About Us

Women’s Education Project (WEP) enables women and girls, with limited access to opportunities, to choose how they live, learn, lead and earn.

Founded in 2002 on the fundamental belief that the decisions made by a self-reliant, informed, skilled and civically engaged woman effect lasting positive change – in her life, family and community.

WEP’s core program LAMP – delivered by grassroots NGO partners – is locally resourced, holistic and rooted in sisterhood. Graduates become changemakers, earning in livelihoods of their own choosing.

About Us

Board of Directors

Deepika Mandrekar, President
Advocate for Women and Education

Aaqil Zakarya, Treasurer
Senior Associate at American Securities

Deb DeVries​
Co-Founder and President at Girls Thinking Global

Nalini Dhar
Senior Vice President, Merrill Lynch-Bank of America

Kathy Hurley
Co-Founder and CEO, Girls Thinking Global

Zoë Timms
WEP Founder

Advisory Council

Gurmit Aujla
Kim Brisse

Will Cameron
Donna Campbell

Michael Campbell
Daniel Cast
Mia Chin
Arohi Dandawate
Simrita Dhillon

Amanda Gassé
Ekta Ghelani
Sri Kozhissery
Anna Luthra
Deborah Lindsay

Paula Maylahn
Asha Meagher
Diksha Mishra
Bhavani Parameswar

Dipali Patwa
Alison Pavia
Lisa Schmucki
Nancy Settergren
Rohan Suryavevara
Anu Vaid
Amrutha Vasan
Gouri Veerubhotla
David Yeo

Board of Directors, WEP India 

Shalini Puchalalpalli
Country Head at Google Customer Solutions, Google

Roopa Ravikumar
Professor in Sociology at Lady Doak College

Shruti Shibulal
Director and CEO of Tamara Leisure Experiences

Malini Eden
Administrative and Program Director of WEP-India

Meet the Team

Zoe Timms Profile

Zoë Timms
Founder and Executive Director

Zoë Timms, Founder, first went to Hyderabad, India in 1996 as a student of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Year-in-India Program. There she was worked with a grassroot NGO helping former girl child laborers study for the first time. Later, in 2001-2004, directing the Wisconsin program in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Zoë worked with a young woman whose dream to obtain an MBA and enter a career in finance was blocked by serious family illness and debt. Together, they discussed how there were many young women in similar circumstances who wanted to study and enter careers. The idea of creating a Center where young women could meet, develop skills, discover their ambitions, and expand their awareness of life’s possibilities was born.

Sudar, WEP’s first Leadership Academy (LAMP), opened in Madurai in 2002. This was followed by Hyderabad in 2007 and Kadapa in 2012. In 2016, WEP-India was established in Bangalore with its own Board and in-Country Director.

India-Based Leadership

headshot of Anjali chauhan

Anjali Chauhan
Executive Director, WEP India

Anjali Chauhan, the Executive Director of WEP India, has over 15 years of experience. She provides expertise in developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies, key donor relationships, innovative marketing campaigns, and securing CSR funding. She has vast experience in community initiatives, working extensively in cancer care and women-focused initiatives, as well as with children and senior care. Anjali employs a visionary approach to her leadership and provides unwavering dedication positioning her as a pivotal force in the ongoing journey toward equality and empowerment at WEP India. As a dynamic leader, Anjali Chauhan is committed to transforming lives and building a future where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive. Anjali is an active volunteer for animal care and enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her dogs. Prior to joining WEP India, Anjali held leadership positions at HCG Foundation and Vidyaranya driving initiatives aimed at social change, cancer care, and empowering communities.

headshot of Pratima Kamble

Pratima Kamble
Collaboration Lab Manager, WEP India

Pratima, as Associate Director of Programs, plays a pivotal role in preparing WEP students to become earners, leaders, and changemakers. Pratima’s 15+ years of experience and passion for empowering young women position her as a dynamic leader driving impactful initiatives that foster growth and empowerment in the community. Her expertise includes education, youth advocacy, child rights, corporate social responsibility, and women empowerment. She has presented at international conferences, participated in focus groups, and led sessions on social issues including a paper at the international conference on Rights, Citizenship, and Schools in Italy and as a former working group member of the India Alternative Care Network (IACN). Pratima’s extensive experience, dedication to social change, and passion for empowering young women position her as a dynamic leader at WEP India, driving impactful initiatives that foster growth and empowerment in the community. Before joining WEP India, Pratima held leadership roles at Miracle Foundation India, The Akanksha Foundation, and Bharat Forge Ltd.

Leadership Academy Directors

Academy Directors are women whose leadership, compassion, laughter and commitment to the students drives the success of the WEP Academy program.

About Us Esther

“The self confidence, skills, and self-worth the WEP girls develop, one cannot put a price tag on it.”

– Esther Subhashini –

Hyderabad Academy Director

About Us Viji

“A woman with education and independence is a powerful person, who can educate and guide the children in her family and contribute economically to improve her home and community.”

– A. Vijayalakshmi –

Madurai and Ramanathapuram Academy Director

About Us Sandhya

“Because of the Leadership Academy, our girls are socially conscious leaders, who confidently discuss domestic violence, malnutrition … this courage helps them secure jobs they want!”

– Sandhya Puchalapalli –
Kadapa Academy Director