Give us a brief overview of The Naz Foundation.

Naz works on different issues relating the gender rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. The purpose is to create a just and equitable society by transforming individuals from socially and economically excluded communities into agents of change. I remember joining Naz in 2003 when we built a home for orphan children infected with HIV. Today, Naz has its presence in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and through a partnership model in different states across the country. The journey at Naz gave me an opportunity to build my leadership and empower more people.

Take us through your early educational journey and prior industry experience. How were the seeds sown for your affinity towards social causes?

I feel blessed to have recognized my strength in the social sector. With a strong foundation and deep investment by my family, I wanted to give it back to the society in any form I could and this seed was eventually nurtured with time. People often have the false notion that social work is just a charitable space. I always wanted to challenge the stereotype that you cannot have a career in the social sector. You can always lead with ambition and still bring around the change you want.

I completed my Graduation in Psychology and pursued a MSW (Masters In Social Work) to develop my passion further. I got married to an officer in the Indian Navy. The decision of taking up a career in the social sector was then frowned upon by many who didn't see it as a professional career. Many others would often run their beliefs around me that it was difficult to run a household and be attached to a social cause, especially when the "Man of the House" is at sea. I take pride in the fact that despite managing both the ends, I never took a break in my career. I have built my career from strength to strength and feel proud that I have been in leadership positions in all the organizations that I served in over the last 25 years.

The journey for me in the social sector has been truly nurturing and inspiring. I started my career with a government hospital in Pune where we had daily cases of HIV. We addressed the stigma and discrimination against the HIV infected by providing the support and care they needed. This lay a foundation for my work at Naz and we took on the challenge to address inequality and discrimination on any grounds.

As the one leading the firm from the front, how do you drive growth within the organization? What have been some of the most significant challenges that you have faced over the years working with the LGBTQIA?

My position Chief Operations Officer in the organization is no accident. Besides compassion, I have built my skills towards being successful at my work. Systematic investment on oneself is important to justify the requirements of a certain role. Soft skills, business perspective, setting up processes, raising resources, etc. are important aspects to bring impact on the ground and to ensure efficient delivery of the initiatives.

We have built a fit-for-purpose organization that meets the requirements of communities. We have invested and built leaders within the organization and these leaders are the mentors, coaches, trainers that work effectively towards promoting change through innovative models, interventions and programs. If they don't feel empowered within the organization, they won't be able to empower others. We are recognized as the Top 10 NGOs to work for by the Great Place to Work Institute.

“My call to action is that more people should engage and pay back to the society in any manner they can”

The biggest challenge for Naz has been to decriminalize homosexuality in the books of the law. The battle was long but after winning it, we were filled with utmost satisfaction. The companies today hire people from LGBTQIA+ communities but are far from the context of diversity and inclusion. We train the companies on building up policies that would promote equality in the work environment and help such individuals to come out of the closet.

What are some of the most instrumental programs or initiatives spearheaded by The Naz Foundation (India) Trust over the years?

Besides Naz's work on HIV/AIDS and with the LGBTQIA+ community, Naz also runs a large girls and women's empowerment programme. In 2006, we saw many young girls testing HIV positive and decided to go forward to educate these girls on life skills, menstrual hygiene, HIV, gender-based violence, and financial literacy. For this, we piloted a small program to empower young girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds through sports and life skills. Within a year, we saw a tremendous impact and today the program- the Young People's Initiative has transformed 130,000 girls across the country building leadership and empowering them. Today, many of these girls are placed into various sectors of the industry or continue to work with the NGO.

During the pandemic, the Naz Board reflected deeply and felt it was time to for Naz to go back to its roots and focus on the LGBTQIA interventions. However, over the years the Women's Empowerment work has had so much impact and built so many young changemakers that it was timtte for it be developed into its full potential.  We have reached this juncture because we were always poised for growth. The entire Women's Empowerment program is being transitioned into another Charitable organization where I will be leading the growth as the Director on the Board.

As a successful business leader and change agent in India, what would your advice be to other young women who aspire to follow in the footsteps and join the India social sector?

My advice to women is to not let people make your decisions or make you feel guilty about your choices. A career choice in the developmental sector should be celebrated. You need to lead by compassion. It requires strong beliefs, the right attitude and perseverance.

The social sector does offer a compelling career as well for unparalleled growth. The important thing is that, when you end your day, you should be filled with satisfaction for contributing your bit towards a good cause.

Kalyani Subramanyam is a development sector worker and the CEO of Maitrayana Charity Foundation. She is determined to address gender equality and discrimination leading to it.

Kalyani Subramanyam, CEO, Maitrayana Charity Foundation

Kalyani Subramanyam is the CEO of Maitrayana Charity Foundation that promotes gender equality. In an exclusive interview with us, Kalyani shares her journey in the social sector and what inspires her to drive the change.