Vanessa D’Souza, Chief Executive Officer at SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action), brings over 21 years of experience in leadership and social impact, with a focus on improving health and well-being in urban slum communities. Since joining SNEHA in 2013, Vanessa has led the organization in scaling its evidence-based health interventions, impacting over 141,000 individuals across Mumbai and other regions in India. Under her leadership, SNEHA has expanded its programs addressing maternal and child health, adolescent well-being, and the prevention of violence against women and children.
Vanessa’s career journey began in the corporate sector, where she held senior positions at Citibank India, including Director of Citigroup Private Bank, before transitioning to the social sector. Her expertise in organizational development and fundraising has been instrumental in driving SNEHA’s growth and forming strategic partnerships with government bodies and global institutions. Vanessa has also been a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Dasra Social Impact Fellow (2015) and the Skoll Fellow (2018), recognizing her contributions to the field of public health.
With a background in Economics and a postgraduate degree in Management, Vanessa has completed advanced training in public health nutrition, further fueling her passion for creating sustainable impact in underserved communities. Through her leadership, SNEHA has pioneered initiatives such as community-based models for malnutrition reduction, gender-based violence prevention, and health service delivery improvements, which have been scaled across multiple regions.
As a Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellow, Vanessa seeks to leverage the fellowship to enhance SNEHA’s use of technology for scaling its impact and advancing health initiatives. She aims to build connections with global networks and gain insights into innovative solutions that can further strengthen SNEHA’s mission of improving health and safety for women and children in marginalized communities.
Founded in 1998, SNEHA operates with a focus on women empowerment, maternal and child health, and adolescent well-being. SNEHA works in Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, impacting over 141,000 individuals. It has successfully reduced stunting, improved gender equitable attitudes, and partnered with government and academic institutions for research-driven health interventions.
