and Mandala artwork forms and she has many beautiful paintings to her credit till now. Also, she has contributed many social initiatives for empowering the community in different aspects. She has joined social work activities with SAMARTH and participated different campaigns on Gender sensitization, women health, and vocation training programs also. Her unique mix of working with both the private sector and Not for profit sector has brought many insights to her work with SAMARTH