Head of Programs

Arif Lemani is the Head of Programs at Small Wish International Foundation. Since 2015, he has led the organization’s journey from a think tank engaged in intensive research to piloting grassroots models across India, achieving proof of concept, and expanding full-scale programs that have reached over 10,000 people. He holds a master’s in Sustainable Development and oversees program design and delivery across the intersection of fields such as education, child welfare, environmental conservation, skill development, and community development. Under his leadership, the Foundation is preparing to scale its programs across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and reach one million lives by 2030.

Auditor

Dipjyoti Baishya is a chartered accountant appointed as the Foundation’s auditor since 2019. He oversees annual audits, ensures compliance with accounting standards, and supports transparent financial reporting consistent with good governance and donor expectations.

Website Developer

Sahil Hassan is a skilled engineer and has been our web developer since 2020. He built the Foundation’s website as an act of compassion to support our work and continues to provide focused technical support while helping implement new digital features through his venture, Lumenoid Studios, which serves clients worldwide, including the US, New Zealand, Australia, and many other countries.

Photographer

Nitin Sharma is a professional photographer and filmmaker from Bangalore with over eight years of experience. His work has taken him to countries like Sri Lanka, the UAE, Greece, and Indonesia. He first joined Small Wish International Foundation as a fellow in 2021, during which he traveled to Majuli Island, Assam, to capture and craft visual narratives promoting community-based tourism on the island. Following his fellowship, he became a core contributor to the Foundation in 2022. Nitin produces cinema-level photography and video for our programs, creating premium visual content used for fundraising and storytelling.

Graphics Designer

Gitumoni Kashyap is a professional graphic designer from Guwahati with over five years of experience. He joined Small Wish International Foundation as a fellow in 2022. Following his fellowship, he became our graphic designer. He contributes to design work, helping translate program ideas into clear visual communications.

Advisor (Earned Media)

Pritisha Borthakur is a journalist, author, and media strategist with extensive experience in writing, brand consulting, and content creation for global publications and creative agencies. She has authored multiple poetry collections and a children’s book celebrating family diversity. She joined Small Wish International Foundation as an Impact Advisory and Oversight Committee (IOAC) member. She guides our earned-media strategy and offers pro-bono media expertise to strengthen our communications.

Director

Prince Khalid is a Human Resources professional with experience in the corporate sector. He currently works with the Global Talent Solutions at Amazon. He supports the Foundation pro bono, providing expertise in talent acquisition. He has been actively involved in disaster relief operations, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and major flood emergencies. Prince Khalid also serves on the Foundation’s Board as a Director.

External Relations Associate

Debasmita is an actress and professional model who has won national and international beauty pageant titles, showcasing her poise and ability to represent organizations at high-profile forums. She joined Small Wish International Foundation in 2025 as an External Relations Associate in Bengaluru and now builds partnerships with corporates, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to help scale the Foundation’s programs across India.

Legal Counsel

Rafique serves as the Foundation’s legal counsel, advising the Board and management on disputes, conflicts, and other legal matters. He guides the Foundation in navigating legal situations, evaluates legal risks, and mediates conflicts when required.

Company Secretary

Pradip Purbey is a compliance professional contracted by the Board to manage company law obligations and statutory filings. He ensures timely submissions to the Registrar of Companies, maintains statutory records, and advises the Board on governance and regulatory compliance as needed.

Advisor (Women Empowerment)

Hema Bharali (1919–2020) was an esteemed Indian freedom activist, social worker, and Gandhian. A Padma Shri awardee, she was renowned for her role in India’s freedom struggle and for her contributions to the empowerment of women. In 2019, she was a member of the IOAC and advised the Foundation on women’s empowerment and on the upliftment of socially and financially challenged sections of society.

Programs Coordinator
(Pilot Programs, Guwahati)

Bhabana Barman is a lawyer from Guwahati who began her journey with Small Wish International Foundation as an intern in 2021. She volunteered intermittently and later took on program coordination responsibilities during the pilot programs in Guwahati, working alongside the program director to support field-level program delivery. These pilot programs tested grassroots models addressing childhood deprivation, promoting environmental conservation, and supporting skill development, demonstrating proof of concept for scalable interventions.

Program Coordinator
(Child Welfare Program, Bengaluru – Amazon India Funded)

Sakina holds a master’s degree in Behavioral Psychology and brings four years of experience in the corporate sector. She joined Small Wish International Foundation in February 2023 to support the Amazon India-funded Child Welfare Program in Bengaluru, working alongside the Head of Programs India. She contributed to advancing SDG 1 (No Poverty) and supporting 112 children in need. She is currently based in Berlin, Germany.