We are a team of young and mid-career practitioners united by shared values, diverse competencies and rootedness in our communities. 

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Rachita is a practitioner with nine years of experience designing and administering educational courses in technology, environment, Indian music, and dance for multinational companies and non-profit organisations. She is a GP Birla Women Leader with the Ananta Aspen Centre. She has completed certificate courses from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, East-West Centre, and the National Geographic Society. Rachita’s expertise is in learning experience design, program design, youth facilitation, change management, and gender-inclusive leadership.

Co-Founder and Managing Trustee

Ramnath is a practitioner with fourteen years of experience conceptualising and implementing environmental education programs for schools and creating nature conservation stories from concept to completion through photography and filmmaking. Ramnath’s expertise is in community organising, oral storytelling, experiential learning facilitation, program management, nature photography, and documentary filmmaking. He was shortlisted for the Rolex Young Laureates Programme in 2010 and is a 2022 National Geographic Explorer.

Chief Operating Officer

Aarathi is driven by a simple question: “How do we know if something worked?” With over a decade of experience across education, data analytics, and the social impact sector, she builds systems and teams that turn ideas into measurable outcomes. Her work spans community education, early language learning, men’s mental health, AI learning and measurement and evaluation.

Anchor - Learning Experiences and Communication Design

Harini decided she was going to be everything she wanted to be — educator, photographer, visual storyteller, writer, curator, tech-nerd, animal-nut, and wannabe-philosopher. She finds her inspiration in the alive world: the hoot of the scops owl, the feet of the millipede, the folds of lichen on bark. Her photos have been shown in Bangalore and New York. Her work lives in classrooms, exhibitions, and everywhere in between.

Anchor - Alum Development and Nilgiris Changemaking Studio

Akshata doesn’t seek the spotlight. She makes sure the light is on for everyone else. She hosts visitors, tends to the space, and teaches children — all at Nature Quest, all with the same quiet steadiness.

Anchor - Alum Development and Nilgiris Changemaking Studio

Nivash brings serious spark. From icebreakers to theatre in education, he turns gatherings into experiences. At the Changemakers Retreat, he kept 50+ people on their feet with a treasure hunt no one saw coming.

Anchor - Video Storytelling and Engagement Communications

Sanath is YouCAN’s live-events performer, video editor, and resident energy-giver. This year: an international photography exhibition (In Between), an abstract photography show (Ajatha), a workshop at the National Gallery of Modern Art (When the Camera Looks Within), and a performance at Bandha — an interdisciplinary blend of poetry, dance, and painting. He also helped dream up Anubandha, a nature × art festival.

Anchor - Communications Associate and Founders Desk Support

Bushra is the quiet engine — writing, organising, exploring her voice. Over the past year, she has been training as an ECCE facilitator and continuing her expressive arts therapy work with clients.

Anchor - Engagement Communications

Earth Education Fellow in Residence

Sridhar is the reason things run. He coordinates people, places, and plans — and does it all while remaining a practitioner at heart. This year, he explored how technology can hold communities together through Elephant Academy’s three-month programme.

Joy Enabler

Ripple is an integral part of the YouCAN Family. She inspires us in many ways every day. She makes us realise the importance of curiosity, unconditional giving, and situational awareness, also the need for play, rest, and rigour in our lives.