Our Team
Varda Mehrotra Co- founder
Varda Mehrotra is an animal advocate and movement builder, exploring intersectional solutions. Most recently, she founded Samayu to undertake intersectional work and apply a systems approach for issues surrounding justice and animals in food systems. Under her decade-long leadership, FIAPO – India’s federation for animal organisations – was recognized as one of the most effective animal charities. She has spearheaded several large-scale undercover investigations, campaigns for farmed animals, companion animals and wild animals and was the architect of India’s largest plant-based advocacy network, which has created many animal advocate leaders in the country. Prior to that, she spent several years organising within the grassroot movement in Scotland.
Ambuj Agarwal
Board Chair
Ambuj Agrawal is a lawyer with 17 years experience, practising primarily at the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court, and has acted and advised in several high-profile cases over the years. Additionally, he is external counsel for WWF-India and FIAPO (Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations) and advises extensively on animal rights and welfare issues. Ambuj is a passionate ethical vegan and aspiring minimalist.
Anuj Neemi
Board Secretary
With an expertise in organisational administration, Anuj has played a crucial role in ensuring that the wheels of an organisation keep turning. He is passionate about helping NGOs achieve their impact potential and brings an extensive experience of 12 years.
Vighanesh Ojha
Vighanesh brings with him a wealth of experience spanning over 23 years in FMCG, Consumer Products, and Food Nutrition. His journey began with Procter & Gamble, followed by roles at Luxor Writing Instrument and Tupperware.Vighanesh’s expertise is crafting and implementing comprehensive marketing strategies, encompassing media planning, brand development, corporate alliances, and social and digital media platforms.
Vighanesh is actively associated with an NGO that provides shelter, food, medicine, and, most importantly, care and love to stray cattle. This dual commitment underscores his holistic approach to professional excellence and social responsibility.
Anushree Kamath
Anushree transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle a decade ago after gaining insights into the lives of farmed animals. With a background in Ernst & Young in US taxation, startup HR, land sales, international artist management, conducting Swachh Bharat Abhiyan programs, and lake cleaning in Bangalore, her diverse experiences have shaped her commitment to positive change. As an ex entrepreneur, Anushree is the Founder of “The Happy Calf”, India’s second vegan buttermilk brand that won PETA India’s Vegan Food award and ranked among the top 100 at IIM Bangalore incubation program called WSP by NSRCEL.
Anushree leads the Food and You 2.0 campaign ,bringing her passion for transformation into the realm of food systems .In her free time, Anushree indulges in gardening, treks, and the joy of swimming.
Namrata Das
Namrata, a devoted animal lover since childhood, growing up surrounded by nature, fueled her passion for plants and animals. Securing a Master’s in Zoology, she dedicated six years to working with wildlife habitat conservation, where she actively contributed to rewilding urban and forest areas with a grassroots-level NGO in West Bengal.
Namrata works in the partnerships and collaboration team to expand the organisation’s impact. Committed to creating a ‘Just World For All’. Namrata volunteers her free time rescuing birds, exploring nature, and engaging in various nature-based activities. Namrata’s journey reflects a profound dedication to animal welfare and environmental conservation.
Shubham Dhiman
Shubham is the part of the Digital team at Samayu `. Garnering 4+ years of experience creating, implementing, and optimising social media strategies for companies and brands to achieve their business goals with a concrete digital presence.
Beyond his professional realm, Shubham’s heartbeats sync with nature’s rhythm as a passionate poet. With an innate ability to capture the ethereal beauty of the moon, sky, trees, and stars, this artist is driven by an insatiable motivation to inspire souls through his creative endeavours.
Meet a hopeless romantic who doesn’t surrender to challenges but gazes at the heavens for more solutions, often conjuring up the most absurd yet brilliantly imaginative ways to forge his path.